How to Spot Dolphins on Your Trip to Myrtle Beach

Few things make a beach vacation more memorable than spotting dolphins in the wild. Whether you're scanning the surf, watching from the sand, or heading out on the Atlantic Ocean aboard a tour boat, a dolphin sighting is one of those family activities that has a way of stopping everyone in their tracks and making family memories that last a lifetime.

Myrtle Beach is one of the best places on the East Coast to spot these playful creatures in their natural habitat, and with the right plan, your chances of seeing them are excellent.

Before you head out on the water, make sure you have a great home base locked in. hotel BLUE is an oceanfront resort right on the Grand Strand, putting you in a great location to enjoy all the Myrtle Beach area has to offer.

Here’s what you need to know to spot a dolphin or two on your vacation with us.

 

What You're Looking For: Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins

Photo Credit: 3Dillustrations

The dolphins you're most likely to see in Myrtle Beach are Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, the most common dolphin species along the South Carolina coast. These intelligent, social animals travel in pods and are known for their curiosity and playful behavior around boats and in the surf.

They live year-round in the coastal waters here, though sightings tend to peak during fall migration, October through December, and again in spring, when pods return north.

That said, the warmest months from April through September give you the best opportunity for dolphin watching, as the warmer water draws them closer to shore and encourages active feeding near the surface.

 

Ways to See Dolphins in Myrtle Beach

Photo Credit: Hang Dinh

Dolphin sightings are surprisingly common along the Grand Strand, and whether you prefer staying on shore or getting out on the water, there are several great ways to catch a glimpse of them in Myrtle Beach.

Spotting Dolphins From the Shore

You don't necessarily need a boat ride to spot dolphins in Myrtle Beach. Early morning and late afternoon are the best windows to scan the surf from the beach on a beautiful day, when dolphins are most active, and the water is typically calmer and clearer.

Look for dorsal fins breaking the surface or the arc of a dolphin rolling through a wave, and pay particular attention near piers like Cherry Grove Pier and Myrtle Beach State Park Pier, where dolphins tend to gather when fishermen toss unused catch back into the water.

Patience is key when dolphin watching from shore, but if you head out during the right hours and focus on the areas just beyond the breaking waves, you stand a decent chance of an amazing sighting without ever leaving the beach.

Dolphins on the Intracoastal Waterway

One of the more surprising dolphin watching opportunities in the Myrtle Beach area is on the Intracoastal Waterway itself. The calm, sheltered waters of the waterway are a favorite hangout for local dolphin pods, particularly in Murrells Inlet and along the stretch near North Myrtle Beach.

Kayakers paddling the salt marshes frequently spot dolphins working the shallows alongside other wildlife, such as ospreys, herons, and sea turtles. Several outfitters in the area offer guided kayak eco-tours through the inlets and along the waterway, giving paddlers a quiet, low-impact way to explore local marine life up close.

For those renting pontoon boats or heading out on private charters, the Intracoastal is one of the best and most accessible places to encounter wild dolphins without venturing far from the shore.

Dolphin Cruises: The Most Popular Option

For the highest chance of a close-up encounter, a guided boat cruise is the way to go. Dolphin cruises in Myrtle Beach are widely available, catering to all ages and group sizes, and they remain one of the most popular vacation activities along the coast.

Tours usually depart a short drive from Myrtle Beach in Little River or Murrells Inlet. Here are a few to check into.

Myrtle Beach Dolphin Cruises

One standout operation is Myrtle Beach Dolphin Cruises, which offers tours aboard two boats, the Sea Screamer and Sea Thunder, departing from Little River. The roughly two-hour excursion begins with a narrated cruise up the Intracoastal Waterway, then opens up to full speed as the boat passes uninhabited islands and heads out through the jetty into the open Atlantic.

Passengers experience beautiful scenery and consistently see dolphins in their natural habitat. Both boats are well-suited for larger groups, accommodating up to 141 passengers and running multiple departures throughout the day.

A Myrtle Beach dolphin cruise like this one is a great option for families, corporate retreat groups, or anyone who wants a relaxed, guided experience on the water. It also makes an excellent choice for a family reunion or special event, with group rates available for larger parties.

Crazy Sister Marina in Murrells Inlet

Just south of Myrtle Beach, Crazy Sister Marina in Murrells Inlet has built a well-earned reputation as one of the premier dolphin watching destinations along the Grand Strand. The area's rich Murrells Inlet marshes are natural feeding grounds for local marine life, drawing dolphins in close and making sightings a consistent highlight of each trip.

Crazy Sister Marina offers multiple dolphin tour options, including the Blue Wave Adventures Dolphin Watch Tour aboard the Tursi-ops, a 42-foot rigid hull inflatable vessel with 360-degree ocean views.

What sets this Myrtle Beach dolphin tour apart is the onboard hydrophone, which allows passengers to hear dolphins vocalizing underwater when conditions allow.

Crazy Sister Marina also offers jet ski dolphin tours for those who want a more hands-on adventure. These guided tours lead small groups through the inlet channels and out into the ocean, putting you right at water level for an exciting and intimate dolphin encounter.

Both the boat and jet ski options are great for the whole family, with tours designed for a range of ages.

Jet Ski Dolphin Tours for the Thrill Seekers

If a traditional cruise feels too laid-back for your style, jet ski dolphin tours offer a completely different kind of excitement. Myrtle Beach Watersports runs jet ski dolphin watch tours out of North Myrtle Beach, leading groups along a 30-to-40-mile route through the Intracoastal Waterway and out to the Atlantic Ocean.

The tours are semi-private or private, guided by experienced captains who know where dolphins are most likely to be feeding and playing. Morning tours are strongly recommended, as that is when dolphin activity peaks and the water conditions are most favorable for spotting fins.

If no dolphins are sighted on the one-hour tour, participants receive a voucher to join one of the dolphin cruise boats instead, making the experience essentially risk-free for wildlife enthusiasts.

 

Tips for the Best Dolphin Watching Experience

Photo Credit: suttirat wiriyanon

A few simple tips can seriously improve your chances of spotting dolphins during your Myrtle Beach trip:

• Go early or late in the day: Dolphins are usually more active in the early morning and around sunset when the water is calmer and boat traffic is lighter.


• Bring polarized sunglasses: They help cut through the glare on the water, making it much easier to spot fins and movement below the surface.


• Watch the birds: If you notice seabirds diving aggressively into the water, there’s a good chance dolphins are feeding nearby too.


• Keep your camera ready: Dolphin sightings can happen fast. A phone works fine, but a camera with a zoom lens gives you a much better shot at catching them jumping or surfacing offshore.


• Stay calm on tours: Most dolphin cruises encourage passengers to avoid loud noises or sudden movement when dolphins approach. Calm boats tend to have longer, closer encounters with wild dolphins.

 

Plan Your Stay at hotel BLUE

Myrtle Beach is one of the most exciting places on the East Coast to discover dolphins in the wild, and the adventure starts with where you stay.

hotel BLUE is a beachfront resort right on the beautiful coastline of south Myrtle Beach, with oceanfront rooms, suites, and balconies that put the Atlantic Ocean at your doorstep from the moment you arrive.

Guests enjoy access to South Carolina's first swim-up pool bar (open seasonally), an indoor lazy river, hot tubs, and VIP access to the amenities at sister resort Captain's Quarters.

Whether you're planning a dolphin cruise in Myrtle Beach, a jet ski dolphin tour, a kayak adventure on the Intracoastal Waterway, or a simple early morning stroll along the shore to spot fins in the surf, hotel BLUE is the perfect base for an unforgettable experience on the Grand Strand.

Book your stay today and get ready for an awesome time on the water.