Top 10 Dolphin & Whale Watching in Coastal South Carolina, Coastal South Carolina

September 10, 2021 Claudia Navarrete

Miles of white sand and romantic island resorts beckon from the hem of the Palmetto State. Families gravitate to Myrtle Beach and the 60-mile span of Grand Strand, where over 100 championship golf courses, tennis courts and nightclubs await. Charleston’s hundreds of heritage buildings, and irresistible charm, are part of its allure. Beach resorts at Kiawah Island, Seabrook and Edisto Island make for romantic getaways. Marshes, moss-bearded palms and oak groves create ambiance in the haunting Lowcountry.
Restaurants in Coastal South Carolina

1. Coastal Expeditions

Excellent
96%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,733 reviews

Coastal Expeditions

Founded in 1992, Coastal Expeditions is Charleston's original outfitter and is a family business with a team of exceptional, big-hearted guides. Outside Magazine listed Coastal Expeditions tours as one of the top 30 trips to take worldwide. Saltwater and blackwater tours and rentals are available year round from several wildlife-laden spots, including 4 private on-water outposts at Shem Creek, Isle of Palms, Kiawah River and the Bulls Island Ferry. Coastal Expeditions' mission is to take people to beautiful places to experience meaningful things by kayak, SUP, canoe and powerboat.

2. Island Explorer

Excellent
94%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,942 reviews

Island Explorer

Now offering Premium Private Tours for your comfort and safety, Island Explorer is a great choice for your family or group. With over 30 years experience in dolphin and nature cruises around Hilton Head Island, Capt. Jim Harkins and Island Explorer offers unique and memorable tours. With three 12-passenger boats Island Explorer can accommodate larger families or groups and still offer intimate experiences. Choose a Sunset Dolphin Cruise, a 1-Hour Discovery Tour , a 2-Hour Dolphin Encounter, or our 3-Hour Vanishing Island Expedition™ to disembark on a secluded sandbar to search for sand dollars at the low tide. Every cruise will explore Hilton Head Island with scenic views of the marshlands, birds, and dolphins that make the Lowcountry special. Our captains are experienced, friendly, and informative.

3. Outside Hilton Head

Excellent
92%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4,322 reviews

Outside Hilton Head

Outside Hilton Head prides itself in creating fun and memorable outdoor experiences for Hilton Head Island residents and visitors. Outside Hilton Head is Hilton Head's premiere outdoor outfitter. In addition to providing a multitude of excellent programs 365 days of the year, Outside Hilton Head has a retail shop loaded with everything you need for your adventure. Programs include guided Kayak Tours, Kayak Fishing, boat based Dolphin Tours, Charter Fishing, Boat Charters and Rentals, tours of historic Daufuskie Island, and Teambuilding. Facilities include the private and serene Page Island . We specialize in designing custom adventures to suit your interests! The staff at Outside Hilton Head is made up of experienced, knowledgeable and personable retail associates, reservationists, interpretive nature guides and USCG licensed Captains.

4. Absolute Reel Screamer Charters

Excellent
98%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 478 reviews

Absolute Reel Screamer Charters

This private 2 hour boat adventure is what Charleston is really all about! I'm a native captain, so we'll glide through the uncrowded backwaters of the most pristine estuaries in the country. We'll learn to harvest oysters, catch shrimp and identify local shore birds. Next, we'll find the Bottlenose Dolphins. Having them swim next to the boat is exciting, but if we find them feeding in the shallows it's spectacular! Our next destination is Morris Island where I'll teach you about its rich Civil War history as well as my own family ties to it. We'll then walk its shores looking for shells and artifacts as the sixth oldest lighthouse in the nation serves as our backdrop! So as you can see we have something for everybody on this trip. The dolphins are always here, the beach is loaded with shells, and if you listen hard enough you just may hear the roar of cannons from the past. So come on and join me! You never know what washed up the night before...

5. Botany Bay Ecotours

Excellent
90%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 327 reviews

Botany Bay Ecotours

The ONLY biologist-owned ecotour business on Edisto and the ACE Basin

6. Anchors Away Sailing Charters

Excellent
99%
Good
1%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 76 reviews

Anchors Away Sailing Charters

Anchors Away offers Private sailing charters (for up to 6 People) with an experienced / licensed USCG Captain who has logged more than 4000 days since he was 16 years old. We offer 2.5 hour morning, afternoon sail trips as well as 2.5 hour sunset sail trips. We also offer half day sailing trips including lunch on board.

7. Hilton Head Boat Charters

Excellent
98%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 260 reviews

Hilton Head Boat Charters

We offer premium private boat tours of Hilton Head Island and it's surrounding waters. Hop aboard our brand new 2019 23' Key West and experience Hilton Head in total style and comfort.

8. Live Oac Outdoor Adventure Company

Excellent
98%
Good
1%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 713 reviews

Live Oac Outdoor Adventure Company

Boating, Fishing, Watersports, Dolphin & More! Create your perfect adventure with Live Oac, The Lowcountry's Outdoor Adventure Company. Offering boat excursions from Hilton Head Island exploring the Pinckney Wildlife Refuge and surrounding waters. Shared and Private Charters include Dolphin Nature Tours, Watersports, and Fishing Charters. Best location on Hilton Head for year-round dolphin activity, and 15 minutes or less from premium ski areas for wakeboarding, waterskiing and tubing. Inshore fishing varies from serious red fish and sea trout angling to easy family shark fishing adventures for all ages. Live Oac is the island's leader in professional guided outdoor adventures, creating custom trips to suit your group perfectly.

9. Dolphin Discoveries Boat Tours

Excellent
94%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 266 reviews

Dolphin Discoveries Boat Tours

Dolphin Discoveries will take you on a boat ride that is sure to be one of your favorite memories of Hilton Head Island! We tour the waters surrounding Hilton Head where friendly Bottlenose Dolphins feed and play. The Dolphins don't seem to mind at all if we turn off our motor and watch all the fun things they do. Some of them we've even named over the years. Blackbeard, Choppy and Nick are just a few of our favorites as they sometimes are as curious about us as we are about them and may swim right over to the boat to say hello! This is an activity that is fun for all ages. After all, how can it not be fun being out on the water watching Dolphins from close up!! Our tours are either private or semi-private meaning we take 6 passengers maximum so everyone on the boat has plenty of room to move about to get the best views of the dolphins. You won't have to fight for camera room to get the fun photos you would like since it will usually be just you and you family. Couples are welcome too as we will just pair you up with another couple. Please call us today to make your reservation as reservations are required. If you are feeling adventurous, or your kids are, we do offer our Family Shark Fishing tours in the warmer months also. Catch and release, just for fun! But the Sharks will give you time for a picture too! We go after the smaller 2, 3 to 4 footers just for the kids. Thanks and we look forward to seeing you soon!

10. Nature Adventures

Excellent
88%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 375 reviews

Nature Adventures

Nature Adventures, premier kayak and paddle board outfitter in the Charleston area of the Lowcountry, specializes in creating amazing experiences on the water. Located in Mt. Pleasant, SC directly adjacent to Shem Creek, our skilled and knowledgeable guides strive to instruct and engage you on the water. With quality equipment including recreational and sea kayaks, standup paddle boards, lightweight paddles, and kayak/SUP specific life jackets, you will explore in a comfortable and safe manner. Additionally, Nature Adventures offers unique opportunities beyond just tours and rentals. Team building, scavenger hunts, full moon paddles and special events are also available. These options are specialty events that can be tailored to the needs of any group, large or small. Enjoy the Charleston area and experience dolphins, pelicans and shorebirds at eye level or explore blackwater creeks with the songbirds and alligators too.

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