Hilton Head Island is the perfect place for things to do and have family fun! Spend the day at the beach or explore the island on a nature tour. Visit a museum or an animal farm with a petting zoo and pony rides. Enjoy the laughter at kid’s activities. Dolphin watch or go fishing, kayaking, biking, sailing, or simply lounge around a pool for relaxing quality time. Discover the ultimate family vacation on Hilton Head Island!
Family Fun
Hilton Head Featured Listings
Dolphin & Nature Cruises
Captain Sonny has provided dolphin & nature tours since 1985. Our USCG captains are knowledgeable about the area and the wildlife you will see along the trip. We create a family friendly atmosphere for everyone from 0-101! See our website for scheduling. Prices, 12 & up-$20, 2-11-$11, under 2 are free.
Mermaid of Hilton Head
Join us on one of our fun boat tours. We have the Dolphin Experience Boat Tour, Sunset Dolphin Cruise and our Mermaid Encounter Boat Tour. Named the Best Marine Wildlife Experience in South Carolina by LUX Life. You can also become a Mermaid on the beach with our Turn into a Mermaid Experience and Photoshoot. Also, be sure to check out or children's books and other retail at the Hilton Head Harbor Marina.
Ocean Dolphin Cruise
Board the Vagabond and join the crew as they travel south through Calibogue Sound to the head waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way, help spot the Atlantic Bottlenosed Dophin as they swim, play and chase fish with the tide. All trips are narrated by a naturalist captain and dolphin sightings are guaranteed!
Savannah Day Cruise
Come aboard Hilton Head Island’s express cruise to historic Savannah! Travel through the IntraCoastal Waterway as we journey to the heart of Savannah on River Street. The best way to experience Savannah is with our discounted Old Savannah Trolley Tour Tickets! The Spirit features both inside and outside seating along with a full bar. Cruise in comfort! The time is roughly 1-hour 45-minutes to and from Hilton Head allowing 4-hours in Savannah.
Hilton Head SpeedBoat Tours
You will navigate the waters of Hilton Head in style on a unique racing boat that is exclusive to Hilton Head SpeedBoat Tours. Not only fast and dry, but comfortable and easy to drive. Each tour starts with detailed instructions on boater operation and safety before embarkation. You will follow a professional local guide on a 2.5 hour 30+ mile journey focusing on wildlife viewing, which includes dolphin encounters, wading birds, sea otters, bald eagles and a touch of history. Each boat will have a cooler with bottled water and an area to place personal belongings. A thrilling boat experience as well as slow paced wildlife encounters. Its an adventure you will never forget!
Hilton Head Helicopter Tours
From the helicopter you get a unique perspective and a whole new feel for the Lowcountry. You'll see miles of beaches and meandering creeks teeming with wildlife. Fly over the beautiful Harbour Town Marina and even the Lighthouse! Take in a multitude of islands and even see a Civil War Fort. This is great fun for all ages from infants to seniors. Celebrate an anniversary, engagement, or even a birthday. This attraction will ensure memories for a lifetime and allow you to check one off the bucket list! Helicopter flights are very smooth and pilots encourage you to bring a camera to capture such a memorable experience.
Island Skiff Adventure Tours
Our tour is a definite family pleaser and trip highlight. We are located in Broad Creek Marina, and offer an exciting guided boat tour of the area. Drive a two-person catamaran and enjoy over two hours of skiffing calm creeks, spotting a variety of wildlife along the way, like dolphins, eagles and more. You won’t regret it! Book online or call for reservations.
Hilton Head Island Photography
We specialize in family portraits with Hilton Head Island's beautiful beaches as our backdrop. Whether a family of four or a group of 44, our 15 years of experience provide a seamless and fun beach photography session and portraits to cherish for years to come. We offer Hi-Res Images from your session that are fully retouched for all your printing needs.
Lawton Stables
Guided trail rides through the scenic Sea Pines Forest Preserve for adults and kids 8 & older. Pony rides for children 7 & under. Visit goats, pigs, miniature donkeys, bunnies, and Callie the deer at our FREE small animal farm! 7 days a week. International Riding Academy and Wish Upon a Horse Therapeutic Riding Center.
Captain Mark’s Dolphin Watch Cruises
From Shelter Cove Harbour, directly across from Palmetto Dunes Resort, Captain Mark presents Dolphin Watch Nature Cruises on board the excursion vessel E/V Holiday. Convenient mid-island location just 10 minutes from anywhere. No gate fee, stay all day. Call for schedule and reservations.
The Coastal Discovery Museum
The Coastal Discovery Museum offers programs, activities, and exhibits year-round to make learning about Hilton Head and other sea islands an enjoyable experience for island visitors and residents alike. (843) 689-6767.
Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort® Family Fun
Named the #1 Family Resort in the United States by Travel + Leisure Family, Palmetto Dunes Resort offers the ultimate family-fun experience! Ride the waves and build sand castles on miles of SC beaches, play golf on three championship courses, volley up a great time at one of our tennis or pickleball courts, kayak, canoe, bike, take a surf lesson, board a fishing charter and much more.
The Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum
The Sandbox is a non-profit, hands-on interactive museum filled with unique entertaining, and educational play areas including a ship, international airport with a plane, Loggerhead Sandcastle, construction zone, bank, kitchen, arts and crafts and more. Hilton Head Island Location: 18 A. Pope Ave. Hilton Head Island, SC 843-842-7645 Bluffton Location: Tanger 2 1414 Fording Island Rd. Suite E-180 Bluffton, SC 843-705-6235
Sea Monkeys Watersports
Sea Monkeys Watersports is the place to be when you want to have some Wave-runner fun! We offer 3 different riding areas to best accommodate you for weather, tides, and personal needs with each trip an hour and 15 minutes long. We are nicely tucked away in Skull Creek and merely a few minutes away from Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. This makes our little niche of paradise hard to beat anywhere else on the Island. Dolphin sightings are almost daily and the richness of our Low Country nature and wildlife is unbelievable! Get ready for a great time and even a little workout, but you won't regret it when you're done!
Dolphin Watching Aboard The Gypsy
Dolphins guaranteed! Come aboard the Gypsy for a relaxing, narrated tour on Calibogue Sound. We guarantee that dolphins will be seen on this trip. Learn more about these friendly creatures and the behavior patterns that are unique to the dolphins of this area. You’ll be able to sit in comfort and enjoy a cold drink or snack in the sun or shade as we show you the sights.
Family Ski Day
Get behind a boat with Outside Hilton Head! 3, 4 and 5 hour custom private trips that are guaranteed to be a total blast! Your USCG licensed Captain will lead your group to our favorite calm water ski grounds. Once there you can choose to Water Ski, Wakeboard, Kneeboard or Tube. All equipment is on board! No experience is necessary, our certified Captains provide instruction for all skill levels. Reserve today, these popular trips fill up fast!
