Dolphins frolicking in the Atlantic Ocean spotted during Sea Screamer cruise.
Plan to set sail on a two-hour dolphin adventure cruise above the Sea Screamer or Sea Thunder during your visit to the Myrtle Beach area.
Guests can choose to depart from the Harbourgate Marina or the Little River port, the Sea Screamer and Sea Thunder Dolphin Cruise take passengers out in the Atlantic Ocean to the NC/SC state lines to look for dolphins. Along the way, passengers enjoy a narrated tour, the views of golf courses, a state park, beautiful terrain, a private island that once held Fort Randall, an old Civil War fort, which is now a private residence; Waties Island and Bird Island; and see the blue granite rock jetties, opening to the Atlantic Ocean and playground for the dolphins.
Families can purchase beach buckets of soft drinks, adult beverages and snacks from Captain Jeul’s Hurricane Restaurant (whose hostess stand also doubles as the ticket office for the dolphin cruise during the day). The beach buckets are keepsakes from the trip aboard the cruise. No personal coolers or strollers are allowed on the cruise.
This cruise is perfect for locals with friends in town; tourists traveling alone, with families and anyone from toddlers to the older folks looking for a fun afternoon on the water. It’s great for families. Guests are almost certain to get wet with the waves and will want to bring a few items mentioned in this article along for the ride.
Items to bring for the dolphin cruise: sunscreen; Ziploc bag to keep cell phone or camera dry; rain jacket; beach towel; extra change of clothes in car (for sightseeing or dining out afterwards). Appropriate swim suits will be fine as well. Casual dress is perfect!
Please note: The Sea Thunder guarantees that passengers will see a dolphin. If passengers do not see a dolphin on their cruise, the cruise line issues each party a voucher for a free cruise to travel with them again to see dolphins! On our recent trip, we did not see any dolphins, but enjoyed a beautiful afternoon seeing bald eagles, deer, boaters, sun bathers, golfers and pelicans. Yes, we received our vouchers and will go back out in hopes of seeing a school of dolphins frolicking in the Atlantic Ocean!
Reservations are recommended but check with the Front Desk at any of the Oceana Resorts hotels for special ticket prices and departure times, due to weather conditions. Or, visit www.myrtlebeachwatersports.com for more details about the Little River and Harbourgate Marina departures on the dolphin cruises, jet ski rentals, pontoon boat rentals, and parasailing.
Sea Thunder leaving Harbourgate Marina for Dolphin Cruise. Photos provided by Myrtle Beach Watersports.