What you'll do

Board a spacious catamaran in Myrtle Beach and spend two hours cruising the coastal waterway in search of bottlenose dolphins, then step off onto a barrier island shoreline for seashell hunting and a walk in the sand before heading back.

• Watch for Dolphins — Scan the water as your guide navigates through prime dolphin habitat along the Myrtle Beach coastline, where bottlenose dolphins regularly surface alongside the boat.

• Step Onto the Island — When conditions allow, the catamaran pulls up to a barrier island so you can get off, walk the shore, and collect shells from a stretch of beach most visitors never reach.

• Spot Coastal Wildlife — Keep an eye out for seabirds, pelicans, and other marine life that share this stretch of the South Carolina coast throughout the cruise.

• Choose Your Departure — Pick a daytime cruise for clear skies and active wildlife, or book the sunset sailing for dramatic light and a slower pace as the day winds down.

• Grab Drinks and Snacks — The onboard refreshment galley serves drinks and snacks throughout the cruise, so you can stay on deck and take in the views without missing anything.

This is the kind of two-hour window that works equally well for families with young kids, couples looking for a laid-back afternoon on the water, and groups who want a structured outing that still leaves room to relax. The combination of dolphin watching, a real island stop, and a sunset option in one booking makes it the most complete catamaran tour in the Myrtle Beach area.

Why we love it for your family adventure

• All Ages Welcome — There's no minimum age, which means the whole group can come from toddlers to grandparents without splitting up or booking separate activities.

• Island Access Built In – The barrier island stop sets this cruise apart from loop tours that never actually go anywhere. Guests step off the boat and onto a shore most people only see from a distance.

• Daytime or Sunset Departure — Two departure options let you plan around nap times, dinner reservations, or just the time of day your group tends to be at its best.

• Onboard Sound System — Music plays throughout the cruise, keeping the energy up whether you're scanning for dolphins or just sitting back and watching the coastline pass.

• Expert Guides On Deck — The captain and first mate know these waters and where dolphins are most likely to appear, which makes a difference in what you actually see versus what you hope to see.

About this experience partner:

Southern Shores Island and Dolphin Cruises is the leading provider of dolphin catamaran cruises in the Myrtle Beach area, operating a USCG-inspected fleet that includes a spacious catamaran, two additional vessels, and six Sea-Doo jet skis out of North Myrtle Beach. The company is best known for its family dolphin cruise route, which combines active wildlife watching along the South Carolina coastline with a barrier island stop that most area tours skip. Southern Shores draws repeat guest families who come back each summer, groups who book multiple experiences in one trip because the combination of knowledgeable guides, a flexible departure schedule, and a route that actually goes somewhere keeps delivering something worth returning for.

Additional information

• Age policy — All ages are welcome on board. Guests must be 21 or older with a valid ID to purchase alcohol.

• Dolphin sightings — The route runs through active dolphin habitat, and sightings are frequent, but wildlife cannot be guaranteed. The guide navigates toward known feeding and swimming areas to maximize the chance of an encounter.

• Island access — The barrier island stop is included in the route but is subject to the captain's discretion based on water and weather conditions. The crew makes every effort to reach the island on each cruise.

• Gratuity — Tips for the captain and first mate are not included in the ticket price and are appreciated for strong service. If anything falls short of expectations (outside of weather or wildlife), contact the Southern Shores management team directly.