Hilton Head Disappearing Island Tours

Take a trip to elusive beaches on our Disappearing Island Tours in Hilton Head, SC. Taking a boat is the only way to reach this unique location which is only exposed for about 1.5 hours each day. You'll see Sand Dollars, starfish and other sea life found nowhere else in Hilton Head!

Advance Booking Strongly Advised!


  • 3 Hour Disappearing Island Tours
  • Walk along the historic sand before the tide arrives.
  • Find Sand Dollars and wildlife!
  • Safe and suitable for all ages.
  • Dog friendly.
  • Passionate guidance from our captains.

The Only Way to Reach Disappearing Island

For around 1.5 hours every day, the low tide reveals and provides access to Hilton Head’s famous Disappearing Island. This historic island can only be reached by a Hilton Head Disappearing Island tour.

Leaving the salt marshes, we’ll cruise out on a relaxing trip that takes us quickly across the Calibogue Sound, beyond Daufuskie Island and Harbour Town, before reaching our legendary destination – Disappearing Island.

After an eye-catching journey, you’ll then get the chance to experience Disappearing Island for yourself! You and your family can walk in the shallow waters and along the famous sands, beachcombing for shells. You’ll feel like you’re walking in the ocean!

These beaches are home to all sorts of rare sea life and artifacts, from Sand Dollars and beautiful seashells to cannonball jellyfish and spider crabs!

Because of the topography and currents of Hilton Head Island, this is likely the only place you’ll get to find such treasures.

Important Information

Please note: This tour requires you to get out of the boat and walk through around 12 inches of water as the tide moves. It is advised to wear a non-slip shoe that is made for getting wet.

Unfortunately because of these demands, our Hilton Head Disappearing Island is not handicap accessible. However, with our other tours we always strive to make them accessible for all. Feel free to call us to discuss what is possible.

Watch Disappearing Island Disappear

In just a couple of hours, the island vanishes! As the high tide arrives, the secluded beach is swallowed up by the Low Country waters.

As we glide back to our starting point, you’ll see Disappearing Island fade away for another day.

Hilton Head Disappearing Island Tours, Suitable for All Ages

We always aim to have every passenger leave our Hilton Head Disappearing Island Tours feeling better than when they arrived. That’s because we prioritize safety and comfort.

Catering to all ages, kids are welcome to come along and beachcomb the historic Disappearing Island with us.

Our captains are among the friendliest and most knowledgeable you’ll find in Hilton Head. Your kids will learn about marine life, seabirds, tides and much more. That’s not to mention the fun of finding exciting seashells!

More than Just a Disappearing Island Tours

The Disappearing Island is in a prime wildlife viewing location. You’ll see more than just sand and water. On route we often see Osprey, Herons, Egrets, Pelicans, Cormorants, Oystercatchers, Bald Eagles and potentially jumping stingrays!

Dolphins

Best of all, we might see some Dolphins! In the spring and summer particularly, Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins love to swim near the shore. We’ll keep an eye out for dolphins jumping through the air and making their distinct noises while playing. Sometimes, they come right up to the boat to say hi!

Sand Dollars

Sand dollars are the main attraction of our Hilton Head Disappearing Island tours. Sand dollars are flat sea urchins that burrow in the sands of Disappearing Island. They love the soft, moist sand.

If dead, you’ll find them with a pale white color rather than their regular yellow, brown, or purple color.

Can We Keep Sand Dollars?

You’re allowed to keep the dead sand dollars you find as a memorable souvenir.

It’s illegal in South Carolina to remove live sand dollars, but it’s easy to tell the difference. Check if it’s white first and then flip it over. If the sand dollar’s tiny spines are still moving – it’s live.

Fun fact: You can tell a Sand Dollar’s age by counting the growth rings on the plate of a sand dollar’s test. The bigger the rings, the older it must be. The ocean dwellers can live for 6-10 years.

Sharks Teeth

A rare but exciting find on our Hilton Head Disappearing Island tours is a shark tooth. Sharks develop thousands of teeth in their lives, so they lose a lot too. Due to the currents, these can find their way to Disappearing Island.

Shark teeth are usually around the size of a fingernail. If they’re white, they’re new. If they’re black, they’ve become fossilized.

Starfish

In the past, some people have joked about calling Disappearing Island’ Starfish Island’. On some days, we can find bucket loads of the star-shaped echinoderms along the sand. If dead, these can make incredible souvenirs. If alive, we’ll enjoy seeing them up close before leaving them in peace.

About Disappearing Island

Located off the southern tip of Hilton Head Island, SC and the nearby Daufuskie Island is Disappearing Island. This unique bit of sand can only be visited via boat at low tides.

Also referred to as ‘Disappearing Island’ and ‘Sand Dollar Island,’ the tides vary throughout the year. In some periods, we can find a great expanse for beachcombing. In others, the water struggles to get low enough to expose the sand fully.

Over time, the size and shape of Disappearing Island have changed. But the topography has retained a quality of collecting shells, sand dollars and more to reward its visitors.

Grenadier Shoal

Nautical charts list Disappearing Island as ‘Grenadier Shoal.’ But naturally, Disappearing Island has become the standard term. A shoal is a shallow area of water along the edges of a deeper channel.

Nearby is Barret Shoals, which are rarely exposed by low tide enough to access but still present an obstacle to boats.

No Crowds

One of the best things about Hilton Head Disappearing Island tours is the isolation. At most times, it will be our boat alone. Unlike the other beaches of Hilton Head Island, you’ll feel serenity and solitude. It’s just you and nature.

Whether you’re on the hunt for sand dollars or you want to experience something special, we promise you’ll make memories that last a lifetime.

Disappearing Island Tours in Hilton Head, South Carolina

If you’re interested in a boat tour in Hilton Head, SC, that is truly unforgettable, contact us today to book a Disappearing Island boat tour. Suitable for all ages, booking in advance is strongly recommended to ensure we can accommodate your group.

If you’re looking for an exciting adventure other than our Disappearing Island tours, check out some of our other packages: Hilton Head Dolphin Cruises, Hilton Head Sunset Cruises, Historic Savannah Cruises, Hilton Head Crabbing, Hilton Head Firework Tours, or if you’re looking to relax and let your hair down, we have custom tailored a Hilton Head Booze Cruise just for you!

Hilton Head Disappearing Island Tours

    PRIVATE BOAT TOUR

    6 Person Maximum Per Boat

    Available 7 Days a Week

    8 AM - 7 PM


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    Hilton Head Disappearing Island Tour

    GOOGLE REVIEWS from our Happy Guests

    5.0
    Based on 74 reviews
    Shari Bensadoun
    Shari Bensadoun
    20:21 08 May 23
    It was an amazing experience with amazing captains!! We had the best time!
    m l
    m l
    17:35 08 May 23
    Highly recommend! We had a large crew so we rented two boats. The captains were very good at keeping our party together so we can ride together. They were professional, reliable and catered to our needs. We mapped out the trip in advance but made some on the boat changes and the captains were super easy going about it. All in all we had a great time.
    Madison Schmider
    Madison Schmider
    00:12 30 Apr 23
    Brody was such a great guide! We had such a great time and wish we could’ve gone out even longer!
    Dwane Ford
    Dwane Ford
    12:58 21 Apr 23
    This is a must do tour with captain Brody. He was terrific. Down to earth, friendly and very informative. We saw tons of dolphins and he went out of his way to accommodate our sightseeing wishes. His recommendations of restaurants, areas to visit were also top notch. Thanks again!
    nikki stepp
    nikki stepp
    21:42 22 Mar 23
    Captain Brody was awesome! Him and his shipmate were both very personable. We seen so many dolphins. This experience was top notch and something I would love to do again.
    Chelsea Sue Holmes
    Chelsea Sue Holmes
    22:49 09 Feb 23
    If you're googling dolphin tours and stumbled here, go to the website and BOOK NOW. Our tour didn't disappoint. Capt Brody is knowledgeable, friendly, and fun! The kids loved it, we loved it. Thank you so very much for helping us see the dolphins and making this day a memorable experience for our young family of six 🧡 all the way from Maine. Oldtown Dispensary was 10/10 good eats too, thanks for the rec.
    Joel Closs
    Joel Closs
    19:24 21 Dec 22
    Had a great time out on the water with Captain Greg and Captain Richard. Top notch, great guys, highly recommend! 👍
    Andrea
    Andrea
    00:31 19 Nov 22
    Had THE BEST time! Tours are personable and offer a great experience for any crowd. Boats, dolphins, and sunsets… you can’t go wrong!
    Amy Kim
    Amy Kim
    00:30 01 Nov 22
    This was beautiful sunset tours !
    Alissa Rhodes
    Alissa Rhodes
    21:19 15 Oct 22
    Captain Brody was absolutely amazing. He knew soo much not only about the wild life but also Hilton Head island. We saw so many dolphins including big Charlie who came up to the boat. Highly recommend you book this experience. Totally worth it!
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