Boating in Hilton Head, SC
Boating on Hilton Head Island offers one of the most captivating ways to experience the Lowcountry, where winding tidal creeks, shimmering waterways, and wide-open sounds create a picturesque playground for exploration. Whether you’re cruising the Calibogue Sound, drifting past the iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse, or navigating the serene channels that weave through marshland, every outing reveals a new perspective of the island’s natural beauty. The gentle rhythms of the tide, the call of seabirds, and the chance to spot dolphins gliding through the water all contribute to an experience that feels both relaxing and unforgettable.
Hilton Head’s boating culture is as rich as its scenery, offering options for every interest and experience level. Visitors can rent their own boats for a day of independent adventure, join guided excursions that highlight the island’s wildlife and history, or simply enjoy a peaceful sunset cruise as the sky glows over the water. From family outings and fishing trips to romantic charters and luxury sightseeing tours, boating on Hilton Head blends discovery, leisure, and the timeless charm of the South Carolina coast—inviting everyone to embrace the island from its most magical vantage point.
Boat Rentals Hilton Head Island & Bluffton
Hilton Head Boat Rentals
Phone: 843-353-7333
Departure Marina (Google Maps): Skull Creek Marina
Boat Types: Pontoons, center consoles
Rental Services: Hourly & daily rentals for groups and families.
Hilton Head Pontoon Rentals
Phone: 843-368-2028
Departure Marina (Google Maps): Hilton Head Harbor Marina
Boat Types: Pontoons, party boats
Rental Services: Pet-friendly pontoon rentals on the Intracoastal Waterway.
Palmetto Pontoon & Rentals
Phone: 843-815-9044
Departure Marina (Google Maps): Alljoy Landing – Bluffton
Boat Types: Pontoons
Rental Services: Pontoon rentals, Daufuskie trips, private charters.
Hilton Head Boat Company
Phone: 843-681-2628
Departure Marina (Google Maps): Hilton Head Harbor Marina
Boat Types: Pontoons, center consoles, deck boats
Rental Services: Membership-based club + curated rentals.
Boat Tours – Hilton Head Island, SC
Vagabond Cruise
Phone: 843-363-9026
Departure Marina (Google Maps): Harbour Town Marina
Boat Types: Sightseeing vessels, dinner-cruise boats
Services Offered: Dolphin tours, sunset cruises, dinner cruises, Daufuskie ferries.
Island Skiff Adventure Tours
Phone: 843-816-5976
Departure Marina (Google Maps): Broad Creek Marina
Boat Types: 2-person skiffs
Services Offered: Guided marsh tours, wildlife viewing, eco sightseeing.
Lowcountry Watersports
Phone: 843-684-2004
Departure Marina (Google Maps): Broad Creek Marina
Boat Types: Pontoons, tour boats, parasail boats
Services Offered: Dolphin tours, pirate cruises, parasailing.
Hilton Head Boat Tours
Phone: 843-304-2878
Departure Marina (Google Maps): Skull Creek Marina
Boat Types: Center consoles, pontoons
Services Offered: Private charters, dolphin watching, sunset cruises.
Dolphin Discoveries
Phone: 843-684-1911
Departure Marina (Google Maps): Palmetto Bay Marina
Boat Types: Small-group tour boats
Services Offered: Intimate dolphin tours, eco tours, nature trips.
One HHI
Phone: 843-684-2000
Departure Marina (Google Maps): Broad Creek Marina
Boat Types: Pontoons, jet skis, tow boats
Services Offered: Dolphin tours, tubing, jet skis, parasailing.
H2O Sports
Phone: 843-671-4386
Departure Marina (Google Maps): Harbour Town Marina
Boat Types: Sailboats, jet skis, tour boats
Services Offered: Dolphin cruises, sailing excursions, jet ski tours.
Salty Dog Waterside Cruises
Phone: 843-683-6462
Departure Marina (Google Maps): South Beach Marina
Boat Types: Tour boats
Services Offered: Dolphin cruises, nature tours, sunset cruises.
Mermaid of Hilton Head
Phone: 843-473-0147
Departure Marina (Google Maps): Broad Creek Marina
Boat Types: Tour boats
Services Offered: Mermaid-themed cruises, dolphin tours.
Pink House Boats
Phone: 843-321-8075
Departure Marina (Google Maps): Skull Creek Marina
Boat Types: Electric donut boats, pontoons
Services Offered: Self-drive donut boats, luxury electric pontoons.
Commander Zodiac
Phone: 843-671-3344
Departure Marina (Google Maps): South Beach Marina
Boat Types: Zodiac rigid inflatable boats
Services Offered: Eco-tours, dolphin encounters, education-based cruises.
Keep exploring
A guide to Hilton Head Island's gated communities and neighborhoods — Sea Pines, Palmetto Dunes, Hilton Head Plantation, and more — plus nearby Bluffton.
Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island: neighborhoods, Harbour Town, golf courses, bike rentals, beaches, and shopping, with tee-time links for each course.
Charter fishing on Hilton Head Island — inshore, nearshore, and offshore trips with local captains, plus area marinas and dolphin cruise operators.
Shark fishing charters on Hilton Head Island — phone numbers and marinas for 10 local outfitters, from Shelter Cove to Harbour Town.
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