Drive your own catamaran through 25 miles of tidal creeks, and expect to arrive back wet.
Lowcountry Watersports operates the Creek Cat boat tour from Broad Creek Marina. The format is distinctive: each participant or pair drives their own small motorized catamaran as part of a guided fleet, covering roughly 25 miles of waterways over two hours. The route passes views of Harbour Town Lighthouse and Daufuskie Island, with wildlife sightings common along the tidal creeks and marsh edges.
The hands-on element separates the Creek Cat from the passive boat tours available elsewhere on the island. Participants control their own vessel, follow the guide boat, and navigate the waterways at a pace that allows both sightseeing and a sense of genuine adventure. The experience is wet. Spray from the catamarans and the shallow creek crossings means that arriving dry and departing dry are different propositions entirely.
At $145 per person, it is the most expensive single activity profiled here, and the 4.9-star rating from 397-plus reviews suggests the price aligns with the experience. The review count and rating are the strongest of any motorized water activity in the area.
Departs from Broad Creek Marina, Hilton Head Island. Wear clothing that can get wet and bring a change of clothes. Secure any electronics in waterproof cases. No boating experience is required; the catamarans are simple to operate and the guide provides instruction before departure.
The Creek Cat is the most distinctive water activity available on Hilton Head. The self-driving format, the 25-mile range, and the combination of speed and scenery produce an experience that passengers on a standard tour boat do not have access to. It is the activity most likely to generate stories at the post-round dinner table.