What to Pack for Your Hilton Head Boat Tour

What to Pack for Your Hilton Head Boat Tour

So, you’ve booked your Hilton Head boat tour and are ready to go! But what do you need to pack? Whether it’s a Hilton Head dolphin tour, sunset cruise or vanishing islands tour, here are the essential items to have a comfortable and memorable experience:

What to Wear for Comfort?

We always suggest bringing an extra layer that you can remove or put on easily. Generally, the air temperature on a boat feels around 5-10 degrees cooler than it does on land. Mornings are cooler and afternoons are milder.

Always check the weather on the morning of your Hilton Head boat tour and prepare for any possible rain showers.

Generally, we advise wearing casual, comfortable clothes.

Non-Slip Shoes for Vanishing Island Tours

On our Vanishing Island boat tours, you’ll be getting out the boat and walking through the water. We advise wearing some non-slip wet shoes for this Hilton Head boat tour, so you gain comfort and protection getting in and out of the boat.

What to Bring for Protection?

Protection from the sun is essential for a comfortable and safe day on the water. The sun can be very bright as it shines off the boat and the water. Bring shades, a cap, sun screening products and plenty of hydration! No sunburns are fun.

We’ve Got The Safety Equipment

Fear not, we have all the safety equipment you’ll need such as life vests. We also have an ice cooler on board to keep your drinks fresh and chilled.

What Else to Pack on Your Hilton Head Boat Tour?

Camera/Fully Charged Phone

If you have a decent camera, bring it. Cell Phones have great cameras these days, but if photography is your thing, then this is a great chance to capture dolphins and other wildlife in their natural habitat.

Ensure your cell phone is fully charged. You’ll probably take lots of photos and videos, which will drain that juice!

Bag or Backpack

You’ll need to store your camera or other personal items somewhere. A backpack is essential for bringing some snacks, drinks and extra layers.

Food and Drinks

The Captain will supply ice, and a cooler for your trip. You are welcome to bring food and drinks, including alcoholic beverages.

Checklist: What to Bring on a Hilton Head Boat Tour?

  • An extra layer for when it gets cooler
  • Fully charged phone
  • Camera
  • Backpack/Waterproof bag
  • Sunscreen and lip balm
  • Sea sickness medication (if you’re prone to sea sickness)
  • Non-skid rubber soled shoes
  • Clothes appropriate for walking in deeper water (Vanishing Island Tour)
  • Light colored clothing to avoid absorbing heat
  • Lightweight microfiber long sleeve shirts to protect arms (Unessential but ideal)
  • Short pants when warm
  • Long pants when cool
  • Waterproof windbreaker for possible rain
  • Polarized sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun
  • Binoculars to see distant sights

 

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Hilton Head Boat Tours

Hilton Head Dolphin Tours Comes to You!

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265 Alljoy Rd
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Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
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Cross Island Boat Landing
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GOOGLE REVIEWS from our Happy Guests

5.0
Based on 149 reviews
Katie McGinnis
Katie McGinnis
22:21 06 Jun 26
Captain Brody was an amazing tour guide for our dolphin boat tour! We saw so many dolphins!!! His knowledge of dolphins combined with his easy going personality (we had to change our time several times due to weather and schedule changes on our end) made for the perfect outing! His tour is the best kept secret in Hilton Head!
Noot M
Noot M
20:46 03 Jun 26
Brody was awesome and fun!!!
Michelle Murphy
Michelle Murphy
19:21 03 Jun 26
We had the best day with Captain Brody on our girls trip! Not only was he knowledgeable, but he was so much fun and accommodating. Definitely book with him when you're in Hilton Head. We just did a booze cruise type trip but he offers so much more.
Neha Amin
Neha Amin
14:45 27 May 26
Captain Brody was amazing. He was recommended to us by another family. I even screwed up the timing and he made it work. My two boys had such a great time looking at dolphins and learning and, of course, cruising. Highly highly recommend
Dan Spurling
Dan Spurling
10:57 22 May 26
This tour was one of the highlights of our family vacation. We saw dolphins and learned a lot about them as well as many other things in relation to the local wildlife and culture. Thank you!
Susan Lukan
Susan Lukan
00:18 19 May 26
He is a great tour guide. We did the shortest dolphin tour and he is so knowledgeable about the waterways and wildlife. We saw lots of dolphins and once you see them pop their head up, you start to see them all over. I booked another trip for the fall and cant' wait.
Lindsay Barnicle
Lindsay Barnicle
22:10 26 Apr 26
Ross Thomas
Ross Thomas
22:45 09 Apr 26
Captain Brody was flexible working with us around the weather and did a great job showing us around. Our kids were stoked to see so many dolphins, as were we. I’ll plan to book again for a future trip.
Julie Thomasson
Julie Thomasson
11:31 01 Apr 26
We went on the disappearing island tour this week and had a great time! We’ve done many dolphin tours before but this was our first time booking a private tour. Definitely worth the money! The boat ride was fun and comfortable, the island was a neat experience, plus we got to see lots of dolphins. The best part was we could take our dog, and I truly think it was the best day of his life!
Ashley Gooding
Ashley Gooding
04:25 01 Mar 26
This was our family’s third time booking with this dolphin tour company, and it just keeps getting better. From the moment we stepped on the boat, the crew made us feel welcome and taken care of. They’re organized, friendly, and clearly love what they do.What really stands out is their knowledge. They don’t just point out dolphins and move on. They explain the behaviors, the feeding patterns, the migration routes, and how the local ecosystem all works together. Our kids enjoyed it! You can tell the team genuinely cares about protecting the marine life and educating guests.Each trip has felt a little different, which makes it exciting every time. We’ve seen playful dolphins swimming alongside the boat, learned about local birds and sea grasses, and come away with a deeper appreciation for the water and everything in it. We’ll absolutely be back again. It’s become one of our favorite family traditions.