Did you know that Hilton Head Island is consistently ranked the #1 island in the Continental U.S.? The island is separated from the mainland of South Carolina by the thriving Calibogue Sound and Intracoastal Waterways with 12 miles of deep blue coastal waters along its eastern shoreline.
The incredibly diverse ecosystems of South Carolina’s coastal wetlands are pristine fishing environments with miles of freshwater marshes, backwaters, tidal creeks, and ocean waters teeming with a vast array of birdlife, wildlife, and marine life. Whether you’re a first-timer fisherman learning to cast a line or an experienced angler seeking a trophy catch, we highly encourage you to get out on the water on a guided Hilton Head fishing charter.
Most of the experienced charter captains on Hilton Head Island have been fishing the local waters for decades and stem from generations of local fishermen. The benefits of a guided full-service fishing charter are endless – local experienced guides, all the gear, and a fishing license included, and you get to focus on the tranquil Lowcountry views, the fishing experience, and quality time with family!
There are four main types of fishing charters to choose from:
- Inshore: Inshore charters stay close to land in the shallow and calm waters around Hilton Head Island. Fish species found include tarpon, redfish, trout, flounder, black drum, and sharks.
- Nearshore: Nearshore charters venture around 5-25 miles from the island trolling the wrecks, rips, and reefs for red snapper, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, tarpon, grouper, sharks, and so much more!
- Deep Sea: Deep Sea fishing takes you 40+ miles from the coastline or out to the Gulf Stream and is an all-day affair for avid anglers. Hilton Head boasts some of the best offshore big game and sport fishing on the Atlantic coastline with an abundance of Mahi Mahi, blackfin tuna, marlin, wahoo, and more.
- Shark Fishing: Every HHI fishing experience is likely to include an encounter with one of Hilton Head’s 50+ shark species but nothing is quite as thrilling as a guided shark fishing charter. Shark fishing is a Hilton Head specialty and the kids absolutely love it!
BROAD CREEK MARINA
Location: 18 Simmons Road, Hilton Head Island
Broad Creek Marina is Hilton Head’s newest marina with lots of fun both on and off the water. The marina is situated next door to Adventure Hilton Head for ziplining, Sky Pirate for parasailing, and Up the Creek Pub & Grill for fresh seafood overlooking Broad Creek. On the water, you’ll find dolphin and nature cruises, boat tours to the Vanishing Island and historic Daufuskie Island, and a wide variety of fishing charters with highly-rated local guides.
TAIL TAMER FISHING CHARTERS
Phone: (843) 422-1860
Charters for up to 6 passengers:
3-Hour Charter – From $475
Half-Day Charter – From $575
Full-Day Charter – From $1,200
Captain Terry Hall and his experienced captains at Tail Tamer offer a variety of inshore and nearshore charter options for all ages and abilities, including beginner fishing trips, family charters, thrilling shark fishing, and classic catch n’ eat fishing charters!
INTEGRITY FISHING CHARTERS
Phone: (843) 422-1221
Charters for up to 6 passengers:
4-Hour Charter – From $695
6-Hour Charter – From $950
8-Hour Charter – From $1,395
12-Hour Charter – From $1,975
Gulfstream Charter – From $3,460
Shark Fishing Trip – From $595
Captain Mike Russo will cater to all your deep sea fishing desires in comfort aboard his 38’ Hatteras Sportfisher, Integrity. Choose from near-shore and offshore deep-sea fishing charters or private customized charters for a sunset or island cruise. Learn the basics on a family fishing trip or head into the deeps for the catch of a lifetime with Integrity Charters. Captain Mike Russo will cater to all your deep sea fishing desires in comfort aboard his 38’ Hatteras Sportfisher, Integrity. Choose from near-shore and offshore deep-sea fishing charters or private customized charters for a sunset or island cruise. Learn the basics on a family fishing trip or head into the deeps for the catch of a lifetime with Integrity Charters.
Reel Easy Charters
Phone: (843) 290-2932
Charters for up to 6 passengers:
3-Hour Inshore/Shark Trip – From $525
4-Hour Vanishing Island & Shark Fishing – From $650
4-Hour Inshore/Nearshore – From $650
5-Hour Nearshore – From $800
6-Hour Offshore – $950
8-Hour Offshore – $1,350
Captain Jack and Reel Easy Charters specialize in inshore, nearshore, and offshore fishing charters in and around the Lowcountry waters. For the ultimate family fishing experience, their Vanishing Island & Shark Fishing charter explores the sand dollars, starfish, shells, and shark life around the Vanishing Island of Hilton Head Island.
SEA BEE CHARTERS
Phone: (843) 949-0407
Charters for up to 6 passengers:
3-Hour Shark & Inshore – From $425
4-Hour Inshore & Nearshore – From $525
5-Hour Inshore & Nearshore – From 625
6-Hour Inshore & Nearshore – From $725
Land the fish of a lifetime with Captain Danny & his crew at Sea Bee Charters on Broad Creek. Sea Bee operates a 25’ Carolina Skiff geared for inshore fishing on Broad Creek and nearshore charters to the wrecks and reefs off the coastline.
TOP SHOT SPORT FISHING
Phone: (843) 384-9714
Charters for up to 6 passengers:
Shark Fishing – From $450
Half-Day Charter – From $600
5-Hour Charter – From $750
6-Hour Charter – From $900
8-Hour Charter – From $1,200
Strike gold on a sport fishing charter with Captain Jay Prescott of Top Shot Sport Fishing. Fishing trips include trolling and bottom fishing the nearshore artificial reefs, all-day charters to the Savannah Snapper Banks, shark fishing trips around the island, or customized trips for up to 6 anglers.
SKULL CREEK MARINA
Location: 1 Hudson Rd, Hilton Head Island
Combine a Lowcountry fishing charter with the best waterfront dining experience on Hilton Head Island at Skull Creek Marina. Situated across from Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge on the northern end of the island, Skull Creek Marina is home to the famous Skull Creek Boathouse, Skull Creek Dockside, and Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks with the ultimate in Lowcountry cuisine and views. They’ll even cook up your catch of the day for a boat-to-table restaurant experience!
BULLDOG FISHING CHARTERS
Phone: (843) 422-0887
Charters for up to 6 passengers:
3-Hour Fishing Charter – From $625
4-Hour Fishing Charter – From $750
5-Hour Fishing Charter – From $900
6-Hour Fishing Charter – From $1,200
7-Hour Fishing Charter – From $1,350
8-Hour Offshore Charter – From $1,600
Climb aboard the 32’ Bulldog docked at Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks at Skull Creek Marina. Captain Christiaan, a third-generation Hilton Head Island fishing captain, offers a variety of charters ranging from fun 3-hour shark fishing trips for the kids to full-day reef trips and offshore bottom trips. Remember to reserve a table to cook your catch!
SHELTER COVE HARBOUR & MARINA
Location: 1 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island
Situated across from Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina is a Hilton Head hotspot for shopping, waterfront dining, famous festivals, and every watersport and activity you can imagine under the sunny South Carolina skies. The world-class marina is the largest deepwater marina on the island and the starting point of some of the best fishing experiences on Hilton Head Island.
OUTSIDE HILTON HEAD
Phone: (843) 686-6996
Guided Fishing Charters:
3-Hour Kayak Fishing – From $135
3-Hour Family Fishing – From $495
3-Hour Shark Fishing – From $495
4-Hour Charter Fishing – From $595
Ultimate Lowcountry Day – From $745
Click HERE for a list of all activities!
Outside Hilton Head is all about exploring the great outdoors! They offer a full fleet of boat rentals with inshore, nearshore, and shark fishing charters, kayak fishing excursions, nature tours, dolphin cruises, and a variety of water activities for every age group.
CAPTAIN HOOK PARTY FISHING
Phone: (843) 258-4677
Public Party Fishing Charters:
3.5-Hour Inshore Shark Fishing – From $55 pp
4-Hour Inshore Shark Fishing – From $60 pp
4.5-Hour Inshore Shark Fishing & Fireworks – From $65 pp
5.5-Hour Offshore Fishing – From $65 pp
Captain Hook is the largest fishing boat on Hilton Head and a great option for an affordable group fishing charter! Choose from inshore shark fishing, and offshore charters, or book well in advance for their sunset shark fishing or fishing and fireworks charters in the summer. For a private experience, the fleet includes the Gullah Gal, True Grits, Gale Force, and Gale Warning for groups of up to 6 people.
Bay Runner Fishing Charters
Phone: (843) 290-6955
Charters for up to 12 passengers:
3-Hour Charter – From $495
4-Hour Charter – From $595
5-Hour Charter – From $725
6-Hour Charter – From $850
8-Hour Charter – From $1,195
Shark Fishing Trips – From $495
Make Your Own Trip
Captain Mike Altman has been chartering the local waters since 1970. Head out on an inshore charter on the Calibogue Sound, a nearshore excursion on the reefs, or create a one-of-a-kind experience customized for your charter crew with Bay Runner Fishing Charters.
Native Son Fishing Charters
Phone: (843) 816-3312
Charters for up to 6 passengers:
2-Hour Charter – From $350
3-Hour Charter – From $495
4-Hour Charter – From $625
5-Hour Charter – From $745
6-Hour Charter – From $875
7-Hour Charter – From $940
8-Hour Charter – From $1,245
Local island native, Captain Byron Sewell, and his team of seasoned guides offer nearshore and offshore charters for all ages on their 26-ft power catamarans. Native Son charter options range from two-hour trips to all-day deep-sea adventures along the South Carolina coastline.
Hilton Head Outfitters
80 Queens Folly Rd, Hilton Head Island
Phone: (843) 593-9110
Palmetto Dunes Lagoon Charters:
2-Hour Inshore Charters – From $365
3-Hour Inshore Charters – From $485
4-Hour Inshore Charters – From $585
5-Hour Inshore Charters – From $685
6-Hour Inshore Charters – From $785
Fishing Gear Rentals
Hilton Head Outfitters are best known for their water activities and guided inshore fishing charters on the Palmetto Dunes 11-mile lagoon system, teeming with a variety of saltwater fish. They also offer nearshore and offshore charters on their custom Maverick out of Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina.
HARBOUR TOWN YACHT BASIN
Location: 149 Lighthouse Rd, Hilton Head Island
The Harbour Town Yacht Basin in Sea Pines Resort is one of the top yachting destinations on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and a haven for boaters, water sports enthusiasts, and anglers of all ages! The Sea Pines Resort area is home to many of Hilton Head’s top attractions as well as world-class private fishing charters with the island’s most experienced and qualified captains
IZZY-A FISHING CHARTER
Phone: (843) 298-0990
Charters for up to 4 passengers:
4-8 Hour Fishing Trips – Call For Pricing
Join Captain Greg Clark aboard his 25’ Sea Cat to explore the coastal waters in and around Hilton Head. Capt. Greg’s private fishing charters are family-friendly and include offshore, inshore, deep sea, and shark fishing expeditions for up to 4 passengers.
BLACK SKIMMER HILTON HEAD
Phone: (843) 363-8335
Charters for up to 6 passengers:
3-Hour Shark Fishing – From $500
4-Hour Charters – From $700
5-Hour Charters – From $875
6-Hour Charters – From $1,000
8-Hour Charters – From $1,400
The 31’ Black Skimmer is chartered by father and son fishing team Captain Steve and Captain Ben. They offer nearshore, offshore, deep sea, and shark fishing charters from Harbour Town for up to 6 passengers, families welcome.
VALOR FISHING CHARTERS
Phone: (843) 422-1935
Charters for up to 6 passengers:
2-Hour Charters – From $400
3-Hour Shark Fishing – From $500
3-Hour Charters – From $500
4-Hour Charters – From $560
6-Hour Charters – From $815
Located at the pier at Harbour Town Yacht Basin, Valor Charters offer year-round fishing charters of the Atlantic Ocean and Calibogue Sound, including tranquil fly fishing trips on Hilton Head’s Lowcountry backwaters and estuaries. The 26’ Andros Boatworks carries up to four anglers, children are welcome.
PALMETTO BAY MARINA
Location: 86 Helmsman Way, Hilton Head Island
Situated on the south end of the island near the base of the Coligny Island Expressway Bridge, the Palmetto Bay Marina is one of Hilton Head’s oldest working marinas, fully renovated for your boating pleasure! There’s shopping at Bay Breeze, excellent waterside restaurants, bars, live music on Broad Creek, and a full-service marina with Lowcountry watersports, party boat fishing, and a variety of fishing charters.
REEL JOB CHARTER FISHING
Phone: (843) 384-8236
Charters for up to 6 passengers:
3-Hour Shark Fishing – From $495
4-Hour Charter – From $595
5-Hour Charter – From $695
6-Hour Charter – From $795
8-Hour Charter – From $1,195
Captain Brad & Captain Bill are full-time Lowcountry captains with plenty of experience to deliver the ultimate fishing experience on Hilton Head Island. They offer multiple inshore, nearshore, and family fishing trips aboard the customized 25’ Pursuit, set up to fish! Reel Job Charter Fishing is voted the best fishing charter service on Hilton Head Island by Lowcountry Style & Living!
DRIFTER EXCURSIONS
Phone: (843) 363-2900
Party Fishing & Private Charters:
2-Hour Private Charter – From $395
3-Hour Private Charter – From $495
4-Hour Private Charter – From $650
4.5-Hour Deep Sea Fishing aboard The Drifter – From $72 pp
Shark Fishing aboard The Drifter – From $65 pp
Drifter Excursions offer dolphin watching, shark fishing, and private fishing charters on a fleet of four boats including sport fishing aboard the Boomerang, inshore and shark fishing on the Ricochet, and party boat fishing aboard the 60’ Drifter. The Hobo, a 27’ Carolina Skiff departs out of Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina with private charters for groups of up to 16 anglers.
OFF THE HOOK FISHING CHARTERS
86 Point Comfort Rd, Hilton Head Island
Phone: (843) 298-4376
Charters for up to 4 passengers:
2-Hour Charter – From $375
3-Hour Charter – From $475
4-Hour Charter – From $575
5-Hour Charter – From $725
6-Hour Charter – From $875
8-Hour Charter – From $1,150
Off the Hook Fishing Charters is owned and operated by Captain Brian Vaughn, an island native with two IGFA World Records to his name and 30+ years of experience guiding inshore, light tackle, and fly fishing charters on the Lowcountry waterways. Their fleet of 18’, 22”, and 25’ bay boats are geared with the finest fly and spinning tackle for the ultimate fishing experience for all ages and abilities. For large groups, you can book 2-3 boats for up to 12 passengers!
HILTON HEAD HARBOR & MARINA
Location: Jenkins Rd, Hilton Head Island
The Hilton Head Harbor & Marina is also located on the north end of the island as you drive in on William Hilton Parkway. The harbor and full-service marina are home to Sea Monkeys Watersports rentals & tours, Mermaid Boat Tours, local HHI charter fishing companies, and one of the island’s best-kept secrets – The Sunset Grille, a casual fine dining restaurant with the best waterfront and sunset views on Hilton Head!
OUTCAST SPORT FISHING
Phone: (843) 290-0371
Charters for up to 6 passengers:
4-Hour Charter – From $750
5-Hour Charter – From $900
6-Hour Charter – From $1,050
8-Hour Charter – From $1,400
For the ultimate shark fishing experience, book a charter with Captain Chip on The Outcast. The Outcast is the current state record holder for blacktip and lemon sharks, and the largest fish ever landed… a 16.3ft Great White! Whether you’re a family of novice fishermen or an avid angler, Hilton Head shark fishing is best on The Outcast.
After a day adventuring the Lowcountry waterways or deep Atlantic waters, settle your sea legs with Sunset Rentals. Our collection of 230+ Hilton Head Island vacation rentals are situated in the top Hilton Head neighborhoods with high-end amenities and home comforts to cater to every angler at the end of the day!
Book with confidence and ease online or call our team today at (843) 785-6767.
