Low Tide Adventures – Nature in Action on Our Dolphin Watch Tours
No two Island Skiff Adventure Tours are ever the same—and one of the biggest factors that shapes your experience is the tide. As the water level rises and falls, the creek landscape shifts dramatically, and so does the behavior of the local wildlife.
Our dolphin watch tours offer a rare chance to witness the opportunistic feeding behaviors of Hilton Head’s resident bottlenose dolphins. These intelligent marine mammals consume about 10% of their body weight daily, often feeding when conditions are just right. Low tide presents the perfect scenario—schools of baitfish are concentrated in shallower water, making it easier for dolphins to strike.
One of the most extraordinary sights you might encounter is strand feeding—a behavior observed almost exclusively between South Carolina and Georgia’s barrier islands. During this event, a group of dolphins pushes baitfish onto a bare creek bank. Riding their self-created wave, the dolphins launch themselves partially out of the water to catch the stranded fish before sliding back in. This jaw-dropping scene is learned behavior, passed down between dolphins, and is incredibly rare to witness.
But the dolphins aren’t the only ones hunting during low tide. Wading and diving birds—including herons, egrets, roseate spoonbills, and pelicans—can be seen feeding in the shallow creek mouths, hunting fish, shrimp, and crabs. You’ll also notice more visible oyster beds along the shorelines. These razor-sharp shell beds are vital to the ecosystem but should be admired from a distance.
Navigating these waters in your own two-person CraigCat catamaran adds another layer of excitement to your tour. These stable, fun-to-drive mini boats let you explore the tidal creeks up close and feel the pulse of nature all around you.
If you’re hoping to see dolphins and birds feeding in their natural habitat, a low to mid tide tour is your best chance. It’s an unforgettable way to witness the rhythm of the Lowcountry’s thriving coastal ecosystem.
High Tide Adventures – Speed, Scenery & Playful Dolphins Awai
The height of the tide is one of the key elements that makes every Island Skiff Adventure Tour unique. While the environment changes with the tides, so too does the behavior of the wildlife we encounter—especially dolphins.
Although our tours focus on the region’s stunning natural beauty and abundant wildlife, there’s no denying the pure fun of being on the water. During high tide, guests enjoy the added freedom of more navigable space. With deeper water all around your CraigCat catamaran, you’ll have the opportunity to safely pick up speed and enjoy thrilling runs through the grass-lined creeks. High tide reduces the risk of running over oyster beds and shallow obstacles, making it the ideal time to embrace the excitement of driving your own boat.
And it’s not just the guests who love a high tide—the dolphins do too.
Dolphins are highly social animals, and during high tide, larger pods often gather in the deeper waters of Calibogue Sound and other parts of our tour route. These moments offer rare glimpses into their playful side, including mating behaviors, group hunting, and energetic leaps from the water. Using echolocation clicks, dolphins locate fish even in the deeper channels, and often display impressive acrobatics that delight everyone on board. If you’re hoping to see dolphins jump, high tide gives you the best chance.
These intelligent creatures seem to know they have an audience, sometimes swimming alongside our catamarans and showing off just for fun. Seeing a dolphin leap from the water in the wild is unforgettable—a reminder of how powerful and free these animals truly are.
A high tide tour is perfect for those seeking adventure and exploration, with more room to maneuver your boat and greater chances to see dolphins socializing in their natural environment.