May River Excursions, Bluffton
Dolphin, sunset, fishing, crabbing and history boat trips on the May River, leaving from the Calhoun Street dock in Old Town Bluffton.
Book May River Excursions
Live availability for each trip, booked on FareHarbor without leaving hhi.com.
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- Leaves from: Calhoun Street dock, Old Town
- Trips: dolphin, sunset, fishing, crabbing
- Open since: 2011
- Book: online, live availability
May River Excursions is the boat outfitter on the May River in Old Town Bluffton. Captain Chris started it in spring 2011 with one six-passenger boat, and it has grown into a small fleet with a retail shop beside the public dock at 81 Calhoun Street. Boats leave from the dock in front of the Church of the Cross, so you can walk down from the Old Town restaurants and shops.
Trips on the May River
Dolphin and ecology trips: a captain-led run on the river looking for bottlenose dolphins, with the marsh, birds and history of the river along the way.
Sunset excursion: the same river in the evening light, often with just your own party aboard.
Fishing: inshore trips for trout, redfish and flounder, shark fishing, and a trip for larger groups.
Crabbing and shrimping: hands-on trips where you pull the traps and nets yourself.
Shelling, shark-tooth and backwater adventures: longer days that mix dolphin watching with time ashore.
Water taxi: rides to and from Daufuskie Island on request. The island's public ferry is covered on our Daufuskie ferry page.
Trips book on FareHarbor, so the calendar above shows what is open on your dates. Dolphins are wild and not guaranteed, but they feed in the river through the year. For more of the river, see our May River guide, and for the rest of the trip, things to do in Bluffton.
More on the May River
The May River in Bluffton, SC: when the sandbar shows at low tide, kayak and boat tours to book, public landings, and today's Bluffton tides.
Fish Bluffton runs private inshore fishing, shark-tooth and dolphin trips on the May River with Captain Allick Inglis from the Calhoun Street dock.
Spartina Marine Education Charters: Captain Amber Kuehn's two-hour marine science expedition on the May River from Old Town Bluffton.
Old Town Bike Barn & Adventures rents, repairs and sells bikes in Old Town Bluffton, with delivery and pickup and rentals for Hilton Head and Daufuskie.
Old Town Bluffton, SC: Calhoun Street, the Heyward House, galleries, the Church of the Cross, the May River dock and restaurants, all within a short walk.
Things to do in Bluffton, SC: May River dolphin and kayak trips, Old Town's history and galleries, parks, bowling and mini golf, golf and festivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does May River Excursions leave from?
From the Calhoun Street Public Dock in Old Town Bluffton. The shop is at 81 Calhoun Street.
What can you do with May River Excursions?
Dolphin and ecology trips, sunset excursions, inshore and shark fishing, crabbing, shrimping, shelling and shark-tooth outings, and a water taxi to Daufuskie Island.
How do I book?
Pick a trip and a date in the booking calendar on this page, or call (843) 304-2878.
Can I see dolphins on the May River?
Usually. Bottlenose dolphins feed in the river and its creeks through the year, though sightings are never guaranteed.
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