Charleston Dolphin Tours: the 15 Worth Booking

1.Charleston Water Taxi Cruise with Dolphin Sighting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 857 reviews · 1 to 11 hours (approx.) Our pick

Use Charleston’s water taxi to cruise between Patriots Point, Aquarium Wharf, Waterfront Park, and Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina. Your all-day ride includes the dolphin cruise, though sightings are not guaranteed. Stay aboard for a scenic loop or hop off to visit museums, the aquarium, and the waterfront.

“Very nice experience. The captain pointed out sights to see along the way. Process to board and disembark were smooth and time-efficient.”

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2.Charleston: Sightseeing Harbor Tour & Dolphin Watch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 649 reviews · 1h 30m · from $40Best value

Cruise Charleston Harbor for 90 minutes with an English-speaking licensed guide. From Patriots Point or Aquarium Wharf, see Fort Sumter, USS Yorktown, the Battery, Castle Pinckney, and the Ravenel Bridge. Dolphins may appear, but the history and harbor views are the main event.

“Very enjoyable ride around the harbor. Guide was knowledgeable and well-spoken.”

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3.Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 620 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $45

Spend 90 minutes aboard the 84-foot Schooner Pride, sailing from Aquarium Wharf past Fort Sumter, the Battery, USS Yorktown, and the Ravenel Bridge. The crew may invite you to help raise the sails, while drinks are available for purchase and dolphins often appear nearby.

“The crew was great. Saw some dolphins. The whole experience was awesome, wish it could have lasted longer.”

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4.Private Luxury Yacht Charters, BYOB & Dolphins

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 395 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Sail Charleston Harbor on a private, crewed yacht for 2.5 hours. Bring drinks and snacks, relax on bow bean bags, and look for dolphins near Fort Sumter and the Ravenel Bridge. Captains such as Will, Brian, Holly, and Glenn add local stories and attentive service.

“No parking at the marina. Other than that, get ready for a super chill time at sea with a more than capable crew. Brian and Judd were a pleasure”

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5.Charleston: Schooner Sailing Harbor Tour & Dolphin Watch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 255 reviews · from $48

Meet the captain and crew at Aquarium Wharf for a 90-minute sail aboard the three-masted Schooner Pride. Help raise sails up to 84 feet high, pass Fort Sumter and Castle Pinckney, and watch for dolphins. This is a quiet harbor ride with friendly crew interaction, not a nonstop narrated tour.

“We had an incredible time celebrating my sister’s birthday on the boat!! Everyone on board was friendly and attentive. Drinks were flowing and vibes were vibing. The crew members were always asking us if we wanted them to take our pictures along the ride. The captain even learned the cords to Happy Birthday on her ukulele and gave us a performance! I hope to be aboard again soon! Lovely experience!”

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6.Folly Beach Dolphin Viewing Boat Excursion and Estuary Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 126 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $56

Cruise Charleston’s salt marshes aboard a 27-foot Carolina Skiff with a USCG-licensed captain and eco guide. Look for bottlenose dolphins, oysters, birds, and turtles, then get close views of Morris Island Lighthouse. Captain Luke and other guides share local ecology and history during this 90-minute, 12-person outing.

“This tour was incredible! We saw lots of dolphins and learned about South Carolina history and ecology. Luke is an incredible guide and captain!”

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7.Private Morning Sail, Dolphin and History Tour on Mystique

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 84 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Spend two relaxed hours aboard Mystique, a private sailboat for up to six people. Your captain and first mate, including crew members such as Will, Anna, Scott, Maddie, Dustin, or Adam, share Charleston history while you pass the Battery, Ravenel Bridge, Yorktown, and sometimes Fort Sumter. Dolphins may appear.

“Capt. Will and Sam were the best! Beautiful boat, knowledgeable and so much fun!! My husband and I highly recommend them. Dr. Alex and Mrs. Rodi”

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8.Charleston: Folly Beach Stand Up Paddleboard Dolphin Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 49 reviews · 2 hours · from $60

Join an English-speaking guide such as Pat, Eric, or Kate for a two-hour beginner paddle along the Folly River. Boards, paddles, leashes, and flotation devices are provided. You may spot bottlenose dolphins, stingrays, crabs, and coastal birds, with sunset trips offering especially lovely light.

“This was an amazing experience, as beginners we were hoping to catch on quick and that we did, we felt confident throughout the entire experience and had wonderful guides to help us should anything come up. It really felt more like a lake day with friends, exploring the river, watching the sunset, seeing dolphins less than two feet away from you which was such a magical moment, just an overall incredible experience that I would definitely do again. Shout out to our kind and amazing guides Jack and Lindsey.”

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9.Folly River Dolphin Adventure (options for private or public)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $55

Captain D’s Folly River Dolphin Adventure takes you through Charleston’s salt marshes to Morris Island, with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, estuary birds, shells, sharks’ teeth, and views of Morris Island Lighthouse. Guides including Jody, Nick, Billy, and Captain D tailor the cruise to your group.

“Jody was amazing captain! He was so personal and entertaining the entire trip. My girls had a blast!”

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10.Private Sunset Sail BYOB Dolphin/History Tours on 43ft Mystique

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.)

Set sail from 17 Lockwood Drive aboard the 43-foot Mystique for a private two to four hour sunset cruise. Bring your own wine and food, then look for dolphins while passing the Battery, Ravenel Bridge, Fort Sumter, and the Yorktown. Captains and mates such as Scott, Maddie, Will, and Sam provide friendly local commentary.

“Will and Sam were fantastic. They made an already great experience that much better. We had an amazing time.”

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11.Private Morning Sail/ Dolphin Tour on 50ft Fate, BYOB or Catering

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.)

Join Charleston Sailing Charters for a private morning cruise on the 50-foot Fate, limited to your group of up to six. Captain Scott and first mate Josh may guide you past the Battery, Ravenel Bridge, USS Yorktown, USS Laffey, and possibly Fort Sumter. Bring drinks and food or arrange catering.

“The boat was gorgeous and the scenery was spectacular but my friend Aubrey and I were most impressed by the ship’s captain Scott and his first mate Josh. Their ability to sail perfectly was noted by Aubrey as he sails regularly in NC where we are from. Thank you for such a memorable experience. We will be back and will request Scott and Josh.”

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12.Private Afternoon Sailing/Dolphin & History Tour on 43ft Mystique

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.)

You’ll sail Charleston Harbor aboard the 43-foot Mystique with a private group of up to six. Captain Scott, Sam, Rob, Sophia, Adam, Darby, Dustin, or another crew member may guide you past the Battery, Ravenel Bridge, Yorktown, and Fort Sumter, with dolphins possible along the way.

“Amazing experience! Definitely recommend doing a sailing trip in Charleston. We had a wonderful time with Adam and Darby, they were great!”

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13.Charleston: Morris Island Dolphin Cruise with Beachcombing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 2 hours · from $105

Captain Billy takes you from Folly River through salt marsh creeks to Morris Island, where you can hunt for shells and shark teeth before cruising back past dolphin habitat. The two-hour private or small-group trip includes the boat, captain, cooler, ice, and bottled water.

“Captain Billie was very kind and absolutely amazing. He shared lots of information about the area and animals. We stopped and saw several dolphins and even followed them for a ways to get a good look. At the beach he told us where to find the shells we were wanting and even collected some sharks teeth for us. This was by far one of the best outings we have had in the Charleston area. It was well worth every penny to collect the beautiful big shells and see the dolphins up close. I would definitely like to do this again on our next trip!”

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14.Charleston: Folly Beach Morning Kayak Dolphin Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 10 reviews · 2 hours · from $55

Join an English-speaking guide, including Prudence or John, for a two-hour kayak lesson and dolphin safari on the Folly River. You’ll learn basic strokes, paddle through coastal wildlife areas, and watch for bottlenose dolphins in a small group.

“Amazing- our tour guide, John was both instructive and a wealth of information about the local flora and fauna!”

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15.Charleston: Folly Beach Afternoon Kayak Dolphin Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4 reviews · 2 hours · from $55

You’ll learn safe paddle strokes from an English-speaking instructor, then explore the calm Folly River by kayak while watching for bottlenose dolphins. Kayak, paddle, and PFD are supplied. Choose a morning, afternoon, or sunset departure, with small groups available.

“Had a great time out in the kayak. The guide was so patient while I was learning . It was a great experience as a beginner.”

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