Folly Beach: Morris Island Boat Tour With Fossil Hunting

Folly Beach’s Morris Island Boat Tour with Fossil Hunting is an exciting adventure for nature enthusiasts. Starting from the Folly River Boat Ramp, this small-group tour offers a scenic boat cruise through the Lowcountry estuaries, where you might spot Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins. Once on Morris Island, you’ll embark on a guided fossil hunting expedition, searching for shark teeth and artifacts along the shoreline. With complimentary bottled water and the opportunity to uncover hidden treasures, this tour promises an unforgettable experience.

Contents show

Key Points

Scenic 4.5-hour boat tour from Folly River Boat Ramp to Morris Island for guided fossil hunting experience.
Opportunities to spot Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins and explore the island’s shoreline for shark teeth and artifacts.
Visit to the historic Morris Island Lighthouse to learn about the island’s history.
Guided fossil hunting quest to uncover hidden treasures on the shoreline, including shark teeth and Native American artifacts.
Tour priced at £115.92 per person, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and a maximum group size of 6 participants.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview and Pricing

The Morris Island Boat Tour offers a unique activity, combining a scenic boat cruise with the opportunity to search for fossils on the island.

The tour is priced from £115.92 per person and lasts 4.5 hours, with a group size limited to 6 participants.

The tour is conducted in English, and there’s free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. Customers can reserve their spot and pay later.

The tour departs from the Folly River Boat Ramp parking lot, and while there’s limited parking, alternative options are available on nearby streets.

Like being on the water? We've looked at these other boat experiences in Folly Beach

Itinerary and Highlights

The Morris Island Boat Tour starts at the Folly River Boat Ramp parking lot, just steps away from the iconic pink Folly Hotel.

Guests embark on a scenic 15-minute boat cruise through Lowcountry salt marsh estuaries, offering opportunities to spot Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins and other wildlife.

Upon reaching Morris Island, the group embarks on a 4-hour guided tour, exploring the island’s shoreline to uncover shark teeth, fossilized vertebrae, bone fragments, and even Native American artifacts.

The tour includes a visit to the historic Morris Island Lighthouse, providing insight into the island’s rich history.

Fossil Hunting Experience

During the guided tour, guests embark on a quest to uncover the hidden treasures of Morris Island’s shoreline.

With the expert guidance of the tour leader, they scour the beach, searching for shark teeth, fossilized vertebrae, bone fragments, and even Native American artifacts. The guide assists in locating and identifying these remarkable finds, sharing their knowledge to enhance the discovery experience.

The round trip trek can exceed 5 miles, offering ample opportunities to explore and unearth the geological and historical wonders that lie within the island’s sandy expanse.

What’s Included and Not Included

The tour includes a scenic boat ride through the salt marsh estuaries, where guests can enjoy dolphin and wildlife viewing, as well as a guided visit to Morris Island.

Explore the salt marsh estuaries on a scenic boat ride and spot dolphins and wildlife on a guided visit to Morris Island.

During the fossil hunting experience, the guide will assist in locating and identifying any shark teeth, fossilized vertebrae, bone fragments, or Native American artifacts.

Guests can expect a cooler with ice and bottled water. However, food and snacks aren’t provided.

The tour isn’t suitable for children under 5, individuals with mobility issues, or those prone to seasickness.

Guests should bring comfortable shoes, hats, cameras, and sun protection.

More Great Tours Nearby

Important Information and Meeting Point

This tour isn’t suitable for children under 5, individuals with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, those prone to seasickness, or those with low fitness levels.

The meeting point is the Folly River Boat Ramp parking lot, right at the pink Folly Hotel. Parking is available in short spots for vehicles without trailers, with alternative parking on Center Street and side streets.

Participants should wear comfortable shoes, bring a hat, camera, snacks, and sunscreen.

Smoking, sprays, aerosols, and littering aren’t allowed on the tour.

There's plenty more to explore in Folly Beach

Getting to the Tour

To reach the tour’s starting point, visitors should head to the Folly River Boat Ramp parking lot, conveniently located right next to the pink Folly Hotel.

Parking is limited, so those without trailers can find alternative spots on Center Street and nearby side streets. As the meeting point, the boat ramp lot provides easy access to the tour’s departure.

Once there, participants should be prepared with comfortable shoes, sun protection, and any desired snacks, as the tour doesn’t include food.

The meeting location ensures a seamless start to the Morris Island exploration.

What to Expect on the Tour

After arriving at the meeting point, participants embark on a scenic boat ride through the Lowcountry’s salt marsh estuaries.

For approximately 15 minutes, they’ll have the chance to spot dolphins and other marine life.

Upon reaching Morris Island, the guided tour begins. The group explores the beach, searching for shark teeth, fossilized vertebrae, and bone fragments.

Once on Morris Island, the guided tour begins as the group explores the beach for shark teeth, fossilized vertebrae, and bone fragments.

The knowledgeable guide assists in locating and identifying the fossils. Participants can expect to walk up to 5 miles round-trip.

After the fossil hunt, the boat returns, providing one last look at the scenic salt marshes before concluding the tour.

Planning Your Trip to Folly Beach

When planning a trip to Folly Beach for the Morris Island Boat Tour, there are a few key considerations.

First, the tour is limited to 6 participants, so booking in advance is recommended.

The tour meeting point is at the Folly River Boat Ramp parking lot, but alternative parking is available on Center Street and side streets.

Guests should pack comfortable shoes, a hat, camera, snacks, and sunscreen.

The tour isn’t suitable for young children, those with mobility issues, or seasickness-prone individuals.

Paying attention to these details will ensure a smooth and enjoyable fossil hunting experience on Morris Island.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Keep Any Fossils I Find During the Tour?

You can keep the fossils you find during the tour. The guide will help you identify and share any fossils found by the group, but the fossils you personally discover are yours to keep as souvenirs.

Are There Restrooms Available During the Tour?

Restrooms are not available during the tour. The 4.5-hour activity focuses on the boat ride, fossil hunting, and wildlife viewing. Participants should plan accordingly before the start of the tour.

Is There a Minimum Age Requirement for This Tour?

The tour has a minimum age requirement of 5 years old. Children under 5 are not permitted on the tour due to safety and mobility considerations.

Can I Bring My Pet on the Tour?

Pets are not allowed on the tour. The tour description states it’s not suitable for children under 5, and it also specifies that only registered service animals are permitted to accompany participants.

How Much Time Is Spent Specifically on Fossil Hunting?

The tour spends 4 hours on the guided fossil hunting experience on Morris Island. Participants will walk the beach to search for shark teeth, fossilized vertebrae, and other artifacts, with the guide’s assistance in locating and identifying finds.

The Sum Up

The Folly Beach: Morris Island Boat Tour with Fossil Hunting provides an engaging and educational adventure. Explore the Lowcountry’s natural wonders, spot dolphins, and search for fossils along the shore. With a knowledgeable guide, comfortable amenities, and stunning scenery, this tour is a must-do for nature enthusiasts visiting Folly Beach. Plan your trip accordingly and prepare for an unforgettable experience.