Top Charleston Sightseeing Cruises

Visit historic Fort Sumter with the only operator in Charleston providing Admission to Fort Sumer National Monument and Round-Trip Ferry Transportation from Liberty Square or Patriots Point. Cruise by top Charleston sites from your ferry such as Rainbow Row and Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. For those departing from Patriots Point, experience views of the USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier from up-close. Explore the grounds of Fort Sumter and stand where America’s deadliest war began at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park. The first shots were fired here, igniting a conflict that saw more than 700,000 casualties. Experience the opening battle of the American Civil War and explore its origins with a National Park Ranger who will greet you upon arrival. Your approximate 1-hour visit to Fort Sumter allows ample time to explore well-preserved fort ruins and browse Museum Store souvenirs. Then enjoy the beautiful views of the city as you ride the ferry back to Charleston.

Meet us at Aquarium Wharf near Concord St. and Calhoun St. in Charleston SC as you experience historic Charleston Harbor aboard our classic 84-foot Tall Ship for a unique sailing experience. There is no other way to witness all our beautiful Charleston sites as we hoist the sails and set off through the waters, past some of the most historic sites in the country and witness to some of the most playful bottle nose dolphins racing around the harbor. Sail by notable sites such as Fort Sumter, USS Yorktown, Arthur J. Ravennel Bride, and the Battery.

Discover the shoreline landmarks of the oldest and largest city in South Carolina on this cruise of the Charleston Harbor. Pass important Civil War sites including Fort Sumter & Castle Pinckney, stately antebellum homes along the Battery, and an aircraft carrier from World War II. Enjoy fresh air and harbor views as you learn about Charleston’s rich history and well-known residents from a certified Guide. Friendly dolphin often accompany the boats. * Daytime Harbor Cruises depart from Aquarium Wharf or Patriots Point (Specific departure locations must be selected at checkout).

Relax and experience beautiful panoramic views aboard the Spirit of Carolina on this 2.5-Hour Luxury Dinner Cruise of Charleston Harbor. Guests will receive a 3-Course Dinner made to order from local seasonal ingredients, along with our full service bar. As you dine on a delicious multi-course plated dinner, listen to the live onboard music entertainment and enjoy stunning harbor views (and even watch the sunset during the summer months). Cruise past top Charleston sites such as Fort Sumter, the Battery and beneath the Ravenel Bridge for incredible photo opportunities.

During this scenic and relaxing 90 minute tour you will experience Charleston Harbor on the unique 80-foot Carolina Belle. Your professional licensed captain will narrate history, sights, and facts about the Charleston Harbor as you pass locations critical to United States history. Enjoy the beauty of the Charleston Harbor and learn its rich history while you are in town.

Experience the beautiful sights and sounds of the Charleston harbor and surrounding waterways aboard our 45-foot USCG certified power catamaran as Charleston’s unique skyline comes alive with peaceful and breathtaking views of sunset silhouetted steeples. Dolphins and shore birds will entertain you with their whimsy. You'll enjoy seeing sites such as the forts, the Battery, the islands and the lighthouses. See the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge from a different perspective as we cruise under it. This is not a guided tour. However, our captain and mate are prepared to answer any questions that you may have. Soft drinks, beer and wine are available for purchase.

We are a family owned luxury sailing charter business. Come enjoy a BYOB day of sailing and seeing the historic sites of Charleston from the water on one of our sailboats. We offer hourly, daily, or customized tours according to your desires for up to 6 guests maximum (USCG Rules & Regulations). Sit back and relax while a professional crew caters to your every need on your private yacht. We offer 2 boats to choose from (32ft and 36ft). All tours are 2.5 hours in length and circle the entire Charleston harbor before returning to the docks where you boarded the vessel. Bring your favorite beverages, a picnic, or you can also request gourmet catering to fit your desires. A professional photographer can be requested. If you are looking for a romantic evening we can accommodate with a beautiful sunset sail! We want to make sure you have the 5 star experience you deserve and will do everything we can to ensure this. Book now to enjoy the Charleston views from your privately chartered yacht!

Do you believe there may be ghosts in Charleston, SC? Does the thought of actually encountering a ghost send a shiver down your spine? Well, if you are curious, even if you do not encounter an actual ghost, you will have a lot of fun while learning some history and seeing some fascinating sights from the haunted Charleston harbor. This is a 1.5 hour narrated water tour around the Charleston Harbor on our US Coast Guard Certified 45-foot powered catamaran, the Palmetto. And accommodates up to 49 passengers. 

Enjoy a guided, eco-based kayaking adventure through Folly Creek and its maze of tidal creeks that wrap around uninhabited hammock islands. This 2-hour marsh kayaking excursion is paced for intermediate, novice, and young adult paddlers alike. You and a small-group (up to 12) will experience the pristine coastal marshes, laid back atmosphere, and stunning wildlife of Charleston's estuaries, including Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, loggerhead sea turtles, and assorted waterfowl.

Not your typical Water Taxi. Best value in Charleston! includes dolphin sightings(frequent but not guaranteed). Most affordable and convenient harbor cruise + transportation to 4 point around the Harbor. $14/All Day Pass!

Charleston's most exciting Speed Boat Adventure Tour! Experience the thrill of driving your own F13 speed boat during this 2-hour tour of the world-famous Charleston Harbor. See the city from a unique vantage point as your guide shares facts and stories about Charleston. This 13-mile guided tour hits all the best sights and attractions around. Follow your guide to top Charleston Harbor attractions such as the Battery, USS Yorktown, Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge, and more! Learn from your guide about these landmarks via the onboard communication system. Don't forget to take photos and look for local wildlife along the way. No boating experience is required, you will learn the basics of operating the speedboat from your guide before heading out on the water. You must be 21 years old to drive the speed boat.

Come walk with us on The Ghosts of Charleston walking tour, leaving nightly from Buxton Books, Charleston’s independent bookstore located at 160 King Street. Our licensed guides are expert storytellers who lead you through centuries old alleys and paths while sharing stories and solid history from Julian Buxton’s best-selling book, The Ghosts of Charleston. The true tales of intrigue, tragedy, and lost love reveal a rich underside of Charleston’s character that isn’t apparent during the day. The highlight of your tour is our exclusive nighttime access to the 18th century Unitarian Church Graveyard, where you will experience something magical. The Ghosts of Charleston is Buxton Books’ signature and most popular book-based walking tour -- a favorite of visitors and locals for over 23 years.

Experience 25-30 blocks of Charleston’s historic downtown district on this 1-Hour Daytime Palmetto Carriage Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour. See houses, gardens, mansions, churches & parks, learn about buildings, history, architecture, flora & the people that make up the “Holy City." Palmetto Carriage Works is the oldest carriage tour company in Charleston and has developed the greatest carriage experience in the city! A Palmetto Carriage tour offers a blend of knowledge, wit, humor, and history and is exciting and ever-changing; a seamless fusion of 19th-century conveyance in a 21st-century city.

Your Private Yacht Cruise Chocolate Milk Boat Charter is a 46-ft Regal Sport Coupe Yacht with tons of room for sunbathing, sightseeing, partying, or just relaxing. While On Board You will just love being on the water! Soak in the natural beauty of Charleston Harbor and the intercoastal waterways with your loved ones. Take in the historic sites such as Fort Sumter, Charleston Battery, USS Yorktown, Rainbow Row and the Ravenel Bridge. Eat, drink, listen to music, reconnect, and catch some rays. Let the wind blow away your troubles and fill your lungs with the salty air. Feel free to dine at a waterside restaurant or enjoy your meal onboard. And of course, we are more than happy to customize your tour to what you and your party would like to do and see while on board.