7 Best Boat Trips in Charleston

Although taking a guided tour of Charleston is a basic experience that every traveller should have, it is also true that experiencing Charleston from the sea takes things to the next level.

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

If you're set on embarking on this adventure, here's a list of the best boat tours in Charleston. As you'll see , the city offers a variety of options to suit different types of travellers. Read the options carefully and choose the one that appeals to you most.

This experience will take you aboard a panoramic cruise ship for a historical tour of the port of Charleston.

Depending on the company you hire for the main route, this usually covers from the original location in the port to the Fort Sumter National Monument, where the ship turns back to the starting point. Please note that this excursion does not include visits to the monument, so if you wish to see it, you will need to choose another option.

During the tour, you will learn about the history of the city and its strong connection to the river, which has played a fundamental role in all important moments, including the American Civil War.

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

This makes it very easy to fit this adventure into your itinerary. Personally, I consider a boat trip one of the best things to do in Charleston at night if you have a busy schedule.

Useful information

• Price: Approximately £40 for an adult ticket, children aged 4 to 11 pay around £30 on average, and children under 3 go free.
• Duration of the excursion: You should allow around 2 hours for this experience.
• Recommended if... you want to take a fun and interesting tour of the Charleston coastline to see the city from the sea; it's also a great opportunity to learn some interesting facts about the city's history and its connection to the Cooper River.

Charleston is undoubtedly the best place for a pirate adventure. In the city, you will find several tour operators offering this type of experience aimed at children, whose main objective is to provide a few hours of fun and a few lessons on the pirate history of Charleston and the period following the conquest.

Some of the distinctive features of this experience are: the possibility of dressing children up as pirates with eye 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 are visiting Charleston with children.

This is a tour for all ages, and children of any age can participate, but they must always be accompanied by a responsible adult. Although the specific details vary slightly depending on the company you hire for the experience, local companies make an extra effort to make the experience educational and fun for everyone.

Useful information

• Price: Each crew member over the age of 1 must pay an average of £38; some companies allow babies under the age of 1 to participate for free, while others charge a reduced rate of around £10.
• Duration of the excursion: The tour of the Cooper River takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.
• Recommended if... You want to take a boat trip to see dolphins and the Charleston coast but are worried that your children will get bored on a traditional tour. This experience, aimed at children, guarantees hours of fun for everyone.

Located just at the entrance to Charleston Harbour, Morris Island is an uninhabited area of land measuring approximately 3.4 km² that can only be reached by boat and connects Charleston County with the waters of the vast Atlantic Ocean.

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

From the city of Charleston, you can visit Morris Island to explore the beach, the coastline and the famous Morris Island Lighthouse, and admire the marine life in the area, including turtles, dolphins and other majestic creatures.

Depending on the company you choose, tours to Morris Island can be taken on medium-sized boats with a capacity for 12 passengers or less, or on larger boats with a capacity for 30 passengers.

A tour to the island is ideal if you have time to spare or if your stay in Charleston is four days or more, as the tours often change their departure times due to the rising and falling of the tide. Making your reservation online is usually the best way to avoid this type of inconvenience.

Useful information

• Price: Tours to Morris Island cost approximately £55 per person.
• Duration of the excursion: The tour usually takes about 3 hours to complete. Please note that you must arrive at least 20 minutes before the agreed time at the port of departure.
• Recommended if... You want to experience the Charleston coastline in its purest and most unspoilt form. Morris Island is an ecological and natural enclave that has not been affected by human intervention and boasts spectacular natural wonders.

Sailboat rides in Charleston are another way to explore the coastline of the old city, admire the beautiful Southern homes of The Battery area from a distance, and enjoy a few hours at sea.

Although some details of the excursion vary depending on the company you hire for the experience, most companies in Charleston offer travellers a similar tour from pier to pier that includes passing under the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.

Other experiences you can expect to enjoy include a trip to Fort Sumter Island to take in the Atlantic Ocean or a stop at the swimming area. You may even see dolphins swimming and playing off the Charleston coast.

The main advantage of these tours is that they are conducted in small groups of approximately six people or less. The experience takes place at different times, so it is possible to fit it into your schedule even if you are only in the city for a few days, such as 2 days in Charleston or less.

If you are considering a short trip to the city, the main tip is to make your reservations in advance, as limited spaces can fill up quickly during busy tourist seasons.

Useful information

• Price: Approximately €80 per person to board the sailboat. If you would like a private trip for you and your family, the price is around €500 and up to six passengers can participate.
• Duration of the excursion: Depending on the company you hire, the sailing time is usually around 3 hours.
• Recommended if... You enjoy personalised, private or semi-private experiences. The group tour option may be the best alternative if you are going on holiday with friends or family.

In the city, you will find numerous companies offering this type of experience; the tours take place at night so you can listen to Charleston's ghost stories under the moonlight.

The port of Charleston is an area full of forts, ships and old pre-war houses. These spaces not only have significant historical value, but also served as the setting for the most gruesome and terrifying stories you can imagine, making Charleston one of the most haunted cities in America.

Additionally, due to the geographical layout of the area, some of these places are quite difficult to access on foot, making a boat trip the ideal alternative to enjoy the ghostly stories alongside the incredible scenery of the harbour.

If you want to take the experience to another level and have enough time to do both activities, I recommend taking a ghost and mystery tour of Charleston. This experience is offered at various times and in different formats and is considered one of the best things to do in this destination.

Useful information

• Price: You will 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.
• Duration of the tour: You should allow at least 2 hours for the boat tour. Make sure you are at the departure point 20 to 30 minutes before the agreed boarding time.
• Recommended if... you love ghost stories and are always looking to enjoy this type of experience; I especially recommend it if you are going to Charleston with friends and want to have a fun night out that is a little out of the ordinary.

One of the best things about visiting Charleston is the possibility of enjoying combined experiences in many of its main tourist activities.

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

On the plantations, you will find old stately homes belonging to the wealthiest families in the southern United States, famous for amassing great fortunes through the buying and selling of slaves.

Keep in mind that even if you purchase the tours together, you will almost certainly have to book the activities separately. You will also need time to do them, so I recommend purchasing this package if you are going to be in Charleston for at least three days and can book one of them to visit the plantations.

Useful information

• 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 the excursion: The boat tour will take at least 2 hours, while the plantation tour can take from 5 hours to a full day.
• Recommended if... You are looking for a way to save time, money and effort in planning your holiday, as this package includes two of the best activities in the city.

Another combined experience that I recommend considering when visiting Charleston for the first time is the one that includes a car tour of the city followed by a boat tour of the coast. Combining both experiences allows travellers to get a very complete view of the Charleston area by travelling by water and by land.

As you will see upon arrival , car tours in Charleston are very popular, allowing travellers to discover the old town with an expert guide who explains the most important sights.

The boat tour, meanwhile, allows you to learn about the city's strong connection to the Cooper River and the important role it plays in the city's history.

The combination of these two activities is ideal for travellers with a short stay in the city, for example, one day to discover Charleston, and who want to save time planning by doing some of the activities.

Please note that although the experiences are purchased together, they are carried out separately and can be scheduled for 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 the excursion: For boat tours, you must reserve at least 2 hours, while for the car tour, you must reserve 1 hour of your itinerary.
• Recommended if... You are looking for alternatives to organise your excursions easily and without having to research other options. In addition to helping you save money with this combined experience, all you need to do is be at the agreed place and time.

If you've already decided to take a boat trip in Charleston, consider the following tips to make your experience as enjoyable as possible.

• Be punctual: Boat tours, as well as other experiences in Charleston, always depart at the time indicated in the itinerary. In addition, travellers are asked to arrive 15 to 20 minutes before boarding. It is important to organise your itinerary so that you arrive at the right place and time and don't miss your reservation.
• Book in advance: This is especially important if you are travelling to Charleston during peak tourist season, such as the summer months, particularly July and August. Booking in advance ensures you get a spot on the day and time that is most convenient for you.
• Bring water and a snack with you: Boat trips in Charleston usually take more than 2 hours, so bringing a snack and water is always a good idea.
• Beware of seasickness: If you are prone to seasickness, take the necessary precautions and follow the advice to avoid getting seasick on boats.

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

Unlike other tours and experiences in Charleston that focus almost exclusively on the old town, the boat trips take you to various landmarks that are important in American history, such asthe USS Yorktown, Fort Sumter and Castle Pinckney. you will also have the opportunity to see wonderful works of modern engineering and architecture up close, such as the Arthur Ravenel Bridge.

Please note that boat tours in Charleston do not stop at these locations, 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 most emblematic sites are shared. Additionally, the adventure is often combined with other experiences, such as the option of enjoying a local lunch or dinner on the boat. In short, if you are passionate about history, architecture, and urban planning, this is an experience you should add to your list.