Top Hilton Head Island Outdoor Activities

Go sailing at sunset in Hilton Head Island with this private dolphin-watching tour. Climb aboard a sailboat and cruise out into Port Royal Sound during this tour. Keep an eye out for wildlife including dolphins, manatees, sting rays, and more. Learn about sailing if you choose or just sit back and enjoy the ride, complete with sunset views.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

See Hilton Head Island from a fresh perspective with this private sunset dolphin tour. Meet your boat captain at Palmetto Bay Marina for a private tour that can accommodate up to six people. Keep an eye out for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins as you learn about their feeding patterns, social behavior, and more. Admire sunset views from the deck of the boat.

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.

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.

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.

Explore Hilton Head Island at your own pace with a private pontoon boat rental. Go sightseeing on the beautiful waters of Skull Creek and keep an eye out for bottlenose dolphins. Travel toward the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean and see Daufuskie Island and Palmetto Bluff. Get tips from a local on where to go and personalize this boating adventure according to your interests.

Go sailing in Hilton Head Island with this private dolphin-watching tour. Motor out to Port Royal Sound and then put up the sails for a true sailing adventure. Keep an eye out for a variety of wildlife including birds, dolphins, manatees, and sting rays during this boat tour. Maximize time with a private tour and learn about sailing from your guide.

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.

Get out on the water in Hilton Head with this small-group mini boat tour. Follow your guide and drive your own mini boat, which can fit up to four people, to go in search of the best places for spotting dolphins. See popular local landmarks like the Harbour Town Lighthouse during this wildlife-focused itinerary.

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.

Set out on a cruise from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina in search of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Board your private vessel and cruise past the Harbour Town Lighthouse and Daufuskie Island. While you sail, keep your eyes peeled for the playful dolphins as well as other local wildlife like bald eagles.

Explore the waterways around Hilton Head, South Carolina on a guided tour using a motorized Creek Cat boat. Join a small group and set out to explore the area including Harbourtown, Daufuskie Island, and South Beach. This tour is focused on nature and wildlife, specifically the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, so keep your eyes peeled for the playful creatures.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.