Boat Trips in Charleston

Although taking a guided tour of Charleston is a basic experience that every traveller should do. It's also true that experiencing Charleston from the sea is taking things to the next level.

Keep in mind that the two adventures are not mutually exclusive but rather complementary; which is why I highly recommend that all of my traveler friends who are touring the city for the first time consider both on their itinerary of things to see and do in Charleston.

If you're determined to take this adventure, here's a list of the best boat tour options in Charleston. As you will see, the city offers a diversity of alternatives, seeking to adapt the experience to different types of travellers. Read carefully the options presented and choose the one that resonates with you the most.

This experience will take you aboard a scenic cruise for a historic tour of Charleston harbour.

Depending on the company you hire for the main route, it usually covers from the original location in the harbour to the Fort Sumter National Monument, where the ship turns around and returns to the starting point. Please note that this tour does not include a visit to the monument, so if you want to see the monument, you'll have to opt for another option.

While on the tour you will learn about the history of the city and its strong link to the river which has played a key role in all the important moments including the American Civil War.

But perhaps the most interesting aspect of this experience is the number of timetables available. The tour takes place in the morning, in the afternoon and at the end of the day to watch the sunset.

Consequently, it is very easy to arrange a space in your itinerary for this adventure; I personally consider a boat tour one of the best things to do in Charleston at night if you have a tight itinerary.

Useful information about Charleston

• Price: Approximately €45 for an adult ticket, children aged 4-11 pay about €30 on average and children under 3 are free.
• Duration of tour: You will need to set aside about 2 hours for this experience.
• Recommended if... you want to take a fun and interesting tour along Charleston's waterfront to see the city from the sea; it's also a great opportunity to learn about some interesting aspects of the city's history and its link to the Cooper River.

Sailboat tours in Charleston are another way to tour the Old City waterfront, admire the beautiful southern homes of The Battery area from a distance and enjoy a few hours at sea.

While some specific details of the excursion vary depending on the company you hire for the experience, most companies in Charleston offer travellers a similar dock-to-dock tour that takes you under the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.

Other experiences you can expect to enjoy include going to Fort Sumter Island for a glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean or stopping for a moment in the swimming area. It's even possible to watch dolphins swim and play off the coast of Charleston.

The main advantage of these excursions is that they are conducted in small groups of approximately 6 people or less. The experience takes place at different times so it is possible to accommodate even if you are only in town for a few days, such as 2 days in Charleston or less.

If you are contemplating a short trip to the city, the main tip is to make your reservations in advance as limited spaces can sell out quickly during peak tourist times.

Useful info

• Price: Approximately €80 for a place on the boat. If you want a private trip for you and your family, the price to pay is around 500€ and up to 6 travellers can participate.
• Duration of the excursion: Depending on the company you hire, the sailing time is usually about 3 hours.
• Recommended if... You enjoy personalised, private or semi-private experiences. The group tour option may be the best alternative if you are on holiday with friends or family.

Charleston is undoubtedly the best place to have a pirate adventure. In the city you will find several tour operators that offer this type of experience focused on children and whose main objective is to offer a few hours of fun and a few lessons about the pirate history of Charleston and the post-conquest.

Some of the distinctive elements in this experience are: the possibility to dress up the children as pirates with patches, hats and pirate flags. The pirate ship is equipped with several telescopes to look for dolphins in the distance making it one of the best activities if you go to Charleston with children.

It's an all-ages tour and children of all ages can participate, but must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Although the specific details vary slightly depending on the company you hire for the experience, local companies go the extra mile to make the experience educational and fun for everyone.

Useful information for families

• Price: On average, each crew member over the age of 1 will have to pay around €38; some companies allow babies under the age of 1 to participate for free, others charge a reduced rate of around €10.
• Duration of tour: The tour of the Cooper waters will take approximately 90 minutes to complete.
• Recommended if... You want to take a boat tour to see dolphins and the Charleston coastline but are worried your kids will get bored on a traditional tour. This kid-friendly experience guarantees a few hours of fun for everyone.

Located just off the entrance to Charleston Bay, Moris Island is an uninhabited land area of approximately 3.4 km² that is accessible only by boat and connects the Charleston County area to the waters of the gigantic Atlantic Ocean.

Moris Island is also an important historical site that played a key role in the conflicts of its inhabitants, including the American Civil War and occupation struggles.

From the city of Charleston it is possible to visit Moris Island to see the beach, the coastline and the famous Moris Island Lighthouse and admire the marine life of the area including sightings of turtles, dolphins and other majestic creatures.

Depending on the company you hire, tours to Moris Island can be done on medium sized boats with a capacity of 12 crew members or less, or they can be done on larger boats with a capacity of 30 crew members.

A tour to the Island is ideal if you have time to spend or if your stay in Charleston is 4 days or more as, due to the rise and fall of the tide, tours often change departure times. Booking online is often the best way to avoid this kind of mishap.

Useful info

• Price: Tours to Moris Island cost approximately €55 per traveller.
• Duration of tour: The tour usually takes about 3 hours to complete. Please note that you should be at the port of departure at least 20 minutes before the agreed time.
• Recommended if... You want to experience the nature of the Charleston coastline in its purest and most undisturbed state. Moris Island is an ecological and natural enclave untouched by human intervention with spectacular natural wonders.

There are numerous companies in the city that offer ghost tours; tours take place at night to hear the ghost stories of Charleston under the moonlight.

Charleston's harbour is an area filled with forts, ships and old antebellum homes. These spaces not only have significant historical value, but also served as the setting for some of the most lurid and terrifying stories imaginable, making Charleston one of the most haunted cities in America.

Additionally, due to the geographic makeup of the place, some of these places are difficult to access on foot, so a boat ride is the ideal alternative to enjoy the ghostly stories in conjunction with the incredible scenery of the port.

If you want to take the experience to another level, and have enough time to do both, I recommend taking a Charleston Ghost and Mystery Tour. This experience is offered at various times and formats and is considered one of the best experiences to do in Charleston.

Useful info

• Price: You'll need to pay around €38 for an adult ticket; children under 12 pay around €28. Most companies do not allow children under 3 years old.
• Length of tour: You should book at least 2 hours for the boat tour. Make sure you are at the departure point 20-30 minutes before the agreed boarding time.
• Recommended if... you love ghost stories and are always looking to enjoy this kind of experience; I especially recommend it if you are going to Charleston with friends and want to have a fun night out of the ordinary.

One of the best things about visiting Charleston is the possibility of being able to enjoy combined experiences in many of its main tourist activities.

One of the most interesting is the alternative of combining a traditional boat tour with a tour of the plantations from Charleston. The plantations, located just outside the old town, represent an important part of the city's economic development and history.

On the plantations you'll find old manor houses belonging to the wealthiest families in the southern United States, famous for amassing large fortunes through the buying and selling of slaves.

Keep in mind that even if you buy the tours together, you will almost certainly need to book the activities separately. You will also need time to complete them, so I recommend purchasing this package if you will be in Charleston for at least 3 days and can set aside one of those days to see the plantations.

Useful info

• Price: Available from €55 per traveller, please note that the price increases depending on the number of plantations you visit on the tour.
• Duration of tour: The boat tour will take at least 2 hours, while the plantation tour can take anywhere from 5 hours to a full day.
• Recommended if... You're looking for a way to save time, money and effort in scheduling your holiday, as this package includes two of the best things to do in the city.

Another combined experience that I recommend considering when visiting Charleston for the first time is one that includes a drive through the city followed by a boat tour of the waterfront. Combining the two experiences allows the traveller to get a very comprehensive view of Charleston's environment by touring it by water and by land.

As you'll see upon arrival, Charleston driving tours are a popular way for travellers to experience the old city centre with an expert guide explaining the highlights.

The boat tour, meanwhile, allows you to learn about the city's strong ties to the waters of the Cooper River, as well as the important role it played in the city's historical development.

Scheduling the two activities together is ideal for travellers who have a short stay in the city, for example 1 day in Charleston, and are looking to save planning time by doing some of the activities.

Please note that although the experiences are purchased together, they are separate and can be scheduled on the same day (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) or on different days.

Useful Information

• Price: From €75 per adult ticket.
• Duration of excursion: For the boat tours you will need to book at least 2 hours, while for the car tour you will need to book 1 hour of your itinerary.
• Recommended if... You are looking for alternatives to organise your excursions in a simple way and without the need to research more alternatives. As well as helping you save money with this combined experience you only need to be at the agreed time and date.

If you have already decided to take your boat tour of Charleston, take into consideration the following list of tips to make your experience as pleasant as possible.

• Be on time: Boat tours, as well as other Charleston experiences, always depart at the time indicated on the itinerary. Additionally, travellers are asked to arrive 15 to 20 minutes before boarding. It is important to organise your itinerary so that you are on time at the time and place indicated and do not miss your reservation.
• Book early: This point is especially important if you are travelling to Charleston during peak tourist seasons such as the summer months, specifically Charleston in July or Charleston in August. Booking in advance ensures that you get a seat on the day and time that is most convenient for you.
• Bring water and snacks: Boat tours in Charleston usually take more than 2 hours so bringing snacks and water is always a good idea.
• Beware of seasickness: If you're the type of person who gets seasick on boats, take the necessary precautions and follow our tips to avoid getting seasick on boats.

A boat tour of Charleston is an excellent way to experience the culture and history of the city.

Unlike other Charleston tours and experiences that focus almost exclusively on the Old Town, boat tours take in several important landmarks of American history such as USSYorktown, Fort Sumter and Pinckney Castle; in addition, you'll have the opportunity to see wonderful works of modern engineering and architecture such as the Artur Ravenel Bridge, the Charleston Sunset Boat Tour and the Charleston Sunset Cruise.

Be aware that Charleston boat tours don't stop at these sites but you will have the opportunity to see them up close.

All cruises offer a narrated tour where interesting facts about the city and its landmarks are shared; additionally, the adventure is often combined with other experiences such as the option to enjoy lunch or a local meal on the ship; in short, if you're passionate about history, architecture, and urban planning it's an experience you should add to your list.