SAINT HELENA ISLAND BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Sunset Over the A.C.E. Basin: Dolphins, Moss‑Draped Oaks and Monkey Island
A two-hour private sunset river cruise through the A.C.E. Basin and St. Helena Sound with opportunities to spot dolphins and the wild rhesus monkeys of Monkey Island.
Sunset Over the A.C.E. Basin: Dolphins, Moss‑Draped Oaks and Monkey Island.
The vastness of the A.C.E. Basin unfolds as a low, watery landscape of tidal creeks and moss‑draped oaks. On a Sunset River Cruise you ease across calm channels as the light softens; wildlife is part of the draw — from dolphins that visit the sound to the surprising presence of wild rhesus monkeys on a small island in the middle of St. Helena Sound. The trip emphasizes the Basin’s beauty and wildlife, but sightings of the monkeys are not guaranteed.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A.C.E. Basin at Golden Hour
Cruise through the Basin’s broad marsh creeks and under moss‑draped oaks as the sun sets, a landscape that has inspired artists and adventurers for generations.
Monkey Island’s Rhesus Troops
A defining attraction is the chance to see wild rhesus monkeys on 'Monkey Island' in St. Helena Sound; roughly 3,500 rhesus monkeys live there, though they aren’t always visible at the shoreline.
Private Sunset Cruise & Dolphins
This is a private, two‑hour sunset river cruise that focuses on the Basin’s scenery and wildlife, with the possibility of dolphin encounters in the sound.
What the day feels like
What the Boat Feels Like
It’s an unhurried, two‑hour outing that departs at sunset and glides through the A.C.E. Basin’s tidal waterways. Expect quiet stretches of marsh, stands of moss‑hung live oaks, and wildlife‑watching pauses — from scanning the sound for dolphins to edging toward Monkey Island to look for rhesus troops when they’re along the shore.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits and what to expect.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The cruise is two hours in length.
Boarding is at Eddings Point Landing, 500 Eddings Point Rd, St Helena Island, SC 29920.
No specific gear requirements were provided in the supplied trip details.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the A.C.E. Basin & Monkey Island Tour?
The tour lasts two hours.
Where do we meet for the cruise?
The meeting location is Eddings Point Landing, 500 Eddings Point Rd, St Helena Island, SC 29920.
Is this a private trip or shared cruise?
This is a private trip, with pricing listed per group.
Will we see monkeys on Monkey Island?
Monkey Island is home to approximately 3,500 rhesus monkeys and you may see them along the shore, but sightings are not guaranteed.
Are dolphins commonly seen on the cruise?
The trip description highlights wildlife and dolphins as part of the experience, offering passengers a chance to see dolphins in the sound.
Who operates the A.C.E. Basin & Monkey Island Tour?
The tour is operated by Beaufort Dolphin Adventures.