10 Boat Tours in Charleston That Repay the Ticket

1.Charleston Harbor History Day-Time or Sunset Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,788 reviews · from $44Our pick

Board the 80-foot Carolina Belle at Charleston Maritime Center for a 90-minute narrated cruise along the Cooper River. You’ll pass Fort Sumter, USS Yorktown, Fort Moultrie, Fort Johnson, the Battery, Waterfront Park, and the Ravenel Bridge. Choose a morning, afternoon, or sunset departure. Drinks and snacks cost extra.

“I want to start by saying that the staff was great and narration was enjoyable. It was a Saturday night so maybe fuller than other reviewers experienced. I was disappointed that there is maybe 20-30 seats on the top deck and at least 150+ people on the boat. You can stand on the top deck at the railings but can hardly walk around because it is so packed. I also doubt the people who did get seats had a great view with people standing on either side of the boat. The downstairs portion is musty and outdated and has multiple blind spots so you can’t really see what they are…”

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2.Charleston Eco Boat Cruise with stop at Morris Island Lighthouse

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,111 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) Top rated

Leave Bowens Island aboard a small Carolina Skiff bay boat with a naturalist captain such as Chris, George, Jacob, or Tripp. Cruise through salt marshes and tidal creeks, watch for dolphins and birds, then spend about an hour on Morris Island collecting shells and viewing the inaccessible lighthouse. Bring water, sun protection, and shoes that can get sandy.

“Great experience! Check-in was easy! Boat was nice and clean. Captain was knowledgeable of the area and its marine life. LOVED seeing so many dolphins! Definitely made a special memory during our visit to Charleston!”

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3.Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,352 reviews · 1h 30m · from $49

Spend 90 minutes aboard a replica 1920s Bay-Steamer-style yacht, cruising 20 miles past more than 75 Charleston landmarks. Your English-speaking captain, often Captain Ron, Lance, or Matt, narrates the harbor’s Civil War, Revolutionary War, and maritime history. Choose indoor seating or the partly covered upper deck, and buy snacks and drinks onboard.

“We enjoyed the running commentary about the area. It was very informative and presented in an enjoyable way! We will be back.”

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4.Charleston Harbor Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 905 reviews · from $60

Spend two hours aboard a 45-foot catamaran with captains such as Mike, Victor, Robbie, or JP. Expect Charleston Harbor views, a mellow playlist, possible dolphin sightings, sunset photos, and light local commentary rather than a formal narrated tour. Drinks are available to buy, and the cruise returns to the Maritime Center.

“Captains were a lot of fun! Well worth the price. Learned a lot and enjoyed all of the views. It was a laid back feeling.”

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5.Charleston Water Taxi Cruise with Dolphin Sighting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 857 reviews · 1 to 11 hours (approx.)

Use Charleston’s water taxi as both harbor cruise and local transport. Ride between Patriots Point, Aquarium Wharf, Waterfront Park, and Charleston Harbor Resort, with dolphin spotting included on every trip. You can stay aboard for the full loop or get off to visit attractions. Captains such as Bryan and Dallas have been praised for local knowledge, though narration can vary.

“Everyone was very professional I love the music they had a very cute dog on there with some beautiful eyes and it was her birthday I really enjoyed it”

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6.Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 786 reviews · 2h 30m · from $111

Spend 150 minutes aboard Spirit of Carolina with a made-to-order three-course dinner, Charleston Harbor views, live music, and access to enclosed dining decks and an open-air top deck. You’ll pass Fort Sumter, the Battery, and the Ravenel Bridge. Drinks, tips, and parking are extra, and couples usually share tables.

“We decided to celebrate our friend’s milestone birthday by doing this event. She and all who participated were happy with the experience of this dinner cruise. The food was good, the cruise was not crowded and the musician playing was awesome! Very nice experience! The only thing I would change is that you could tell the boat had old finishes and needed some renovations.”

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7.Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 620 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $45

Spend about 90 minutes aboard the 84-foot Schooner Pride, sailing from Aquarium Wharf past Fort Sumter, the USS Yorktown, the Battery, and the Ravenel Bridge. The crew may let you help raise the sails, and Captain Andrew or Captain Dominic may be at the helm. This is an un-narrated cruise with drinks for sale and dolphins often in view.

“This was wonderful experience, either solo, friends or companion. A must do! Very friendly people and very well kept sailboat.”

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8.Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 607 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $100

Board the vintage Spirit of Carolina at Patriots Point for a 2.5-hour evening cruise on Charleston Harbor. Enjoy a made-to-order three-course meal, full-service bar, live music, and views of Fort Sumter, the Battery, and the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. Tables seat four to six, so shared dining is part of the plan.

“It was a great experience, the atmosphere to include the music was nice! I would recommend for a nice couples date night.”

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9.Narrated Haunted Ghost Cruise of Charleston Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 418 reviews · from $45

Set out from Charleston Maritime Center at 9:15 p.m. aboard the 45-foot catamaran *The Palmetto*. A guide such as Lee or Chase shares ghostly tales tied to pirate attacks, naval battles, and Charleston’s past while you view the harbor from the water. Drinks and snacks are sold onboard, but the ride is not a scare attraction.

“It was a very nice cruise. Lee was fantastic. Her stories were interesting and informative. I do think if the trip occurred a little earlier, like dusk it would have been better, because you would have been able to see the places she was talking about more clearly. It was a bit tooo dark to see them well.”

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10.Private Luxury Yacht Charters, BYOB & Dolphins

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 395 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Set sail from 33 Lockwood Drive for 2.5 hours aboard a private, crewed yacht with your own group of up to six. Bring drinks and snacks, or request catering, while captains such as Holly, Brian, Will, or Glenn share local stories and handle the sailing. Expect Charleston harbor views, Fort Sumter, dolphins, and sunset options.

“This relaxing sailboat trip was exactly what we needed! The crew was very attentive and personable and all 4 teenagers enjoyed themselves!”

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