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Hilton Head Sunset Dolphin Watching Cruise

Badge of Excellence
Hilton Head Island, USA
High interest
Booked 5+ times today.
  • 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.5
·
· Laura_L ·
Apr 2026
This was a great tour. There were plenty of dolphin to see and the sunset was beautiful. Great captain and staff.
· Heather_Y ·
Mar 2026
It was a beautiful experience. Seeing the dolphins and the sunset. Was just so beautiful and amazing time.

Overview

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.
  • Relax while watching dolphins on a sunset cruise
  • Enjoy alcoholic beverages (available for purchase) as you watch the sunset
  • Capture photos of the iconic Haig Point lighthouse in the evening light
  • Depart from the picturesque Harbour Town Yacht Basin

What's Included

  • Guaranteed wild dolphin sightings
  • Narration by our Captain who brings the history and wildlife to life
  • Breathtaking views of egrets, herons, pelicans, and more
  • Cruise with Hilton Head’s original sightseeing company
  • Departs daily from under the famous Harbour Town Lighthouse
  • Snacks and drinks available for purchase (beer, wine, soda, water)
  • Gratuities
  • Sea Pines Resort vehicle entry fee

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • Harbour Town Lighthouse
    149 Lighthouse Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, USA

    The Vagabond Cruise reservation office is located just behind the Harbour Town Lighthouse. If you have your mobile ticket you are able to go directly to the boat (Vagabond) 30-minutes before departure to board which is located on the pier in front of the Lighthouse.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Infant seats available
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Subject to favorable weather conditions. If the cruise is canceled due to poor weather, guests will have the option to reschedule for another date or receive a full refund.
  • Infants ages 2 and under cruise free, but a ticket is still required to account for them.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 99 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Jill_W
Saw dolphins for sure. Trip was nice and smooth. Crew was very pleasant. Sunset was overcast but a little pink sky came through. Info was very interesting. Lighthouses, marsh, etc. Had a great time.

Reviews

4.5
based on 402 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Lots of dolphins

Laura_L, Apr 2026
This was a great tour. There were plenty of dolphin to see and the sunset was beautiful. Great captain and staff.

Dolphins for the Win

Sean_P, Apr 2026
The crew was amazing! The Capt knew all the best locations and did a phenom job explaining the trip.

It was a beautiful...

Heather_Y, Mar 2026
It was a beautiful experience. Seeing the dolphins and the sunset. Was just so beautiful and amazing time.

Good Company

Betsy_B, Mar 2026
Very kind company! Looking forward to our next visit. Good to find helpful, good company that is very responsive to do business with.

Nice clean vessel,...

Lisa_M, Mar 2026
Nice clean vessel, captain knowledgeable and staff very friendly. Saw a good about of dolphins throughout the trip

Excellent The staff was...

John_L, Jan 2026
Excellent The staff was great and informative We had a wonderful time aaaaaaAAaaaaaseventeeeeeeeeeeeen

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you John for joining Vagabond Cruise aboard the Hilton Head Sunset Dolphin Watching Cruise! We're glad to hear you had a wonderful time aboard the cruise with Captain Justin and first mate Clayton. We hope to have you back aboard the Vagabond again soon!

Best Boat Trip Ever

James_G, Jan 2026
Justin "Captain" was very kind and welcoming. His mate who is also a CG certified Captain was amazing. She served cold drinks and took care of all the dolphin watchers. Their knowledge of the waters, wildlife, and historical area are immense. Justin kept us positioned to have a perfect up close view of two different types of Dolphin. He also did a great job navigating other boats like the shrimp boat "Lisa Suzanne". That was an interesting part of the trip learning about the seafood industry in the area. Great job captain and crew. If you are looking for an excellent way to watch the beautiful HHI sunset, this is the one. DO IT! Jim G

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you so much, Jim! We truly appreciate you sharing such a detailed and enthusiastic review of your Sunset Dolphin Cruise with Vagabond Cruise. Captain Justin and his mate Jenna will be thrilled to hear your kind words and they take great pride in making everyone feel welcome while sharing their knowledge of the local waters, wildlife, and Hilton Head Island history. We’re so glad you enjoyed the dolphin sightings, learning about the shrimping industry, and taking in that beautiful HHI sunset. Thanks again for cruising with us and we hope to welcome you back aboard soon. 🌅

Highlight of our trip! A...

Joan_B, Jan 2026
Highlight of our trip! A must do! As promised we saw many dolphins. The sunset was beautiful. The captain and crew were friendly and informative.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re honored to hear this was the highlight of your trip. We’re so glad you enjoyed the Sunset Dolphin Cruise with Vagabond Cruise and that you were able to see so many dolphins and take in a beautiful sunset. Captain Justin and Jenna will be happy to hear their friendly and informative service made your experience even better. We truly appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you back on the water again soon.

Fun trip to see dolphins

Julie_H, Dec 2025
This was originally scheduled for a sunset cruise but cx due to staffing and then moved to 2 pm. It was nice, crew was great.

The dolphins cruise was...

Albert_L, Nov 2025
The dolphins cruise was awesome. The staff was professional and courteous. My family and I enjoyed the cruise.

Great dolphins and sunset tour!!!

Bryant_G, Nov 2025
What an amazing experience!!! Captain and the Crew were amazing and we got to see many dolphins. The highlight was a 2 sunset views and a bald eagle that basically hovered over the boat!

The dolphins and sunset did not disappoint!

Robert_G, Nov 2025
A fabulous evening on our sunset dolphin cruise. We were just a few minutes from our departure when the first dolphins were spotted . The captain was very knowledgeable and the dolphins were plentiful! The sunset was gorgeous as well. I would definitely book this again when I return to HH.

Nice evening cruise. We...

lgcrilley, Nov 2025
Nice evening cruise. We saw lots of dolphins and were able to capture a lovely sunset. Captain gave a nice narration on the Sound.

The captain was very...

Christina_T, Oct 2025
The captain was very knowledgeable and fun. He provided information about the area and knew where to go to find the dolphins. We would do this again the next time we are in the area.

Captain was great, we saw...

JENNIFER_H, Oct 2025
Captain was great, we saw so many dolphins and a beautiful double sunset. Highly recommend this tour.

Great Dolphin and sunset experience.

John_B, Oct 2025
The captain was knowledgeable about the area, the wildlife and the vegetation in this area. The boat has snacks and beverages for sale at reasonable prices. We saw a lot of dolphins and a gorgeous sunset! Our group of 5 all agree we would go again! One thing to note you have to pay $9.00 dollars to get into Harbour Town, I think that should be advertised when booking.

Birthday celebration

Tsitsi_T, Sep 2025
It is worth taking the time to do the cruise. The crew members are very polite, professional and super friendly . We got the chance to see plenty of dolphins. They are very punctual too. The boat was very clean too. I love the whole experience I wish i remembered there names.

My only complaint is that...

Cynithia_P, Sep 2025
My only complaint is that I wish it was longer! It was awesome ♡ I had 2 kids with me and we all had a blast

Wonderful Sunset Water Excursion

Kevin_M, Jul 2025
The ship was clean, we were in shade for most of the cruise, the crew was pleasant and helpful, and we saw sharks and dolphins as promised.

Dolphins at Sunset

Valerie_A, Jul 2025
The crew of the Vagabond were friendly courteous and knowledgeable. We learned a lot about the dolphins and the area's rich ecosystem. And what a sunset!

Saw dolphins for sure....

Jill_W, Jun 2025
Saw dolphins for sure. Trip was nice and smooth. Crew was very pleasant. Sunset was overcast but a little pink sky came through. Info was very interesting. Lighthouses, marsh, etc. Had a great time.

Relaxing and enjoyable

Marjorie_B, Jun 2025
Great crew and knowledgeable captain. The cruise was relaxing and enjoyable. We learned a lot about dolphins and the local culture. Even with some chop on the water the boat was very stable. A very relaxing experience.

Natural bliss

Elise_M, Jun 2025
Fantastic cruise!! It was a highlight of our trip and helped us appreciate the beauty and natural wonders of the area. The captain and crew were great. Highly recommend and glad we went at sunset.

Great way to see HHI from...

regina_k, Jun 2025
Great way to see HHI from the water.staff very informative and courteous. Trip was enjoyed by visitors and locals alike.

Great way to get out on...

Danielle_G, May 2025
Great way to get out on the water. Informative & fun…saw many dolphins & beautiful sunset! Would definitely recommend.

Pods of dolphins!

James_C, May 2025
The captain and staff were very accommodating and we saw pods of dolphins just after leaving the dock. It’s a very relaxing ride, educational, and the sunset was beautiful! We definitely recommend this tour!

Enjoyable, Knowledgeable

Shuna_B, Nov 2024
The history of the different islands and history of the dolphins. The friendliness of the other people that was in the boat. And the price was very reasonable.

A great trip

Denise_H, Nov 2024
The captain and his 1st mate we very knowledgeable and very pleasant. We saw lots of dolphins and birds. The captains knowledge of the area was amazing!

Loved it...

Kimberly_B, Nov 2024
The sunset was beautiful...also the ride was very adventurous and very relaxing... I will be taking another cruise most definitely..

Great crew, sights , and info , but terrible boat!

Anita_E, Oct 2024
The crew gets 5 stars . They were friendly, provided great info, and made sure we had great views of dolphins , sunset , and super moon. We signed up for the double decker boat in the picture and ended up on a shrimp boat sitting on coolers with no real bathrooms so 0 star for that!
From
-10%

$45.00

per person
Was $50.00

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 12 days in advance.

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