If you’re planning a trip to the Lowcountry, having the chance to spot the Charleston dolphins ought to be on your bucket list. They’re possibly the most social, most intelligent, and most playful animals to live. Unlike other animals, they are attracted to humans, and they love the attention.
You might also enjoy reading Yacht Party Rules in Charleston: Dolphins & Drinks for tips on making your cruise experience even better.
Watching them being playful is a sight to behold. They always manage to bring an instant smile to your face, even if it’s just them smoothly gliding on the water.
The encounter becomes even more meaningful when you learn the best times for possible spotting. Timing makes a big difference.
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Why Timing Matters When Spotting Dolphins
Similar to many different wildlife, dolphins also have their daily schedule and activities. They follow the tides, forage at certain hours of the day, and enjoy the calm and quietness provided by the water when it is still.
If you time your trip accordingly, your chance of seeing them increases. Since they are highly social creatures, it’s fun to catch them while having food or playing. This just adds to your whole experience.
They do appear to be just as curious about you as you are about them. They are keenly interested in man and his activities. With the right timing, you could end up spotting a whole pod swimming alongside the boat.
Early Morning Adventures with Charleston Yacht Tours
The early morning hours can be a good time to reward with a view of Charleston dolphins. The sun has just come up, the waters are calm, and there are very few boats on the water. Since there is not much happening, there is little action, and the environment is very peaceful. Often, dolphins come in closer to shore, looking for breakfast. It’s a nice sight to see them swimming through the water with a bit of morning light.
Also, the water temperatures are cooler in the morning. This makes the dolphins swim closer to the surface, giving you a closer view of their jumps and fins. If you’re an early riser and want to catch a glimpse of the Charleston dolphins early in the morning, book yourself dolphin tours Charleston, SC via Charleston Yacht Tours. You will enjoy the sunrise views along with the sight of cute and playful dolphins.
Afternoon Excitement on a Charleston Dolphin Tour
The afternoon can also be a great time to see a dolphin in Charleston. As the day heats up, the dolphins begin to become more active. Also, the dolphins tend to come closer to boats out of their own curiosity. This makes it extremely easy to catch them swimming alongside.
There are many visitors who choose afternoon tours to see dolphins. They do this because they spend the mornings doing something like strolling and exploring around town, and then once lunch is over, they board the boat for some refreshing time on the water. This way, you can combine the venture of exploring a city with the dolphin cruise to create the just-right combination of land and sea experiences.
Seasonal factors influence the dolphin sightings. The 2024 Atlantic Scientific Review Group (ASRG) Recommendations published by NOAA Fisheries recommend that the dolphin sighting frequency will vary throughout the year in the Charleston area due to water temperature and food availability.
Don’t forget to bring sunscreen and a hat as the sun can be strong here.
Sunset Magic with Charleston Yacht Tours
Experiencing the magic of sunset, along with spotting fun-loving Charleston dolphins, is really fascinating. The sky gets painted in warm colors, creating such a pretty setting for an unforgettable experience. At this time, the dolphins are often found feeding themselves. You will want to get out your camera for these moments!
Sunset tours will typically attract couples and families wanting to end the day on a high note. The evening weather brings the cool breeze while the sky is filled with the deep, rich colors, creating a relaxed, romantic feel.
Charleston Yacht Tours for Any Occasion
You could book yourself a dolphin cruise tour for any occasion. Whether it’s a family gathering, a couple of friends wanting to hang out and chill, a honeymoon, or even a corporate event, Charleston dolphin tours work for the occasion.
The dolphin tours take place on luxurious and modern yachts set up to accommodate your number of guests and the activities you want to do. That might be swimming in the ocean, chilled beer on the boat, or gazing at the scenery or the sunset. Each yacht offers a memory that nobody shall ever forget.
What to Expect on Your Yacht Tour
A well-run dolphin cruise that includes modern amenities, plenty of room to sit back and enjoy, and of course, a relaxed ambiance. Plus, the cruise provides nice views of the Holy City.
Make sure that you have your essentials with you in accordance with the time of day your cruise is planned to happen. You will also like having a camera with you since the dolphins will interact next to the boat at any moment. It requires a lot of patience and good timing to get such moments in a photo. And undoubtedly, the centerpiece of your yacht tour has to be spotting Charleston dolphins.
Conclusion
The best time for spotting Charleston dolphins is on the early morning, afternoon, and sunset boat tours. Each time will give you a unique perspective of the view and the encounter. Booking yourself a dolphin cruise tour in Charleston, SC, will be one decision you will never regret.
Book your dolphin tour with Charleston Yacht Tours and create memories for a lifetime!
