Hilton Head Dolphin Tour: Bottlenose & Disappearing Island

Search for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, then walk an island that only appears at low tide.

A 2-hour dolphin tour departing Palmetto Bay Marina on Hilton Head Island combines boat-based wildlife watching with a 30-minute landing on Disappearing Island, an exposed sandbar accessible only at low tide. You'll search for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins along the way, observe shells, starfish and sand dollars on the island, and hear commentary from a USCG-licensed captain about the local ecosystem. The tour operates at your selected departure time.

The Experience

Palmetto Bay Marina is where the boat departs at your chosen time. The tour itself runs 2 hours total, with the first stretch spent moving through the water while the captain points out dolphins and explains what you're seeing about Hilton Head's tidal systems and marine life. The Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are the draw—you'll be actively searching for them as the boat moves, not watching a demonstration or a video.

Disappearing Island is the second half of the experience. It's a sandbar that only surfaces at low tide, which is why the timing matters and why the stop lasts 30 minutes instead of longer. You step down 1 to 2 feet from the boat onto sand, and from there you can walk around and look for shells, starfish, sand dollars and other small marine life. The island itself is quiet and exposed—no structures, no crowds, just the beach and what the tide leaves behind.

A USCG-licensed captain runs the tour and provides live commentary in English throughout. Infants can sit on an adult's lap or use a specialized infant seat if you request one ahead of time. Children must be with an adult at all times, including when stepping onto Disappearing Island. The boat operates rain or shine at the departure time you select when you book.

What’s included

• Dolphin sightings along the route.
• a 30-minute stop on Disappearing Island where you step off the boat and explore the sandbar.
• chances to spot shells, sand dollars and starfish.
• narration from a USCG-licensed captain in English throughout the 2-hour experience.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Lowcountry Watersports

Is this one for you?The tour is led in English by a USCG-licensed captain, so you'll follow the commentary about dolphins and the ecosystem without needing a separate translation. Book this one if you want to search for dolphins from the boat and then walk a real island instead of staying onboard the whole time.

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Top questions

What are the chances of seeing dolphins on this Hilton Head tour?

The tour is built around searching for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, and the captain will point them out when they appear. Sightings are part of the tour's focus, though wildlife encounters are never guaranteed on any given departure.

Can I bring my infant on the Hilton Head dolphin tour?

Infants are welcome and can sit on an adult's lap during the boat ride. Specialized infant seats are also available if you request one when booking.

What exactly is Disappearing Island and why is it only accessible at low tide?

Disappearing Island is a sandbar off Hilton Head that rises above water only when the tide is low. At high tide it submerges, which is why the tour timing is tied to the tidal schedule and why the stop there lasts 30 minutes rather than longer.

Do I need to be in good physical shape for this tour?

The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. You'll step down 1 to 2 feet from the boat onto Disappearing Island, and the boat itself moves with the water. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or limited mobility.

Where does the boat leave from, and do you offer hotel pickup?

The boat departs from Palmetto Bay Marina on Hilton Head Island at your selected time. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you'll need to arrange your own transportation to the marina.