Top Hilton Head Island Outdoor Activities

Learn about the marine life populating the waters off the coast of Hilton Head Island on this dolphin watching cruise. Up your chances of spotting dolphins and other marine animals with the help of your professional guide, who will also provide information about the ecosystem as you go.

Discover the natural beauty of Hilton Head Island with a guided kayaking tour. Meet your guide for a quick safety tutorial and then paddle out into the Broad Creek Wildlife Area. Keep an eye out for birds and dolphins as you explore salt marshes, tidal rivers, and creeks. Learn about the local ecosystem and history from your naturalist guide. No prior kayaking experience is necessary.

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.

Soar over Hilton Head Island with a parasailing adventure. Get a bird’s eye view of Calibogue Sound, Harbour Town Lighthouse, and Daufuskie Island during the flight. Keep an eye out for local wildlife, including bottlenose dolphins. Take-off and land on the back of a custom parasail boat, or choose to cool off and get wet. Tandem and triple flights are also available for couples or small groups.

Embark on a nautical adventure aboard the Black Dagger pirate ship, which transforms kids into little pirates for a treasure hunt on the waters of Hilton Head. The crew provides kids with pirate costumes and pirate lessons before setting sail in search of treasure. This family-friendly cruise has a choice of several departures in the morning and afternoon, making it easy to fit into your schedule.

End your day in Hilton Head aboard a relaxing sunset cruise around the island and waterways. Board your private vessel and enjoy a calm ride on Calibogue Sound with views of Harbour Town and the area is awash in golden light. While you sail, keep your eyes peeled for several species of wildlife including the playful Atlantic bottlenose dolphin.

Cruise from Hilton Head to Savannah on this Lowcountry day trip that’s packed with views. Relax on the open-air upper deck or air-conditioned lower cabin as you cruise through the Intracoastal Waterway, drink in hand from the onboard bar (own price). Then, dock in Savannah and spend a few hours of free time shopping, dining, and sightseeing before sailing back to Hilton Head.

Zoom around Hilton Head Island on a small, motorized "creek cat" boat during this guided tour. Get views of all the quintessential sights, as well as access to some smaller marshes and wildlife-rich areas. Enjoy the opportunity to operate your own creek cat under the supervision of a guide; multiple departure times available.

A sailboat cruise from Hilton Head is a peaceful way to see stunning Lowcountry landscapes without the noise of a moor. Join a captain and crew aboard a 39-foot long (12 meter) sailboat that competed in America’s Cup—head through quiet waters and past gorgeous scenery without the roar of a motor. You can even try your hand on deck and help out with the sails.

Remote Daufuskie Island is accessible only by boat and remains largely undeveloped, despite its fame as the setting of Pat Conroy’s novel “The Water is Wide.” A guided tour makes the trip a cinch—this package includes round-trip ferry tickets, plus transportation between island attractions such as the First African Baptist Church and Mary Fields School, all visited with the benefit of commentary from your guide.

Discover Beaufort’s historic district without the hassle of navigating a tour that highlights the town’s Hollywood past. In addition to telling little–known stories about the town’s 300–year history, your guide brings you to landmarks often missed by visitors, from unmarked Forrest Gump film locations to the cemetery used in The Great Santini.

On this dolphin watching cruise from Hilton Head, you have the chance to see wildlife, check out local landmarks, and admire the coastline as you cruise out on the Calibogue Sound and Atlantic Ocean. Your guide narrates the entire trip as you sail past Bull Island, the Haig Point Lighthouse, and more, all while looking out for dolphins, egrets, herons, and other animals in the wild.

Increase your odds of seeing dolphins in the wild on this dolphin watching cruise from Hilton Head. Sail out from easy-to-find Palmetto Bay Marina at your selected departure time: admire views of the shore, look for wildlife, and learn about the local ecosystem. Plus, take a quick stop to look for shells, starfish, and sand dollars at “Disappearing Island,” a strip of land only accessible at low tide.

Take part in an authentic Lowcountry travel experience with this shrimping tour from Hilton Head Island. Join a crew on board a fishing boat and head out on the salt marshes for a chance to catch shrimp and fish, and learn about the environment and wildlife as you go. After the trip, hang out and enjoy a day pass to the Sea Pines Resort.

Hop on a Jet Ski and explore Hilton Head Island on this scenic tour. Leave from Palmetto Bay Marina, past gorgeous mansions, until you reach the designated area where you can zoom around as you like. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings and get the chance to observe birds, dolphins, and maybe even a sea turtle in their natural habitat.

Take a break from the beaches and entertainment of Hilton Head and get closer to nature on a guided kayak tours. In a small group of no more than 15, glide through the waters of Skull Creek, paddle through the rich ecosystem of the saltwater marshlands, and spot such wildlife as brown pelicans, egrets, herons, osprey, bald eagles, and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins.

Paddle the ins and outs of Hilton Head Island on this kayaking tour. Explore the waterways and inlets with a small group of 16 people and a guide in the lead. Choose the best departure time to fit your personal schedule; choice of single or double kayaks available.

Enjoy a two and a half hour adventure on your own private boat. Your Master Captain will guide you safely through the Calibogue on a falling tide to the Mile Isle. This mile long sandbar is exposed for only a couple of hours per day, allowing beachcombers the chance to collect sand dollars, sea shells and the occasional sharks tooth. We’ll stop along the way to look for wild dolphins playing in the sound. We’ll share information about the island, the salt marsh and the surrounding ecosystem. Your Captain is also a Low Country Master Naturalist, and will assist you in identifying the various shells, mollusks and other invertebrates to be found on this tour! This is an ideal outing for families and small groups. With up to 6 passengers, there’s plenty of room onboard and a comfortable seat for everyone.

Scavenger hunt tours are a great way to explore a new city or get a fresh perspective on your own neighborhood. This app-based scavenger hunt gets you out into Hilton Head to seek out a curated list of local treasures, with the guidance of a live, remote host. This activity is fun for the whole family, and dog-friendly too.

On this Hilton Head pirate cruise, let your inner buccaneer out to play as you set sail off the coast of Hilton Head Island. This cruise was specifically created for kids and includes fun details such as face paint, pirate gear, and fake tattoos so you can look the part, plus water cannons for a blast of entertainment.

Explore the southern city of Beaufort aboard a horse and carriage during this small-group excursion. Enjoy a relaxing ride around the historic district while your guide regales you of stories from the Antebellum South. See Civil War sites, historic churches, and even movie sites as you tour the city.

Kick back and relax on your own private sunset cruise and experience Hilton Head in it's best light. We can accommodate in between 7 - 20 people total on our brand new boat. She's built to entertain, and fantastic for family get togethers, anniversaries, friendsaversaries, bachelorette parties, or any type of other group gathering occasion that you can dream up. On your cruise you will take in breathtaking views of Pinckney Island, Mackey Creek, Skull Creek, Harbour Town and the Calibogue Sound. While on your sunset tour, you will not only drink in the spectacular water views that Hilton Head is know for, but you will also encounter some of our resident Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin as well. Please join us for your special occasion - and we'll be sure to help you create vacation memories that will last a lifetime!

Start your day off on the right foot with a relaxing kayak tour through the waterways of Hilton Head. Join a small group and grab a cup of coffee to energize you before setting off. Then, explore the marshes and broad creeks of the region, learning about the local area from your guide.

Discover Beaufort’s old southern charm on a horse-drawn carriage tour around the historic center. Join a small group for a narrated tour of Old Beaufort and pass by the area’s key landmarks. Listen to your guide retell the history of the city from its early Colonial period to the American Revolution and Civil War eras up to the present day.