90-Minute Private Dolphin Tour in Hilton Head Island
Recommended by 100% of travelers
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Hilton Head Island, USA
- 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- Get close-up views of dolphins in the wild on this boat tour around Hilton Head
- The private small-group tour offers an intimate wildlife experience
- The roughly 90-minute excursion allows ample time to watch dolphins frolic
- Learn all about the local ecology from a Lowcountry Master Naturalist
What's Included
- All Fees and Taxes
- Licensed Captain and Low Country Master Naturalist, providing an in-depth narrative for your group
- Private Vessel for your Family Tour
- Gratuity
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 68 Helmsman Way, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, USA
Enter the parking lot of Cross Island Boat Landing, just under the Cross Island Parkway. Plenty of parking available. Walk down to the docks to meet your Captain.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Harbour Town Lighthouse and Museum (Pass By)
Daufuskie Island (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
William_S
Captain Mark was very knowledgeable. An exceptional tour guide with a bit of humor mixed in. Our whole family would highly recommend him.
Reviews
5.0
based on 527 reviews
Michael_N, Mar 2026
We had an incredible time on the 90-Minute Private Dolphin Tour in Hilton Head Island. From the moment we got out on the water, it felt like a special experience. The captain was knowledgeable, friendly, and knew exactly where to go.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you, Michael! Couldn't have asked for a better day this time of year. Really enjoyed having you all onboard and look forward to seeing you again!
Matthew_B, Mar 2026
Captain Mark was awesome. Easy to communicate with and an overall great guide. Loved the narrative and discussion. He expertly guided us to different neighborhoods and also found plenty of dolphins. Couldn’t be happier with the choice. Definitely a repeat and way beats a standard tour.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you, Matthew! It was great meeting you and the entire family, really enjoyed getting the opportunity to show you guys around the water. Very glad the dolphins were cooperating! Looking forward to seeing you all again soon!
Margaret_K, Mar 2026
Capt Mark knows and loves this area! He gave interesting, in depth answers to all sorts of questions about the history, the creatures, geography, the ecosystems, the development of life on Hilton Head! All four of us found Mark and the trip a delight!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you, Margie! It was wonderful getting a chance to meet you all. Really enjoyed the questions and the dialog during the tour! Hope to see you all again in warmer weather!
Lisa_P, Dec 2025
Captain Mark was a great host, knowledgeable about local wildlife and ecosystem, and very personable. We would highly recommend 👌
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you, Lisa! It was great meeting you and your family and getting an opportunity to show you guys around the island's waters. Looking forward to seeing you next season!
Jeanelle_C, Nov 2025
We had a wonderful trip out with Mark to experience the dolphins, the waters and islands in the area. We took the 4;00 time slot which gave us an opportunity for a beautiful sunset too.
Mark navigated us well to ensure we saw plenty of dolphin, told us about their numbers, feeding and hunting habits. He answered lots of questions about the tide, salt marsh, and oyster shell shoreline.
We will donut again when we are back. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for coming out, Jeanelle! Really enjoyed getting the opportunity to show off the area to you all. Really appreciate including me into your family vacation plans. Looking forward to seeing you again soon!
Stephen_G, Nov 2025
A wonderful tour of the low country and dolphins!! Mark was an exceptional host and was very knowledgeable of the area.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you, Stephen! I really appreciate you including my tour into your vacation plans. Had a great time with you all and look forward to seeing you soon!
Joseph_P, Oct 2025
Captain Mark was awesome, and we had a great time! We saw about 20 dolphins, and learned some cool things about the animals and the island that we didn’t know. The kids had a blast! Will definitely book again when we come back!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you, Joseph! Awesome time out with the family. Love it when the dolphins are out in full display! Looking forward to seeing you again next season!
Matt_F, Sep 2025
This experience was wonderful. The captain was very nice and knowledgeable about the area. The boat was very clean and we saw what to be at least 50 dolphins on the tour. We also had a 9 month old baby with us and he loved the experience.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you, Matt! It was great meeting all of you and getting an opportunity to show you the waters around the island. Glad the dolphins were cooperating! Looking forward to seeing you again soon!
Jay_T, Sep 2025
Captain Mark is a great skipper. He knows where the dolphins are and has a vast knowledge of the wildlife in this part of the world. We had a blast and learned a lot about the dolphins.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you, Jay! I’m glad you had a great time out on the water and enjoyed learning about the dolphins and wildlife. It’s always a treat to share these amazing animals and this beautiful area with our guests. Hope to see you back again soon!
Heather_D, Aug 2025
Absolutely perfect family activity - peaceful, relaxing, scenic and kid friendly/educational. Skipper was amazing!
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you, Heather! It was great meeting you and your family. Hope to see you all again soon!
Adrienne_G, Aug 2025
Captain Mark was amazing and knowledgeable. My kids said this was their favorite activity on the entire vacation. We spent the morning learning about the marsh, eco-system, alligators, oysters (including a visit to shell island that my daughter loved). My kids saw over 30 dolphins of all sizes/ages, and we saw ten different crabs of all sizes. He spent time sharing about the area, teaching my kids about wildlife, boats, and tides. Amazing experience that our family will definitely repeat!
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much, Adrienne! I’m glad to hear the kids had such a great time and that the tour ended up being their favorite activity of the trip. Seeing so many dolphins, crabs, and exploring Shell Island always makes for an exciting adventure, and I’m happy I could share a little knowledge about the waters and wildlife along the way. Hope to see you all again very soon!
Jenna_W, Aug 2025
Our private dolphin tour was excellent! From the moment we stepped on board, Captain Mark made us feel welcome and comfortable, sharing fun facts about the area and the wildlife we might see. The boat was perfect for getting up close to the dolphins!
If you’re looking for an unforgettable, up-close dolphin experience with a relaxed and personal vibe, this is the one. We will be talking about Captain Mark for years to come!
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much, Jenna! It was great meeting you all and getting the opportunity to get you out on the water! Really enjoyed the time we got to spend together and looking forward to doing it again soon!
Kelly_M, Aug 2025
Captain Mark is a Gem! He navigated the weather to make sure our kids had the perfect dolphin trip. He even threw in some crab and shell gathering for us. Highly recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words, Kelly! I’m glad we could work around the weather and still make it a great adventure for the kids. Finding dolphins, pulling up crab traps, and gathering shells is always a fun bonus! I truly appreciate the recommendation and hope to see you all again next time you’re on Hilton Head.
Frederick_J, Jul 2025
Outstanding morning on the Bay with family and a host of dolphin activity all around us! Beautiful sites and very relaxing. Captain Mark was great! Great communication and learned the history of area and fun facts too. It was a fantastic experience! Would highly recommend seeking out Captain Mark for this excursion.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you, Frederick! I’m so glad you and your family had such a great morning out on the water, and that the dolphins showed up in full force! It was a pleasure sharing the beauty and history of the area with you. I really appreciate you guys coming out and look forward to having you back again soon!
megan, Jul 2025
My family of 5 had such an amazing time on Capt. Mark's private dolphin tour! We were extremely fortunate to get to experience the rare dolphin feeding strategy of 'strand feeding" !! My whole family talked about this tour thr entire day! Capt. Mark was extremely knowledgeable, personable and friendly. I would definitely book one of his other tours on our next visit to HHI!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you so much, Megan! It was a treat having your family on board, and it's always exciting when we get to witness strand feeding. It’s one of the most incredible behaviors to see in the wild! I’m glad the experience made such an impression and truly appreciate your kind words. Looking forward to seeing you again soon!
Jamie_L, Jul 2025
Captain Mark was friendly and knowledgeable! We saw lots of dolphins and had so much fun! Will definitely do this again!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you for coming out, Jamie! Really enjoyed having you guys out on the water. Look forward to seeing you again!
Meghan_Z, Jul 2025
Excellent tour and service from Captain Mark! Great communication and we had a great time getting to explore the area. Loved getting to see all the dolphins and learn more about the unique ecology. Would definitely book again and recommend to anyone!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you, Meghan! Great meeting you and your family. Couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day on the water. Hope to see you again soon!
Karen_K, Jul 2025
It was awesome! We all loved it! We saw lots of dolphins. So beautiful! Captain Mark was great! He provided information about the area and the wildlife. Very interesting! Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you so much, Karen! It was wonderful meeting you all and getting a chance to get the family out on the water. Looking forward to seeing you next season!
Ricky_B, Jul 2025
Captain Mark ran an awesome dolphin cruise! Smooth ride, stunning views, and dolphins galore. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you, Ricky! Great meeting you all and getting an opportunity to show you around. Looking forward to seeing you again soon!
Tia_T, Jun 2025
This really was a good start to our Hilton Head trip! Captain Mark was extremely personable, ensuring that all member's of my family has a good time. We saw dolphins, Captain Mark used different equipment so we could try and hear the dolphins communicate. Tour was informative and fun, everyone enjoyed it!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you, Tia! The hydrophone is a pretty cool little tool that helps us listen in on the dolphins' communications. Really appreciate you guys including my tour into your vacation plans and hope to see you all again soon!
Ericca_F, Jun 2025
Captain Mark was fantastic! He was an effective communicator-responded quickly and was on time to meet us. He made the experience amazing for our two children. We saw lots of dolphins, crabs, and also went to an island made out of shells. Captain Mark was knowledgeable, friendly, and we can’t wait to book again next summer!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you, Ericca! Really enjoyed getting the opportunity to show you guys around! Had a blast with the family and glad the marine life was so plentiful. Looking forward to seeing you next season!
Ryan_H, Jun 2025
Captain Mark was a great tour guide. He was very informative and knew all the best spots to find dolphins. We had an amazing time and can’t wait to come back.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you, Ryan! It was great meeting the family and getting you guys out on the water. Glad the dolphins were cooperating! Looking forward to seeing you next season!
Jennifer_K, Jun 2025
We had a great time with Captain Mark! He was knowledgeable and friendly and helped our kids feel comfortable on the boat. We learned a lot and saw lots of dolphins and some other amazing wildlife. Can’t wait to return and do another exciting tour with Captain Mark!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you, Jennifer! Really enjoyed having you guys out on the water exploring. Looking forward to seeing you all again soon!
Karen_L, May 2025
The best! We had the best time, saw so many dolphins and other sea life…even a baby dolphin! The boat was immaculately clean, Capt Mark was so fun and had such great knowledge of the island and surrounding areas. We would do this again in a heartbeat!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you, Karen! It was so great having you guys out on the water with me. This is such a great time to explore. Looking forward to seeing you all again!
Bill_L, May 2025
Mark was very knowledgeable about the area and the wildlife, especially the dolphins. He is a vey good and friendly guide. We saw several dolphin pods, egrets, and herons!! Thank you Mark!
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you, Bill! Really appreciate the kind words and glad the family had a great time. Looking forward to seeing you again soon!
William_S, Apr 2025
Captain Mark was very knowledgeable. An exceptional tour guide with a bit of humor mixed in. Our whole family would highly recommend him.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you, William! It was great having the family out on the boat taking in the sights. Appreciate the kind words and hope to see you again soon!
Phil_L, Mar 2025
Awesome guide! Personable, very knowledgeable and superbly professional! Small groups (just 4 of us) work out best. Highly recommended!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you, Phil! Always great to hear kind words from fellow mariners. Really enjoyed having you all out on the water and looking forward to seeing you again soon!
Daniel_S, Dec 2024
My wife and I took the last cruise the day after Thanksgiving and thoroughly enjoyed it! Captain Mark was proactive in contacting me before arriving to the dock to make sure we were dressed warmly and to inform me of the exact location to park. During the cruise, he was incredibly knowledgeable concerning the dolphins and other wildlife, as well as Hilton Head and surrounding islands! And we had the opportunity to see a beautiful sunset, a nice surprise after a rather dreary day!
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you, Daniel! It was wonderful to have a chance to get you guys out on the water exploring. Really appreciate you working with me on a chilly day. Hope to have you guys back again soon!
Susan_P, Oct 2024
Great outing with Captain Mark. We saw los of Dolphins and took a beautiful ride by the coast and into the marsh. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you for coming out, Susan. It was great meeting everyone and giving you guys a little tour around the water. Hope to have you back again in May!
Nicole_N, Aug 2024
Excellent Captain. Learned a lot about Hilton head and the surrounding areas. Saw lots of dolphins. Great value!
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you so much, Nicole! Really enjoyed meeting the family and getting out on the water to explore. Looking forward to seeing you again!
From $279.00
per group (up to 6)up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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