Top South Carolina Nature and Wildlife Tours

Embark on a 3.5-hour boat journey to Capers Island, a rare, undeveloped barrier island where nature thrives undisturbed. Cruise through meandering tidal creeks, home to bottlenose dolphins, osprey, pelicans, bald eagles, herons, and egrets. Marine experts will use seine nets and habitat traps to unveil the hidden marine life beneath the surface. Upon arrival, spend 90 minutes exploring Bone-yard Beach—where ancient oak stumps jut from the sand—and the island’s tranquil freshwater ponds. Ideal for shelling, birdwatching, and hands-on discovery, this eco-tour blends adventure with education. Encounter coastal Georgia’s pristine beauty and vibrant wildlife in their natural habitat. Perfect for nature lovers and eco-conscious adventurers.

Experience Hilton Head’s wildlife-rich Broad Creek Estuary on this kayaking tour designed for all ages and experience levels—no need for prior experience or your own equipment. Glide through calm salt-marsh waters and keep an eye out for wild bottlenose dolphins, as well as manatees, sea turtles, otters, and shorebirds. Paddle past waterfront homes and learn about the local history and ecology from your guide.

See a side of Charleston that most tourists miss with this unique kayaking excursion down Shem Creek. Pick up the basics of paddling, then set off with your guide toward Charleston Harbor to spot local wildlife from bottlenose dolphins and manatees to sea turtles and marine birds. Take in views of colorful shrimp boats and city skyline plus learn about Charleston’s history and ecosystem from your guide along the way.

Kayaking in the tidal marshes around Charleston is a must-do for wildlife lovers, but without a guide by your side, you’re likely to miss a lot. This tour gets you out on the water with a guide who knows the best spots to go for sightings. While you never know just what you’ll see, creatures that live in these waters include Loggerhead turtles, bottlenose dolphins, and more.

Join us on a 2.5-hour evening adventure to discover bottlenose dolphins and loggerhead sea turtles in their natural habitat! Cruise through scenic salt marshes and inlets behind the barrier islands, where your knowledgeable naturalist guides share insights into dolphin behavior, feeding patterns, and the protected life of loggerhead sea turtles—frequently spotted in summer. Enjoy up-close wildlife encounters and a serene sunset voyage. Midway, explore the unique “Bone-yard Beach” on Capers Island, where ancient tree remains wash ashore. Trips run Sunday–Friday, 6:00–8:30 PM, Memorial Day to Labor Day; off-season trips are Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings timed with sunset. Perfect for nature lovers of all ages!

Discover Beaufort’s old southern charm on a horse-drawn carriage tour around the historic center. Join a small group for a narrated tour of Old Beaufort and pass by the area’s key landmarks. Listen to your guide retell the history of the city from its early Colonial period to the American Revolution and Civil War eras up to the present day.

Enjoy an immersive way to discover Hilton Head Island's aquatic scenery—and give yourself the best chance of spotting local marine life, including dolphins—on this guided boat tour. Choose a departure time that works best for you, greet your United States Coast Guard-licensed captain, and hop aboard. Learn more about the island's ecosystem along the way, and look out for wildlife as you head into nature.

Walk on the beach and enjoy beachcombing on this three hour boat trip that accommodates up to 6 guests for an amazing view of Charleston’s skyline by water! Join us for a spectacular Tour of the City of Charleston from the water and find fossilized teeth from the largest shark to ever live, dating back 3.6 to 23 million years ago! Sightsee from our 21 ft center console “Scout” with shade from the bimini T-top and a cuddy cabin with a marine head on a private charter in Charleston for an exciting cruise with your crew. Bring your favorite food and beverages (BYOB) and a small cooler. We will provide a cooler with ice and bottled water! A great getaway at the beach for friends, family, and your crew for quality time and a sharks tooth treasure hunt on the water in Charleston! Finding these teeth can provide insights into the marine ecosystems that existed millions of years ago in the Charleston area. Let’s go explore!

Learn all about more than 300 years of history on this guided carriage tour of Charleston. See the many mansions, churches, and gardens as your horse-drawn carriage tour covers more than 2.5 miles and 30 blocks of historic Charleston. Belgian and Percheron draft horses lead you through the streets while you learn about this “Holy City” and its role in the Civil War—leave your guidebook at home, these stories are better.

Cruise through Lowcountry tidal creeks and marshes en route to the uninhabited Morris Island on this boat cruise from the Charleston area. A private boat company launches from Bowens Island for the scenic ride through an estuary rich in biodiversity before a soft landing on Morris Island. Spend free time to taking photos of the historic Morris Island Lighthouse, combing for seashells, and looking out for birds, sea turtles, and dolphins before your return.

Get all the thrills of a Charleston ghost tour without any walking on this haunted horse and carriage ride. A horse and carriage takes you down twisting side streets and cobbled alleyways with ease as your guide shares spooky stories from Charleston’s past. Make your way past the Mills House, the Circular Congregational Graveyard, and and Provost Dungeon in the heart of the Holy City.

Experience Hilton Head Island in a way that few travelers get to: On a small, motorized "creek cat" boat during this guided tour. Operate your own vessel under your guide’s supervision while taking in views of all the quintessential sights, as well as access to some smaller marshes and wildlife-rich areas.

Hilton Head Island is known as one of North America’s best spots for watching dolphins in the wild. Get out on the water and take in amazing views of these intelligent, playful creatures during this private boat tour. With a Lowcountry Master Naturalist as your captain and guide, you’ll learn all about the ecology of Hilton Head while watching the dolphins along with other wildlife including rays, sharks, and sea turtles. Just your group (up to six passengers) cruising the waters, watching dolphins eating, playing, and socializing.

Join us for a tour on Broad Creek watching for dolphins and other wildlife in the salt marsh ecosystem. Explore Broad Creek, venture through the tidal marsh system, and learn about the island’s history. Along the way, your interpretive naturalist captain will entertain your group with fun facts and stories of the Lowcountry. Our boats are stable, comfortable, and ideal for viewing wildlife.

The Bulls Island Ferry offers a beautiful 30-minute boat ride to explore the stunning Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. Onboard, naturalists share insights about local wildlife, including dolphins, sea turtles, and over 293 bird species. Once on the island, wander through miles of trails leading to serene beaches and unique sites like Boneyard Beach. This tour is perfect for families and nature enthusiasts eager to connect with South Carolina’s wildlife and ecosystems. Plan for a day of adventure with well-trained guides ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. - Enjoy a scenic ferry ride with naturalists guiding your journey - Explore miles of trails and beautiful beaches on Bulls Island - Ideal for families and wildlife lovers of all ages - Available Tuesday through Saturday from March to November and Saturdays December to March

Travel back to Colonial times aboard a horse-drawn carriage and discover more than 300 years of history on this guided, 1-hour tour of Charleston. See the many mansions, churches and gardens of yesteryear on this narrated tour around historic Charleston. Enjoy the romantic clip-clop sound as this educational adventure winds through the streets and learn about this ‘Holy City’ and its rich history and role in Civil War times.

Increase your odds of seeing dolphins in the wild on this dolphin watching cruise from Hilton Head. Sail out from easy-to-find Palmetto Bay Marina at your selected departure time: admire views of the shore, look for wildlife, and learn about the local ecosystem. Plus, take a quick stop to look for shells, starfish, and sand dollars at “Disappearing Island,” a strip of land only accessible at low tide.

Embark on a horse-drawn carriage tour through the heart of historic Charleston, one of the most charming cities in the US. Ride along cobblestone streets and take in the antebellum architecture, historic landmarks, and lush gardens. Your knowledgeable guide shares fascinating stories about Charleston’s rich history and Southern culture. This is a charming introduction to this part of Charleston.

Although Charleston may be more famous for its bars than its beaches, visitors would be remiss to overlook the Holy City's natural charms. Join a certified naturalist for a 2-hour nature boat tour through the waterways off Charleston Harbor, including a stop to explore the historical Morris Island. Throughout the tour, take in views of the Charleston skyline and spot wildlife like dolphins and seabirds with the help of your guide.

Go sailing at sunset in Hilton Head Island with this private dolphin-watching tour. Climb aboard a sailboat and cruise out into Port Royal Sound during this private tour. Keep an eye out for wildlife including dolphins, manatees, sting rays, and more. Learn about sailing if you choose or just sit back and enjoy the ride, complete with sunset views.

Step into one of America’s last old-growth forests and explore Congaree National Park at your own pace. Walk shaded boardwalk trails surrounded by giant trees, hanging vines, and wildlife calls that fill the air. The audio guide shares stories about the park’s history, swamp ecosystem, and the people who once lived and worked here. Start your tour from the visitor center and follow the boardwalk or take side trails to see Weston Lake, Bluff Trail, and the Harry Hampton Visitor Center area. Stop to listen to frogs, birds, and the flowing Congaree River. Use GPS directions that work offline, follow local tips, and revisit anytime with lifetime access. Download the tour, bring water, and enjoy a peaceful walk through one of the South’s most beautiful and wild landscapes—your time, your path, your adventure. *Download the Shaka Guide app to access the purchased tours*

If its dolphins and shelling you're looking for, you've come to the right place! We'll depart from and return to the Folly River Boat Ramp and enjoy a scenic boat ride through the salt marsh creeks of Folly Island to historic Morris Island. Once on Morris Island, you’ll have the opportunity to walk the beach in search of shells, shark teeth, and other fossils. From Morris Island you will also enjoy breathtaking up-close views of the historic Morris Island lighthouse. During your journey to and from the island, you will enjoy numerous sightings of Bottlenose Dolphins and other saltwater wildlife.

Enjoy sunset views and scan the water for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins on this dolphin-watching cruise off the coast of South Carolina. The frequency of dolphin sightings makes this cruise ideal for those hoping to catch photos of the majestic sea creatures. Plus, throughout the cruise, you can learn about dolphins and your surroundings from an on-board naturalist.