Dolphin Seafari at Shelter Cove Harbour
A family-run 90-minute dolphin cruise on Broad Creek from Shelter Cove Harbour, with donut mornings, sunset trips and summer fireworks runs.
Book Dolphin Seafari
Live availability for every cruise. Donuts with Dolphins sails Tuesday to Thursday mornings, and the fireworks cruise on Tuesdays.
Booked through FareHarbor, the island operators’ own booking system. HHI.com may earn a commission.
- Trip: 90 minutes, two hours at most
- Adults: from $40
- Runs: seven days a week
- Family-run: since 2008
Dolphin Seafari is a small, family-run dolphin tour at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina, owned by Tim and Beth since 2008. The standard cruise is about 90 minutes on Broad Creek, looking for the Atlantic bottlenose dolphins that feed there, with the captain talking about the island, the marsh and how the dolphins live. Otters, manatees, sharks and bald eagles turn up some days too.
Dolphin Seafari Tours
Hilton Head dolphin cruise: the everyday trip, about 90 minutes, from $40 for adults and teens, less for children and infants.
Donuts with Dolphins: a 9 a.m. departure on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with coffee, juice or water and donuts on board, from $45.
Sunset dolphin tour: the same trip timed for the evening light.
Fireworks cruise: in summer, a 7:30 p.m. departure that ends watching the HarbourFest fireworks from the water.
Private boat tour: the boat for your group alone.
Book online, or call for a private trip. The boat leaves from the harbour at 1 Shelter Cove Lane, where parking is free; allow time to park and walk down to the docks. More dolphin trips leave from the same harbour, and the island-wide options are in our Hilton Head boating guide.
More at Shelter Cove Harbour
Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina: HarbourFest, Tuesday fireworks over the water, free family shows, dolphin tours, fishing charters, kayaks and boat rentals.
Captain Mark's Dolphin Cruise: narrated dolphin, sunset and Tuesday fireworks cruises on the Holiday from Shelter Cove Harbour, Monday to Saturday.
Bluewater Adventure at Shelter Cove: guided two-hour tours where you drive your own two-seat catamaran, $135 for adults, plus sunset and fireworks tours.
Outside Hilton Head at Shelter Cove Harbour: kayak and paddleboard rentals, guided kayak tours, dolphin tours, fishing and pontoon rentals, how to book.
Native Son Adventures at Shelter Cove Marina: private tiki-boat dolphin tours, fishing charters and custom days on the water for up to six people.
When and where to see fireworks on Hilton Head Island — weekly Shelter Cove HarbourFest shows and Fourth of July displays at Shelter Cove and Harbour Town.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Dolphin Seafari cruise?
About 90 minutes, and never more than two hours, on Broad Creek from Shelter Cove Harbour.
What is Donuts with Dolphins?
Dolphin Seafari’s morning trip: a 9 a.m. departure on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with donuts and coffee, juice or water included.
Can you watch the Shelter Cove fireworks from a Dolphin Seafari boat?
Yes. In summer its fireworks cruise leaves at 7:30 p.m. and finishes on the water for the Tuesday HarbourFest fireworks over the harbour.
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