Top South Carolina Water Tours

See the Charleston Harbor by boat with a leisurely sightseeing tour along the Cooper River to Fort Sumter National Monument. This fully-narrated tour focuses on Charleston, South Carolina history from Civil War sites to antebellum houses and landmarks, passes under Cooper River bridges, and explores a waterfront that’s home to bottlenose dolphins and pelicans.

Explore Charleston by water taxi with this convenient harbor cruise. Utilize quick and scenic water-based transportation to reach several popular landmarks including Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum and the Aquarium. Check out attractions like Joe Riley Waterfront Park and the Charleston Harbor Marina at your leisure. Keep an eye out for dolphins during the cruise.

Cruise through Lowcountry tidal creeks and marshes en route to the uninhabited Morris Island on this boat cruise from the Charleston area. A private boat company launches from Bowens Island for the scenic ride through an estuary rich in biodiversity before a soft landing on Morris Island. Spend free time to taking photos of the historic Morris Island Lighthouse, combing for seashells, and looking out for birds, sea turtles, and dolphins before your return.

Watch the sun set above Charleston, South Carolina with a 2-hour sunset harbor cruise aboard a 45-foot motorized catamaran. Find a comfortable seat on deck, spot the landmarks of downtown Charleston and the waterfront, and watch for the dolphins and sea birds that thrive along the South Carolina shoreline. Enjoy a relaxing break from the city while spending a romantic evening on the water.

Visit historic Fort Sumter in Charleston, the site of the battle which signified the start of the American Civil War. This tour is provided by the only operator within the city that includes both round trip ferry service in addition to entry into Fort Sumter. Enjoy a scenic 30-minute cruise each way along Charleston Harbor from two convenient departure locations, Liberty Square and Patriots Point. On the way, view top Charleston sites such as Rainbow Row and the Battery from your ferry. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by National Park Rangers who will relay stories of America's deadliest war before your 1-hour self-guided tour of Fort Sumter National Monument. Make sure to leave time for a stop at the museum and souvenir shop before making your way back to Charleston or Mt. Pleasant.

This Charleston ghost cruise brings you to the city’s spooky sites that can’t be reached on foot. Board a 45-foot catamaran and set sail on the Charleston Harbor, passing by the sites of pirate attacks, naval battles, and more. As you sail, your guide tells haunting stories of Charleston’s past.

Cruise from Hilton Head to Savannah on this Lowcountry day trip that’s packed with views. Relax on the open-air upper deck or air-conditioned lower cabin as you cruise through the Intracoastal Waterway, drink in hand from the onboard bar (own price). Then, dock in Savannah and spend a few hours of free time shopping, dining, and sightseeing before sailing back to Hilton Head.

Ride a horse-drawn carriage through the heart of historic Charleston on a guided tour through the heart of the city. Soak up the old fashioned charm of cobblestone streets lined with antebellum houses, lush gardens, and landmark churches as you listen to stories about Charleston history, architecture, and culture.

Uncover Charleston’s darkest secrets on an evening ghost and cemetery tour. Stroll through the atmospheric heart of the old city while an entertaining local guide regales you with tales of the dark deeds, restless spirits and supernatural phenomena that make Charleston one of the most haunted cities in America. Get exclusive after-hour access to the famous Unitarian Church Graveyard, where an overgrown southern garden surrounds historic plots said to be haunted by wandering ghosts.

Travel back in time to discover one of America’s most historic cities—Charleston, South Carolina—on this guided sightseeing tour. Visit a plethora landmarks including Rainbow Row, the longest cluster of Georgian row houses in the United States; the Old Exchange Building, South Carolina's most historic building; White Point Garden, in the heart of Charleston’s historic district, with a spectacular view of Fort Sumter and many more. Upgrade option available to include a tour of the famous Joseph Manigault House, one of Charleston's most exquisite antebellum structures or the Charleston Museum.

On this dolphin watching cruise from Hilton Head, you have the chance to see wildlife, check out local landmarks, and admire the coastline as you cruise out on the Calibogue Sound and Atlantic Ocean. Your guide narrates the entire trip as you sail past Bull Island, the Haig Point Lighthouse, and more, all while looking out for dolphins, egrets, herons, and other animals in the wild.

Explore the beautiful cypress-lined Waccamaw River, Intracoastal Waterway, and the creeks and swamps on this guided boat tour near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Be on the lookout for birds and other wildlife that inhabit these southern waters that run along the refuge. The boat docks are located within Waccatee Zoo.

A sailboat cruise from Hilton Head is a peaceful way to see stunning Lowcountry landscapes without the noise of a moor. Join a captain and crew aboard a 39-foot long (12 meter) sailboat that competed in America’s Cup—head through quiet waters and past gorgeous scenery without the roar of a motor. You can even try your hand on deck and help out with the sails.

Zoom around Hilton Head Island on a small, motorized "creek cat" boat during this guided tour. Get views of all the quintessential sights, as well as access to some smaller marshes and wildlife-rich areas. Enjoy the opportunity to operate your own creek cat under the supervision of a guide; multiple departure times available.

Remote Daufuskie Island is accessible only by boat and remains largely undeveloped, despite its fame as the setting of Pat Conroy’s novel “The Water is Wide.” A guided tour makes the trip a cinch—this package includes round-trip ferry tickets, plus transportation between island attractions such as the First African Baptist Church and Mary Fields School, all visited with the benefit of commentary from your guide.

More than a welcome sight for sore eyes, the tidal marshes around Charleston are a hotbed for Lowcountry biodiversity. Keep your eyes peeled for sightings of wildlife such as Loggerhead turtles, bottlenose dolphins, and more as you paddle down Folly Creek en route to the tidal creeks that wrap around the Hammock Islands. This leisurely paced kayaking tour is capped at 12 participants for a more personalized experience.

Get out on the waters of Charleston Harbor during this cruise aboard an 84-foot-tall (25-meter) classic tall ship. As the crew hoists the sails of the schooner, you'll glide past some of the city's historical sights and watch for dolphins in the water. Drinks are available for purchase on board. Select a departure time when booking.

Discover the abundant waterways around Hilton Head Island on this wildlife tour that focuses on dolphins. Join a small group and board your vessel to cruise down Broad Creek and Calibogue Sound. See a few landmarks including the Harbor Town Lighthouse and Daufuskie Island, where dolphins are known to congregate.

Take part in an authentic Lowcountry travel experience with this shrimping tour from Hilton Head Island. Join a crew on board a fishing boat and head out on the salt marshes for a chance to catch shrimp and fish, and learn about the environment and wildlife as you go. After the trip, hang out and enjoy a day pass to the Sea Pines Resort.

The "Holy City" skyline is on full display with this scenic Charleston Harbor Sightseeing Cruise. Sail past notable American landmarks, such as Fort Sumter, the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, The Battery, the Ravenel Bridge, Castle Pinckney and other sites from the past and present. You will hear enthralling tales of the city’s colorful past as well as scintillating facts about her most-interesting former citizens. Sit back and relax while a Licensed Charleston City Guide shares stories from Charleston’s historical sights, including some listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Great photo opportunities and a fresh sea breeze round out this pleasant and informative Charleston Harbor Sightseeing Cruise.

Sea Racer is the newest and fastest Dolphin-Tour boat in Little River. This dolphin cruise will give you the thrill of being on a speed boat combined with the comfort of being on a large stable tour boat that has a restroom and plenty of space to move around. The boat is certified to comfortably seat 128 passengers and will take you along the Intracoastal Waterway and Little River inlet searching for dolphins, while giving you a narrated tour and offering an opportunity to possibly see dolphins in their natural habitat. This is an adventure that is sure to be fun for all ages!

See Charleston from the water, and enjoy a luxurious way to admire the sights, with this private sailing charter. This flexible experience is tailored to your preferences: pick your own departure time, bring aboard a picnic and drinks (or upgrade for gourmet catering), and request a photographer if you want to capture the moment. As you go, circle the Charleston Harbor, see landmarks like Fort Sumter, and enjoy a relaxing ambiance.

Start your day off on the right foot with a relaxing kayak tour through the waterways of Hilton Head. Join a small group and grab a cup of coffee to energize you before setting off. Then, explore the marshes and broad creeks of the region, learning about the local area from your guide.

With this tour you will get 75 minutes to relax on the water, take in the natural sites, and is great for all ages. On our covered boat with a restroom on board we have fun props like a dolphin skull and shark teeth. With over 170 residential dolphins and around 400 nomadic dolphins passing through Hilton Head waters, it’s no wonder dolphin sightings are so much fun. As you join us in the golden hour you will get to see a beautiful sunset over the water as well as some great wildlife. We will explore the waters around Pinckney Island National Wildlife refuge and down to Calibogue Sound in search of dolphins, waterfowl, and other sea life. Our tour guide knows most of our local dolphins by name and will introduce you to them as we come across them. We will teach you how to tell them apart, too! Not only will you get to know the dolphins as individuals, but you will also learn about dolphins as a species and how they adapt to our local low country ecosystem.