Things to do in Hilton Head Island
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Hilton Head: Guided Kayak Nature Tour with Wildlife SightingYou’ll paddle Hilton Head’s salt marshes with a local guide, spotting dolphins if you’re lucky and learning about Lowcountry wildlife along Broad Creek. Expect close-up bird sightings, gentle breezes, and stories that bring the island’s history to life — plus all your kayaking gear is included so you can just show up ready for an adventure.
Hilton Head Island Dolphin Boat Cruise: Guaranteed SightingsA 90-minute dolphin boat cruise departing from Palmetto Bay Marina on Hilton Head Island, with guaranteed sightings and full narration by a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain. The boat is fully shaded and suitable for families, couples and anyone with any fitness level; children must be accompanied by an adult.Is it for me?Small groups and families work well here—the boat holds enough people that it never feels private, but stays small enough that everyone can see and hear the guide. If you're spending an afternoon on Hilton Head and want to see dolphins without renting a boat or booking a full-day excursion, this 90-minute cruise fits the free time you actually have.
Daufuskie Island: Guided History Tour & Boat Ride from Hilton HeadYou take a boat from Shelter Cove Marina to the undeveloped side of Daufuskie Island, where a historian guides you by golf cart through historic sites tied to Native American, European, and Gullah history. The boat ride itself includes wildlife stops and water views of neighboring islands. Bottled water and a cooler are provided; the full experience takes 4.5 hours and does not include a meal stop.Is it for me?Book this if you want to understand Lowcountry history through the people and places that shaped it, without arranging your own boat access to an island that's only reachable by water — the structured timing and historian guide mean you get the full story in one morning.
Hilton Head Pirate Ship Adventure: Water Cannon BattleA 90-minute pirate ship adventure on Hilton Head Island where kids get outfitted with tattoos, face paint and pirate names, then board the Black Sparrow to search for treasure and battle Stinky Pete with water cannons. The guide leads the whole crew through singing, dancing and surprises, and every pirate gets a share of booty to take home. Live guide in English.Is it for me?The boat departs from the dock on Hilton Head Island with no car needed, which settles the logistics for families staying elsewhere on the island or without transportation. The whole crew stays together for 90 minutes, so siblings and cousins don't split up, and every kid leaves with a prize.
Beaufort History Movie Tour by Golf Cart: 300 YearsThis 1-hour guided tour of Beaufort travels by 8-passenger Yamaha golf cart through the town's historic neighborhoods, stopping at or passing sites tied to 300 years of history—from Spanish and French exploration through the Civil War to the Hollywood films shot here. A live guide narrates the story while you ride past antebellum homes, plantations, and the specific locations where Forrest Gump, The Big Chill, and The Great Santini were filmed. The tour includes transport and a guide speaking English, Spanish, or French; maximum group size is five people per cart.Is it for me?Book this if you want to cover Beaufort's history and movie sites in one hour while seated—choose the self-guided walk instead if you prefer to stop and linger at individual locations.
Hilton Head: Private Dolphin Tour & Calibogue Sound WildlifeYou’ll feel Hilton Head’s wild side on this private dolphin tour—watch dolphins swim beside your boat, spot rays or manatees if you’re lucky, and hear stories from your local guide as you pass Harbourtown Lighthouse and Daufuskie Island. It’s personal, unhurried, and full of those small moments that stay with you long after.
Beaufort City Minibus Tour: Historic District & Movie SitesA 1.15-hour minibus tour of Beaufort's historic district on Port Royal Island, with a professional local guide narrating the architecture, Civil War history and Hollywood film sites visible from the van. The tour covers Old Point and The Bluff, where antebellum houses and churches line the streets. Children from age 4 are welcome, and the van is wheelchair accessible with all surfaces and areas accommodating mobility devices.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to see Beaufort's historic architecture and Old Point from a vehicle rather than on foot, so you can cover more ground without walking.
Hilton Head: America's Cup 12-Meter Yacht Sail & Crew ExperienceYou’ll step onto Hilton Head’s Stars & Stripes yacht, help raise sails with friendly crew, and watch Harbour Town Lighthouse fade into low-country views. Feel wind in your face, try your hand at crewing (or just relax), and share laughs with locals—all in one 90-minute sail that leaves you wanting more.
Beaufort: Horse Carriage Tour of Historic District & The PointYou’ll ride through Beaufort’s historic district by horse-drawn carriage, hearing stories from a local guide as you pass antebellum homes and centuries-old churches. Feel the slow rhythm under live oaks draped with Spanish moss and catch glimpses of everyday life along quiet backstreets. It’s a gentle way to see Beaufort — and you might find yourself thinking about those old houses long after.
Hilton Head Island Guided Water Tour: Drive Your Own Creek CatA 2-hour guided water tour around Hilton Head Island where you drive your own Creek Cat—a 30HP motorboat that handles like a go-kart on the water. You navigate over 25 miles past Harbour Town Lighthouse and Daufuskie Island while a professional guide points out wildlife like dolphins, eagles and ospreys, and shares local history and ecosystem details. Maximum 2 people per boat; children from age 5 welcome as passengers.Is it for me?Choose the daytime tour if you want the full landscape and wildlife activity in good light, or the Sunset Creek Cat Tour if you prefer a quieter pace and dramatic evening colors—both run the same route and duration, so pick based on when you want to be on the water. You need a valid driver's license and must be at least 21 to pilot the boat, so this is built for adults who want hands-on control rather than a traditional guided boat ride.
Hilton Head: Sunset Dolphin Cruise from Harbour Town LighthouseYou’ll set sail from Hilton Head’s Harbour Town Lighthouse as golden hour turns marshes pink and gold. Watch wild dolphins swim alongside your boat while your local captain shares Lowcountry stories—sometimes funny, sometimes quietly beautiful. With drinks available onboard and guaranteed dolphin sightings, this sunset cruise is equal parts relaxing and unexpectedly joyful.
Beaufort: Kazoo Factory Tour & Make-Your-Own KazooYou’ll laugh your way through Beaufort’s Kazoo Factory as guides show you how these quirky instruments come to life—from assembly lines to antique displays—before you make your own kazoo to keep. Expect hands-on moments, local stories, and plenty of cheerful noise that sticks with you long after you leave.
Hilton Head Island Parasailing: 8-10 Min Flight & Dolphin ViewsYou board a 35-foot parasail boat, get strapped in tandem or triple, and launch from the flight deck for an 8–10 minute flight over Calibogue Sound. From 600 feet you see Harbour Town Lighthouse, Daufuskie Island, and the Lowcountry shoreline; watch for bottlenose dolphins below. You choose whether to stay dry or splash down on the way back. The whole experience takes 90 minutes with a full boat, all gear included, and you land on the same deck where you took off.Is it for me?Book this if you want a quick, high-adrenaline water activity that doesn't eat your whole afternoon and doesn't require you to arrange or rent gear—the fixed 90-minute window and included equipment mean you show up and fly.
Hilton Head: Shrimp Trawling Boat Cruise & Take-Home CatchYou’ll board a real working boat in Hilton Head, help sort through nets full of local sea life with friendly crew, learn about Lowcountry shrimping traditions, and maybe even take home your own fresh catch—all while soaking up salt air and those marsh views you won’t forget.
Walking Tour in Beaufort: 500 Years of HistoryA guided walking tour of Beaufort's historic downtown covers 500 years of the city's past—Indian conflicts, piracy, slavery, the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and the lives of the people who lived through them. The tour lasts about two hours and includes a live English-speaking guide; all surfaces are wheelchair accessible and the pace suits all fitness levels.Is it for me?Choose this if you want a guided walk that covers Beaufort's full sweep—from Native American history through the Civil War to modern day—rather than a themed deep-dive into one era.
Hilton Head: Private Dolphin Cruise & Calibogue Sound ViewsYou’ll feel like part of Hilton Head as you cruise Calibogue Sound on your own private dolphin tour—watching playful pods up close, passing Harbour Town’s lighthouse, and soaking in stories from a local guide. With flexible timing and space for families or strollers, it’s an easygoing way to see dolphins in their home waters—and maybe catch yourself smiling at nothing in particular.
Hilton Head Dolphin Tour: Bottlenose & Disappearing IslandA 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.Is it for me?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.
Hilton Head: Private Sunset Cruise with Dolphin Views & BYOBYou’ll board your own private boat right across from Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge for a two-hour sunset cruise around Hilton Head. With a local captain guiding you past Daufuskie Island and Harbourtown lighthouse, you’ll spot dolphins up close while sharing drinks from your BYOB cooler. Expect laughter, stories, and those golden moments families remember long after vacation ends.
90-Minute Hilton Head Sunset Dolphin CruiseA 90-minute guided cruise through the Hilton Head salt marsh at sunset, where you spot Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, hear stories about lowcountry wildlife and history, and watch the light change over the water. The boat carries bottled water and an on-board bar; bring your camera and any snacks you want to share.Is it for me?Join other guests on a shared boat with a naturalist guide who navigates the salt marsh and times the route to catch the sunset while you watch for dolphins.
Hilton Head Dolphin Tour: Atlantic Bottlenose Year-RoundA 90-minute shared boat tour departing from Shelter Cove Marina in Hilton Head, exploring Broad Creek Wildlife Area, Calibogue Sound and nearby marshes to watch Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins year-round. Your USCG-licensed captain narrates the ecology and history of the region as the tour unfolds. The boat is stable and comfortable, and the tour suits families and all fitness levels.Is it for me?This is a shared tour, so you'll be on the boat with other guests—a good fit if you're comfortable in a group and want a captain's expertise without the cost of a private charter. The fixed 90-minute schedule and the captain's knowledge of where dolphins congregate make it the right choice if you want to see dolphins without spending the day planning the route yourself.
