Things You Can See On A Boat Tour in Beaufort, SC
You may wonder why your captain, who drives boats for a living, is as excited to get off the dock as you are! The answer is simple; we can’t wait to see what we find out there! No two trips are ever the same and with years of experience it’s not uncommon for us to see something that we’ve never seen before. So what can you see from a boat in Beaufort, SC? Let's dive in!
Dolphins - Common/Year Round
Besides just the boat ride, dolphins are by far our most popular local attraction. They live here year round and are active at all times of the day and tides. It’s vary rare that we wouldn’t see dolphins coming to the surface to breathe on any boat tour we offer. Occasionally, we’ll see dolphins actually feeding using a variety of techniques to include tail slapping and strand feeding. Dolphins are also playful creatures so they can often be viewed splashing around for fun and on a rare occasion even leaping entirely from the water.
Manatees - Uncommon/June-September
There are a number of manatees that migrate north and hang out in our waters for our warm months. Unlike dolphins that lift a tall dorsal fin out of the water when they breathe, manatees only stick a couple inches of their snout out of the water to breathe making them hard to spot. It’s pretty special when we do see these large creatures but it’s one of the rarest things we get to observe.
Birds - Common to Uncommon/Seasonal (Varies by Species)
Shore birds, herons, pelicans, spoon bills, wood storks, ducks, loons, ospreys, bald eagles, and the hard to see but melodious marsh wrens, and cackling rails are abundant in our salt marsh eco system. Our salt marsh is often a birders dream. If you’re interested in bird watching we usually try to get you out on a lower tide when the exposed oysters and mud banks provide birds with a perfect place to feed.
Sea Turtles - Uncommon/May-September
From May though October, sea turtles make our inshore waterways their home. Our most common sea turtles are loggerheads, Kemp’s ridley, and green sea turtles. Occasionally we’ll observe these turtles catching a breath on the surface but they are pretty shy and usually don’t stay up long.
Fish and Rays - Uncommon/Seasonal (Varies by Species)
Fish like mullet and menhaden that are low on the food chain are commonly seen in warmer months but predators like tarpon, cow nose rays, red drum, jack crevalle, spanish mackerel, etc. rarely show themselves. It’s pretty cool to see these predators feed or surface on occasion.
Sharks - Semi Common/Seasonal (Varies by Species)
During our warmer months it's not uncommon to see the dorsal fin of a three foot long bonnet head shark looking for blue crabs in the shallows along our rivers. On a rare occasion we might see a small spinner shark leap from the water. Most are small juveniles and there are no concerns for safety with these sharks.
Alligators - Uncommon in the Saltwater/Year Round
Our local brackish and freshwater areas are loaded with alligators but it is fairly rare for them to venture into areas with high salinity content. When we do see them in the saltwater it’s usually in spring and fall when they are moving around looking for new homes. If you want to see an alligator check out the Port Royal Cyprus Wetlands.
Jelly Fish - SemiCommon/April-October
In the spring our waters can be filled with harmless cannonball jellyfish. These clear translucent and purple topped jellies float along just below the surface, feeding on plankton in the water. Occasionally we will see various species of jellies with long tentacles. These jellies can sting but you are perfectly safe on the boat.
Oysters - Guaranteed on Lower Tides
From mid tide to low tide our abundant population of live eastern oysters is on full display. These filter feeders are a keystone species in our eco system and do so much to keep our waters clean and healthy. Many people consider them to be delicious as well.
Crabs, Snails, Etc - Common/Best when it’s Warm
Often missed on first glance, a closer look at the grass, mud, and oysters will usually reveal all sorts of life. We have an abundant population of blue crabs, fiddler crabs, mud snails, periwinkle snails, whelks and so much more. We often try to take a few minutes close to the marsh edge to see if these smaller creatures will show themselves.
Four Legged Mammals - Uncommon/Year Round
We have a healthy population of raccoons and mink that live right in our marshes. They are quite at home in the marsh and swim very well when the tides get high. Otters are very rare but they do live in our area. While not common you’d be surprised how many times we’ve seen deer swimming across our waterways.
Monkeys - Semi Common/Year Round
Wait… Monkeys? Yes we have a wild population of around 3500 rhesus monkeys that live on Morgan Island in the ACE Basin. Placed there in 1979 by the U.S. Government, these monkeys are still there and are frequently viewable from a boat. The island is not on our regular tour route so if you’re interested in seeing the monkeys please look into our ACE Basin tour. Like all other wild creatures we can not guarantee that the monkeys will be viewable but experiencing the ACE Basin itself is worth the trip.
Scenic Views - Guaranteed
Scenic views start the moment you walk down the dock and don’t stop until you leave. Beaufort and Port Royal are surrounded by beautiful views of the water, grassy marshes and swaying Spanish moss draped oak trees. One of our favorite ways to enjoy the local scenery is on a sunset cruise. Aptly named the Lowcountry our scenic flat lands make the perfect landscape for spectacular sunsets.
Historical Sites - Sites Seen can be Time, Tide, and Weather Dependent
Beaufort is rich with history! For reference our Native American history dates back thousands of years, the French established Charlesfort on what is now the Parris Island Marine Base in 1562, and Beaufort itself was founded in 1711. It would take a lot of time and in some cases the right tides to see everything from the water but a list of historical places viewable from the water are:
The Beaufort Waterfront Park
Tidal Holme
The Castle
Richard V. Woods Memorial Bridge
Fort Fredric
Fort Fremont
Fort Marion
Charles Fort
Parris Island Marine Base
Native American Shell Rings
Antebellum era Rice fields
And so much more!
No trip to Beaufort is complete without taking some time to see the water. We’d love the opportunity to show you around on a boat tour, a sunset cruise, or a captained boat rental!
Disclaimer: We can not guarantee seeing any particular wildlife on a given trip, but feel free to contact us if there is something in particular you are interested in so we can make sure your trip aligns with the best season and tides for what you’re looking for.