The water behind Folly Beach is some of the best dolphin country on the East Coast. Bottlenose dolphins live in the Folly River and the creeks around Morris Island all year, and a two-hour boat tour is the easiest way to see them, along with pelicans, oyster beds and the Morris Island Lighthouse. Most tours stop on Morris Island so you can walk the beach and hunt for shells and shark teeth.
Below are the tours you can book online with local, Folly-based operators, with current prices, what each one is best for and tips from our team. Tap any Check dates & book button to see live availability without leaving the page.
Compare Folly Beach boat tours
| Tour | Length | From | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morris Island Lighthouse Dolphin Tour Flipper Finders | 2 hours | $55 | Families, first-timers | Book |
| Sunset Dolphin Boat Tour Flipper Finders | 2 hours | $55 | Couples, sunset lovers | Book |
| Private Dolphin Tour (up to 6) Flipper Finders | 2 hours | $300 | Small groups, dogs welcome | Book |
| Private Lighthouse & Dolphin Tour on Lady Liz Charleston SUP Safaris | 2 hours | $300 | Families, shell and shark tooth hunters | Book |
| Private Sunset Dolphin Cruise Tight Line Outfitters | 2 hours | $350 | Couples, small groups | Book |
| Shark Teeth & Fossil Charter Tight Line Outfitters | Half day, at low tide | $400 | Shark tooth hunters, kids | Book |
| Party Boat: La Sirena (up to 6) Flipper Finders | 3 hours | $540 | Small celebrations | Book |
| Party Boat: Rosie Flipper Finders | 3 hours | $900 | Bachelor and bachelorette parties | Book |
Dolphin tours with a Morris Island stop
These public tours are the classic Folly dolphin trip: about two hours cruising the creeks behind the island, with a stop on Morris Island near the lighthouse. They welcome all ages and run morning and evening, plus a special trip around each full moon.
Morris Island Lighthouse Dolphin Tour
by Flipper Finders
- Length2 hours
- WhenMorning
- Best forFamilies, first-timers
The classic Folly dolphin tour: cruise the creeks behind the island looking for resident bottlenose dolphins, then land on Morris Island to hunt for shells, sand dollars and fossils near the lighthouse. Up to 18 guests; BYOB.
Sunset Dolphin Boat Tour
by Flipper Finders
- Length2 hours
- WhenEvening
- Best forCouples, sunset lovers
The same dolphin and Morris Island route, timed for sunset over the marsh. Watch for strand feeding, when dolphins push fish onto the mud banks, usually July through September.
Full Moon Boat Tour
by Flipper Finders
- Length2 hours
- WhenAround each full moon
- Best forDate night, families
Head to Morris Island for sunset, then stay for the full moon rising over the ocean. Runs only the day before and the day of the full moon, and fills up fast. BYOB and snacks.
Prices are per the operator’s booking page as of September 2026 and may change; taxes and fees are added at checkout. Booking opens securely through FareHarbor. FollyBeach.com may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Private dolphin and lighthouse tours
Want the boat to yourselves? These private trips hold up to six people, go at your pace and can reach shallower creeks than the bigger boats. Several allow well-behaved dogs if you let the captain know ahead of time.
Private Dolphin Tour (up to 6)
by Flipper Finders
- Length2 hours
- WhenMorning or afternoon
- Best forSmall groups, dogs welcome
Just your group and the captain on a smaller boat that can reach shallow creeks. Look for dolphins, stop at Morris Island to shell or swim, and set your own pace. Dogs are welcome if you tell them in advance.
Private Lighthouse & Dolphin Tour on Lady Liz
by Charleston SUP Safaris
- Length2 hours
- WhenSeveral times daily
- Best forFamilies, shell and shark tooth hunters
A private boat for your group: search for dolphins, weave through the tidal creeks and explore Morris Island for shells and shark teeth. Dogs allowed with notice.
Private Sunset Dolphin Cruise
by Tight Line Outfitters
- Length2 hours
- WhenSunset
- Best forCouples, small groups
A private sunset cruise with a licensed captain who explains the salt marsh ecosystem and local history while you look for dolphins, birds and other wildlife.
Prices are per the operator’s booking page as of September 2026 and may change; taxes and fees are added at checkout. Booking opens securely through FareHarbor. FollyBeach.com may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Morris Island is uninhabited and only reachable by boat, which makes it one of the best places near Folly to find shark teeth and fossils. Go at low tide for the most beach. Read our guide to finding shark teeth on Folly and the shark teeth identification guide before you go.
Shark Teeth & Fossil Charter
by Tight Line Outfitters
- LengthHalf day, at low tide
- WhenTimed to low tide
- Best forShark tooth hunters, kids
A boat ride and beach hike to an uninhabited island to hunt for shark teeth, including megalodon, and marine fossils. Trips run at low tide, so the captain confirms your exact start time after you book.
Morris Island Drop-Off
by Flipper Finders
- LengthAbout 5 hours
- WhenFalling tide
- Best forBeach day on your own island
A self-guided day: the captain drops your group (up to 6) near the Morris Island Lighthouse for 3–4 hours of shelling, shark tooth hunting or relaxing, then picks you up. Call ahead to pick the best tide.
Prices are per the operator’s booking page as of September 2026 and may change; taxes and fees are added at checkout. Booking opens securely through FareHarbor. FollyBeach.com may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Party boats
Private party cruises on the Folly River for birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette weekends and family reunions, with a beach stop to swim and float.
Party Boat: La Sirena (up to 6)
by Flipper Finders
- Length3 hours
- WhenMidday or afternoon
- Best forSmall celebrations
A private cruise on the Folly River with a stop at a nearby beach to swim and float, music and dolphins along the way.
Party Boat: Rosie
by Flipper Finders
- Length3 hours
- WhenAfternoon
- Best forBachelor and bachelorette parties
A private pontoon party on the Folly River: cruise the marsh, look for dolphins, then pull up on a beach to swim and lounge on the giant lily pad float.
Prices are per the operator’s booking page as of September 2026 and may change; taxes and fees are added at checkout. Booking opens securely through FareHarbor. FollyBeach.com may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Tips before your boat tour
- Where to go: Flipper Finders and Charleston SUP Safaris check in at 83 Center Street, and Tight Line Outfitters departs from 97 Center Street. Your confirmation email has the exact meeting spot.
- Parking: Allow extra time to park, especially on summer weekends. See our Folly Beach parking guide.
- Tides: Morris Island stops and shark tooth hunting are best around low tide. Check the Folly Beach tide chart when you pick a time.
- What to bring: Sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, water and shoes you don’t mind getting wet. The public dolphin tours are BYOB.
- Weather: Flipper Finders decides on weather about an hour before departure. If the captain cancels for unsafe conditions, you can reschedule or get a full refund. Cancelling yourself within 48 hours of the tour is non-refundable, so check each operator’s policy when you book.
- Dolphin season: Dolphins are here year-round. From about July through September, watch for strand feeding, when dolphins push fish onto the mud banks, a behavior seen in very few places in the world.
Folly Beach boat tour FAQ
How much does a dolphin tour cost on Folly Beach?
Public two-hour dolphin tours start at $55 for adults and $49 for kids 2–12. Private boats for up to six start around $300, and party boats start at $540 for three hours.
Will we see dolphins?
Very likely. Folly’s bottlenose dolphins live here all year and are seen on most trips, but they are wild animals, so no one can promise a sighting.
Can you go inside the Morris Island Lighthouse?
No. The lighthouse stands in the water off the tip of Morris Island, so boat tours are the best way to see it up close. Learn its history on our Morris Island Lighthouse page.
Can I bring my dog?
Several private tours welcome dogs if you tell the operator in advance. The public tours do not list dogs as allowed.
Would I rather kayak or paddleboard?
If you want to paddle yourself, see our kayak tours and rentals and paddleboard tours and rentals. For fishing, see Folly Beach fishing charters.
Looking for more ideas? See all things to do in Folly Beach.
