Dolphin Seafari
Dolphin Seafari
5
Boat ToursPrivate ToursDolphin & Whale WatchingNature & Wildlife Tours
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Full view
About
We offer private trips . Thank you for Supporting a Small Family Business The Dolphin Seafari is a 30 foot covered pontoon boat with comfortable bench seating and a restroom on board. Sitting low and close to the water, gets you up close and personal with our wildlife and gives you optimal viewing of our salt marsh. With a friendly and accommodating staff, we love to educate you about Hilton Head Island while we look for dolphins, egrets, herons, Osprey, Bald Eagles, manatees and sharks
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
581 reviews
Excellent
547
Very good
26
Average
4
Poor
2
Terrible
2
lindanA3630JV
Mammoth Cave National Park, KY5 contributions
May 2021
My husband and I went on a Dolphin Seafari tour on Wednesday night of last week. We had been on sunset dolphin tours before on really large boats that carry 100 people or so. I highly recommend Dolphin Seafari because it is a much smaller boat and operates from Shelter Cove Harbor instead of the much busier Harbortown in Sea Pines. For our cruise there were only four of us and the two crew members. They could have canceled but the manager said it was such a beautiful night she just couldn’t disappoint us. We had the best time. We were free to move about the boat. The crew was funny and constantly spotting dolphins and telling us about the eco system of the are and the gorgeous neighborhoods we went by. If you are in Hilton Head book this tour. You won’t be disappointed!
Written May 29, 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.
My pleasure, sometime things just work out! It was our pleasure to enjoy the envening. Please come back soon.
Written June 4, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ethan
1 contribution
Jul 2021 • Family
This Dolphin Seafari was perfect if you are looking for a relaxing sightseeing adventure for all ages. We saw plenty of dolphins and our tour guide Frances did an amazing job as she was very informative and friendly. Captain Jason did a great job piloting the boat and allowed us to see countless marine life as well. The experience is perfect for the price we payed and I would definitely recommend it to others. - give a generous tip too!!
Written July 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.
Thank you! Hilton Head does have a beautiful eco system and march area that is home for varies types of wildlife. Thank you for leaving only footprints behind. Please come again.
Written July 21, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mareron
San Antonio, TX64 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
What a wonderful pontoon cruise to see dolphins. The pontoon was covered to shelter us from the sun but with open sides giving us a clear view. The pontoon holds about a dozen people so the tour was very personal. We were told there are about 300 dolphins in Broad Creek where the cruise took place and we certainly got a good view of many of them!! Jason, the boat captain, slowed the boat whenever any of us saw dolphins so we all got a good view of them. Frances, the tour guide, was fantastic! She offered a lot of information about dolphins, manatees, the various Hilton Head plantations and waterways. She was happy to answer all our questions and was so personable. The cruise lasted 90 minutes and the cost of $35 each was well worth it. Definitely the best tour we took on Hilton Head.
Written June 1, 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.
Captain Jaison is the Newest member to our great staff. I will share your kind words with him. As i do with all the wonderful staff!! We couldn't do it with out them. THEY are Dolphin Seafari!!
Captain Tim and Beth
Written June 4, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Guide112750
2 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
We had a great experience on Dolphin Seafari! We were staying at the Disney Vacation Club and they pick you right up on the resort side of the marina. Frances was a knowledgeable guide. She took the time to answer all of the kids questions and even made sure she knew everyone’s name. They have reduced capacity and are following COVID-19 protocols. I know there are a lot of options, but I would definitely recommend picking Doplphi Seafari for your dolphin seeking adventure.
Written April 3, 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're so glad you enjoyed the tour. Thank you for your kind review. hope to see you again.
Best regards
Captain Tim
Written April 22, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Randall H
Wyoming, OH1 contribution
Aug 2020 • Couples
My wife and I took the Tuesday 9am Donuts & Dolphins tour and thoroughly enjoyed it!
Our guide Frances was engaging, enthusiastic and really connected with the children onboard the roomy pontoon boat. Francis quickly knew all the children’s names and even had them share their dolphin knowledge with the rest of us.
We saw multiple dolphins and Frances even pulled up a crab trap, removed a crab and taught us about them, along with letting everyone safely touch it.
Even if you don’t like donuts (what?) you’ll have a great time with the Dolphin Seafari tours!
Our guide Frances was engaging, enthusiastic and really connected with the children onboard the roomy pontoon boat. Francis quickly knew all the children’s names and even had them share their dolphin knowledge with the rest of us.
We saw multiple dolphins and Frances even pulled up a crab trap, removed a crab and taught us about them, along with letting everyone safely touch it.
Even if you don’t like donuts (what?) you’ll have a great time with the Dolphin Seafari tours!
Written August 25, 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.
Yes, we have Donuts and Dolphins!!! Every Tuesday and Thursday mornings the 9AM trip! Well worth getting up early for. The dolphin are out any time of course!
Thank you
Written September 2, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Justin S
3 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
Frances was our guide and she did a fantastic job! She had a ton of info about dolphins and local wildlife and, most importantly, engaged the kids so well, calling them by name and getting them to participate. If you’re on the fence about trying the tour, I’d highly recommend you do it. Oh and check the photos for some of the cool shots we got.
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.
Thank you Justin for riding on the Dolphin Seafari and for your kind review. I will pass it along to Francis,
I'm glad you enjoyed the tour.
Best regards
Captain Tim
Written July 11, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jenna W
1 contribution
Sep 2021
Frances was our tour guide and she was fantastic. Her knowledge is extensive and she was highly engaging! She really catered to the audience including the children on our tour. Frances made the tour fun for everyone and she had fantastic recommendations on the local area as well. I cannot recommend Dolphin Seafari enough - it was fantastic and worth every penny. We did the Dolphin and Donuts tour which was enjoyable and allowed us to have snacks during the trip. I would recommend that instead of the Dunkin' they partner with a local donut shop (maybe The Purple Cow) in the future. Aside from that, everything exceeded expectations and supporting a small, local business was fantastic. We saw multiple dolphins and different wildlife along the way - all which we were quickly provided insight and information on. Very fun and educational.
Written September 4, 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.
Starting your day with coffee and donuts!!! What can we say. We (being a local/family owned business) do support our fellow locals, we will check into this. But, Dunkin Donuts is a franchise and is as locally owned and operated.
Written September 12, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bob M
Bluffton, SC172 contributions
Jul 2020
Not only did we see dolphins, but our first mate, (Diane) gave us a very informative narration about the local ecology. The captain slowed or stopped every time we spotted a dolphin so we could take pictures. They even stop and pull up a crab trap so we can learn about blue and stone crabs.
Written July 12, 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.
boatguy1952, A Big THANK YOU for your kind words. Our up close and personal experience is just the way we like to treat our guests!!
Captain Tim
Written July 27, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bruce M
Atlanta, GA28 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
We stumbled on this tour and what a thrill it turned out to be. Frances our guide and the Captain were amazing and took their time as we watched the Dolphins swim near us and the Captain would move the boat safely for us to watch them play in their natural environment. We also got to see some manatees which was an added bonus as we were not expecting that. I felt very safe and comfortable with enough spacing for everyone on the boat. Frances is a great guide and teacher. I learned a lot about the Dolphins and why the stay in those waters. It was a blast!! This is a must do if you visit Hilton Head Island.
Written September 1, 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.
Thank you for riding on the Dolphin Seafari and for the kind review. I will forward your review to Francis, Hope to see you again.
Best regards
Captain Tim
Written September 9, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jimmy Tueyez
1 contribution
Oct 2020 • Friends
Our dolphins and donut experience was fantastic! We were greeted by our friendly tour guide for small meet and greet before loading onto the boat. Once everyone was loaded on the boat, the Captain made the recommendation that we all grab a donut before take off. It was a tremendous idea from the Captain. They had three dozen assorted donuts. I went with the traditional donut with chocolate frosting. Donuts were surprisingly fresh. They had iced & hot coffee on board. Also, they had juices and water. I went with the hot coffee. It was a fantastic cup of coffee. Once we got off port, Frances started her presentation of fun Hilton Head facts. About five minutes away from port, I decided to grab another donut. This time I snagged a traditional glazed donut. I have to remind y’all donuts are complementary and can have a many as desired. Once we got past the no wake zone, we got into dolphin territory. There is nothing like seeing a dolphin jump out of the water. That got me so excited I decided to grab another donut. I went with the old fashion donut and I dunked it in my coffee. Their coffee paired well with the traditional donut. Our tour guide was very informed about the dolphins that reside in the Hilton Head Island. We had a dolphin swim underneath the boat. Since the donuts were complementary, I grabbed a pumpkin donut. It was great since it was that time of the year for fall flavors. I paired this donut with an ice coffee. Great decision on my part. Once we saw a a bunch of dolphins, we headed back to port. For the boat ride back, I grabbed a donut. I went with a maple frosted donut with sprinkles. What caught my attention was halloween themed colored sprinkles. Very festive donut. In conclusion, this was an awesome adventure and highly recommend it to anyone visiting Hilton Head Island.
Written October 7, 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.
Jimmy, You certainly have a way with words. Your review is our favorite of all time! Than you for riding on the Dolphin Seafari and for the glowing review. I encourage your friends and family to consider Dunkin gift certificates
when Christmas shopping for you this year. Really, I'm so glad you enjoyed the tour and hope you will come back next time you visit Hilton Head Island.
Best regards
Captain Tim
Written October 20, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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