If you love dolphins and nature and are planning a trip to see the vanishing island Hilton Head is famous for, exploring the salt marshes and finding dolphins with Island Explorer is the way to go. This story reviews three of Island Explorer’s dolphin cruises out of Hilton Head. Some of those trips were granted as media tickets so we could tell our readers all about these neat experiences. All opinions here are our own.
Island Explorer: Quick Facts
- Location: Old Oyster Factory docks, 101 Marshland Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
- Season: March through Thanksgiving
- Ages: All ages welcome
- Tours: Vanishing Island Expedition (3 hrs), Dolphin Encounter, Sunset Dolphin Cruise, Daufuskie Island Beach Combing
- Boat capacity: Up to 12 passengers
- Phone: 843-785-2100
- Email: book@dolphintourshiltonhead.com
- Book: dolphintourshiltonhead.com/trips.html
- Pricing: Contact Island Explorer directly for current rates — pricing and availability have changed since this article was first published.
The other passengers in our boat all gasped when we caught sight of the first dolphin off of Hilton Head Island on the gorgeous South Carolina coast. Growing up with a love of dolphins, I was right with them, grabbing my camera to capture the beautiful creatures in their natural environment.
Looking for more places to travel in the USA? Read our travel guide.
My two young kids and I were guests of Island Explorer. The founder, Captain Jim, was the very first person to open a water sports company on the island 20 years ago. He started Island Explorer with just a raft and a love of showing visitors the vast diversity of ocean life right off the dock in the salt marshes.
The custom-made boat we were on – Island Explorer has three of them – was designed for comfort and maximum viewing capabilities. It also conforms to US Coast certifications and fits up to 12 passengers. The summer is the company’s busiest time of year for obvious reasons, although they operate from March through Thanksgiving.
Let’s See Some Dolphins
The first time we did a tour with Island Explorer, we enjoyed the one-hour tour of the salt marsh, which the captain described as a “nursery for ocean life.” I immediately understood this as I had taken my young daughters to a boardwalk overlooking another salt marsh the evening before. Fishermen there were only catching baby black tip sharks (and throwing them back). This fertile environment is perfect for the smaller sea life just trying to make their way.
The cool thing is that the tours often take guests during low tide because it’s the best chance to see dolphins. The fish have less places to hide, and it’s prime feeding time. I love nerdy information like that.
As we watched the dolphins swim close to the boat, I wondered if Island Explorer has ever taken guests out and not seen dolphins. Nope. They always see them, to the delight of everyone on board.
Another cool thing I loved was that guests can bring snacks and drinks. If you have young kids, snacks are essential. They are probably more important than water. My kids loved an extended snack time plus dolphin watching. Big win.
Vanishing Island Tour
I had my eye on this tour for over a year, so when I had the chance to go, there was no hesitation. The Vanishing Island tour with Island Explorer is a three-hour expedition that takes guests to an island that is only visible during low tide. Guests can hunt for sand dollars and cool shells.
Vanishing Island is just past Hilton Head Island and Daufuskie Island, the last island in South Carolina, and is a wide expanse of sand. You can only get there by boat, but when it’s high tide, it disappears. It feels like you’re out in the ocean walking on water! Because of the currents and tides, sand dollars are aplenty here, much more so than you’ll ever find on the beach. Island Explorer gives you a bag when you board the boat so you can grab as many interesting items from the island as you like.
We found tons of beautiful sand dollars and pretty shells. My kids were in heaven. We were able to spend over an hour on the island and wandering through shallow waters. It was a unique experience.
Since the tour goes through the same salt marshes as the other dolphin tours, you get to see dolphins! We got really lucky and saw them doing a unique feeding behavior where they splash their tails really hard in the water to stun the fish and then gobble them up. I only heard about this but had never seen it. I really love dolphins and seeing them in the wild doing their cool things was amazing.
Bring plenty of sunscreen and water since it’s really hot and the summer sun is relentless.
Sunset Dolphin Cruise
The last trip I did with Island Explorer was actually with co-workers. No kids aboard this time. We had a lot of fun! The trip goes out in the early evening on Broad Creek with plenty of time for dolphin sightseeing and viewing the sunset over the sound.
Guests are welcome to bring snacks and adult beverages if they like. For our sunset cruise, the sky was overcast and far away near the horizon we could see clouds start to gather as we started out of the creek area and past the oyster beds. But our captain was in control and happy to slow the boat down when we spotted our first dolphin near one of the oyster beds. He fielded all our questions with ease as he guided the boat out to the waters surrounding Daufuskie Island.
I really want to go to that island, like badly. I was trying to convince him to drop me off for a bit. I wasn’t successful (maybe next time!). Our captain spotted a pod of dolphins near the island and we headed in that direction, which happened to be the same direction as storm clouds that looked like the alien spaceships in Independence Day. It was pretty cool I have to say. Scary, but neat.
No worries though as our captain was watching the radar – and the dolphins – and checking in with the other boats out in the area. We decided to turn back for safety, and I figured our chances of seeing the sunset were pretty slim. I was wrong.
Somehow the dark clouds never reached us. In fact, they parted just enough so we could see the brilliant reds and oranges of the setting sun. It was spectacular. The beauty of the sunset over Broad Creek was stunning. We spotted a few more dolphins on our way back to the dock and really didn’t want to leave.
This cruise was fantastic. One of the better parts of it was that the sun wasn’t beating down on you since it’s much later in the day. It’s a relaxed, but very enjoyable, adventure. Kids are welcome on this cruise, but if you’d like a date night while on the island, this is the way to go.
Trips
Island Explorer has several trips you can choose from to watch dolphins and explore nature.
Tours include the Vanishing Island Expedition, Dolphin Encounter, Sunset Dolphin Cruise, and Daufuskie Island Beach Combing. Note: Pricing and tour availability have changed since this article was published. Visit Island Explorer’s website or call 843-785-2100 for current options and to book your tour.
Ready to See Dolphins?
Book a tour now for your Lowcountry trip because summer is the busy season for Island Explorer. The company has won multiple travel awards for their exceptional experiences for guests, and ours was no different. They are top-notch operation, and I would choose them again in a heartbeat!
Island Explorer
101 Marshland Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
843-785-2100
book@dolphintourshiltonhead.com
Island Explorer website
Frequently Asked Questions About the Vanishing Island Hilton Head Tour
What is the vanishing island near Hilton Head?
The vanishing island near Hilton Head (historically known as Grenadier Shoals) is a large sandbar located in Calibogue Sound past Daufuskie Island. It’s formed from sand that has eroded off Hilton Head beaches over the years and is only exposed during low tide. It then disappears as the tide rises, hence the name. Island Explorer’s three-hour Vanishing Island Expedition takes small groups there to beach comb for sand dollars, shells, and starfish.
How do I book an Island Explorer tour in Hilton Head?
Book directly through Island Explorer’s website, by calling 843-785-2100, or by emailing book@dolphintourshiltonhead.com. Summer is the busiest season, so booking early is strongly recommended. Contact Island Explorer directly for current rates.
Are Island Explorer dolphin tours good for young children?
Yes! Island Explorer welcomes guests of all ages, from young children to grandparents. Their custom 12-passenger Carolina Skiffs are comfortable and family-friendly. Guests are welcome to bring snacks and drinks on board, which is a big plus with little ones.
Are you looking for more fun things to do in Hilton Head Island, SC?
