Perhaps the number one boating activity in Hilton Head Island is dolphin watching and dolphin-based eco tours. This beautiful Lowcountry sea island boasts a local population of at least a couple hundred dolphin. Particular areas such as the “Dolphin Head” region of Skull Creek and Port Royal Sound are focal points for gatherings of dolphins.
Dolphin are sometimes called by a common name “porpoise” especially by fisherman, so as not to confuse the mammal Dolphin from it’s fishy homonym, the Dolphin fish aka Mahi Mahi. The dolphin fish inhabitants the currents of the Gulf Stream, roughly 60-80 miles off shore. In contrast, the whale cousin Dolphins range from far offshore to far inshore. In fact, some of the local Hilton Head dolphin don’t leave their coastal homes at all. The marsh creeks, tidal rivers, and estuary sounds around Hilton Head provide a perfect habitat for these fascinating creatures.
Visiting these dolphin in their natural habitat is easy! No need to head out into rough ocean waters, when you can view them in the calm water creeks on the inshore side of Hilton Head. Smaller boats in the 18-22 ft range are ideal for getting in some of the shallow and narrow areas where these dolphin hunt and play daily. Most Hilton Head boating trips for dolphin are in the 2 hour range. Some companies such as Live Oac offer shorter programs as well, still guaranteeing a dolphin sighting in as little as a one hour trip, due to excellent launch locations with easy access to dolphin habitat.