Folly Beach Dolphin Viewing Boat Tour: Dolphins & Lighthouse

Dolphins feed and socialize in the wild in ways you won't see in captivity.

A 90-minute boat tour departing from Folly Beach that takes you into the local tidal creeks and salt marsh estuary in search of bottlenose dolphins, with a USCG-licensed captain and eco guide who explains the dolphins' feeding techniques, social behaviors, and the ecosystem they inhabit. The tour also passes the historic Morris Island Lighthouse. Sunrise, sunset, or midday departures are available. The boat holds a small group and includes a cooler with ice and cushioned seating.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dolphin viewing and estuary tour

• Board boat at Folly Beach
• Cruise through tidal creeks
• Spot bottlenose dolphins
• Observe dolphin feeding and socializing
• Learn about salt marsh estuary
• Pass by Morris Island Lighthouse
• Take photos at lighthouse

The experience

Folly Beach sits at the edge of Charleston's tidal creek system, and that's where the dolphins are. You board a 27-foot Carolina Skiff with a licensed captain and an eco guide who knows the water and the animals. The boat heads into the creeks behind the beach: shallow, winding channels where bottlenose dolphins hunt and rest. From a safe distance, you watch them feed and interact with each other, behaviors that reveal how they actually live instead of how they perform. The guide talks through what you're seeing: how they hunt, how they communicate, what the marsh provides them. It's not a guarantee, dolphins move, but the captain and guide know where to look.

Along the route, you pass the Morris Island Lighthouse, a historic structure standing in the water that makes for a clear photo. The whole trip runs about 90 minutes, which is long enough to move through several creek sections and short enough to hold the group's attention. The boat has restroom facilities and a cooler full of ice on board. Parking is available at the departure point. You can book a sunrise tour to catch the dolphins at their most active, a sunset departure for calmer light, or an afternoon slot: each time of day changes what you see and how the water looks.

This is a small, locally owned operation, so the group stays intimate and the guide can adjust the route based on where dolphins are spotted that day. If you want the tour entirely to yourself, you can arrange a private departure by contacting them directly.

What’s included

• USCG-licensed captain and eco guide leading the tour.
• a 27-foot Carolina Skiff with cushioned bench seating.
• a cooler full of ice.
• restroom facilities at the departure location.
• ample parking.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to Sunday5 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 17:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (13 to 90 years) · Child (under 13)

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Castaway Island Excursions

Is this one for you?The tour departs from Folly Beach with parking on-site, so if you have a car or rental, you're set. If you're staying in Charleston without a vehicle, you'll need to arrange a taxi or rideshare to reach the boat, once you're there, the captain and guide handle the rest, and you're on the water for the full 90 minutes without worrying about navigation or where the dolphins are likely to be.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 13).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time of day are the dolphins most active on this tour?

Sunrise departures often catch the dolphins feeding most actively, though they are present throughout the day. The tour runs at sunrise, sunset, or midday depending on your preference and availability.

Do I need my own transportation to get to Folly Beach for this tour?

The tour departs from Folly Beach with ample parking available at the departure location, so if you have a car or rental, you can drive there. If you're staying elsewhere in Charleston without a vehicle, you'll need to arrange a ride or taxi to reach the boat.

What exactly is the Morris Island Lighthouse and why do we pass it?

Morris Island Lighthouse is a historic structure standing in the water near Folly Beach. The tour passes it as part of the creek route, and it's a recognizable landmark that makes for good photos during the excursion.

What's included on the boat, and what should I bring?

The tour includes a USCG-licensed captain and eco guide, a cooler full of ice, cushioned bench seating, and access to restroom facilities. You should bring sunscreen and bug spray on your own, as these are not provided.

Can I book this tour as a private excursion just for my group?

Yes. The standard tour runs as a small group, but if you want a private departure for your party only, you can contact the operator directly to arrange it.