Disappearing Island Dolphin Tour: Family-Friendly Exploration

Embark on a family-friendly adventure with the Disappearing Island Dolphin Tour. Discover the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin, explore the local ecosystem, and experience the tranquility of Disappearing Island. Book your tour now!

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • 86 Helmsman Way - Join us for this informative and fun dolphin tour combined with a 30 Minute stop at Disappearing Island, where you will see shells, starfish, etc. Learn more about Hilton Head Island, observe the friendly Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, and enjoy a relaxing stop at a quiet sandy island!
What's Included
  • Dolphin sightings throughout the tour
  • Opportunity to find shells, sand dollars, and starfish
  • Explore Disappearing Island with a 20-minute stop
  • Enjoy a total of 2 hours on the water
  • Guided by a USCG licensed captain
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

The Two-Hour Vanishing Island Dolphin Expedition is guaranteed to be a hit with the whole family! Delight in spotting the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin and gaining knowledge about the surrounding ecosystem! Additionally, a half-hour halt at Vanishing Island - an outcrop unveiled only at low tide, will allow you to find unusual shells, starfish, sand…

Location
86 Helmsman Way
Helmsman Way
Drive past the Black Marlin restaurant. We are located on the far righthand side of the building as you walk towards the marina. Look for the Lowcountry Watersports Flag by our check in office.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(163 Ratings)
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Margaret_m
May 29, 2025
The Best - We have done many dolphin tours in Hilton Head and this by far was the best! Not only did we see SO many dolphins - they seemed to be performing for us! We ventured out to a disappearing island and got to explore for 30 minutes. We found so many sand dollars and starfish! The women kept us entertained and made the kids feel special. Definitely a memorable experience!
Review provided by Viator
Julia_l
May 26, 2025
A boat tour you cannot miss! - So worth it! How else would you get to pick up star fish, find hermit crabs and explore all the other creatures of the disappearing island? Our captain Kate was amazing. She drove to the dolphins and she was so capable at navigating us. Wendy had great energy and shared a lot of knowledge on the wildlife around the area. My cousin and I genuinely had a great and memorable time and they even helped take photos of us at the end. Highly recommended if you’re visiting Hilton head.
Review provided by Viator
Gentallman
May 26, 2025
Well worth it - This visit was everything I had expected and then some. The walk out onto the sand bar was both relaxing and interesting. Although it is not guaranteed, I was able to see live starfish and sand dollars. Our tour group were also were able to see several dolphins on our way back which really caps off the tour nicely. Kids are allowed an opportunity to steer the boat which they of course love. I felt like it was well worth my time and money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Susan
May 23, 2025
Do this trip - Trip was great. Boat completely covered so sun protection not an issue. Boat was roomy and clean. We were so happy to cool off on the water...actually needed my long sleeve shirt! Disappearing island was really unusual, enjoyed our stop there. We were out on the water a little longer than planned because dolphins were being a little elusive, but Captain Spike and First mate Michele stuck with it until we found a few. Michele and Spike were very informative and friendly. Treated kids great too. Definitely a worthwhile trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Storyteller783380
May 23, 2025
Best tour ever - The best tour ever! So happy we booked. We saw lots of dolphins, the crew was fantastic. Even the ones in our family that are usually seasick had no issues at all.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Abigail
May 22, 2025
Amazing experience - Was an amazing experience. We had Wendy and Kate and they were very knowledgeable about the island and it’s amazing wildlife. We saw many animals on our outing. This included rays, starfish, hermit carbs, jelly fish, and of course dolphins.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cheryl_w
May 3, 2025
Disappearing Island - Must do activity for nature lovers. We had a great time exploring the island. Our guides were knowledgeable and friendly. Kids would love this tour.
Review provided by Viator
Michelle_e
May 2, 2025
Amazing experience!!... - Amazing experience!! Captain Mary and Michele were wonderful! I would highly recommend for families.
Review provided by Viator
Barbaranne_b
May 2, 2025
Excellent crew good interesting narration - Excellent tour. The crew was great. Captain Mary explained sailing and boat conditions throughout and was very clear re safety precautions. She explained that, due to windy conditions, we needed to sit towards the back of the boat, and she slowed the boat so people could change seats. If a boat got in our wake, she slowed the motor and explained why. As we approached the disappearing island, she.cautioned, she explained that they cannot exactly predict how much of the island would be visible. Her narrative, for example, about the spartina grass and it's importance in the ecosystem, the history of the Spanish Wells community after the hurricane band how many of their houses survived because they are at the highest point in the low country and oysters purify 50 gallons of water! In addition to that careful navigation and nontouristy narration, they go with th flow re finding dolphins. They explained on way out we will just go straight to island because cannot predict it it's disappearance but coming back we would take our time, be creative. Well, along came a fishing boat with outrigger and a trail of gulls and pelicans a 100 feet long. So they were clever enough just to camp out there. IT WAS INCREDIBLE. Even Captain Mary and First Mate Michelle said they had never seen anything like it. I swear there were at least a 100 dolphins just feeding, swimming, breaking, the water, babies and mothers, two three at a time, several across. Their skins gray and glistening. Also a manatee leapt up. The crew generously lingered. The crew also engaged with passengers and the child on board. They were gracious with my difficulty with walking. I will do this again.
Review provided by Viator
Diane_c
May 25, 2025
Disappointed. We were... - Disappointed. We were under the impression there would be a lot of shells, sand dollars and starfish on the disappearing Island. There was nothing. Saw dolphins but we’ve seen plenty of them during our stay. Waste of time and money. The ladies who worked on the boat were awesome. No complaints there.
Review provided by Viator
From $55
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).