HHI Dolphin watch - anyone been

[luv2vacation]

We just got into HH last night. My sister wants to take her 10-yo granddaughter on a dolphin watch while we are here. Anyone been on the 'Gypsy' or 'Dolphins and More'?

Or maybe another that someone has been on and would recommend? She really would love to see some dolphins.

Thanks!

 

[senorak]

We have been on "Island Explorer" twice now. It's a small boat---only takes up to 6 passengers---leaves from the Old Oyster Factory on Broad Creek. (I know you cqan find info in the numerous tourist books/magazines found on the island). It's much more personal than the larger boats, and can get into small channels/areas that the larger ones can't go. We always see a lot of dolphins on that tour.....some come right up to the boat. The captains are very knowledgable about the area, sea life, etc. If you request, they may also take you "beachcombing" to sandbars or island beaches. Our first year, we had that opportunity, and kids found tons of shells, sand dollars, and starfish.

We are on HHI now....arrived on Saturday.

Deb

 

[vlapinta]

We have been on "Island Explorer" twice now. It's a small boat---only takes up to 6 passengers---leaves from the Old Oyster Factory on Broad Creek. (I know you cqan find info in the numerous tourist books/magazines found on the island). It's much more personal than the larger boats, and can get into small channels/areas that the larger ones can't go. We always see a lot of dolphins on that tour.....some come right up to the boat. The captains are very knowledgable about the area, sea life, etc. If you request, they may also take you "beachcombing" to sandbars or island beaches. Our first year, we had that opportunity, and kids found tons of shells, sand dollars, and starfish.

We are on HHI now....arrived on Saturday.

Deb

I agree to try a smaller boat. We were on the Commander Zodiac out of South Beach. It was a great experience for my family. We were able to get much closer to the dolphins than the "Gypsy" could because we were on a smaller boat. It was a more personal experience. I would highly recommend it!
Vicki

 

[DebBrown]

I also like the Commander Zodiac tours out of South Beach Marina. If you can take the two hour tour which is only offered at low tide (usually once a day), they stop at the Daufuskie Island sand bar. We brought home a large box of sand dollars from our last trip. It makes for a fun outing - lots of dolphins up close and some great shelling.

BTW, we did some internet research on preserving the sand dollars. It made for a fun project.

Deb

 

[deh333]

We also "did" Island Explorer. We had a great time. The 6 passenger boat was wonderful as it was just our family of four and the captain.

 

[senorak]

Island Explorer: 843-785-2100

Deb

 

[luv2vacation]

Thanks so much to everyone for your quick replies. Got love TUGgers - they're so helpful!!

 

[MULTIZ321]

Commander Zodiac
South Beach Village
232 S SeaPines Drive
Sea Pines Plantation, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
PH: 843-671-3344


Richard

 

[Zac495]

I don't remember the name of the one we chose - my picture trail has pics of our dolphin trip - but we didn't want to do the one where we had to wear life jackets and get wet. I'd say choose the type of trip you want (the wet one is probably a blast - we had younger kids).

 

[Moosie]

I have only been to HH twice and both times I have seen dolphins playing in Sea Pines right in front of the lighthouse. This is where many of the tours leave from. We didn't do a dolphin tour, but we did do the Savannah tour sand both going out of and coming into Sea Pines we saw plenty of dolphins. Also saw them when we were walking the beach.

I love watching them always makes my vacation more rewarding.

hope your enjoying yourselves and you are having decent weather. Up here in New England it sure dosen't feel much like summer any more. Last year we were in a drought, not this year, we have had rain almost every day for the past couple of weeks.