The 11 Best Folly Beach Dolphin Tours

1.Private Dolphin Watch, Lighthouse and Ecological Boat Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 218 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) Our pick

Join Captain Gresh for a private two-hour boat ride from Folly Beach through oyster-filled estuaries to Morris Island Lighthouse. Your group of up to six can watch for dolphins and wildlife, search for shells and artifacts, and learn about local history along the way.

“Capt Gresh did a great job with giving background and historical information on the area in general as well with covering the wildlife. It was very cool to get up close to the Morris Island lighthouse.”

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2.Private Folly Beach Dolphin Watching and Shelling tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Captain Jim Kotwica takes your private group of up to six through Folly Beach’s marshes to Morris Island. Look for bottlenose dolphins, birds, turtles, shells, sand dollars, shark teeth, and the Morris Island Lighthouse on a relaxed 2.5-hour boat trip.

“Amazing! Captain Jim is super nice, and insightful. We saw lots dolphins, very close. Nature is gorgeous. One of the best experience we had in the area.”

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3.Folly Beach: Sunset Dolphin Boat Tour to Morris Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 73 reviews · 2 hours · from $59

Join Flipper Finders from Folly Beach for a two-hour sunset cruise through creeks, marshes, and Morris Island. An English-speaking captain such as Will or Davis explains dolphins, Folly River, and Charleston history while you look for shells, sand dollars, and fossils. BYOB, no glass.

“It was wonderful. Our captain was very friendly and knowledgeable about the inland waterways, we saw several juvenile dolphins. We also had a chance to get out of the boat and walk the beach by the lighthouse and look for shells and sharks teeth. I recommend these charters to anyone. Lots of fun.”

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4.Private Charleston Sunset & Dolphin Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Join Captain PD for a private 90-minute cruise from Folly Beach through creeks and inlets. Bring a drink, look for dolphins and evening birds, and, tide permitting, pass Morris Island Lighthouse. Some outings include a brief beach stop, shark-tooth hunting, and music aboard the Blue Moon.

“My wife and sister in law are still going on about how amazing the trip was. PD was an awesome guide and helped us find lots of sharks teeth. Highly recommend.”

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5.Private Charleston Dolphin and Eco Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Spend two hours on a private boat through Folly Beach’s creeks and inlets with Captain P.D. or Paul, watching bottlenose dolphins, birds, oyster beds, and possibly strand feeding. Your group of up to four gets lifejackets, bottled water, ice, and a cooler.

“This is a low key day on the river- relaxing and peaceful. We were able to see many dolphins and babies.”

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6.Folly Beach: Morning Dolphin Boat Trip to Morris Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 2 hours · from $65

From 83 Center St, Captain Will or another local captain takes you through Folly’s creeks and marshes to spot year-round bottlenose dolphins, watch for summer strand feeding, and visit Morris Island for shells, fossils, sand dollars, and shark teeth. BYOB, with space for up to 18 people.

“Captain did a great job. Very enjoyable and informative.”

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7.Morris Island Dolphin Cruise and Shelling Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Captain Billy takes your private group of up to five from Folly Beach through salt marshes to Morris Island. Look for dolphins, birds, turtles, shells, sand dollars, shark teeth, fossils, and the 1876 lighthouse. Water and ice are included, but bring snacks.

“I loved the personal experience with just our family. Billy was welcoming and open to answering any questions. It was exactly what my daughter was looking for to experience the marsh and the lighthouse.”

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8.Dolphin Kayak Tour on Folly Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $55

Paddle from 83 Center Street into Folly Beach’s estuary with a professional guide, watching for dolphins and birds along rivers and winding coves. Kayaks, paddles, and life jackets are supplied, though the inclusions also mention a stand-up paddleboard, so confirm your craft when booking.

“We live in South Carolina but wanted to do a kayak tour in Folly. It was amazing! Dolphins all around us! So much fun to see the river and creeks from the kayaks. Prudence was the perfect guide.”

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9.Dolphin Boat Tour from Folly Beach to Morris Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $60

Cruise the creeks and marshes behind Folly Beach with captains such as Will or Richard, searching for wild Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Then visit Morris Island for shells and shark teeth before viewing its historic lighthouse from the water. The small-group trip lasts about two hours.

“Captain will was very kind and knowledgeable. The two girls in the office were just as kind and very nice and I love the dolphin tour and the people running it. Keep up the good work Vicki McGee.”

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10.Folly Beach Dolphin Viewing Boat Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 1h 30m · from $52Best value

Join Captain Luke or another licensed Castaway guide aboard a 27-foot Carolina Skiff for 90 minutes among Folly Beach creeks. Watch wild bottlenose dolphins from a respectful distance, learn about the estuary, and pass Morris Island Lighthouse. Bring your own snacks and drinks for the iced cooler.

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11.Folly OBX Filming Locations and Pogue Life Boat Tour w/ Dolphins

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews

Join Alex from Flipper Finders for a private 90-minute cruise from Folly Beach. See the lighthouse used in Outer Banks, tour the waterways behind Pogue-like Folly Beach, and watch for dolphins and other wildlife. The boat holds up to six people.

“Alex was an amazing guide! So informational. We had a lot of fun! I didn’t realize so much of outer banks was filmed here! Plus there was so much wildlife and Alex’s knowledge of the area was wonderful!”

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