Hilton Head Dolphin Tours

Dolphin tours are Hilton Head Island's most popular family experience, and for good reason — the island's waterways are home to approximately 350 resident bottlenose dolphins that are reliably visible year-round. Multiple tour operators depart from marinas around the island, offering 1.5 to 2-hour cruises through the sounds and creeks where dolphins feed, play, and socialize.

The sighting rates on Hilton Head dolphin tours are exceptionally high — most operators report 95%+ success rates for dolphin encounters. The resident population is accustomed to boat traffic and frequently approaches vessels, surfacing alongside, riding the bow wake, and occasionally leaping clear of the water. These close encounters create moments of genuine connection between families and wildlife.

Hilton Head is one of only two locations in the world where dolphins practice strand feeding — a cooperative hunting technique where pods drive schools of fish toward mudflats and then intentionally beach themselves briefly to catch fish on the exposed mud. Tour captains know the locations and conditions that favor strand feeding and will position boats for viewing when possible. Witnessing this rare behavior is a highlight that elevates a dolphin tour from pleasant to unforgettable.

Tour options range from large boat cruises (accommodating 20-40 passengers) to smaller, more intimate vessels and private charters. Standard cruises are the most affordable and provide excellent dolphin encounters. Sunset cruises add the spectacular Lowcountry sunset to the experience, with the sky turning shades of orange, pink, and purple over the salt marshes.

Beyond dolphins, the boat tours showcase Hilton Head's beautiful water landscapes — Calibogue Sound, the Intracoastal Waterway, tidal creeks, and salt marshes stretching to the horizon. Captains narrate the island's ecology and history, and the boat ride provides a perspective on Hilton Head that land-based activities cannot match.