The Best Boat Rentals in Hilton Head Island

Most casual cruising boats and small group tours here run about $60–$250 per hour, with pontoons commonly around $125–$250 per hour and center consoles or deck boats about $130–$200 per hour. Private fishing charters typically range from roughly $150–$450 per hour depending on the trip length and boat size, while larger luxury yachts for celebrations often start around $600–$700 per hour and go up from there. Rates usually include the boat, required safety gear, and either a captain’s time or clear options to add a captain; fuel, taxes, platform fees, and crew gratuity may be additional. You’ll see the full price breakdown and what’s included when you send an inquiry or proceed to checkout on your chosen listing.

You’ll find family-friendly pontoons for sandbar stops and dolphin spotting, center consoles and bay boats for cruising and light fishing, sightseeing boats for private nature and sunset tours, sailboats for those who want time under canvas, and a range of motor yachts for upscale outings and parties. Many vessels can be configured for wildlife watching, fireworks viewing in summer, or half-day hops to nearby islands.

Both captained and self-operated options are available. Captained charters are the easiest route for visitors and require no boating license. If you plan to drive yourself, South Carolina requires anyone born after July 1, 2007 to hold a boating safety certificate or a valid rental safety certificate to operate a motorized vessel of 10 horsepower or more; owners may also set minimum age and experience rules. You’ll see “with captain” or “without captain” choices on each listing along with any operator requirements.

Common pick-ups include Harbour Town Yacht Basin in Sea Pines, Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina in the island’s midsection, Broad Creek Marina on Simmons Road, Palmetto Bay Marina near the Cross Island bridge, Skull Creek Marina on the north end, and Hilton Head Harbor Marina on Jenkins Island. Your confirmation will note the exact dock and meeting point, and many captains can advise the most convenient departure for your group.

Expect classic Lowcountry scenery—salt marshes, winding creeks, and broad waterways like Calibogue Sound—plus frequent Atlantic bottlenose dolphin sightings. Many routes pass the red-and-white Harbour Town Lighthouse, skim along Broad Creek’s marshes, circle the edge of Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge for birdlife, and cross toward Daufuskie Island with views of the historic Haig Point Lighthouse. In summer, some evening trips line up for Shelter Cove’s weekly fireworks.

There’s no general “boating license” for adults, but as of 2025 South Carolina law requires anyone born after July 1, 2007 to complete an approved boating safety course—or carry a valid boat rental safety certificate—before operating a motorized vessel of 10 hp or more. If you book a captained charter, no certificate is needed because your licensed captain operates the boat. Individual owners may also require a minimum age and prior experience for self-operated bookings.

Yes—most charters are family-friendly and provide U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets in a range of sizes. State rules require a properly fitted life jacket for every person on board, and children under 12 must wear one while a small vessel is underway; many captains ask kids to wear life jackets at all times. Let your captain know the ages and sizes of children in advance so they can have the right gear ready.

Bringing snacks, picnic items, and drinks is usually welcome. Many boats have coolers, and some captains can provide ice—just ask when you book. Glass is often discouraged for safety, and hard red wines and messy sauces are best avoided on white decks. Passengers who are 21+ may bring alcohol, but the operator must remain sober by law. If you want to dock-and-dine, your captain can suggest waterfront stops that fit your route and timing.

Plenty of private charters allow well-behaved dogs with advance notice, and some list a modest pet or cleaning fee. Keep pets leashed in marinas and bring water, a bowl, and a towel for wet paws. Note that certain shore stops, such as wildlife refuges, may restrict pets from going ashore even if they’re welcome to stay aboard the boat.

Captains watch tides, wind, and summer thunderstorms closely and will adjust routes or start times for comfort. If unsafe conditions arise, most operators will offer to reschedule or provide a weather-related refund according to the policy shown on your listing. Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with the busiest stretch typically mid‑August to mid‑October; during that period, plans sometimes shift a day or two to find the best window. Booking a morning slot can help avoid pop-up afternoon storms in summer.

Absolutely. You’ll find everything from six‑passenger boats for intimate celebrations to larger, inspected vessels set up for 10–20 guests or more. Captains can tailor the day for swimming and sandbar time, a wildlife and sunset cruise, or a dock-and-dine hop. Mention your occasion in the inquiry—many crews can help with playlists, cooler space, simple decorations, and timing for golden hour photos or summer fireworks.

Peak boating runs from late spring through early fall, with May through September the busiest months. Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day weekends sell out early, and Tuesday-night HarbourFest fireworks in June–August make evening cruises especially popular. April brings the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town, which can increase traffic near Sea Pines. For lighter crowds and mild weather, target April–May and September–October, aim for weekdays over weekends, and choose mornings for calmer winds and smoother water; late-day trips are perfect for sunsets but can be breezier. If your plans include a low‑tide sandbar visit, your captain will time the outing around the tide chart.

Yes. Private charters regularly run across Calibogue Sound for Daufuskie Island beach time or lunch and can also time trips to the Vanishing or Disappearing Island sandbar, which appears only around low tide. Another favorite is the May River sandbar near Bluffton on suitable tide windows. Because these spots depend on tides and can be busy on summer weekends, it’s smart to book early and share your preferred date so the captain can lock in the ideal departure time.