Charleston Coastal Wildlife

Get up close and personal with Charleston’s vibrant coastal wildlife on one of our nature and dolphin eco tours. Explore the rivers and creeks that meander through the Lowcountry and travel to an uninhabited barrier island.

Experience Charleston’s Wildlife
& Explore Our Barrier Islands

Travel through the Charleston Harbor and past historic landmarks on the way to the uninhabited Morris Island. In addition to marine animals, the Lowcountry waterways are home to many interesting species of birds including Great Blue Herons, Snowy Egrets, Eastern Brown Pelicans, and Least Terns. Experience these and other unique wildlife in their natural habitat.

During a serene coastal cruise, our crew will pull crab pots full of exceptional gifts from the sea to add to our onboard “touch tank”. Licensed naturalists will explore the Morris Island beach with you and point out the fascinating sea life that is abundant in Charleston’s estuaries. Spend a relaxing afternoon in the salty air, collect shells, and discover the wild side of the Charleston waters.

Dolphins Come Out to Play

Our local bottlenose dolphins are friendly and playful and they often put on a show for cruising boats. Watch them frolic in the creeks and the harbor with the beautiful backdrop of a majestic Charleston sunset. Of course, we can’t guarantee that you’ll see dolphins, but they usually show up to see the visitors.

Nature & Dolphin ECO Tour Prices

At Sandlapper Water Tours, we aim to keep our prices affordable so that our cruises are accessible to everyone. Our prices are as follows:

  • Adults are $52
  • Children under 12 are $40
  • Children under 3 are free

*All prices include tax

Duration – 2 hours

Where to Board

  • 10 Wharfside Street, Charleston, SC 29403 – Near the Charleston Maritime Center
  • Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure.
  • Please be courteous of other passengers and arrive on time.
  • Please check in at the blue and white ticket booth under the reservation’s last name.

Click the images below to enlarge

Close look at dolphin fins as they swim by. Types of dolphins in South Carolina
Bird in nest on a pole in the water. Nature boat tours Charleston
Close look at turtle on the beach. Charleston dolphin tours
Sandlapper Tour Boat Charleston
Speaker holding up a starfish for the kids to admire. Party boat fishing Charleston, SC
Bird standing in tall plants. Charleston dolphin tours
Close look at two horseshoe crabs. Nature boat tours Charleston
Two children walking into the water, exploring. Charleston dolphin tours
Pelican spreading its wings. Best time of day to see dolphins in South Carolina
Close look at three starfish and a shell in a woman's hand. Best time to see dolphins in Charleston, SC
Young kid holding live crab. Nature boat tours Charleston
Family picture on beach with a Sandlapper Tours boat in background. Charleston dolphin tours
Close look at a live crab. Party boat fishing Charleston, SC
Bird flying over ocean. Charleston dolphin tours
Dolphin jumping out of the water. Dolphin tours Charleston
Child finding items on the beach. Party boat fishing Charleston, SC
Castle Pinkney in distance. Best time of day to see dolphins in South Carolina
Two young girls pictured on beach with the shells they have collected in their hands. Best boat tours in Charleston, SC
Handful of animal teeth. Nature boat tours Charleston
People exploring the shore and walking into the water. Best time to see dolphins in Charleston, SC
Group of birds gathering together. Best time to see dolphins in Charleston, SC
Kids on the beach looking excitedly at something in the water. Nature boat tours Charleston

Click the images below to enlarge

Close look at dolphin fins as they swim by. Types of dolphins in South Carolina
Bird in nest on a pole in the water. Nature boat tours Charleston
Close look at turtle on the beach. Charleston dolphin tours
Sandlapper Tour Boat Charleston
Speaker holding up a starfish for the kids to admire. Party boat fishing Charleston, SC
Bird standing in tall plants. Charleston dolphin tours
Close look at two horseshoe crabs. Nature boat tours Charleston
Two children walking into the water, exploring. Charleston dolphin tours
Pelican spreading its wings. Best time of day to see dolphins in South Carolina
Close look at three starfish and a shell in a woman's hand. Best time to see dolphins in Charleston, SC
Young kid holding live crab. Nature boat tours Charleston
Family picture on beach with a Sandlapper Tours boat in background. Charleston dolphin tours
Close look at a live crab. Party boat fishing Charleston, SC
Bird flying over ocean. Charleston dolphin tours
Dolphin jumping out of the water. Dolphin tours Charleston
Child finding items on the beach. Party boat fishing Charleston, SC
Castle Pinkney in distance. Best time of day to see dolphins in South Carolina
Two young girls pictured on beach with the shells they have collected in their hands. Best boat tours in Charleston, SC
Handful of animal teeth. Nature boat tours Charleston
People exploring the shore and walking into the water. Best time to see dolphins in Charleston, SC
Group of birds gathering together. Best time to see dolphins in Charleston, SC
Kids on the beach looking excitedly at something in the water. Nature boat tours Charleston

EXCELLENT AFTERNOON TOUR

“This was an excellent afternoon tour with a friendly and knowledgeable crew and tour guide. We were able to see dolphins, learned about different crabs from the crab pot, and were shown a myriad of sea life from a collection on board. The walk on the beach at Morris Island to look for shells and sharks teeth was very enjoyable. My husband and I would highly recommend this tour for families with children, and anyone with an interest in nature.”

CORYDOG

GREAT EXPERIENCE AND PERFECTLY PRICED

“Had a fantastic time, the tour guide was very informative and the Captain was super nice! We got to see 2 pods of dolphins which was lucky and lots of cool things on the island we stopped at. Definitely would recommend! Great experience and perfectly priced for what you get!“

MEAGHAN R.

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING

“That was one of the best tours ever!! The fact that the crab trap was pulled and you were able to get off at the island was perfect!!! I would be the poster woman for this tour any day!”

MGRECO