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Hilton Head Island Family-friendly activities

Our most recommended Hilton Head Island Family-friendly activities

Hilton Head Island: Pirate Cruise on the Black Dagger

1. Hilton Head Island: Pirate Cruise on the Black Dagger

Treat your little ones to the adventure of a lifetime aboard an activity-packed pirate cruise on Hilton Head Island. Allow your child to live out their craziest fantasies by turning into a pirate with the help of face paint and temporary tattoos. Help find a sunken treasure and defeat Stinky Pete. Head to the docks to get a new pirate name and learn how to speak like a real pirate. Board the legendary Black Dagger and set sail in search of a treasure. Join in on a race to find Stinky Pete, the island’s smelliest pirate who knows about the treasure map and has stolen the key Locate Stinky Pete before he gets to the treasure first. Watch the crew man the water cannons and blast Stinky Pete until he gives back the key. Enjoy singing and dancing throughout your journey, as you navigate across the ocean before heading back to the starting point.

Hilton Head Island: Dolphin Watching Cruise with Donuts

2. Hilton Head Island: Dolphin Watching Cruise with Donuts

See Hilton Head Island from a different perspective on a fully narrated dolphin boat tour. Enjoy eating donuts as you cruise around and learn about the local ecosystem and the area's history. Hop on your boat and float into the Hilton Head waterways. Experience up-close encounters with the Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin and find out more about their eating patterns and habits. Listen as your guide tells you about the surrounding islands, oysters, spartina grass, and tides. As you explore the island's waterways, have some fresh donuts and bottled water before returning to the meeting point.

Hilton Head Island: Shrimp Trawling Boat Tour

3. Hilton Head Island: Shrimp Trawling Boat Tour

Join the friendly crew aboard the Shrimp Trawler Tammy Jane and see what daily life is like for local shrimpers. Start off with an introduction to the boat and the shrimping gear aboard. Then the boat will make its way to the shrimping waters off the coast of Daufuskie Island. Watch as the nets drag across the seafloor. After this comes the real fun as you help the crew sort through the day's catch on the sorting table. There will be a lot of bi-catch or other fish, sharks, and even stingrays that get caught in the net. The crew will go over what type of by-catch you should look out for, and will safely return these sea creatures to the waters. You get to take the freshest locally caught Carolina shrimp home with you to cook. The amount of shrimp isn't guaranteed as this is fishing, but it will be divided evenly among the parties aboard.

Hilton Head Island: Virtual Reality Arcade Experience

4. Hilton Head Island: Virtual Reality Arcade Experience

Become fully immersed in a virtual reality video gaming world. Explore the solar system, shoot zombies, or paint and sculpt in a 3D studio. Try your hand at finding hidden clues in escape rooms, defending your castle with a longbow, or fighting in a boxing ring. You can even defend your spaceship in a visually stunning 3D environment, or defend yourself as a teddy bear against evil doll creatures that are attacking you. Whatever adventure you choose, go online and play with others around the world, or take on your own battles. Choose between 20, 40, or 70 minutes of unlimited virtual fun.

Hilton Head Island: Pontoon Boat Rental

5. Hilton Head Island: Pontoon Boat Rental

Explore the waters off the coast of Hilton Head Island with this pontoon boat rental. Have the option of renting the boat for 2 or 4 hours. Get a professional orientation on navigating Hilton Head Island’s waterways and access to life jackets.  Arrive at the rental shop and fill out the necessary rental paperwork. Listen to an engaging introductory briefing on how to make the most of the boat's features. Chart your own course that can take you all the way up to the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean.  Blast through the waters of Broad Creek. Go behind Daufuskie Island through the Cooper River or up the May River to check out the Sand Bar and Palmetto Bluff. Ask for some superb lunch recommendations on the water. Return the boat at the end of the rental period. 

Hilton Head: Child-Friendly Pirate Cruise with Face Painting

6. Hilton Head: Child-Friendly Pirate Cruise with Face Painting

Join a family-friendly pirate cruise in Hilton Head and enjoy a fun activity perfect for children between the ages of 2 and 10. Learn how to walk and talk like a pirate and take on your nemesis, Smelly Sam, to win back the treasure he's stolen. Immerse yourself in this pirate-themed experience from the moment you step aboard the Black Sparrow. Start with face painting and get your very own pirate tattoo along with the appropriate garb before learning how to walk, talk, and act just like a real pirate. As you set out on your cruise, learn that Smelly Sam has stolen the keys to the treasure and answer the call to do battle. Man high-pressure water cannons as you take on your nemesis, defeating him and ultimately winning back the treasure. Your reward: your very own share of the loot to take home.

Hilton Head Island: Pontoon Boat Rental

7. Hilton Head Island: Pontoon Boat Rental

Explore Hilton Head Island with a pontoon boat rental. Cruise through the island's waterways and watch out for dolphins as you spend time relaxing with loved ones. Select from a 2, 4, or 6-hour boat rental time. Meet the dock staff and learn how to use the pontoon boat. Receive safety instructions and recommendations on where to go before leaving the dock. Embark into the marina and make your way to landmarks like the Harbour Town Lighthouse or sail along the shoreline. Be on the lookout for local wildlife or sit back and admire views of Hilton Head Island from the water. Return your pontoon boat rental after an enjoyable time with friends and family.

Frequently asked questions about Hilton Head Island

What top attractions are a must-see in Hilton Head Island?

The must-see attractions in Hilton Head Island are:

Other Sightseeing Options in Hilton Head Island

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What people are saying about Hilton Head Island

We had a great time, learned lots, and came home with shrimp. We battered it with Tempura and fried it—wonderful! We did the sunset tour and we’re lucky enough to see a decent sunset. We will do this again the next time we are in Hilton Head.

We had a great time! The captain and crew were both informative and friendly. They took the time to answer questions and did a good job explaining the equipment! The captain even pointed out dolphins on a few occasions.

Great tour. Very informative. The captain and crew were very nice. We got enough shrimp for several meals. December 24 was freezing:in the high 20s. If you go during the winter, dress warmly to be outside for 2.5 hours.

Had a great time! Lauren was very informative and fun. Enjoyed the sunset , while learning about shrimping.

very educational and informative. Crew was very friendly and explained the adventure in detail.