Tideline Tours
Tideline Tours
5
Boat Tours • Eco Tours • Dolphin & Whale Watching • Nature & Wildlife Tours
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8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Full view
About
Explore the Salt Marsh surrounding Folly Island aboard a choice of two coast guard-inspected vessels. Experience coastal scientist-led adventures to several points of natural beauty and historical significance. Listen through our underwater hydrophone system as dolphins communicate. Families and groups experience a flexible, lightly structured venture through the beautiful lowcountry saltmarsh. Shelling on a secluded beach is always an option.
Folly Beach, South Carolina
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Awards
Travelers' Choice
2023
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
434 reviews
Excellent
420
Very good
9
Average
1
Poor
2
Terrible
2
James B Malone
Columbia, CT11 contributions
May 2021
Tideline Tours operates several small boat tours through the marshes in and around Folly Island and Morris Island, about 40 minutes south of Charleston, South Carolina. The purpose of my trip was to go as close as possible to the Morris Island Lighthouse which is near the eastern tip of Folly Island and south of Morris Island. The lighthouse is located offshore and is its foundation is directly in the water. The tides and currents around Morris Island Lighthouse require a boat that can handle the situation and a captain that is experienced.
Captain Jim Gresham was the captain on the boat I took and I was the only passenger. I paid for the minimum for 4 passengers since no one else signed up for the trip (Monday, May 3, 2021 at 930am). Captain Jim took me through the marshes very quickly as my only interest was the lighthouse. Once in the area of the lighthouse, Captain Jim actually landed me on a sandbar that is not connected to the mainland. I walked along the sandbar about one quarter mile and was able to see and photograph the Morris Island Lighthouse from about 200 feet. The waters around the lighthouse are very turbulent and it would not be safe to try and go into the water to be closer.
After dropping me off on the sandbar, Captain Jim moved the boat back into the water and waited but kept the boat where I could see him and signal or call his mobile phone if I needed assistance. I spent about an hour on the sandbar and no one else was there. It was truly a great opportunity to be that close for a lighthouse enthusiast.
I would highly recommend Tideline Tours, and especially Captain Jim Gresham. He was an excellent boat driver and guide, plus he was extremely pleasant and knowledgeable about the area. Tideline Tours is located at the Sunset Cay Marina near the western end of Folly Island.
Captain Jim Gresham was the captain on the boat I took and I was the only passenger. I paid for the minimum for 4 passengers since no one else signed up for the trip (Monday, May 3, 2021 at 930am). Captain Jim took me through the marshes very quickly as my only interest was the lighthouse. Once in the area of the lighthouse, Captain Jim actually landed me on a sandbar that is not connected to the mainland. I walked along the sandbar about one quarter mile and was able to see and photograph the Morris Island Lighthouse from about 200 feet. The waters around the lighthouse are very turbulent and it would not be safe to try and go into the water to be closer.
After dropping me off on the sandbar, Captain Jim moved the boat back into the water and waited but kept the boat where I could see him and signal or call his mobile phone if I needed assistance. I spent about an hour on the sandbar and no one else was there. It was truly a great opportunity to be that close for a lighthouse enthusiast.
I would highly recommend Tideline Tours, and especially Captain Jim Gresham. He was an excellent boat driver and guide, plus he was extremely pleasant and knowledgeable about the area. Tideline Tours is located at the Sunset Cay Marina near the western end of Folly Island.
Written May 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for the review and willingness to come out on a private tour - mondays are notoriously slow in the summer. We're so glad you were able to get close to the lighthouse and Capt. Jim is an absolute wealth of knowledge on all things history!
Written June 9, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Daniel W
Orangeburg, SC2 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Captain Weatherly and First Mate Adam were simply the best!. My wife and I, with our 9 and 11 year old daughters booked the sunset cruise aboard the Catamaran "Seas Life". The boat is quite spacious with plenty of room to lounge and amenities such as ice, water, and table to sit around for dinner or a snack. It was a smooth ride and we even had the chance to cut the engines and let the wind fill the sails! We ventured to "bird island where Captain Weatherly explained all the different bird species. The sail along the Folly River and through the marsh tributaries was amazing. We were entertained by diving Pelicans and Dolphin off the bow. The highlight of the trip was the sunset over the marsh and our salute to the sun with a blow of a conch shell. My girls had a blast! We will be back with Tideline Tours again!
Written July 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ahoy!
We are so glad you ventured out on the sailboat with us and learned all about the locals out in the marsh! We look forward to taking you on another adventure in the future. Come back soon!
Written August 9, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chelsea
5 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
We had an amazing time on the Sunset Cruise! Ryan was our captain and he was super friendly and knowledgeable about the area. The weather was cloudy and he still managed to work around it and get us some awesome sunset views. We also saw tons of dolphins and he showed us some hidden gems that we would’ve never known about otherwise! Definitely the best thing we did on our whole trip!
Written July 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nikki T
Houston, TX15 contributions
Mar 2021
Our family of 4, comprised of two adults and two children (under 12), boarded the skiff with Captain Ryan one dreary and blustery day. He added as to his under 75% capacity boat the day of the tour. We were bundled up and had brought a blanket, and were dying to get outside after a very long road trip. (Unfortunately, a party of 6 on the skiff was barely dressed warmly enough for a stroll down a sidewalk, so they were MISERABLE the entire time. The Captain handed them a blanket to share from his personal stash.) Enjoyed his vibrant personality, his extensive knowledge about the ecology of the area, and his energy. When we arrived at Morris Island, everyone got off the boat to look for seashells and sharks teeth. My 9 year old son, a teenage girl from another party, and Captain Ryan took off RUNNING against the wind so Captain Ryan could help them find shark teeth. While it was certainly bitterly cold with the wind, we knew it was cold when we boarded. Loved the experience, and would repeat it in a heartbeat on a less blustery day. Highly recommend. (We went on the sunset cruise, but would love to take a marsh cruise next time we are in the area.)
Written March 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kz00juls
Kalamazoo, MI9 contributions
Nov 2022
We greatly enjoyed the salt marsh tour, with a stop on Morris Island. Captain Jim was extremely friendly and very knowledgeable. Knowing that we were hoping to see dolphins, he did a great job of taking us to spots dolphins frequented and we were not disappointed! Several dolphin sightings and Capt. Jim was good about brief stops that would allow us to snap photos. We also saw and learned about many of the native birds. We had a short time for shell hunting on Morris Island and brought home some cool specimens - whelks, angel wings, pen shells, ark shells, oysters and cockles. This tour was definitely one of the top experiences of our vacation and we recommend that all visitors try to build this into their itinerary!
Written November 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meredith F
Charlotte, United States2 contributions
Jun 2020
My group of friends and I couldn't have asked for better trips. We did a day sail, and the following day we did a sunset cruise. From the time I inquired about booking a trip- Tidelines' details, coordination, communication and follow ups before departures were all top notch! Everyone I spoke with on the phone was super nice. Captain Greg and Captain Ryan were both a great time for our trips! Don't let wearing a mask on a trip, hold you back from going - it was still amazing and worth it!
Written July 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth
1 contribution
Jun 2021 • Family
They ask had I been vaccinated and then proceeded to ask the other people did they feel safe if my unvaccinated family went. They decided we could go if we wore our mask. Thank God there was rain in the forecast and they canceled the tour. Wearing a mask was not the issue. Asking me in a group of people my medical information and having them vote on it was what got me. That was so uncalled for. Their policy stated everyone would be wearing mask. They didn’t say they held a vote in front of a group. I posted a pic of their policy. It doesn’t say anything about vaccinated or unvaccinated. Then they made a post on their home page calling me a bully then disabled comments so I couldn’t defend myself.
Written June 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth Fontaine
Minneapolis, MN1 contribution
Jun 2021
Ryan was funny and knowledgeable and he made everyone, from my 80 year old mom to my 12 year old son, feel at ease and secure. The trip to Morris Island was wonderful! We were able to see so many dolphins and even a massive Loggerhead turtle came up to say hello to us. It is clear that Ryan respects the wildlife, the water, and the people he helps. I highly recommend this tour!
Written June 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ryan loves and respects this area and loves to share its beauty with others. It is great to hear we were able to make the tour enjoyable for all generations! We hope to see you again in the future!
Written July 29, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
coylelaura
Des Moines, IA23 contributions
Jun 2021 • Friends
We took the two hour dolphin, lighthouse, and shelling tour with Captain Weatherly. The tour was excellent!! We saw tons of dolphins, found lots of great shells, and learned a lot about the area and wildlife. The staff were amazing about following pandemic precautions so we felt comfortable taking our children. We highly recommend this tour.
Written June 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are glad we could provide a comfortable experience amongst the uneasiness of the pandemic and an enjoyable time out on the water! The dolphins here are so friendly, they love coming up and saying hi to our tours.
Written July 29, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gretchen S
Fleming Island, FL40 contributions
Sep 2020 • Family
We did the private tour due to covid and our family member that has underlying health condition. It was a our first adventure out. Folly Beach is so beautiful and peaceful and so many views while on the water vs the beach. The guide did follow the guidelines of wearing a mask, we felt reassured that this charter takes Covid serious.
Written September 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lana T
Louisville, Kentucky, United States4 contributions
We have a group of 4 adults. How many additional guests would
be on our tour?
Tidelinetours
Folly Beach, SC1 contribution
Thanks for the question.
If you book the Salt Marsh Adventure by the seat, then you can have potentially 8 more people on the same trip. If you book the Dolphin Adventure, then you can have potentially 20 more on the same trip
If you wish to keep the trip private, for $325, you can book the 12 passenger boat or for $500, the 24 passenger boat.
Cheers
Capt. Anton
Tideline Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Tideline Tours Information
Excellent Reviews | 353 |
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Very Good Reviews | 7 |
Tideline Tours Photos | 176 |