There are so many unique things to do on Hilton Head Island, SC. Some of our family favorites are the beach, mini golf, and a dolphin cruise! But, how do you choose a cruise when there are so many great options? Well, we’re here to break down the best dolphin cruises Hilton Head offers this year!

We have reviewed the available Hilton Head Island dolphin cruise options and compiled everything you need to know in one post so that you can choose the cruise that fits your needs.

Looking for a sunset cruise? A kid-friendly cruise? Maybe just a regular sight-seeing tour? We have the best of the best on our list!

In a hurry? We can save you the trouble if you don’t have time to read every review. Our top pick is the Disappearing Island Hilton Head Dolphin Cruise!

Our list compares cost, length of each cruise, location departures, ages allowed to cruise, and a general overview of the experience. If one cruise sticks out to you, click the link to go directly to the cruise booking page.

[We may receive a small commission from your purchase at no extra cost to you-a win for both of us!]

What can you expect from a Dolphin Cruise?

A Hilton Head Island dolphin cruise includes a fully narrated tour while watching dolphins play in the Atlantic. The cruises range from the smaller side (40 guests) to the larger side (140 guests).

Each cruise lasts between 1-2 hours and includes a tour guide, historical landmark sightseeing, and, of course, dolphins.

All dolphin cruises listed here are approved for all ages! However, some have a minimum weight requirement for infants (about 18 lbs) due to the required life vests.

We would personally recommend a dolphin cruise for anybody over the age of three years old. However, some two year olds may also be ready for the experience! The hardest part for our toddlers was being in the same spot for two hours.

**Please note: the captain and tour guide on these cruises work really hard to make your tour a memorable one. They graciously accept gratuities and divide them evenly (so don’t worry about tipping each crew member separately).

The Experience: The Vagabond is the oldest running tour boat on the island dating back to 1968! In addition to seeing the Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in action, guests will also see a variety of historic landmarks and marine wildlife.

Some of the historic landmarks include the Tybee Lighthouse, Haig Point Lighthouse, and Harbour Town Lighthouse. You will also see Daufuskie Island, Harbour Town, South Beach, and Grendier Shoals.

Egrets, herons, and pelicans fly freely around Hilton Head Island so you can also expect up close views of these awesome birds.

The captain will narrate the tour and describe each of the historic landmarks as well as provide descriptions of the local ecosystems and habitats in view!

This dolphin cruise offers afternoon time slots at 2PM and 4PM. Please note that they currently do not offer morning time slots for this cruise.

The Vagabond can hold up to 140 guests so this is not one of the smaller boat tours. It also historically sells out so, if you are interested in a larger dolphin cruise ship, I would book sooner rather than later.

Admission is $40 for guests 13 and older, $20 for guests ages 3-12, and children 2 and under are free. There is a snack/drink bar and a small restroom on board.

The Experience: The Disappearing Island Hilton Head Dolphin Tour offers a two-for-one ticket that includes dolphin sightseeing as well as sand dollar hunting on Disappearing Island.

The same amazing Captains and Tour Guides that offer the first cruise on our list also host this excursion where visitors go out for a 1.5 hour dolphin cruise but also get to take a detour to Disappearing Island.

Once there, visitors get off of the boat and have 30 minutes to collect sea shells, sand dollars, and sometimes even see starfish! This is an awesome experience for families that love shell collecting!

Disappearing Island, well, “disappears” until low tide each day. Because of that, the cruise departs at a specific time each day based on the time of year and tide schedule. Double check your date for the available cruise time.

Since you will be walking around, visitors also need to be able to dismount the boat from about 1-2 feet above the sand. We do not recommend this cruise if you have mobility issues. It is also not wheelchair accessible.

The tour has a maximum capacity of 40 travelers and does not offer snacks or a restroom. Visitors will board the same covered pontoon boat described above for the first cruise on our list.

Admission for guests 13+ is $55, guests 2-12 is $45, and infants are $10. Infants must sit on laps or ride in an infant seat.

The daytime dolphin tours in Hilton Head all offer guaranteed dolphin sightings and narrated tours, but this is the only one that also provides a “land excursion.” It is what makes this tour unique!

The Best Hilton Head Sunset Cruise + Dolphins

Dolphin tours in Hilton Head are amazing at any time of day, but there is something special about a Hilton Head sunset cruise with dolphins playing in the background!

Keep reading for our top recommendations as well as what you can expect from each one.

What is Sunset Dolphin Cruise?

First of all, what is a sunset dolphin cruise compared to a regular dolphin cruise? The typical dolphin tours in Hilton Head Island usually occur in the late morning or early afternoon hours. These tours include local wildlife sightings (in addition to dolphins) as well as a narrated tour.

A Hilton Head sunset cruise includes everything that a daytime cruise includes PLUS a beautiful sunset experience out on the water.

These tours are timed right after dinner time so that guests can see dolphins during the daylight hours and sail back while watching the sun set.

Visitors will pay a little extra for a Hilton Head Island sunset cruise but they also get to experience a little extra. It is 100% worth it!

The Experience: The Sunset Dolphin Cruise Hilton Head Island is hosted by Vagabond and offers a wonderful combination of dolphin experience + amazing coastal sunset!

This one and a half hour cruise departs from the Harbour Town Yacht Basin, which is picture worthy all on its own! The cruise is narrated to prove guests with some interesting facts about the island and surrounding wildlife. Dolphin sightings are guaranteed!

While aboard, visitors will get a glimpse of some spectacular low-country scenery, including the historic Haig Point Lighthouse.

The best part, in my opinion, is watching the sun set behind Bull Island. Bring your cameras (or phones)! The sunset pictures of the lighthouse, dolphins, and scenery are one in a million!

There is restroom on board and a bar serving alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.

These cruises are offered every day except Tuesday and all sunset cruises begin at 7:30PM.

Vagabond cruises are some of the larger ships on the island with a max capacity of 140 guests. They are wheelchair and stroller accessible, offer infant seating, and allow service animals.

Admission for adults is $50 (ages 13+), for children is $30 (ages 3-12), and is free for infants (ages 0-2).

The Experience: Of all of the dolphin cruises Hilton Head offers, this one takes the cake. You get dolphins ✅, sunset ✅, AND fireworks ✅. It is literally the best of all of the worlds.

Please note: this cruise only runs once per week from the end of June through mid-August.

This tour features the same amazing tour guides from #1 and #3 on our daytime list above (tours by Lowcountry Watersports). Visitors are provided with a fully narrated tour and guaranteed dolphin sightings.

In addition to dolphins and beautiful sunset, visitors get to experience a summer fireworks show out on the water. If you have never been to a fireworks show over a body of water you should make this your first!

This is one of the most exciting, kid-friendly dolphin cruises Hilton Head has to offer, if your kiddos can stay up until 9:30PM!

The full cruise lasts 2 hours and has a 7:30PM start time on each day that it runs, which traditionally has been Tuesdays.

Admission for adults (13+) is $69, for kids (3-12) is $59, and for infants (0-2) is $10.

This particular Hilton Head sunset cruise has a 7:30 start time and operates on smaller tour boat. The maximum capacity is 22 guests so, if you’re looking for a smaller cruise then this is the one for you.

IMPORTANT: There is no restroom on this tour boat.

The Best Private Dolphin Cruise Hilton Head Has to Offer

How does a private cruise differ from the cruises highlighted above? Well, they are…private. A private cruise goes out into the same Atlantic waters to see the same beautiful sights: sunsets, dolphins, lighthouses, etc.

However, a private cruise is for your group only and generally runs on a privately owned boat! Check out the best private dolphin cruises Hilton Head natives have to offer below.

One of the best dolphin cruises Hilton Head offers is a private sunset cruise. Visitors will board a 23-foot Key West charter boat to experience all that a Hilton Head Sunset Cruise has to offer.

Harbour Town, Calibogue Sound, Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins, and a beautiful sunset are all waiting for you during your tour.

Our favorite thing about private dolphin tours in Hilton Head is the personalization. Your family will be the only family on this charter boat so feel free to ask any questions you may have. Get to know your captain also!

Visitors can bring their own food and drink on this boat but there is no restroom available.

The meeting address is Hilton Head RV Resort on the north end of the island. Once you arrive you will be shown where to park and where to meet your captain for the evening.

These cruises begin at 7:00PM and run almost every evening.

Admission is $399 per group and that includes admission for up to 6 people! Considering that most public cruises run $50/person, this is a fantastic deal!

**Gratuities are not included in the cost for admission but are greatly appreciated by your captain!

This private Hilton Head sunset boat cruise is ideal for parties with more than 6 guests. The 33-foot boat can comfortably seat up to 14 passengers, all of which are included in the admission cost.

Visitors will enjoy a sunset cruise around Skull Creek while getting to see the famous Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins, Guests will also learn about (and sometimes witness) the local ecosystem which includes stingrays, sea turtles, otters, and more.

The boat is stroller and wheelchair accessible. Service animals are allowed.

If you are looking a for a larger boat to seat your larger family or even multiple families, this is the tour for you!

FAQs

What is the best time to see dolphins in Hilton Head?

The best time to see dolphins in Hilton Head, in our experience, is mid morning or late afternoon through sunset. However, many tour guides can guarantee dolphin sightings at any time of day because they are familiar with the Atlantic pods.

What time of day is best for Dolphin Cruise?

There really is not a bad time of day for a dolphin cruise. We prefer morning cruises because we travel with children and they are more pleasant during those hours. However, to get the most bang for your buck, we highly recommend the sunset dolphin cruise with fireworks!

What time of year can you see dolphins in Hilton Head?

Year-round! Dolphins are always actively swimming through the Atlantic.

Can you swim with dolphins in Hilton Head?

Although Hilton Head offers a ton of options for seeing dolphins, they do not offer any programs to swim with dolphins. Hilton Head works hard to preserve the natural ecosystem!

However, many of these boats get extremely close to these amazing wild creatures. It will feel like you are swimming with them!

Do you get wet on a dolphin cruise?

Typically, no. There is the rare occasion that a wave slips over the side of a boat or a dolphin accidentally splashes the boat, but, in general, visitors will stay dry on a dolphin tour.

Wrap-Up: The Best Dolphin Cruises Hilton Head Has to Offer

We have broken down daytime, sunset, special occasion, and even private tours. Which one is best for your family? Have you tried one not on our list?

Please drop a comment once you finish your dolphin tour in Hilton Head! It will truly be an experience you will not forget.