For the fourth year running, Condé Nast readers have voted Hilton Head their favorite island in North America. This destination is a popular choice for its glorious beaches, great golfing, festivals, fine wine, and food.
It's also blessed with a warm, temperate climate, which makes any time a good time to visit the Island. There's plenty to see and do on Hilton Head, but the Mermaid of Hilton Head is your go-to for unique family boat trips to explore your surroundings.
Why Take a Boat Tour?
Boat rides are a huge amount of fun, but did you know they also have several health benefits? When you head out to explore your ocean surroundings, you're removed from pollution and noise, while exposing yourself to nature and fresh air.
All these factors contribute to stress relief and mental well-being, according to a study published in the National Library of Medicine.
Getting on board a boat presents opportunities to view the peaceful daily routines of sea creatures, and enjoy the peaceful sound of gently lapping water.
When you embark on a boat tour with the Mermaid of Hilton Head, you'll enjoy all this and more.
Dolphin Tour Hilton Head
Over 170 Atlantic bottlenose dolphins live around Hilton Head, and another 400 of them pass by here every year, so there's never a shortage of sightings whether you're searching from the land or sea.
Yet, the best dolphin experience allows you to admire these playful marine mammals up close as they streak through the waves beside the boat. When you're on the Mermaid of Hilton Head, you'll get to take the adventure even further.
Onboard props allow guests to compare dolphin and human anatomy. You can also glean information about dolphins using all your senses. Our low boat brings you a lot closer to the dolphins, and our guides know many of them intimately. Their extensive knowledge of these creatures helps you learn more about their quirks.
You may also get to see bald eagles, egrets, wood storks, spoonbills, and the resident Great Blue Heron, called Stretch, which lives at the site where the boat docks.
To ensure a pleasant, low-stress outing for both dolphins and guests, the Mermaid of Hilton Head steers clear of busy boating channels like Daufuskie Island, Broad Creek, and the Harbor Town Lighthouse.
For the same reason, the boat does not approach these ocean creatures and rather waits for them to approach out of curiosity. You can't swim with dolphins anywhere in South Carolina.
For a truly magical experience, you can also embark on a sunset dolphin tour where you can enjoy a picnic onboard as you watch the dolphins frolic against the darkening horizon.
Charter Boat Trips
A private tour onboard a 24-seater boat is the ideal way to celebrate a special occasion or simply relax with friends in Hilton Head.
This low, covered boat offers cool respite from the summer sun while providing close immersion in the salt marsh environment of the island.
Great views, salty breezes, and fresh ocean air are a part of the deal, and there's a good chance you'll spot some dolphins and sea turtles along the way, too.
Meet the Mermaid of Hilton Head
A Mermaid of Hilton Head experience wouldn't be complete without a mermaid, would it?
Nina, the mermaid, is the spokesperson for all the wild creatures of this ocean environment. She's also a lot of fun to be around.
These tours are among the best Hilton Head kids activities and have a strong focus on conserving our marine heritage.
Based on the book, The Mermaid's Friends, the tour takes children on a 75-minute tour of the Hilton Head coastline. Along the way, they search for Nina the Mermaid, ably assisted by Pinky Plankton and Sailor Scruffy.
The journey isn't without its dramas, as the youngsters must battle against the evil Professor Al G. along the way, armed only with bubble wands.
Older kids can also embrace the magic of the merfolk with a Turn into a Mermaid bachelorette photoshoot, either indoors or on the beach at sunset. This experience is also available for individuals and groups of all ages who want unique mementos of their time at Hilton Head.
All you need is your swimsuit to take part in this activity, we provide the tails. We embrace the natural mermaid look, but if you want to do your hair and makeup in a special way for your bachelorette shoot, you should do this in advance.
Other Boat Tours and Activities on Hilton Head
The Elf Tour is another fun seasonal event available at Christmas time. This dolphin tour takes place in the company of one of Santa's favorite elves, Noel Narwhal, and includes a Zoom call with the big guy himself.
It's the perfect opportunity to ensure your Christmas list gets hand-delivered to the North Pole.
If you want even more from your Hilton Head boat tour, you can add a shark tooth experience to the deal. Hilton Head is awash with shark teeth from the many species that roam these waters.
It's difficult to collect any of these specimens unless you have the skill to trawl the bottom of the ocean. The easier way is to buy a bucket of sand from the marina shop and sift through it in search of these interesting mementos.
Book the Best Hilton Head Boat Tours
A Mermaid of Hilton Head boat tour is the highlight of any trip to this popular vacation destination.
What's more, for every boat trip you book, we make a small donation toward ocean conservation. So, it's a great way to have fun and do good at the same time.
Book your unforgettable mermaid experience or boat tour, now to avoid disappointment.
