Our most recommended things to do in Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island: Sunset Dolphin Cruise

1. Hilton Head Island: Sunset Dolphin Cruise

Discover the incredible wildlife of Hilton Head Island with a dolphin spotting cruise at sunset. Search for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in open water before watching the sunset on Daufuskie Island. Sail towards the open ocean in search of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins on an amazing sightseeing cruise. Dolphin sightings are guaranteed on this cruise. After seeing these animals in open water, travel to Daufuskie Island and up Bull Creek to Dolphin Hole to watch the setting sun. Admire the incredible landscape of salt estuaries at sunset. Listen to live commentary from your expert captain, and ask the crew any questions you might have. Beer, wine, snacks, and drinks are available for purchase throughout the trip.

Hilton Head Island: Dolphin Watching Guided Tour by Boat

2. Hilton Head Island: Dolphin Watching Guided Tour by Boat

Take in the beauty of Hilton Head from the perspective of the water on a fully narrated boat tour. Delight in up-close encounters with dolphins, and find out about their habits, eating patterns, and more with a local guide. As you explore the island's waterways, learn about the history of the area and the surrounding islands from your guide's narration. Hear about oysters, spartina grass, tides, pluff mud, and more. As well as dolphins, keep on the lookout for other wildlife including pelicans, osprey, stingrays, herons, turtles, and more which may be seen along the way.

Hilton Head Island: Sunset Dinner Cruise

3. Hilton Head Island: Sunset Dinner Cruise

Board the luxury Spirit of Harbor Town ship for an evening of mouthwatering cuisine and the island’s best sunsets. Admire unbeatable views as you enjoy a delicious dinner and watch as the sun slips behind the horizon. Choose to dine on the shaded topside deck, or select a table in the collimate-controlled cabin with panoramic windows. Relax with a drink from the full-service bar (at your own expense) as you look out for dolphins. Sunset Dinner Cruise Sail early enough to catch the sunset and return after dark to the lights of Harbour Town. Whether a warm summer evening or a cozy November night, the Sunset Dinner Cruise is a perfect way to end any day of the year on Hilton Head Island. Keep your eye out for dolphins as they typically make an appearance during the sunset dinner cruise. Menu Starter: • Heirloom tomato panzanella salad Your choice of 1 entree:• Fish: blackened mahi-mahi • Chicken: roasted chicken breast • Pork: berbere spiced pork loin • Vegetarian/vegan: fresh pasta primavera Dessert: • Key lime pie or layered chocolate mousse

Hilton Head Island: Dolphin Cruise & Nature Tour

4. Hilton Head Island: Dolphin Cruise & Nature Tour

Set sail on a 14 passenger boat cruise in the surrounding waters of Hilton Head Island and encounter bottlenose dolphins and other coastal species such as osprey, egrets, pelicans, bald eagles, a variety of shorebirds, and more. Get scenic views of Broad Creek and admire the private residential homes in Long Cove, Wexford Lock System, and Spanish Wells Plantations. See famous attractions including the Harbor Town Lighthouse, Daufuskie Island, the Atlantic Ocean, Tybee Island, and the Savannah River Bridge.

Hilton Head Island: 2-Hour Guided Creek Cat Tour

5. Hilton Head Island: 2-Hour Guided Creek Cat Tour

Zip around Hilton Head Island on a 2-hour guided adventure. Ride one of these little boats, known as Creek Cats, on the water and look out for local bottlenose dolphins. Tour the most popular spots at speeds of up to 30 mph. Pass by the Harbour Town Lighthouse, an iconic beacon with a red and white candy-cane exterior. Sail past Bull Island, an uninhabited stretch of land where, according to legend, a host of exotic animals (including zebras) used to roam. Learn more about Hilton Head Island, its wildlife and ecosystem from expert guides throughout the tour. Exploring Hilton Head by Creek Cat allows you to travel through smaller marshes filled with abundant wildlife, areas that are inaccessible in larger vessels. Look out for egrets, eagles, ospreys, and otters along the way.

Hilton Head: Sunset or Daytime Dolphin Watching Cruise

6. Hilton Head: Sunset or Daytime Dolphin Watching Cruise

Cruise around Hilton Head waters and the Pinckney Island National Wildlife refuge to get up close and personal with many species. Learn about the local ecosystem with your family or friends on this eco-friendly tour.    Have the chance to sight some of over 170 residential Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and around 400 nomadic bottlenose dolphins passing in the Hilton Head waters. Keep a look out for other species, such as bald eagle, pelican, great blue heron, egret, wood stork, spoonbill, sea turtles, alligators, manatees, sharks, sting rays, and blue crabs. Your tour guide knows most of the local dolphins by name and will introduce you to them as you come across them. Find out how to tell them apart, get to know the dolphins as individuals, and learn about bottlenose dolphins as a species and how they adapt to the local low country ecosystem. Be protected from the hot sun and rain in a covered boat, which sits low to the water for optimal viewing. When your eyes aren't on the water, use props on board to help you better understand local wildlife, such as a dolphin skull and shark teeth. For a different experience, choose the Sunset Cruise to spot different animals at a different time of day. Enjoy the natural beauty and cooler temperatures that come when the sun goes down. Don't miss the chance to snap the sea at sunset with your camera.

Hilton Head Island: Pirate Cruise on the Black Dagger

7. Hilton Head Island: Pirate Cruise on the Black Dagger

Treat your little ones to the adventure of a lifetime aboard an activity-packed pirate cruise on Hilton Head Island. Allow your child to live out their craziest fantasies by turning into a pirate with the help of face paint and temporary tattoos. Help find a sunken treasure and defeat Stinky Pete. Head to the docks to get a new pirate name and learn how to speak like a real pirate. Board the legendary Black Dagger and set sail in search of a treasure. Join in on a race to find Stinky Pete, the island’s smelliest pirate who knows about the treasure map and has stolen the key Locate Stinky Pete before he gets to the treasure first. Watch the crew man the water cannons and blast Stinky Pete until he gives back the key. Enjoy singing and dancing throughout your journey, as you navigate across the ocean before heading back to the starting point.

90 minute daytime Dolphin & Nature Tour

8. 90 minute daytime Dolphin & Nature Tour

Enjoy the beautiful views and wildlife of Broad Creek. You will see bottlenose dolphins, a variety of shorebirds and marine life. Our staff gives an interactive narration about the local area and wildlife. We pass by beautiful waterfront homes and passengers get to see a part of Hilton Head Island that they normally do not get to see by land. Our tours are 90 minutes and fun for all ages. All of our boats are covered and have snacks/drinks available for purchase with cash. You are always welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks with you our only request is that no glass bottles or containers be brought onto the boat for safety.

Hilton Head Island: America’s Cup Sailing Yacht Cruise

9. Hilton Head Island: America’s Cup Sailing Yacht Cruise

Step aboard a former America’s Cup sailing yacht for an afternoon cruise. Discover what it takes to sail a racing yacht as you help the crew, or simply sit back and enjoy the ride. See the sights of the Calibogue Sound and learn about the history of these waters. Have your camera ready as you keep an eye out for dolphins. Drinks and merchandise are available for purchase on board.

Hilton Head Island: 1.5-Hour Guided Small-Group Kayak Tour

10. Hilton Head Island: 1.5-Hour Guided Small-Group Kayak Tour

Learn about the rich history and diverse ecosystem of Hilton Head Island from an expert guide as you paddle on this 1.5-hour kayak tour. As you cruise through these pristine saltwater marshlands, your guide will tell you about spartina grass/cordgrass, oysters, and other local wildlife, while answering any questions you may have. Enjoy the opportunity to observe many indigenous bird species, including egrets, herons, ospreys, brown pelicans, and bald eagles. Also, make sure to keep an eye out for the beloved Atlantic bottlenose dolphins swimming playfully. Benefit from a small-group experience for up to 10 people.

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What people are saying about Hilton Head Island

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 1,192 reviews

This was our first helicopter ride. Family owned business. Everyone was friendly, courteous and answered any questions we had. The pilot was also all of the above and has a good sense of humor which was nice. We chose the 6 minute tour this time, we will be back for a longer flight in the not too distant future. If you visit the Hilton Head Island, I recommend you take a helicopter ride with Hilton Head Helicopter Tours at the airport.

A fun adventure! We were able to see dolphins about half way through our tour. The tour guide made sure we were able to get a good view. Would recommend, especially for kids.

This is an amazing tour. The captain was very knowledgeable and he gave us an additional half an hour. We saw quite a few dolphins. Definitely recommend this tour.

It was very enjoyable for the surprise of my wife and she's wanting to do the upgrade with champagne in the hand

We saw dolphins up close and personal!! Great fun!