Private Intracoastal Waterway Eco-Tour in Myrtle Beach

Private Eco Tours & Dolphin Tours in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Private eco tours in Myrtle Beach are relaxed boat trips designed for families, couples, photographers, nature lovers, and small groups who want to explore the Intracoastal Waterway, tidal creeks, marshes, barrier islands, and coastal wildlife without joining a crowded public tour.

North Myrtle Beach Fishing Charters offers private eco tours and private dolphin tours throughout the waterways surrounding North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Cherry Grove, and the nearby Carolina coast.

Every tour is private for your group, with up to six guests per boat. Your captain can adjust the route according to tides, wind, weather, wildlife activity, and the interests of your group rather than following the same fixed route every day.

We currently offer a 4-Hour Private Eco & Dolphin Tour with morning and afternoon departure options and a 2-Hour Evening Private Eco Tour for guests who want a shorter, relaxed trip near the end of the day.

The 4-hour tour starts at $500 for 1–4 guests, with guests 5–6 at +$50 per person. The 2-hour evening tour starts at $350 for 1–4 guests, with guests 5–6 at +$25 per person.

Depending on tides and conditions, tours may include opportunities to look for bottlenose dolphins, coastal birds, marsh wildlife, baitfish activity, oyster reefs, barrier-island habitat, undeveloped shoreline, and other features of the local ecosystem.

Dolphins and other wildlife are wild animals, so sightings can never be guaranteed. Our approach is to observe wildlife respectfully and let natural behavior occur without chasing or pressuring animals.

North Myrtle Beach Fishing Charters has been locally operated since 1991. Our captains have spent decades navigating the creeks, marsh edges, inlets, and Intracoastal Waterway surrounding North Myrtle Beach, Little River, and the Brunswick County coast.

Quick Answer: Private eco tours and dolphin tours in Myrtle Beach include a 4-hour private tour from $500 for 1–4 guests and a 2-hour evening eco tour from $350 for 1–4 guests. Tours explore the Intracoastal Waterway, tidal creeks, marshes, barrier-island areas, and coastal wildlife with routes adjusted for tides, weather, and wildlife activity.

Is a Private Eco Tour Right for Your Group?

A private eco tour is a good option for guests who want to spend time on the water without making fishing the primary focus of the trip.

Because the boat is private, the captain can adjust the pace and route around your family, children, photography interests, wildlife activity, tides, and the amount of time you want to spend exploring.

Private Eco Tours Are a Good Choice For:

• Families with children
• Couples
• Grandparents traveling with family
• Photographers
• Nature and wildlife enthusiasts
• Visitors who want to explore the Intracoastal Waterway
• Guests interested in dolphins and coastal wildlife
• Groups who prefer a relaxed private boat trip
• Non-anglers who still want to experience the local waterways

An Eco Tour May Not Be the Best Choice If:

• Your primary goal is catching fish
• You expect a guaranteed dolphin sighting
• You want a large public sightseeing boat
• Your group requires guaranteed wheelchair-accessible boarding without confirming the vessel first

If your group wants to fish instead, compare our Inshore Fishing Charters →.

Private Eco Tour & Dolphin Tour Prices

Both tours are private boat tours. Your party is not combined with unrelated guests.

Book a Private Eco Tour

Maximum passengers: Up to 6 guests per boat.

4-Hour vs. 2-Hour Private Eco Tours

Choose the 4-Hour Eco & Dolphin Tour If:

• You want more time to search for wildlife
• You want to explore more of the Intracoastal Waterway
• You are interested in barrier-island areas
• You want more flexibility around tides and wildlife movement
• You may want time for shelling, photographs, or an island stop when conditions allow
• Your group wants a relaxed half-day experience

Choose the 2-Hour Evening Eco Tour If:

• You want a shorter private boat tour
• You are traveling with younger children
• You prefer an evening departure
• You enjoy photography and softer evening light
• You want sightseeing without committing to half a day

A longer tour does not guarantee more wildlife. The primary advantage is more time and more flexibility to explore different areas.

What Is an Intracoastal Waterway Eco Tour?

An Intracoastal Waterway eco tour in Myrtle Beach is a guided private boat trip through the tidal waterways, creeks, marshes, inlets, and coastal habitats surrounding North Myrtle Beach and Little River.

Instead of following a fixed sightseeing route, the captain can adjust the trip around tides, wind, current, weather, wildlife activity, and your group’s interests.

The Intracoastal Waterway connects a diverse range of coastal environments, including:

• Tidal creeks
• Salt marshes
• Oyster reefs
• Inlets
• Barrier islands
• Undeveloped shoreline
• Working waterfront areas
• Estuarine habitat

These environments support fish, birds, dolphins, baitfish, shellfish, and other wildlife that depend on the local estuary system.

Private Dolphin Tours in Myrtle Beach

Many guests book an eco tour because they hope to see bottlenose dolphins.

Dolphins regularly use coastal and estuarine environments, including inlets and nearby waterways, but they are wild animals and move freely throughout the area.

We do not guarantee dolphin sightings.

Your captain may watch for:

• Surface activity
• Baitfish schools
• Birds feeding
• Calm surface slicks
• Areas where dolphins commonly travel
• Activity near inlets and surrounding waterways

Responsible Dolphin Viewing

Our approach is to observe dolphins respectfully, maintain appropriate space, and avoid interfering with natural behavior.

The goal is to enjoy seeing wildlife in its natural environment rather than chase or pressure animals simply to create a closer encounter.

What You Can See on a Myrtle Beach Eco Tour

Every trip is different because wildlife, tides, water levels, weather, and seasonal conditions change throughout the year.

Depending on the day, your tour may include opportunities to see:

• Bottlenose dolphins
• Coastal birds
• Ospreys and other fish-eating birds
• Herons and egrets
• Marsh wildlife
• Baitfish activity
• Oyster reefs
• Tidal creeks
• Barrier-island habitat
• Undeveloped shoreline
• Working waterfront areas
• Local boats and waterway activity

The captain can also explain how tides, marshes, oyster reefs, baitfish, and barrier islands interact to create the local coastal ecosystem.

Bird Island & Barrier-Island Stops

Depending on tide, weather, current, water level, and trip length, some eco tours may include an opportunity to explore or stop near local barrier-island areas.

Bird Island

Bird Island is an undeveloped barrier-island environment near Sunset Beach and the Little River Inlet, with marsh, beach, and intertidal habitat.

When conditions permit, the area can provide opportunities for sightseeing, photography, shelling, or a short walk.

Waites Island

Waites Island is another important undeveloped coastal area near North Myrtle Beach and Cherry Grove.

Its natural shoreline, marshes, tidal creeks, and undeveloped setting provide a contrast to the developed beachfront areas of the Grand Strand.

Island stops are never guaranteed and depend on safe boat access, tide, wind, current, and conditions.

When visiting natural areas, we encourage guests to respect wildlife, dunes, marsh habitat, and the shoreline and to leave the area as they found it.

How a Private Eco Tour Works

1. Meet Your Captain

Your booking confirmation provides the exact meeting location, arrival time, parking information, and departure instructions for your assigned boat.

2. Discuss Your Group’s Interests

Before leaving the dock, let your captain know whether your group is most interested in dolphins, wildlife, photography, barrier islands, sightseeing, local history, or simply enjoying a relaxing boat ride.

3. Explore the Intracoastal Waterway

Your captain chooses a route based on conditions and the interests of your group.

Potential areas can include:

• North Myrtle Beach waterways
• Little River
• Backwater creeks
• Marsh edges
• Nearby inlets
• Barrier-island areas
• Calabash-area waterways
• Sunset Beach-area waterways

4. Look for Wildlife

The captain may adjust the route when wildlife activity, birds, baitfish, tide, or other conditions suggest another area may be more interesting.

5. Return to the Dock

The boat returns at the end of the scheduled private tour.

Boats, Comfort & Safety

Our eco tours are typically run aboard inshore-capable bay boats or center-console boats suited for navigating the Intracoastal Waterway, tidal creeks, marsh edges, bays, and nearby coastal water.

Boat amenities can vary depending on the vessel assigned to your trip.

Captain Keith’s 25-foot Scout 251XS is one example of the type of boat used for local trips and includes cushioned seating and a portable head.

Required safety equipment is carried aboard each trip, and guests should follow the captain’s instructions throughout the tour.

If lightning, severe wind, storms, or other unsafe conditions develop, the captain may adjust the route, delay departure, or reschedule the trip.

Where Our Myrtle Beach Eco Tours Operate

Most trips explore the Intracoastal Waterway between North Myrtle Beach and Little River.

Depending on conditions, trip length, tide, and your group’s interests, routes may also extend toward:

• Cherry Grove
• Little River
• Calabash
• Sunset Beach
• Ocean Isle Beach
• Nearby barrier islands

One common departure area is near Cherry Grove in North Myrtle Beach, but departure locations can vary by captain and vessel.

Your booking confirmation will provide the exact marina, address, arrival time, and parking instructions for your trip.

Fishing & Eco Demonstrations

These trips are eco tours first, but some groups enjoy learning how fish and bait relate to the marsh ecosystem.

When appropriate, your captain may demonstrate activities such as cast-netting or light-tackle fishing to help explain the baitfish and marine life living around tidal creeks, marsh grass, oyster reefs, and estuarine habitat.

Possible local inshore fish can include:

• Red drum
• Speckled trout
• Flounder
• Black drum
• Other small inshore species

Fishing demonstrations are secondary to the eco-tour experience and depend on the captain, conditions, trip plan, and interests of your group.

If your main goal is fishing, book an Inshore Fishing Charter →.

What to Bring on a Private Eco Tour

Eco tours are relaxed, but a few basic items can make your trip more comfortable.

Recommended Items:

• Water and drinks
• Snacks
• Small cooler
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Polarized sunglasses
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Stable footwear
• Camera or phone
• Insect repellent during warmer months
• Light rain or wind layer

Guests are welcome to bring their own food and drinks.

Children, Pets & Accessibility

Can Children Join an Eco Tour?

Yes. Private eco tours are especially popular with families and children because the pace can be adjusted around the group.

Children should remain under adult supervision and follow the captain’s safety instructions throughout the trip.

Can We Bring a Dog?

Dogs may be allowed on private eco tours when the assigned boat and conditions are appropriate.

Please mention your dog before booking so the captain can discuss boat space, water, shade, boarding, and comfort.

Is the Boat Wheelchair Accessible?

Accessibility varies by vessel, marina, dock, tide, and boarding arrangement.

If wheelchair access or another mobility consideration is important to your group, call 843-907-0064 before booking so we can discuss the available options.

Weather & Eco Tour Conditions

Routes and wildlife activity are influenced by weather, wind, tide, current, and water levels.

Light rain does not automatically cancel a trip, but thunderstorms, lightning, severe wind, or other unsafe conditions may require the captain to adjust, delay, or reschedule the tour.

Your captain makes the final safety decision based on the conditions affecting your trip.

For more information about weather, deposits, cancellations, and booking policies, visit our Frequently Asked Questions →.

Why Book a Private Eco Tour With North Myrtle Beach Fishing Charters?

North Myrtle Beach Fishing Charters has been locally operated since 1991.

Our captains know the waterways surrounding North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Cherry Grove, and the nearby North Carolina coast from years of navigating, fishing, and exploring them.

That local knowledge helps when tides change, shallow areas shift, wildlife moves, or your group wants to explore somewhere different from a standard sightseeing route.

• Private tours for your group
• Up to 6 guests per boat
• 4-hour and 2-hour tour options
• Locally operated since 1991
• Experienced licensed captains
• Intracoastal Waterway exploration
• Dolphin and wildlife viewing opportunities
• Barrier-island exploration when conditions allow
• Family-friendly private boat trips
• Routes adjusted to conditions and your interests
• Live online availability

Why Trust North Myrtle Beach Fishing Charters →

Meet Our Captains →

Frequently Asked Questions About Eco Tours & Dolphin Tours

These answers explain our current private eco tours, dolphin tours, prices, trip lengths, wildlife viewing, and what to expect on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Are your Myrtle Beach eco tours private?

Yes. The boat is private for your group. We do not combine your party with unrelated customers.

How many guests can go on an eco tour?

Our private eco tours accommodate up to 6 guests per boat.

How much is the 4-hour private eco and dolphin tour?

The 4-hour tour is $500 for 1–4 guests. Guests 5–6 are +$50 per person.

How much is the 2-hour evening eco tour?

The 2-hour evening tour is $350 for 1–4 guests. Guests 5–6 are +$25 per person.

What times are the 4-hour tours?

The 4-hour private eco tour is available from 8:00 AM–12:00 PM or 1:00 PM–5:00 PM.

What time is the evening eco tour?

The 2-hour evening tour generally runs from 6:00 PM–8:00 PM.

Will we definitely see dolphins?

No. Dolphins are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed. Your captain looks for areas and activity that may improve the opportunity to see them while respecting natural behavior.

What wildlife might we see?

Possible wildlife includes bottlenose dolphins, coastal birds, marsh wildlife, baitfish, and other animals associated with the estuary and barrier-island environment.

Can we visit Bird Island?

Bird Island or other barrier-island areas may be visited when tide, weather, water level, current, trip length, and safe boat access allow. Island stops are not guaranteed.

Can children come on the tour?

Yes. Private eco tours are family-friendly and the pace can be adjusted around children and the needs of the group.

Can we bring food and drinks?

Yes. Guests may bring snacks, food, water, and drinks for the trip.

Can we bring a dog?

Dogs may be permitted depending on the assigned boat and conditions. Let us know before booking so we can discuss the best option.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Accessibility varies by vessel, dock, tide, and boarding arrangement. Please call before booking if accessibility is an important consideration.

Do you fish during the eco tour?

These are primarily eco and wildlife tours. A captain may occasionally provide a light fishing or cast-netting demonstration when appropriate, but guests primarily interested in fishing should book an Inshore Fishing Charter.

What happens if the weather is unsafe?

The captain evaluates conditions and may adjust, delay, or reschedule a trip when lightning, severe wind, storms, or other unsafe conditions affect the tour.

Book a Private Eco Tour or Dolphin Tour in Myrtle Beach

If your family or group wants a private way to explore the Intracoastal Waterway, coastal wildlife, dolphins, marshes, creeks, and barrier-island environments, choose between our 4-hour private eco and dolphin tour and our 2-hour evening eco tour.

If you are not sure which tour is right for your group, call or text 843-907-0064 and tell us:

• How many guests are coming
• The ages of any children
• Your preferred date
• Whether you prefer morning, afternoon, or evening
• Whether dolphins are a priority
• Whether you are interested in barrier-island areas
• Any mobility or accessibility concerns
• Whether you plan to bring a dog

We can help you choose the best private tour for your group.

View All Fishing Charter Options →

Inshore Fishing Charters →