Where to Go: the 13 Best Private Dolphin Watching Charters in Hilton Head Island

1.90-Minute Private Dolphin Tour in Hilton Head Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 516 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) Our pick

Join Captain Mark aboard a private boat for up to six people and search Hilton Head’s waters for wild dolphins. The 90-minute trip may reach the Cooper River and Daufuskie Island, with possible lighthouse photos along the way. A Lowcountry Master Naturalist adds context about dolphins, tides, marshes, oysters, and local wildlife.

“Captain Mark was very knowledgeable. An exceptional tour guide with a bit of humor mixed in. Our whole family would highly recommend him.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.2-Hour Private Hilton Head Dolphin Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 306 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Set out from 43 Jenkins Road on a private two-hour boat charter with a captain such as Dave, Neil, Moto, or Harry. Cruise past Harbour Town, across Calibogue Sound, and along Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge while watching for dolphins, bald eagles, sea birds, turtles, and more. Bring your own food and drinks, with a cooler and ice provided.

“We had an absolutely amazing time. 10/10 Would recommend and will use again. Captain Dave was awesome. We saw dolphins, learned history and saw a bald eagle. It was the highlight of our trip and we can not wait to come back and do it again. The smaller personal tour was so much more relaxing! Thanks for an amazing time and making the girls day on the boat!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Hilton Head Island: Private Dolphin and Nature Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 50 reviews · 1h 30m

Join Captain Mark for a private 90-minute cruise from 68 Helmsman Way. Your group of up to six will watch wild dolphins in Calibogue Sound, learn about salt-marsh ecology and Hilton Head history, and, if conditions allow, explore Bull Island creeks, crab traps, and shell banks. The boat is clean, spacious, and dog friendly.

“Capt Mark was sensational. The tour was awesome. Capt Mark was so knowledgable about the wildlife and locations to see them. It was the best money ever spent. We come back to Hilton Head every year and his tour is now part of our yearly itinerary!!! We miss him already.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Hilton Head: Private Dolphin Day or Sunset Catamaran Sail

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 27 reviews · 2 hours - 150 minutes

Take a private catamaran around Hilton Head for two to two and a half hours. Captain William or AJ may guide your group through the salt marsh, with chances to spot dolphins and birds. Choose a daytime sail, sunset cruise, or sunset sail with Shelter Cove fireworks. Bring your own food and drinks.

“Our family was visiting from Colorado and we all thought it was the highlight of the vacation. Captain Will was wonderful and informative. We so quite a few dolphins and a pretty sunset!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Private Hilton Head Dolphin Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Cruise Hilton Head’s Broad Creek and Calibogue Sound on a private 90-minute pontoon tour with a USCG licensed captain. Look for dolphins, pass Harbourtown Lighthouse, and view Daufuskie Island from the water. Snacks, drinks, family photos, and dolphin sightings are included, but there is no restroom on board.

“Wonderful seeing dolphins, the beautiful scenery, and a baby dolphin... but the conversations with our Captain!! He was the best.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Private Hilton Head Sunset Dolphin Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Set out from Hilton Head with a USCG licensed captain for a 90-minute private sunset cruise. Watch for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, pass Harbour Town Lighthouse, Daufuskie Island, and Harbour Town Golf Links, and hear about local wildlife and island history. Captains including Dawn, Peter, John, James, Ian, and Mark have led recent trips.

“We were a family of 5 with 3 kids under 10. The tour boat was brand new with plenty of seating and room to walk around. Captain James was very personable and informative and gave us a history of the area. We saw many dolphins and experienced an amazing sunset on the water. Captain James even took us to the best spots to take some awesome pictures. Would definitely do this tour again with friends.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Private Dolphin Boat Tour in Hilton Head Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 1 hour (approx.)

Set out from Cross Island Boat Landing in a private center-console boat with a captain such as Brode, watching Broad Creek, Brams Point, Calibogue Sound, and the shallows near Daufuskie for dolphins and birds. The boat fits up to six, welcomes children and service animals, and lets you bring snacks and drinks, including alcohol.

“Had a beautiful day on Hilton Head island in April! Took a tour on a small boat with our guid Brode. We wanted to see dolphins and oh man did we. Just check out this picture. Had a blast and so affordable.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.2 1/4 Hour Private Kayak Hilton Head Dolphin Nature Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.)

You’ll paddle calm Broad Creek Estuary waters on a private 2-hour-15-minute kayak outing for up to six people. Your English-speaking guide provides all needed gear and looks for year-round bottlenose dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, shorebirds, and other marsh wildlife. The tour begins and ends at 18 Simmons Road.

“Had a great time! Saw dolphins and manatees. Our guide was wonderful and knowledgeable. Take the tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.1 Hour Private Dolphin Tour Hilton Head Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $250Best value

Join Island Explorer for a private one-hour boat trip from 101 Marshland Road on Hilton Head Island. You’ll cruise Broad Creek, look for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, and learn about the island ecosystem with your own group. The short length suits young children, couples, and anyone working with a tight schedule.

“This was a perfect first boat trip for my 3 young kids. We saw several dolphins; one even came up and sprayed us! So much fun and the perfect length. Would definitely do it again.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Private Hilton Head Dolphin Tour with Waterfront Dining Stop

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews

Set out from Palmetto Bay Marina with a USCG licensed captain for a private 2-hour-15-minute cruise through Broad Creek and Calibogue Sound. Captain Sarah or Captain Ben may guide your group past dolphins, Harbourtown lighthouse, and Daufuskie Island, with two or three restaurant stops and bottled water included.

“Captain Ben made this trip so enjoyable. He was friendly, informative, flexible and funny. Our family of 7, which included a 7 month old baby, had a wonderful time! The trip itself was relaxing, scenic and the boat ride was fun!”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Hilton Head: 2 Hour Private Dolphin Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews

Join Captain Dave, Harry, or Neil for a private two-hour cruise through Hilton Head’s Calibogue Sound. Your group of up to six rides in a spacious 24-foot boat, with cooler, ice, and marina parking included. Look for Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins, enjoy open water with no no-wake zones, and bring your own food or drinks.

“Our boat ride was just what we were looking for! Captain Dave was very informative and took us on a great ride! We saw lots of dolphins and beautiful scenery!”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Hilton Head: Private Dolphins & Tubing Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 2h 30m

Spend 150 minutes on a private Hilton Head boat from Shelter Cove Marina, watching for dolphins and birds before tubing through scenic salt-marsh waters. Your English-speaking captain sets the pace, explains the local ecosystem, and provides the boat and tubing gear. Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and clothing that can get wet.

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Hilton Head Island: Private Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 1h 30m

Set out from Palmetto Bay Marina with a private captain for a 90-minute cruise through Hilton Head’s creeks and marshes. You’ll look for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, pass Harbour Town Lighthouse and Daufuskie Island, and receive snacks, drinks, family photos, and local stories. Captain Pete has earned praise for his island knowledge.

“Our guide Pete was outstanding! Incredible knowledge about the island and how it has developed. He was informative and very interesting. The boat was beautiful. It was well worth taking a couple hours and we saw several dolphins! Highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review