Welcome Aboard The Beaufortonian

Experience the Beaufort Waterways Where History Comes Alive

Step back in time and into the soul of the Lowcountry aboard The Beaufortonian — a locally owned, custom-built tour boat designed specifically for navigating the historic waterways of Beaufort, South Carolina. With roots dating back to 1711, Beaufort is one of America’s oldest towns, steeped in stories of colonial settlers, Revolutionary War heroes, Gullah culture, and antebellum grandeur. A true "Beaufortonian" is someone who belongs to this place — someone who knows its tides, its tales, and its traditions. That’s exactly who operates this vessel: local captains with a deep connection to the water and a passion for sharing the area's rich heritage with you.

A Boat Built for Beaufort, SC

Custom-crafted for comfort, safety, and exploration, The Beaufortonian is a C-Hawk 25, a Coast Guard-inspected vessel that blends classic Carolina style with modern functionality. With spacious walk-around room, it comfortably seats up to 14 passengers — plenty of space for your crew to spread out, yet designed to keep the wild kids (or your wild uncle) safely onboard. Four shaded seats just in front of the captain offer a relaxing, protected view — perfect for taking in the sweeping salt marshes, historic homes, and breathtaking sunsets that define this coastal paradise.

Book Your Journey on The Beaufortonian today

Whether you're soaking in the golden glow on a Sunset River Cruise, diving into the past on a Beaufort River Tour, or crafting your own day on the water with a Captained Boat Rental, The Beaufortonian offers more than just a ride — it offers a story. Your journey will be led by seasoned locals who don't just know the area — they live it. Expect tales of pirates and plantations, Spanish moss and Southern resilience, Civil War forts and Hollywood film sets.

Dolphin In Beaufort River South Carolina

FAQ’s

  • Each trip is led by a professional, licensed/insured captain. Bottled water, and all required safety gear is also included. Passengers 12 and under are required to wear a life jacket (life jackets are provided).

  • Backcountry trips meet at designated points on St. Helena Island. Each trip is unique.

  • If the weather is bad we will refund or reschedule your trip.

  • Click the “book now” button to view our calendar, and book your trip in minutes.

    For Custom Adventures, special request, or questions, please send us an email or give us a call.

  • Our trips can take 1-6 people. Our trips are private experiences meaning the boat is not shared with anyone that is not part of your crew.

  • Your booking covers the entire cost of the trip with the exception of any gratuity for the captains. Typical gratuity for a guided trip is 15-25%.

  • We have a large population of wild dolphins that are active throughout the day. Because they move freely around, a large area, what we see can very greatly from trip to trip. However, it would be extremely rare to not see dolphins at any time of the day.

  • We have a wide array of herons, pelicans, shore birds, seagulls, terns, etc that frequent our area. While there are always birds around we would recommend that groups with the primary goal of birding giving us a call to schedule a low tide trip time.

  • Sunglasses, hat, non-spray sun protection (aerosol is harmful to the boats deck and cushions), an extra layer to block the wind when it is cool out. If you would like to do beach combing on our three and five hour trips we recommend closed toe shoes that can get wet as well as a few towels.

  • Yes, you are more than welcome to bring your own snacks and beverages. Beer, wine, and champagne are permitted for guests over 21. Coolers are also welcome.

  • Our boat has comfortable, cushioned seating and a large T-top for shade. There is no restroom onboard.

  • Customers will receive a full refund with 24 hours notice of cancellation. Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price.

Bird Catching Food - Nature Boat Tour Beaufort SC
Otters in the Beaufort River - Nature Boat Tour

  • This was an experience my family & I will cherish forever! We saw dolphins immediately. Our friendly guide John is from Beaufort and very knowledgeable about the history and environment. I highly recommend this tour.

    Matthew L

  • Our family went on a dolphin cruise with Captain Rob. Very knowledgeable about the local wildlife and fauna in Beaufort. He made sure that we would be able to see the dolphins swimming in the area. It was a fantastic experience for us. Would definitely recommend this company and Captain Rob as your guide.

    Roam

  • Captain John was both incredibly knowledgeable and entertaining. We greatly enjoyed learning the history of the area and seeing several dolphins as well as learning about them and their behaviors. We also saw and learned about 20 different bird species. The trip was everything we expected and MORE.

    Amy C

  • We absolutely loved the sunset dolphin cruise! John was very informative & knowledgeable about the area & history. If you get the opportunity we highly recommend doing this. Absolutely stunning views! You won't be disappointed 😊

    Loretta Garland