The 5 Best Charleston Boat Tours

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

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

Spend 90 minutes aboard the Carolina Belle, an 80-foot sightseeing boat leaving from Charleston’s French Quarter. A licensed captain narrates Fort Sumter, USS Yorktown, historic forts, the Battery, St. Michael’s steeple, and the Ravenel Bridge. Choose a morning, afternoon, or sunset departure, with drinks and snacks available to buy onboard.

“Had a great time! Learned about Charleston, saw a beautiful sunset. Great crew, friendly and informative. A great deal too!”

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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

This 2.5-hour eco cruise leaves from Bowens Island aboard a small Carolina Skiff bay boat. Your naturalist captain, such as Chris, George, Jacob, or Tripp, guides you through marshes and tidal creeks before a beach stop on Morris Island. Expect dolphins, birds, shells, sand dollars, local stories, wind, and no restroom once underway.

“I can’t tell you how much my family and I loved this experience. Chris was fantastic! He was incredibly knowledgeable and created such a fun experience for everyone on the trip. He took time to stop along the way on our boat trip to the island, and point out dolphins, birds, and other wildlife. He talked to us about the local ecosystem, sharing fascinating insights into how locals fish, harvest oysters, and catch shrimp. We got to spend ample time on the beach looking for seashells and exploring Morris Island. If you’re looking for something to do that’s outside the city and not touristy, this is a great way to…”

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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, cruising 20 miles around Charleston Harbor with live English narration. You’ll pass Fort Sumter, The Battery, the Ravenel Bridge, Civil and Revolutionary War sites, and more than 75 landmarks. Choose daytime or sunset, indoor or outdoor seating, and buy snacks or drinks onboard.

“The Captain of the ship was our guide, and his narrative was interesting and informative. The one-and-one-half-hour tour was well worth the cost. Further, this cruise provided my wife and me with ideas for follow-up visits to the sights we saw and heard about on the cruise. We sat at the front of the open top deck of the ship, which offered a great vantage point for photo opportunities.”

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4.Charleston Harbor Sunset Cruise

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

Set out from Charleston Maritime Center at 7 p.m. aboard a 45-foot catamaran for a relaxed two-hour harbor cruise. Your captain and first mate, often including crew members such as Mike, Victor, Robbie, or JP, point out Fort Sumter, the Battery, lighthouses, and dolphins while music plays and the sun drops over the shore.

“Loved it. Very enjoyable cruise. Crew was knowledgeable. Catamaran made the voyage much another (less choppy)”

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5.Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise

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

Enjoy a made-to-order three-course dinner aboard SpiritLine Cruises’ Spirit of Carolina. You’ll pass Fort Sumter, the Battery, and Ravenel Bridge while listening to live music and taking in sunset or city-light views. Seating is usually shared at tables for four to six, drinks and tips cost extra, and limited wheelchair access must be requested in advance.

“Everything was perfect! The ride, the views, the food was absolutely amazing and the drinks were so good! The live music was also perfect.”

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