Private Pontoon Boat Rental Hilton Head Island: 3 Hours

Steer your own boat through dolphin waters and barrier island passages

A 3-hour private pontoon boat rental on Hilton Head Island where you captain the boat through Skull Creek, past Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, and out to your choice of the Atlantic Ocean mouth, behind Daufuskie Island, through Cooper River, or up May River to the sand bar at Palmetto Bluff. You receive a professional orientation on navigating the waterways before departure. The boat holds up to 10 people and requires a captain who is at least 18 with a valid driver's license and prior boating experience.

The experience

You arrive at the rental ready to take the helm of a pontoon boat: one of the largest riding areas available on the island. After a professional orientation on navigating Hilton Head's waterways, you're free to chart your own course. The day starts with a short idle through Skull Creek, where Atlantic bottlenose dolphins often surface. From there, the water opens up: you can head to the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean, slip behind Daufuskie Island, cut through Cooper River, or cruise up May River to explore the sand bar at Palmetto Bluff. The boat is yours to control, the route yours to choose.

The pontoon holds up to 10 people, so you're bringing friends or family along without splitting into multiple boats. A live guide in English is available to answer questions about the waterways and offer lunch recommendations if you want to eat on the water. The captain must be at least 18 years old, hold a valid driver's license, and have prior boating experience. That's the only requirement standing between you and three hours of independent navigation through some of the island's most varied water.

What’s included

• Pontoon boat rental for up to 10 passengers.
• professional orientation on navigating Hilton Head Island's waterways.
• live guide in English.
• access to Skull Creek, the Atlantic Ocean mouth, Daufuskie Island, Cooper River, May River and Palmetto Bluff.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 16:00

Book up to2h before

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Island Head

Is this one for you?Book this rental if your group is between 2 and 10 people and someone has prior boating experience and a valid license to captain. The private boat means you set the pace and choose which waterways to explore, rather than following a fixed itinerary with other groups.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

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.

Can I take the boat out to the Atlantic Ocean, or are there limits on where I can go?

The rental includes access to the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean, behind Daufuskie Island, through Cooper River, and up May River to Palmetto Bluff's sand bar. You choose which route to take during your 3 hours on the water.

What happens if I've never captained a boat before?

The captain must have prior boating experience and a valid driver's license. If you don't meet those requirements, someone in your group who does can take the helm, or you can ask the guide for recommendations on what to see and do.

Will we see dolphins on this rental?

Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are common in Skull Creek, where the rental begins. Sightings are frequent but not guaranteed, and the guide can point out where they're most likely to appear.

How many people can fit on the pontoon boat?

The pontoon holds up to 10 people, so a full group travels together without needing separate boats.

Can we stop to eat lunch on the water?

Yes. The guide can offer lunch recommendations, and you're welcome to eat on the boat during your 3-hour rental.