HHI dolphin cruises

[DisneyMomOfThree]

Has anyone done HHI Gypsy Cruise? They have a kids cruise that sounds interesting. Twenty dollars for crabbing, shark fishing, throwing a shrimp net out and dolphin watching. I hear so much about Captain Scott that he is great but roughly $55 dollars per person is tough to swallow, especially with a family of 5.

 

[cgcw]

Has anyone done HHI Gypsy Cruise? They have a kids cruise that sounds interesting. Twenty dollars for crabbing, shark fishing, throwing a shrimp net out and dolphin watching. I hear so much about Captain Scott that he is great but roughly $55 dollars per person is tough to swallow, especially with a family of 5.

The $55/quote your referring to must be for the shark fishing or maybe the beach combing trip done with Captain Scott. I don't believe dolphin watching is that much per person unless it has gone up quite a bit.

You don't say how old your children are. I'm not sure if this plays into your plans or not, but I believe with kids under 2, they are free with Captain Scott.

I can tell you that we've done the dolphin tour, beach combing and shark fishing with Captain Scott for the last 5 years and will do 2 of the 3 in another couple of weeks with him again. Although expensive, it's been the highlight of our week there. It's how we chose to spend our vacation $$'s. It might not be the right choice for everyone, but it is for us. Our kids have always enjoyed the experiences and talk about them, still to this day.

We've seen many, many dolphins whether we've done the dolphin tour, beach combing or shark fishing. My personal opinion is to skip the dolphin tour and do one of the other events offered as you will still see dolphins in the water. I know Scott well enough to bet that he's not going to pass up the chance for one of his cruises to see a dolphin, even if it's on the way out to do another activity.

Just so you know, the kids can crab fish right off the pier at the resort. The resort sells the crab nets and shrimp bait (chicken necks or thighs are better though) and it's really easy to toss the net over at the pier and pull up several of the crabs. I've seen people shark fish right off the pier too. We've never tried it but small sharks can be caught.

Obviously, you have to do what you feel is best and is within your price range. I'm just sharing my opinion and experiences. I'm also curious as to what replies you get here -- my kids are very hands on when it comes to fishing, so we're always open to other ideas.

 

[DisneyMomOfThree]

I checked the prices again. I was off by quite a bit. Thank you for pointing it out. $35 for dolphin cruise and $65 for beachcombing. My kids ages are DS8, DS4, and DD3.

 

[cgcw]

DisneyMomofThree, I see by your counter that you will be there the same time as us.

Definately send your kids down to the pier -- I'm sure my boys (DS11 & DS6) will be spending the majority of their trip there. If not, check the pools, it's their other favorite spot.

If your kids are into nature at all, they are going to love the crabbing. The bigger blue crabs can be caught from the pier. We bring a small fish tank net and my kids love to walk out onto the dry marsh when the tide is out in the creek and catch the small Fiddler crabs. The crabs are really, really fast and a challenge the catch.

I suspect your going to have a great trip.

 

[DisneyMomOfThree]

BUMP! Hoping to get more feedback on Gypsy's Kids Cruise.

Hey, cgcw. DS8 is more computer like his dad whereas the younger two
are more like their mom loves to be outside. What time is best to go crabbing on the pier? PM me and maybe we can set up a time to meet on the pier.

 

[Yankee914]

Does anyone know if Scott does shark fishing too? We'll be there starting next Saturday and my husband and boys want to do a shark fishing trip. Thanks.

 

[DisneyMomOfThree]

Does anyone know if Scott does shark fishing too? We'll be there starting next Saturday and my husband and boys want to do a shark fishing trip. Thanks.

I looked on his website and did not see one. I saw beachcombing, birdwatching, dolphin, and fireworks cruise.

 

[cgcw]

Does anyone know if Scott does shark fishing too? We'll be there starting next Saturday and my husband and boys want to do a shark fishing trip. Thanks.

We've done shark fishing with Scott the last two years and are already booked for our trip the last week of July. It sounds like you'll also be there the same time as us.

Trips are offered twice a day -- morning at 9 and afternoon at 1, IIRC. They are 3 hours long.

We've had two very different experiences. The first time, my DS (now 11) caught so many sharks, we couldn't even try to keep track of them. That same trip, he caught 3 rays -- 1 sting ray and 2 other types of rays. I had something on my pole that broke my line before it got to the boat, but it sure was tough to pull in for the time that I did.

The next trip, it seemed to be much hotter and no matter where we tried, the fish were just not biting. I think we caught a couple sharks but that was the trip that we saw a lot of sea turtles swimming in the area. Not exactly the same, but definately something unique in itself.

I'd say if your interested, give Scott a call (843-683-0187) or call the resort ahead of time to book.

 

[cgcw]

Hey, cgcw. DS8 is more computer like his dad whereas the younger two are more like their mom loves to be outside. What time is best to go crabbing on the pier? PM me and maybe we can set up a time to meet on the pier.

Crab fishing can only be done at high tide, as the pier is not surrounded by water when it's low tide.

We don't have a specific time the kids hit the pier -- just when it works for us and when the tide is right. I don't know if they prefer when the tide is going out or coming in.

Until you see Broad Creek, you can't even begin to imagine what it looks like. When we went the first time, I thought, okay, we're on a creek. Thinking of a creek like in our area, I thought it wouldn't be anything to write home about. I'm not sure how it's called a creek -- it's more like a very, very wide area between our side of the land and land on the other side.

 

[caspersmom]

My family will also be at the resort this week. My husband and ds7 are very interested in the shark fishing as well as crabbing. We will also have 10 year old niece and ds2.

We would love to meet up by the pool, it seems like the boys are all close in age to each other.

 

[cgcw]

It looks like all 4 of us will be there the same week.

I'm certain my boys will be hitting the pier on Sunday when the tide is high. We are arriving early in the afternoon. Are all of you arriving on Saturday or Sunday?

My kids are getting very excited and looking forward to seeing what they can pull out of the ocean!

 

[cgcw]

My family will also be at the resort this week. My husband and ds7 are very interested in the shark fishing as well as crabbing. We will also have 10 year old niece and ds2.

The resort or Scott will pair you up with another couple to fish with to save you some $$'s.

Here's a picture of my DS & Captain Scott with his shark last summer.

Shark fishing is truly an awesome experience!!

 

[caspersmom]

We are arriving Sunday afternoon after spending two nights in Savannah. We will probably do the same thing after a quick tour of the resort. We have been to the resort before, but this time we are bringing grandma and our ten year old niece with us. Where is Shannon Tanner's concert at Shelter cove? We were at the resort over spring break in 2005 and there were no shows scheduled then.

 

[cgcw]

We are arriving Sunday afternoon after spending two nights in Savannah. We will probably do the same thing after a quick tour of the resort. We have been to the resort before, but this time we are bringing grandma and our ten year old niece with us. Where is Shannon Tanner's concert at Shelter cove? We were at the resort over spring break in 2005 and there were no shows scheduled then.

Shannon Tanner performs right over in Shelter Cover. Near the Neptune statue but closer to the water. If you haven't seen his show before, it's rather cute. A must see for us every trip. Shannon invites all the kids up onto the stage during different parts of the show. It's very interactive and the kids love helping him out. I believe he's nightly -- Monday thru Friday. Looking at his website, it looks like performances are 7 & 8:30 nightly, but don't quote me on that as it might be outdated.

 

[Yankee914]

We'll be arriving on Saturday. We have two boys 16 and 12 and are traveling with another family who has a boy 15, girls 14, 11 and 9. Sure we'll see you all by the pool or by the beach. Regarding the shark fishing -- you say you've already booked. We were going to wait until we got there. The wives were going to take the younger ones on the dolphin tour and let the older guys do the sharks. Does it book up early? Should I be booking this before I leave NY?

 

[cgcw]

We'll be arriving on Saturday. We have two boys 16 and 12 and are traveling with another family who has a boy 15, girls 14, 11 and 9. Sure we'll see you all by the pool or by the beach. Regarding the shark fishing -- you say you've already booked. We were going to wait until we got there. The wives were going to take the younger ones on the dolphin tour and let the older guys do the sharks. Does it book up early? Should I be booking this before I leave NY?

We book early as we email throughout the year with Scott. We've booked with him prior to arriving for the last couple of summers so I really can't give you an opinion as to whether it's better to book before you arrive or not. I know if you call him directly, he'll get you on the books now. If you prefer to wait until you arrive, definately stop down at the desk by the pool as soon as you arrive to book then. I would suggest the same thing for any of the activities you care to book.

The other suggestion I would have for those who haven't been before is hit the grocery stores soon after you arrive. We have tried to shop late on a Sunday night and a lot of the vacation friendly items have already been sold out (things like bagels, waffles, etc). There are several grocery stores in the area, we frequent the Piggly Wiggly which is closest to the resort.

 

[DisneyMomOfThree]

We will arrive Sunday afternoon. This is our first time to HHI. I am not sure who is more excited me or the kids.
Cgcw thanks for the tip on booking as soon as we get there and the grocery store. I am still undecided on who to book. I am leaning toward Cap. Scott since everyone has had positive results. I would love to take my DS8 shark fishing but DH does not want to go so it would be up to me. Will I be the only lady on the boat? If so, no thanks. Can you tell us the cost of shark fishing?

 

[cgcw]

We will arrive Sunday afternoon. This is our first time to HHI. I am not sure who is more excited me or the kids.
Cgcw thanks for the tip on booking as soon as we get there and the grocery store. I am still undecided on who to book. I am leaning toward Cap. Scott since everyone has had positive results. I would love to take my DS8 shark fishing but DH does not want to go so it would be up to me. Will I be the only lady on the boat? If so, no thanks. Can you tell us the cost of shark fishing?

I'm really surprised that you haven't received anyone who has had an experience with the Gypsy Cruise. Maybe someone will still pop and and share what they know.

You will definately not be the only lady on the boat. Well, maybe during your cruise if you go ahead with it, but I, too, am a woman. I didn't think I would enjoy fishing at all -- since I'm not a nature type person but I had a lot of fun and am looking forward to seeing what how this years experience pans out.

I don't have any idea what the cost of the shark fishing is -- sorry. I do know that they will try and pair you up with other families to try and share the cost.

I know exactly what you mean about the excitement level between your and your children. I am very excited. Although we travel other places during the year, our week at HH every summer is our truly relaxing vacation. It's nice to not have any plans but to do nothing for the week. We return home feeling like jello but it's so worth it.

 

[hoopsrob]

. Where is Shannon Tanner's concert at Shelter cove? We were at the resort over spring break in 2005 and there were no shows scheduled then.

Shannon plays from Memorial Day through Labor Day---that's why you didn't see him at Spring Break.