Myrtle Beach Dolphin Cruise: Open-Air Boat with 360° Views

Open boat, stable platform, dolphins in the Intracoastal Waterway

The Sea Racer Dolphin Tours boat departs from Big M Casino waterfront dock in Little River, South Carolina, for a two-hour narrated cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway and Little River inlet. You'll search for bottlenose dolphins, leatherback sea turtles, bald eagles and ospreys from an open deck with 360-degree views, aboard a large stable boat certified for 128 passengers with a restroom and room to move around. All fees and taxes are included. A live English-speaking guide narrates the route.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dolphin cruise and wildlife tour

• Depart from Big M Casino dock
• Enjoy narrated Intracoastal Waterway tour
• Search for dolphins and wildlife
• Pass by southern North Carolina waterfront town
• View Bird Island barrier island
• Return to Big M Casino dock

The experience

The boat leaves from Big M Casino waterfront dock and heads into the Intracoastal Waterway, the major waterway connecting South Carolina to North Carolina and out to the Atlantic Ocean. The open design means you get unobstructed sightlines in every direction while the boat's size and stability keep the ride smooth. A restroom onboard and plenty of deck space make it comfortable for the full two hours, whether you're standing at the rail or moving around to catch wildlife from different angles.

The narrated tour covers the waterway itself (the geography, the towns, the ecology), while your guide and crew keep watch for dolphins, sea turtles, bald eagles, ospreys and stingrays. You're free to photograph and video the whole time. The route takes you past Sunset Beach, the southernmost waterfront town in North Carolina known for its seafood, and out toward Bird Island, the barrier island that sits at the edge of the seashore. The wildlife appears on its own schedule, not on a guarantee, but the waterway itself is always there: the birds, the water, the inlet opening toward the Atlantic.

Families with infants can bring a pram or stroller. Infants ride on an adult's lap during the cruise itself. Service animals are welcome. The dock is accessible by public transportation, and wheelchair assistance is available onsite. The boat is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnant travelers, so check those details before booking if they apply to you.

What’s included

• Narrated tour of the Intracoastal Waterway and Little River inlet.
• live English-speaking guide.
• all fees and taxes.
• access to the open deck with 360-degree sightlines.
• onboard restroom.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 15 Mar 2027

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (2 to 12 years) · Infant (under 2)

GroupUp to 128

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 today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sea Racer Tours

Is this one for you?The open-air design and 360-degree views set this boat apart from enclosed cabins, so you're not watching dolphins through a window. You're standing on the deck where the light and the water surround you. The restroom and stable platform make a two-hour cruise comfortable for families with young children and for anyone who wants to stay on deck the whole time without worrying about the ride.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 12 years); Infant (under 2).

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 wildlife will I actually see on the Myrtle Beach dolphin cruise?

Bottlenose dolphins are the main draw, but the Intracoastal Waterway also brings sightings of leatherback sea turtles, bald eagles, ospreys and stingrays. Wildlife appears in their natural habitat on their own schedule, so sightings are never guaranteed, but the waterway itself is active year-round.

How long is the dolphin tour and when does it depart?

The cruise runs two hours and departs from Big M Casino waterfront dock in Little River. The itinerary covers the Intracoastal Waterway, Little River inlet, and passes Sunset Beach and Bird Island on the North Carolina side.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes, the Sea Racer has a restroom onboard, along with plenty of deck space to move around during the two-hour tour.

What's included in the price of the dolphin cruise?

All fees and taxes are included in the ticket price. The narrated tour, the guide, and access to the full two-hour route along the Intracoastal Waterway are part of the booking.

Is the boat stable and comfortable for a two-hour ride?

The Sea Racer is a large, stable tour boat certified to seat 128 passengers comfortably. The open design gives 360-degree views while the boat's size keeps the ride smooth, and the restroom and deck space add to the comfort over the two-hour journey.