For an exhilarating day on the water, be sure to check out the Lowcountry’s unique rafting tours and adventures. You’ll experience both the thrill of rafting and the shear pleasure of being so close to nature.

    A Zodiac is an 18-foot hard bottom inflatable raft. This small, versatile and stable boat accommodates up to six passengers and is similar to the boats used by the U.S. Coast Guard.  It is the perfect craft for cruising the shallow waterways around Hilton Head.

    Located at South Beach Marina in Sea Pines (232 South Sea Pines Drive), Commander ZodiacCommander Zodiac (843-671-3344) has been educating and entertaining islanders and visitors for over 23 years. Selected by National Geographic as local nature guides, Commander Zodiac offers three exciting guided tours, including a one-hour dolphin tour, a 90-minute dolphin and salt marsh excursion, and a two-hour dolphin and beachcombing tour. 

    Dolphin tours will bring you up close to these friendly creatures as well as birds and other wildlife, and you’ll learn all about their habits and behaviors. On the 90-minute tour, you’ll get the dolphin tour plus an excursion into the salt marshes for bird watching. You’ll learn about marsh ecology and have plenty of photo opportunities.

    The Daufuskie Island tour takes you by this fascinating island and drops you off on a secluded beach to comb for shells and driftwood.

    Commander Zodiac also offers private and group sailing lessons for all ages, a Junior Sailing School for children ages seven to 16, and sailboat rentals.  In addition, check out their Kids Waterfun Day, a fully supervised summer morning featuring beach games, water relays, sail and power boat rides, crabbing, swimming, scavenger hunts, and much more.
Island Explore

    Island Explorer (843-785-2100), specializes in small, personalized dolphin and nature eco-tours.  This company has been providing water-related activities for the Hilton Head area since 1979. Very conveniently located mid-Island on the dock behind the Old Oyster Factory Restaurant at 101 Marshland Road (no gate fees and plenty of parking), they conduct a unique and memorable off-the-beaten-path boating experience focusing specifically on nature and our local marine environment, spotlighting our many dolphins.

    Local USCG Master Captain and naturalist Capt. Jim Harkins heads a crew knowledgeable in the ebb and flow of the salt marsh, its sounds and surrounding nature.  Their upscale Zodiac-type rafts and deck boats are comfortable, covered, fast, and have shallow drafts perfect for exploring out-of-the-way spots such as tidal creeks and numerous uninhabited islands and beaches.

    They offer one-, two- and three-hour dolphin nature tours, sunrise and sunset excursions (including the Tuesday night fireworks display during the summer), and beachcombing on near-by islands. They also offer private island cruises and will tailor any trip to your specific interests.
Outside Hilton Head

    Outside Hilton Head (800-686-6996) offers unique small group personalized trips on their hard bottom rafts from their Shelter Cove Marina (1 Shelter Cove Lane). Tours include Daufuskie Island, out-of-the-way sites, and private islands.

    For more information, see our Ad Directory under Rafting.

    Also see “Things To Do” #4, #7, #19, and #68.

Photo courtesy of Commander Zodiac