Top 7 Charleston Boat Tours

1.Time or Sunset Boat Cruise

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

Cruise Charleston Harbor aboard the 80-foot Carolina Belle for 90 minutes of narrated views, Civil War landmarks, antebellum homes, bridges, dolphins, and pelicans. Choose a morning, afternoon, or sunset departure. Arrive early for the best upper-deck seats, since space there is limited.

“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

Take a 2.5-hour Carolina Skiff cruise from Bowens Island through Charleston’s marshes and estuaries to Morris Island. Naturalist captains such as Chris, George, Jacob, and Tripp point out dolphins, birds, oysters, and local history before you enjoy about an hour of beach time, shelling, and lighthouse views.

“Staff was awesome. Equipment and grounds were average. Matt and Chris especially. Trip to the Island was awesome. Then the rains came. Driver did his best to get us back to the office. A boat with some cover from the elements would have been preferred.”

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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 with live English narration, indoor or outdoor seating, and views of Fort Sumter, The Battery, the Ravenel Bridge, and more than 75 harbor landmarks. Choose daytime light or a sunset departure, and buy snacks and drinks onboard.

“It was a great tour. So much history. Nice cruse around the harbor. Would definitely recommend”

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4.Charleston Harbor Sunset Cruise

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

Spend two hours on Charleston Harbor aboard a 45-foot motorized catamaran with captains such as Mike, Victor, Robbie, or JP. Expect music, sunset views, dolphins if luck is on your side, and passing views of Fort Sumter, the Battery, lighthouses, and the Ravenel Bridge.

“Great experience, beautiful sunset, a few dolphin sightings too. Would recommend everyone to take this sunset cruise.”

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5.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, live music, harbor views, and a full-service bar. You’ll pass Fort Sumter, the Battery, and Ravenel Bridge from enclosed climate-controlled decks or the open-air observation deck.

“Everything was excellent: the food, the crew, our waiter David, the musician who performed beautifully throughout the evening! Five stars all around!”

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6.Historic City Tour and Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 260 reviews · 4 hours · from $71

See Charleston from a climate-controlled coach and from the harbor on this 4-hour Gray Line tour. Expect historic churches, Rainbow Row, the Battery, Fort Sumter, and USS Yorktown, with English narration from licensed guides. Meet at the Charleston Visitor Center.

“Difficult to understand the guide in the boat with engine noise”

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7.Sunset Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 260 reviews · from $60

Board a 45-foot power catamaran at Charleston’s Maritime Center for a two-hour evening cruise. Captains such as Mike, JP, Victor, and Dallas mix harbor history, music, jokes, and dolphin spotting while you pass the Battery, Fort Sumter, and Ravenel Bridge. Drinks and snacks are available onboard.

“Excellent cruise around the harbor. Great host Victor! Had a great time”

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