May River Excursions

A large group from our community booked the Sunset Cruise on the Salty Dog boat. It takes off from…read morethe Salty Dog restaurant area. Our excursion set sail around 7:00 pm and returned at 8:30. Captain Phil did a great job. The soundtrack they use for music is well timed to the sites on the cruise including a beautiful sunset. There's food and beverages onboard all at reasonable prices. A local IPA for $6.00 and other beer for around $5.00. I had the Shrimp Fiesta which is a shrimp quesadilla with chips and salsa included for $15. Get there early to ensure parking. It sometimes gets challenging. There's an upper and lower deck area on the boat. For the most exposure, go to the top deck. Great views of Dafuskie Island and you can also see the Harbourtown Lighthouse as well as Tybee Island when going out onto the Calibogue Sound. We saw plenty of dolphins, a capsized boat in the channel, and a beautiful sunset on the way back to port. The weather was perfect. I highly recommend.

Great team! Good communication and easy to find. Boat was ready to push off when we arrived and…read morethey had a spot ready when we returned. Boat wasn't spiffy new but it served the purpose of a beautiful evening float.

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Island Explorer Dolphin & Nature Tours

4.8(98 reviews)

8.7 mi

Saw this tour advertised before we came down and I thought the kids would enjoy the dolphins and…read morefireworks. It was a perfect night on the water. Captain Cody was so cool and super informative. The kids really enjoyed all the information he shared. Seeing the dolphins up close was so awesome for our 4 year old, the fireworks on the water was the perfect ending to the evening! Highly recommend!

Our guide Kathy was knowledgeable, friendly and fun! We had a great day on the water with her. The…read moretrip is fantastic. We saw and learned about oysters, the tides and how they work. We were given ample time to wonder all over the large sandbar area finding lots of sand dollars and leaving behind anything still living, except the humans. Haha Highly recommend this trip if you are ever in the area.

Dolphin

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Hilton Head Yacht Charter

5.0(2 reviews)

Our experience on Top Shelf definitely 5 stars. I proposed on board this yacht and the crew made it…read morea magical experience. Of course the yacht itself is incredible but the crew made it even more special. They spent a lot of time with me in advance to plan the perfect night. The chef was 5 stars, we are still dreaming about the meal. Captain Ed went above and beyond arranging every detail for the perfect night. The stewardess, Carrie, was attentive, kind, fun, and always made sure we had more than enough. I give Top Shelf 10/10 and look forward to chartering it again in the future. They made a memorable experience even more magical!!

We chartered Top Shelf to celebrate my 60th birthday and it absolutely exceeded our expectations…read more The planning, the staff, service and food were exceptional. Captain Ed and Chef Joel were accommodating and hospitable. We all agreed that the experience was extraordinary and unique. The boat is luxurious and well equipped, with several indoor and outdoor areas to gather. We started with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres outside and move to the bow of the boat for sunset and then inside for a beautiful sit down three-course dinner. I am not sure how the night could've gotten any better. A heartfelt thank you to the Top Shelf crew that made my birthday so very special

Gourmet cuisine prepared by our on-board Executive Chef

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Sea Monkeys Watersports

4.4(75 reviews)

5.4 mi

DO NOT RENT FROM THEM!! I agree with the review about these guys being scammers. They over…read morecharged us and would not give our money back.

Staff is welcoming, and takes special care of individuals new to the sport…read more Jim Link

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Pirates of Hilton Head

4.8(67 reviews)

7.1 mi

Thoroughly entertaining and professionally executed pirate-themed boat ride for kids. My…read morefive-year-old granddaughter is more of a unicorns-and-mermaids girl, but she absolutely loved the interactive play (particularly firing water cannons at Stinky Pete), swashbuckling storyline, and theatrical elements (face paint, temporary tattoos, pirate names, complimentary costume vests to use on board). We sprung for the extras--bandana, foam sword, eye patch, flag--because she doesn't have pirate gear at home, but you're free to bring your own costumes/accessories. Sure, it's pricey, but if you're looking for one special, memory-making excursion to share with your child or grandchild--particularly ages 4-7--I'd highly recommend this pirate cruise.

My 3 year old grandson had the best time on the pirate ship. Of course his favorite part was…read moregetting to shoot the water cannon at Stinky Pete! The crew did a great job with the kids before and during the adventure. You can buy your pirate gear once you arrive at check in or bring your own. We chose to bring our own. Each child got a fun pirate name, a tattoo and face paint. Definitely worth trying!

Harbor Town Lighthouse

Treasure after winning our spoils!

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The spirited crew leading the kids

Savannah Riverboat Cruises

3.2(535 reviews)

17.0 mi

We did the sightseeing riverboat cruise and overall had a really enjoyable experience. It was a…read morerelaxing way to see Savannah from a different perspective while learning about the riverfront and the Port of Savannah. The narration was informative, and seeing the massive cargo ships and waterfront activity was a unique experience. The boat was spacious, with both indoor seating and outdoor viewing areas. We ordered the chicken tenders and fries, and they were surprisingly good--definitely above average for food on a sightseeing cruise. We also opted for the 42 oz souvenir drink, which was well worth it if you plan on enjoying a few drinks during the cruise. It lasts the full three-hour experience, and the bartender was fantastic--friendly, personable, and made a great drink. Unfortunately, it rained during part of our cruise, which likely impacted the experience since we couldn't spend as much time outside taking in the views. Of course, the weather isn't something the company can control, and there was plenty of indoor seating to stay comfortable. Overall, this was a fun and worthwhile experience that I'd recommend to first-time visitors, couples, and families. Between the scenic views, interesting narration, better-than-expected food, and excellent bar service, it was an enjoyable way to spend a few hours on the Savannah River. I'd definitely return--hopefully on a sunny day next time.

Had a good time on the Savannah Riverboat Cruise…read more Honestly, the best part was being able to get out on the water, walk around the boat, and see Savannah from a different perspective. There was some history mixed in along the way, which was interesting, and the whole experience was relaxing. The food was probably the weakest part for me. It was served buffet style with fried chicken, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, plus fruit. It wasn't bad, but it was all pretty lukewarm and just didn't leave much of an impression. That said, I don't think people are booking this for the food anyway. You're booking it for the views, the boat, and the experience. We had fun, enjoyed the ride, and I'm glad we did it.

Paddles don't run, but a fun concept. 6/5/24

Narrator in background

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Southern Drawl Outfitters

4.0(10 reviews)

3.2 mi

Nice selection of everything from tackle to clothing also they are my go to for live bait!read more

What a cool fishing tackle shop. The staff there were very helpful and friendly. They had…read moreeverything you need for a day of fishing. Had a great conversation with the staff/boat captains about the fishing in my hometown and what they were catching in their area. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

Another great new shirt

Gotta love big reds on the fly

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Hogy baits!

Bluewater Adventure

4.8(41 reviews)

came to visit the island for the weekend with my boyfriend and decided to do…read moresomething fun. we LOVEEED this! JT our tour guide was awesome and super small group making it personable. would definitely book again!!

4th of July Pre booked online…read more So hubby is so excited with living here that he arranges for us to go out on a two person boat. Being it is a holiday we get there early and have breakfast within walking distance so we can get parking. Must have been our lucky day as we got the best parking space in the lot. We were instructed to arrive 45 minutes before the tour. Since we were there and checked in early as was the other group of six we left actually a few minutes early. The weather was perfect and we had on plenty of sunscreen. JD led the boats to different spots on the island so that we were able to see Dolphins. I was surprised that in the middle of the day that we were able to see so many. JD was kind and took pictures and sent them to everyone through What's App. What a great way to spend the day as well learn the island. The entire length of the trip was 2 1/2 hours. Definitely a must do on anyone visiting the Island. Just be warned you will get wet so plan accordingly. You are given a small cooler with ice and bottle waters

Coming down from the DMV to visit, love everything about this event GREAT tour guide JT your the man !

At the end of our trip

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Hilton Head Boat Rentals and Sales

5.0(2 reviews)

Rented a pontoon boat while visiting my mom in Sun City. We had 4 and a baby and none of us had any…read moreexperience with driving a boat. The guy we worked with was great and put our minds at ease. My mom and daughters have not stopped raving about what a great day we had on the water. Definitely plan on returning!

We had a great time! We reacted a deluxe pontoon for 4 hours for our party of 9 and my infant. Boat…read morewas clean and nice. Staff was friendly and professional. Would rent from them again.

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Kathie B.

2 years ago

My husband, daughter and I decided to go on a dolphin excursion when she came down for a visit. The weather all morning was rainy but when I called the office, they assured me we could call close to the time we'd be leaving to see whether the cruise was on. It was! We were very comfortable on the boat with a total of 6 passengers and Captain Freddy was very informative about the wildlife and other info on the region. We saw several different pods of dolphins, even had one jump 100% through the air! A final touch was a brief glimpse of a small shark fin! The boat had a nice canopy to help shade from the sun, but it was also breezy so the 90 minute trip was very comfortable. read more

Haley W.

6 years ago

I was referred to May River Excursions from my family that lives in Hilton Head, SC. These are all local captains, raised on the May River. I wasn't sure of what type of trip my family wanted to do so I called up May River excursions and the sweet girl at the store, Molly, recommended a day of crabbing. Captain Chris even threw the cast net for the kids to show them how to shrimp. Our trip was very hands on and extremely interactive for all ages. Everyone had a blast. Afterwards, we got dropped off in Old Town Bluffton, just in time for the local Farmers market and lunch at Cahills! We all can't wait to book our next trip with May River Excursions!! read more

Nancy S.

4 years ago

Three in our family took the 3 hour fishing tour with Captain Chris and another Branson. We all thoroughly enjoyed the tour, both the captain and Branson were great and a lot of fun. They were as excited as we were. After catching live bait, Chris took us to a great spot where we reeled in many redfish, most too small to keep, but that did not matter. Then on to two more spots before returning. Chris then cleaned and fileted the fish, Branson bagged the remaining shrimp. This is our second trip with May River Excursions. We will book again. FYI.....grilled the fish for dinner, so good. Thank you Chris and Branson! read more

Jesse G.

8 years ago

Had a great dolphin tour tonight with Matt C. My niece and parents are visiting from Texas and really enjoyed the trip. Niece is 5 years old and was very excited to see dolphins up close. Matt took care to make sure we were cruising slow enough that she got a great view of them. He was also knowledgeable about the area and full of information about the wildlife. Will definitely be back for another excursion, hopefully before summer is out. Thanks for helping make my parents vacation awesome! Way up. Jesse G. read more

Brian F.

3 years ago

We booked a Dolphin Cruise with May River Excursions on 3/17. We have used them several times before and always have a great time, 3/17 was no exception. Even though it was windy and the water was a little bumpy Captain Fred navigated with skill and found several bottle nosed dolphins making for a great trip. Highly recommend them for their knowledge of the river and the wildlife that resides in it. read more

Laura W.

12 years ago

This was the highlight of our trip! Not only did we have a great time out on the water, we were able to enjoy a great dinner with what we brought home. Captian Matt shared his experience of being a local which gave us such a greater appreciation for the low country and its beauty. PS Bring a cooler or plastic bags if you plan on bringing your catch home. read more

Lynn T.

4 years ago

Thank you to our guide, Freddie, for a great tour of old town Bluffton via the May river. I wanted history , my granddaughter wanted dolphins. Everyone was delighted!! We saw lots of dolphins and Freddie shared! great info on Bluffton's vast history!! Fun!! read more

Lora M.

4 years ago

Took the Sunset Cruise and it was great! Austin was our Captain, and he was extremely kind and shared some interesting information and stories. The scenery is beautiful, and we were able to catch several dolphins playing in the water. Highly recommended! read more

Kenneth H.

28 days ago

Great trip! We saw plenty of dolphins, with a calf, and hunting and feeding. Hot day but very comfortable on the boar and our Captain Jay was a delight. he shared plenty of information about the dolphins and the habitat. Highly recommend. read more

Kathy G.

4 years ago

Fantastic river tours. The boat captains are so knowledgeable about the area and waterways. Love cruising with Steven and his lovely dogs. Highly recommend. It's one of the first places we head when we have out of town company. read more

Gail S.

3 years ago

Our group went on an ecological boat tour with May River Excursions. It was a perfect day for it and Captain Fred was wonderful. He was very knowledgeable about the ecology and history of the area, Highly recommend! read more

James S.

1 year ago

What a wonderful experience we had yesterday on our excursion on the May River. It was breathtaking out in the water and we loved seeding the dolphins. Our captain, Fred was amazing and made the trip so enjoyable! read more

Sara B.

3 years ago

Went on our first excursion today-FABULOUS experience! Our Captain Allen was very knowledgeable and accommodating. Molly was amazing with our reservation. I would highly recommend May River Excursions to anyone! read more

Christine Fruehwirth

6 months ago

My friends, who were visiting from out of state, and I went on a dolphin excursion with Fred and saw so many dolphins! Fred was a wonderful captain and very knowledgable of Bluffton history. I highly recommend! read more

Ethel B.

2 years ago

Easy to schedule, everything was on time! Captain Fred was fabulous, knowledgeable friendly and made it fun for our 3 different generations! We saw tons of dolphins and learned a lot about the area. read more

Will L.

4 years ago

Absolutely amazing excursion with Capt John! History, ecology and best sightseeing on the May River. If you live here or just visiting, you owe yourself a May River Excursion!!! read more

Alison H.

4 years ago

So easy so kind can't wait to book again! Our captain was efficient and on time. He even stopped to let us watch the dolphins! Highly recommend read more

Angie P.

2 years ago

I highly recommend the May River for a water taxi to and from Daufuskie Island! it's much better than the ferry. We saw so many dolphins too! read more

Bridget B.

4 years ago

Fabulous time on the May River fishing and exploring with our captain Freddy who was wonderful and super knowledgeable. We will be back!

Joseph P.

3 years ago

Chris was top notch. He went above and beyond for us. Highly recommend him and will definitely use his services again.

May River Excursions - boating - Updated October 2026

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4.7

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We love going on the kayaking tour with outside Hilton head! We have been on the two hour guided…read moretour 10+ times and each time we see something new and different. Would highly recommend requesting Helen as she is the best tour guide and tailor the content to the interest of the group! Our favorite time to go is low tide as you see so much more wildlife. We will definitely be going on this tour many more times!

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(24 reviews)

Great time. Captain Paul was knowledgeable and gave us a fantastic tour. Loved all of the dolphins…read moreand enjoyed the sunset. His narration was fact filled and on point. I highly recommend this tour and Captain Paul. Our two granddaughters, ages 7 and 9, thoroughly enjoyed, along with the four adults.

Unfortunately, our excursion did NOT live up to what was advertised. The trip was promoted as…read moreincluding shark fishing, "GUARANTEED DOLPHINS" and seashell collecting. We did NOT experience any of this. We completely understand that weather and wildlife can be unpredictable, but I had discussed my concerns regarding the weather with a representative from the company prior to our arrival to the pier and was reassured a 100% money back guarantee if there was a weather-related cancellation and was reassured by Nadine and the website that there was a 100% refund if dolphins were not seen. THIS IS A SCAM. The only dolphin we saw was one near the pier that appears to be there regularly--not a dolphin sighting as part of the excursion. Due to weather, the trip was cut down to only one hour on the boat. There was also an additional 20-minute delay because of the boats was broken, further reducing our already limited time. After about an hour on the boat, we had not seen a single dolphin or shark and storms were headed our way so the captains made the right decision to return to the pier. To me the disappointing part was that I paid for two boats for nine people and at the end was still charged for a third of the cost as the owner claimed that we got "an experience", two shark teeth souvenirs for my kids and about 4 cans of soda in total that we should pay for a full hour of the boat ride and "experience" even though none of the "guaranteed" experiences were provided. I offered instead to tip the captains of both boats and pay for fuel costs but the owner insisted on charging me for the full hour of "experience" which I think was absurd. In all, we paid about $400 for an uneventful boat ride for 9 people. The experience and Captain Heath's response to our concerns was very disappointing. I would not recommend this cruise unless the weather is guaranteed to not include storms. If there's a storm and your trip is cut short, expect to still pay for your ride!

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