Kids Activity · Hilton Head Island
Pirates of Hilton Head
The island's most beloved kids' adventure — treasure hunts, water cannons, and full pirate gear aboard the Black Sparrow.
Our Take
Pirates of Hilton Head is the island's most consistently five-star-reviewed kids' experience — and it earns every one of those stars. Aboard the Black Sparrow, Hilton Head's only custom-built pirate ship, children ages 2 to 10 are transformed into full crew members: face paint, pirate names, bandanas, and all. The 90-minute cruise is pure theater — kids battle the infamous Stinky Pete with water cannons, hunt for buried treasure, and learn to sword fight with the crew.
What makes this experience stand out is the crew. They're energetic, genuinely funny, and completely committed to the bit. Every child feels like the star of the show. It's not a passive boat ride — it's interactive from the moment you step aboard to the moment you dock.
We've seen kids who were shy at the start of the cruise jumping up and down by the end, fully in character. The Pirates crew has a gift for bringing even the most reserved kids out of their shell. This is the activity families talk about for years after the trip.
On the Black Sparrow
Book the Pirate Cruise
Cruises sell out fast in peak season — book before you arrive.
Book Now on FareHarbor →Insider Tips
- →Arrive 20–30 minutes early — face painting and pirate dress-up happen before boarding and the line moves fast.
- →Expect to get wet — the water cannon battle is real. Bring a change of clothes for the kids.
- →Book 2–3 days ahead in summer — this is the most popular kids' activity on the island and morning cruises sell out first.
- →Located in Sea Pines Resort at 149 Lighthouse Rd — there's a gate fee to enter Sea Pines if you're not staying there (~$8/car).
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