Are you looking for the top 10 best Hilton Head Dolphin Tours? There are a dizzying number of options to choose from, and it can be a bit overwhelming at times to find the right fit for your group. So, below you will find a ranked list of our Top 10 Dolphin Tours on Hilton Head.
1.Hilton Head Boat Charters
Overview – Located on the north end of island, this private charter group offers custom 2-hour Dolphin Tours. They are known for their friendly captains, wide variety of boats, and ability to accommodate small and large groups. Hilton Head Boat Charters is your go-to provider if you are looking for that next level private Dolphin Tour experience for your family or group.
Rating (Google) – 5.0 stars (237 reviews)
Private or Mixed Group – Private Only
Length of Tour – 2 and 4 Hours
Price – From $265 (6 Guests)
Type of Boat(s) – 24’ Key West (6 guests), 28 Beach Cat (7-20 guests), 37’ Axopar (1-12 guests)
Location – Hilton Head Harbor – 43 Jenkins Road, Hilton Head, SC, 29926
Phone – (843) 816 3899
Web Page – Hilton Head Dolphin Cruise
Pros – Premium Boats, Competitive Pricing, Small and Large Groups, Dolphin Sightings Guaranteed, Zero No Wake Zones.
Cons – North end location
2. Island Time Charters
Overview – Captain Megan has been providing top-notch private charters on Hilton Head since 2008. Located in Broad Creek near the Black Marlin and the Cross Island Bridge, Island Time Charters offers their guests a premium 2- and 3-hour Dolphin Tours of Hilton Head Island. Captain Megan books up fast during the season, so be sure to make your reservations well in advance.
Rating (Trip Advisor) – 5/5 stars (255 reviews)
Private or Mixed Group – Private Only
Length of Tour – 2 & 3 Hours
Price – From $325 (6 Guests)
Type of Boat(s) – 24’ Bow Rider (6 guests)
Location – Cross Island Boat Landing – 68 Helmsman Way, Hilton Head, SC, 29926
Phone – (816) 261 2410
Pros – Highly Rated, 17+ years in business, owner operated, award winning.
Cons – Broad Creek no wake zone
3. Commander Zodiac
Overview – Commander Zodiac offers private Dolphin Tours of Hilton head Island aboard their cool zodiac rafts. They have a wide variety of charter options to choose from and their focus on ecology and fun will make your time on the water unique and unforgettable.
Rating (Trip Advisor) – 5/5 stars (714 reviews)
Private or Mixed Group – Private Only
Length of Tour – 1.5 + 2-Hour Tours
Price – From $170 (Group of 3) $55 per person additional
Type of Boat(s) – Zodiac hardbottom rafts
Location – Broad Creek Marina -18 Simmons Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Phone – (843) 671 3344
Pros – Highly rated, closest to the water experience, variety of dolphin tour experiences and
good price points for very small groups.
Cons – Long Broad Creek no wake zone, tight fit for groups of more than 3
4. Low Country Watersports
Overview – Low Country Watersports offers one of the coolest ways to experience dolphins up close. With their guided 11’ Creek Cat boats, you get to be your own captain and experience the best of the low country. If you want to sit right on top of the water and skip across the waters of Hilton Head, this is the experience for you.
Rating (Trip Advisor) – 5/5 stars (2.5k reviews)
Private or Mixed Group – Mixed Group
Length of Tour – 1.5 + 2-Hour Tours
Price – From $290 (2 Adults)
Type of Boat(s) – 11’Creek Cat (2 Passenger Boats)
Location – Palmetto Bay Marina –86 Helmsman Way, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Phone – (843) 894 4096
Pros – Captain your own adventure, unique Creek Cat boats, highly rated, good price
Cons – Limited to 2 passengers per boat, long Broad Creek no wake zone.
5. Outside Hilton Head
Overview – Outside Hilton Head offers both private and mixed group Dolphin Eco Tours of the low country. Their most popular offering is their 1.5 hour guided dolphin tour. They are the island’s largest charter provider and offer a variety of dolphin experiences for both small and large groups
Rating (Google) – 4.8 stars (335 reviews)
Private or Mixed Group – Private and Mixed Group
Length of Tour – 1.5 + 3-Hour Tours
Price – Private from $285 (up to 6), Mixed group from $45 per adult
Type of Boat(s) – 24’ & 27’ Skiffs and 25’ C-Hawk
Location – Shelter Cove Marina –50 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Phone – (843) 686 6996
Pros – Highly rated, experienced guides, good price points for both private and mixed groups, wide variety of experiences beyond Dolphin Tours
Cons – Long no wake zones (up to 30 mins each way), seating not the most comofrtable on skiff boats
6. Vagabond Cruise
Overview – Hilton Head’s original dolphin cruise provider operates out of the heart of the south end in Harbour Town. They provide large family friendly mixed group experiences on a cost per head basis. If you are taking the kids and want a snack bar, bathroom, and indoor + outdoor seating, the Vagabond 90-minute dolphin cruise is a great option for you.
Rating (Google) – 4.5 stars (2.1k reviews)
Private or Mixed Group – Mixed Group
Length of Tour – 1.5 Hour Tours
Price – $49.95 per adult (13+), $19.95 per child (3-12)
Type of Boat(s) – 82’ boat with two levels of seating
Location – Harbour Town –149 Lighthouse Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Phone – (843) 363 9026
Pros – Sea Pines location on south end, good price point, bathroom and concessions on
board, only dolphin cruise that reaches the headwaters of the Atlantic.
Cons – $9 per car entry fee to Sea Pines, large boat with lots of passengers.
7. Native Son Adventures
Overview – Native Son is now offering Tiki Boat Dolphin Adventures. This is the island’s newest way to experience dolphins in their custom-built Tiki Boat. They will check crab traps and throw the cast net as well on your private charter.
Rating (Trip Advisor) – 5/5 stars (663 reviews)
Private or Mixed Group – Private
Length of Tour – 1.5, 2, 3, 4 Hour Tours
Price – $170 for 3 guests (90 Minute Tiki Boat Charter) $55 per additional person
Type of Boat(s) – Pontoon Boat
Location – Shelter Cove –Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Phone – (843) 816 3312
Pros – Guaranteed Dolphin Sightings, covered boat with restroom, great for all ages.
Cons – Long no wake zone, high top chairs as seats – might not be that comfortable
8. Mermaid of Hilton Head
Overview – We like Mermaid of Hilton Head for their “Mermaid experience”. While it isn’t specifically a dolphin tour, there are good odds that you will encounter them. The best part about this charter is that you get to experience a live mermaid up close and personal. They do a really great job with this experience and the kids absolutely love it.
Rating (Trip Advisor) – 4.5/5 stars (113 reviews)
Private or Mixed Group – Mixed Group
Length of Tour – 1.5 Hour Tours
Price – ?
Type of Boat(s) – Pontoon Boat
Location – Broad Creek Marina – 18 Simmons Road –Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Phone – (843) 271 6441
Pros – Only “Mermaid” experience on Hilton Head, kids love it, highly likely to experience
dolphins as well.
Cons – Online booking is really hard to figure out
9. Dolphin Seafari
Overview – Dolphin Seafari offers a 90 – 120-minute dolphin cruise that departs from Shelter Cove. On their dolphin cruise you get up close and personal with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and also the captain will throw a cast net and pull a crab trap on your charter. It’s a great way for kids and parents alike to learn about what makes the low country eco system so amazing.
Rating (Trip Advisor) – 5/5 stars (584 reviews)
Private or Mixed Group – Mixed Group
Length of Tour – 1.5 Hour Tours
Price – $40 (Adults), $30 (Children 3-12), Infants $10 (2 & under)
Type of Boat(s) – 30’ Covered Pontoon Boat
Location – Shelter Cove Marina – 1 Shelter Cove Lane –Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Phone – (843) 785 2345
Pros – Highly rated, really good value, cast net demonstration and crab trap pull, bathroom
on board boat.
Cons – Long no wake zone, don’t spend a lot of time in the big water
10. Captain Mark’s Dolphin Cruise
Overview – Located in Shelter Cove, Captain Mark’s Dolphin cruise has been family owned and operated for over 40 years. On this mixed group charter, you get to explore Hilton Head’s waterways via Broad Creek with the island’s most experienced and knowledgeable captain. This is your best price per head Dolphin Tour option if you aren’t looking for a private boat experience.
Rating (Yelp) – 4.5 / 5 stars (66 reviews)
Private or Mixed Group – Mixed Group
Length of Tour – 1.75 Hour Tours
Price – $28.95 (Adults), $12.95 (Children 3-12), Infants FREE (2 & under)
Type of Boat(s) – Large Commercial Boat
Location – Shelter Cove Marina – 9 Harbourside Lane –Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Phone – (843) 785 4558
Pros – See over 45 points of interest, large commercial boat, 40+ years in business,
bathroom on board
Cons – Limited cruise times (11am & 2pm), long no wake zone (up to 30 minutes each way)
to get to open water.
About the Author
Captain Neil, a certified master captain with Hilton Head Boat Charters, calls the sunny shores of Hilton Head Island, SC, home. With over two hundred bachelorette party cruises under his belt (and plenty of wild stories to prove it), he’s your go-to expert for making waves and unforgettable memories on the water! 🚤🎉