Frequently Asked Questions – scroll down for answers
· Where is our check-in point for the rentals and tours?
· How long are the trips?
· What if I decide to cancel my reservation or decide not to show up?
· Do you take credit cards?
· Do the rentals and tours go out every day?
· What about bad weather?
· What should I bring?
· What should I wear?
· What kind of tours do you offer and when?
· Are the dolphins more active in the morning or afternoon?
· Do you feed the dolphins?
· Can we touch, pet, or ride on the dolphins?
· When there are so many other dolphin tours to choose from, why should we go with the Dolphin Seafari?
· How old do I have to be to operate a waverunner?
· Will we see any sharks or alligators?
· What if I want to go out on my own without a guide?
· What if I don’t know how to paddle a kayak or paddle-board?
· Is this appropriate for my young children?
· I have a medical condition, is that a problem?
· Am I too old for watersports?
· Can I purchase a gift certificate for someone?
· Where is our check-in point for the rentals and tours?
Our tours meet at Palmetto Bay Marina, located at the foot of the Cross Island Parkway. Our street address is not registered on Garmin of TomTom GPS systems, so get directions when you call the store to make reservations. You can also print directions from our Map and Directions page.
· How long are the trips?
Trip times and itineraries vary according to the seasons. The Dolphin Seafari is a 90 minute cruise on a fully covered, shallow draft vessel, complete with restrooms on board. Our eco-friendly kayak tours are 2 hours long. The waverunner trips are an hour and 15 minutes. If you have any questions about trip times or itineraries, please contact our office.
· What if I decide to cancel my reservation or decide not to show up?
Cancellations need to be made 24 hours in advance to avoid being charged. We plan for the number of guides and equipment needed based on advance reservations, so if any changes need to be made, you must do so before you enter that 24-hour window. Once you are within that window, your reservation is confirmed and you are responsible for the reservation. We may cancel tours at our discretion with no charge to you in the event of bad weather or other circumstances.
· Do you take credit cards?
You will need a Visa or a MasterCard to make your reservation, however, we do not charge you until you check-in. We also accept payment by cash, American Express or traveler’s check. At this time we do not take Discover or personal checks. Please bring your form of payment with you, even if you choose to use the card you made your reservation on. We also recommend bringing a few dollars in cash with you to tip the captain and crew or dockhands. 5% is customary for the boat rentals, whereas 10%-15% is customary for guided adventures.
· Do the rentals and tours go out every day?
Yes! As long as the weather is good we go out 7 days a week, all year long.
· What about bad weather?
We don’t cancel tours for passing showers; however we do not intentionally conduct tours during thunderstorms. If we anticipate any weather issues, we will cancel, delay, or reschedule the tour and call you early enough in advance to let you make other plans. You will not be charged if we have to make changes to your reservation due to weather.
· What should I bring?
You should bring sunglasses with a strap, sunscreen, waterproof or disposable camera in a zip lock bag, towels, and plenty of liquids to drink such as bottled water, all of which are available for purchase in our store. Coolers with snacks, beverages, or cocktails are welcome on the Dolphin Seafari. If you are kayaking, there is room for a soft-sided or small 6-pack type cooler. Be sure to bring any personal emergency medications, e.g. for allergies, that you may require. Valuables that you do not want to risk dropping into the water may be safely locked up in our office, left in your car or left at home. For the boat rentals, you may want to bring a radio or cooler for snacks and beverages.
· What should I wear?
For the kayak tours, rentals or paddle boarding: Brimmed hats, caps or sun visors and footwear that you do not mind getting wet. Sneakers, sandals, or surf slippers are appropriate. If the weather will be cooler in the morning, then dress in layers since it can warm up rapidly during the day. If it will be cold and windy, gloves or windbreakers are good ideas. For the waverunners: Swimsuits or clothing you do not mind getting wet are most appropriate. You may also want to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun and water spray. Sunglass straps are available for purchase in our store to prevent loss of eyewear on the water.
· What kind of tours do you offer and when?
The Dolphin Seafari is our most popular cruise, but we also offer eco-friendly guided paddle-boarding and kayak tours. The Seafari departs every two hours, with our first run of the day at 9:00AM and our last sunset cruise at 7:00PM. All tours are hands-on, so get ready to take some amazing pictures!
· Are the dolphins more active in the morning or afternoon?
Wild dolphins are spontaneous, so there is no predictable time when they will be more active.
· Do you feed the dolphins?
NO, we get the exciting opportunity to watch them catch their own fish. NEVER FEED A WILD DOLPHIN! Not only is it illegal (up to a $20,000 fine and a year in prison) but it puts the dolphins in danger. Dolphins are naturally curious about humans, so feeding them is unnecessary, careless and could ultimately be fatal to wild dolphin populations. To report marine mammal violations, such as feeding, touching or chasing wild dolphins, please contact the NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Hotline 1-800-853-1964.
· Can we touch, pet, or ride on the dolphins?
Absolutely not! On our tours, you get the unique experience of visiting dolphins in their own natural habitat. Dorsal towing is a learned behavior that captive dolphins are taught to do in return for fish. Touching or pursuing a dolphin in the wild is considered harassment and is illegal. Under no circumstance do we touch, chase, pursue, harass or feed the dolphins. To report marine mammal violations, please contact the NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Hotline 1-800-853-1964.
· When there are so many other dolphin tours to choose from, why should we go with the Dolphin Seafari?
There are many dolphin watch tours on the island, and each in their own right is amazing! What we’re best known for is our hands-on approach to nature. We pull a crab pot right here on the dock and let you see the Blue Crabs and Stone Crabs that are native to our waters. Once on the water, we throw the cast net, often catching cannonball jellyfish, which aren’t poisonous, so you can hold them and get some cool pictures. (Don’t worry, they go right back into the water unharmed when we’re done!) In regards to the dolphins, the Seafari is a shallow draft vessel, allowing us to get right up on the shoreline where the dolphins feed, giving us a front row seat to view their amazing hunting skills. And don’t forget, if you book with the Dolphin Seafari, you’ll be out on the water with the “Friendliest Crew on the Island!”
· How old do I have to be to operate a waverunner?
In South Carolina, boat operators under the age 16 are not permitted to operate watercraft unless they have completed a boating course approved by the SCDNR. Unfortunately our insurance does not recognize the boater education course; therefore we have a firm policy that all operators must be 16 years of age with a driver’s license.
· Will we see any sharks or alligators?
If we’re lucky! As with all other wildlife, sharks and alligators are unpredictable; we may see them, we may not. Truthfully though, they would rather not encounter humans. We find that if we leave them alone, they leave us alone.
· What if I want to go out on my own without a guide?
We try to be as accommodating as possible; however, the waverunners are only available with guides. If you want to go out on your own, the Broad Creek is beautiful kayaking, and the boat rentals include waterproof charts to help you feel more at ease navigating the water.
· What if I don’t know how to paddle a kayak or paddle-board?
Our trained guides will give you with introductory paddling instructions and a safety talk prior to launching the kayaks. All necessary paddling equipment is provided to you. The guide also carries communications and emergency equipment and a first aid kit.
· Is this appropriate for my young children?
To be a passenger on a waverunner, you must be at least 6 years of age. There are no age limits for children on boat rentals or the Dolphin Seafari. We expect parents to decide whether their children are capable of participating in the kayak tours or rentals, although we recommend children under the age of 13 ride in a tandem (two person) kayak with a parent to help with the paddling.
· I have a medical condition, is that a problem?
Any concerns you about any medical condition that you may have, please consult your physician before participating in watersports. Our guides and store personnel are not qualified to determine whether you should be paddling or riding a waverunner with a bad back, heart condition, pregnancy, etc. Moderate physical ability, but no prior experience, is required for the watersport activities.
· Am I too old for watersports?
People of all ages with an appreciation of nature and history will enjoy our guided tours. The Seafari has comfortable seating, is fully covered, and we offer restrooms on board. For someone with a more adventurous spirit, the kayak and paddle-boarding tours are available to anyone with moderate physical ability. No prior kayak or paddle-boarding experience is necessary to participate. Waverunners and boat rentals are available to all, but know that you should be physically fit enough to pull your own weight up a boat ladder or back onto the waverunner if needed.
· Can I purchase a gift certificate for someone?
Absolutely! Gift certificates make fantastic presents which can be applied towards tours or rentals. Call during store hours with your Visa or MasterCard ready and we can mail it to you or the recipient.
