Crystal Dawn Dolphin and Sunset Cruises

4.9/5 (48 reviews)

2000 Sailfish Drive, Manteo, NC 27954, United States–

Manteo, NC, United States

–

63 feet

4.9/5 (48 reviews)

The Most Spacious Tour Boat on the Outer Banks!

Experience the beauty of the Outer Banks from the deck of Crystal Dawn, a classic 1963 Varnum Headboat beautifully restored in 2022. With room for up to 97 guests, this spacious vessel is perfect for sightseeing cruises, dolphin watching, and lively booze cruises led by the experienced Capt. Charles Foreman.

Powered by twin 400 HP diesel inboard Cummins engines, this smooth-sailing boat reaches a comfortable 12-knot cruising speed. Onboard, you’ll find state-of-the-art amenities, including an audio system with inside and outside speakers, a fish finder, baitwell, rod holders, and an ice box to keep your drinks chilled.

Relax in the flybridge, cabin, or full bathroom, and enjoy optional add-ons like drinks and snacks to enhance your experience. Family-friendly and fully equipped with top-tier safety features—GPS, radar, depth finder, life jackets, and VHF radio—so you can set sail with confidence.

Whether you're soaking up the sights, spotting dolphins, or toasting with friends, Crystal Dawn promises an unforgettable experience on the water. Book your trip today and make memories that last a lifetime!

The Most Spacious Tour Boat on the Outer Banks!

Popular features

Drinks

Child Friendly

Ice Box

Food (Snacks)

Popular features

Drinks

Child Friendly

Ice Box

Food (Snacks)

Customer reviews

Rating

4.9

(48 reviews)

4.9

Boat & equipment

5.0

Captain & crew

4.9

Experience

Customers' gallery (39)

What customers say

96%

Recommended

All reviews (48)

Showing 1 – 5 of 48 reviews

Millner James

Virginia, US

•

Member since 2026

5.0

Verified

Absolutely fabulous

1.5 Hour – Sunset Cruise on May 5, 2026 • 3 adults

We had the most wonderful experience.  My husband and iur best friend booked a two-hour sunset cruise on May 5th which happened to be their first of the season.  The captain and crew assistant could not have been nicer and the boat was in pristine condition. 

We enjoyed an absolutely perfect sunset while learning about some of the history and sites of Manteo.  

The whole experience from booking  to arrival and departure could not have been easier. 

If we had paid double the price, we would’ve thought it was worth it.   This created a memory we will carry with us forever.

Terry Barnett

Virginia, US

•

Member since 2025

5.0

Verified

Beautiful Evening On The Water

1.5 Hour – Sunset Cruise on August 29, 2025 • 4 adults

We left the dock on clear beautiful evening. The way the captain maneuvered out of the dock was amazing. When we were out in the water we saw dolphins. They were everywhere. They weren't in their normal two or three pods. They were everywhere. The captain stopped and let us watch the dolphins for a long time. He followed them. It was fantastic. Then when the sun went down we stopped to watch the sun go down. It was gorgeous. Highly recommend this trip. Everything about it was breathtaking watching the captain pull back into the slip was a treat. He knows what he's doing.

Samantha Weatherholtz

Virginia, US

•

Member since 2026

5.0

Verified

New

Amazing!!

1.5 Hour – Sunset Cruise on July 9, 2026 • 4 adults • 5 children

Thank￼ you so much for making this a great experience. All five of our kids had a great time. Thank you for involving them. They loved helping drive the boat. They are already counting down their days to the next trip. 😂

Olivia Mascho

Pennsylvania, US

•

Member since 2026

4.7

Verified

Beautiful Night For a Sunset Cruise

1.5 Hour – Sunset Cruise on June 17, 2026 • 8 adults • 1 child

Captain Lee, Dylan &.   were wonderful hosts.  We saw a couple of dolphins.  That was a wonderful experience while on the cruise.  The views were stunning.  Our whole family (there were 9 of us.”enjoyed this experience & would definitely partake in it again.    The price was incredibly reasonable.  Great company, a beautiful evening, memorable and dolphins.  I’m not sure you’d have a better experience than with this charter.

Penny Holan

Pennsylvania, US

•

Member since 2026

5.0

Verified

Crystal Dawn Dolphin Boat tour

1.5 Hour – Sunset Cruise on May 16, 2026 • 4 adults

We had a fabulous sunset tour on the Crystal Dawn Dolphin with Captain Charles Foreman and his wonderful crew member. They were so personable and made the trip so memorable by talking about the area and stopping to show the dolphins 🐬.  Thanks again. Penny, Alice, Danny and Timmy from WV.

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:

Days:

Group Size:

Select date to see availability

August 2026

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa

Number of days

Group Size

2 adults • 0 children

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1.5 Hour – Dolphin Watch Cru (copy)

Non-refundable

2 hour trip starts at 3:00 PM

Seasonal trip

Sep 1 - Oct 30 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)

US $78

Shared tour: 2 people

US $78

Shared tour: 2 people

1.5 Hour – Dolphin Watch Cruise

Non-refundable

2 hour trip starts at 3:00 PM

Seasonal trip

Apr 25 - May 31 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)

US $78

Shared tour: 2 people

US $78

Shared tour: 2 people

1.5 Hour – Sunset Cruise

Non-refundable

2 hour trip starts at 6:00 PM

Seasonal trip

Apr 25 - Oct 31 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)

US $78

Shared tour: 2 people

US $78

Shared tour: 2 people

2 Hour – Private Dolphin C (copy)

Non-refundable

2 hour trip starts at 3:00 PM

Seasonal trip

Sep 1 - Oct 30 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)

US $1,200

Private tour: up to 97 people

US $1,200

Private tour: up to 97 people

2 Hour – Private Dolphin Cruise

Non-refundable

2 hour trip starts at 3:00 PM

Seasonal trip

Apr 25 - May 31 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)

US $1,200

Private tour: up to 97 people

US $1,200

Private tour: up to 97 people

2 Hour – Private Sunset Cruise

Non-refundable

2 hour trip starts at 6:00 PM

Seasonal trip

Apr 25 - Oct 31 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)

US $1,200

Private tour: up to 97 people

US $1,200

Private tour: up to 97 people

There are 6 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating

4.9

(48 reviews)

4.9

Boat & equipment

5.0

Captain & crew

4.9

Experience

Customers' gallery (39)

What customers say

96%

Recommended

All reviews (48)

Showing 1 – 5 of 48 reviews

Millner James

Virginia, US

Member since 2026

5.0

Verified

Absolutely fabulous

1.5 Hour – Sunset Cruise on May 5, 2026 • 3 adults

We had the most wonderful experience.  My husband and iur best friend booked a two-hour sunset cruise on May 5th which happened to be their first of the season.  The captain and crew assistant could not have been nicer and the boat was in pristine condition. 

We enjoyed an absolutely perfect sunset while learning about some of the history and sites of Manteo.  

The whole experience from booking  to arrival and departure could not have been easier. 

If we had paid double the price, we would’ve thought it was worth it.   This created a memory we will carry with us forever.

Terry Barnett

Virginia, US

Member since 2025

5.0

Verified

Beautiful Evening On The Water

1.5 Hour – Sunset Cruise on August 29, 2025 • 4 adults

We left the dock on clear beautiful evening. The way the captain maneuvered out of the dock was amazing. When we were out in the water we saw dolphins. They were everywhere. They weren't in their normal two or three pods. They were everywhere. The captain stopped and let us watch the dolphins for a long time. He followed them. It was fantastic. Then when the sun went down we stopped to watch the sun go down. It was gorgeous. Highly recommend this trip. Everything about it was breathtaking watching the captain pull back into the slip was a treat. He knows what he's doing.

Samantha Weatherholtz

Virginia, US

Member since 2026

5.0

Verified

New

Amazing!!

1.5 Hour – Sunset Cruise on July 9, 2026 • 4 adults • 5 children

Thank￼ you so much for making this a great experience. All five of our kids had a great time. Thank you for involving them. They loved helping drive the boat. They are already counting down their days to the next trip. 😂

Olivia Mascho

Pennsylvania, US

Member since 2026

4.7

Verified

Beautiful Night For a Sunset Cruise

1.5 Hour – Sunset Cruise on June 17, 2026 • 8 adults • 1 child

Captain Lee, Dylan &.   were wonderful hosts.  We saw a couple of dolphins.  That was a wonderful experience while on the cruise.  The views were stunning.  Our whole family (there were 9 of us.”enjoyed this experience & would definitely partake in it again.    The price was incredibly reasonable.  Great company, a beautiful evening, memorable and dolphins.  I’m not sure you’d have a better experience than with this charter.

Penny Holan

Pennsylvania, US

Member since 2026

5.0

Verified

Crystal Dawn Dolphin Boat tour

1.5 Hour – Sunset Cruise on May 16, 2026 • 4 adults

We had a fabulous sunset tour on the Crystal Dawn Dolphin with Captain Charles Foreman and his wonderful crew member. They were so personable and made the trip so memorable by talking about the area and stopping to show the dolphins 🐬.  Thanks again. Penny, Alice, Danny and Timmy from WV.

FAQs about Crystal Dawn Dolphin and Sunset Cruises

What the boat is like

Boat category

Headboats

Boat type

Headboat

Boat manufacturer

Varnum

Boat Model

Custom

Year built

1963

Restored in

2022

Boat length

63 ft

Capacity

97 persons

Engine model

Cummins

Max crusing speed

12 knots

2 x 4HP

Engine Type

Inboard

Fuel Type

Diesel

Number of cabins

1 cabin

Number of full baths

1 full bath

Number of toilets

2 toilets

Boat category

Headboats

Boat type

Headboat

Boat manufacturer

Varnum

Boat Model

Custom

Year built

1963

Restored in

2022

Boat length

63 ft

Capacity

97 persons

Crystal Dawn Dolphin and Sunset Cruises

Customer reviews

Rating

Customers' gallery (39)

What customers say

All reviews (48)

Trip availability and prices

Customer reviews

Rating

Customers' gallery (39)

What customers say

All reviews (48)

FAQs about Crystal Dawn Dolphin and Sunset Cruises

What the boat is like

Compare similar boating charters