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Charleston Harbor History Day-Time or Sunset Boat Cruise

Charleston, United States

From $41.42

Select Date and Travelers

Non-refundable
You will not receive a refund if you cancel.
Charleston Tours
All Charleston Tours
Audio Guides
Kid-Friendly
Likely To Sell Out
Private and Luxury
Unique Experiences
  • 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

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Overview

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.
  • Scenic 90-Minute Charleston Harbor Sightseeing Cruise departing Charleston, South Carolina
  • Travel by 80-foot sightseeing boat, the Carolina Belle
  • Learn about the city’s history from a guide, including the Civil War
  • Fully narrated and family-friendly tour
  • Choose from multiple morning, afternoon, and sunset cruise times to best suit you

What's Included

  • 90-minute Charleston Harbor Sightseeing Cruise from Charleston, South Carolina
  • Select from Morning, Afternoon, or Sunset Departure Times
  • Enjoy panoramic views from aboard the unique 80-foot Carolina Belle
  • All taxes, fees and handling charges
  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

  • 10 Wharfside St
    10 Wharfside St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA

    Departure Point: Charleston Maritime Center Address: 10 Wharfside Street, Charleston, SC 29401

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Begin at the Charleston Maritime Center, which is centrally located in Charleston, South Carolina's French Quarter. Present your tour voucher before boarding the 80-foot sightseeing boat, then set off along the Cooper River.

Listen to stories from the boat captain throughout the tour, as you pass some of Charleston’s historic sites. Get close up views of Fort Sumter, the fortified island where the first shots were fired in the Civil War. Pass the Essex-class USS Yorktown, a ‘fighting lady’ aircraft carrier from the Second World War that earned eleven battle stars in her dramatic military career.

Take in Fort Moultrie and Fort Johnson, a pair of forts that housed Confederate and Union soldiers, and see St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, which survived Revolutionary and Civil War fighting by painting its steeple black. Pass elegant antebellum homes on the Battery, and navigate beneath the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, a modern span that links downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant. Drinks are available for purchase onboard throughout the trip, which concludes with drop-off at the Charleston Maritime Center.

Fort Sumter National Monument (Pass By)

Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge (Pass By)

Joe Riley Waterfront Park (Pass By)

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Most travelers can participate
  • There is a flat pier out to the boat and the boarding ramp is about 30 feet long. Travelers will board on the top deck and there are stairs to the lower level. Restrooms are located on the top deck.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 200 travelers

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

about cancellations.

Traveler Photos

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Traveler Tips

Better for older kids (not so much for the preschooler
I highly recommend only going in cool seasons or evenings.
Not worth the money, boat dirty, old chairs, dirty windows.

Reviews

4.5
2,034 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 2,034 reviews
Scary
mickie_k, Jun 2023
We got stuck in a bad storm… didn’t even go half way before the storm…. Lightning and thunder really bad rain
Sunset Charleston Cruise
Hannibal_M, Jun 2023
I had such an amazing, beautiful time on this cruise. I wish it longer. The tour guide was knowledgeable, the sailing was smooth, and tour was incredible. I would do this all over again.
Great sunset cruise.
Celestia_A, Jun 2023
It was a great sunset cruise and the commentary was good too. The employees were all nice and friendly.
Okay for the price
debra_W, Jun 2023
Watching the sunset and viewing the bridge. Sitting in the low plastic chairs made viewing some points difficult at times.
Amazing Charleston Harbor
Travis_F, Jun 2023
Great time on the ship. Captain and crew were very friendly and knowledgeable. Plenty of space on the ship but recommend getting in line early to make sure you get a prime seat/area to view the harbor.
Wonderful experience!
Elizabeth_G, Jun 2023
Wonderful! Beautiful view and lots of interesting facts about different areas around the harbor! Everyone was super friendly and kind!
Sunset
John_C, Jun 2023
Seeing and hearing about the history of Charleston.. Crew was kind and knowledgeable .. Would recommend to everyone Com g to visit Charleston
We originally were booked...
Steve_S, May 2023
We originally were booked on a sunset cruise. They cancelled it the day before. We switched to a daytime cruise. It was fair at best.
Good value
Renee_C, May 2023
…. Good combination of a boat ride and historical learnings … liked see the shoreline from the water
Pleasant voyage
Ron_B, May 2023
Going under the new bridge and seeing Fort Sumtner . The narration was done Nicely and not too much talking
Great Narrative
Gloria_G, May 2023
I thoroughly the narrative provided by the captain. The history provided was great. The shop was clean and tidy. I’m
Fun and Educational
Bob_S, May 2023
Very enjoyable and educational tour, highly recommend it! Far exceeded my expectations. Got to enjoy a cold beer on board as well!
Worth every penny.
Dennis_W, May 2023
I have responded to this inquiry three times and I'm done. I loved the trip, but your website needs attention. The last statement about business relations does not have a yes or no way of responding.
Memorable romantic sunset cruise
Erin_G, May 2023
Beautiful sunset cruise learning about Charleston. Staff was great. Saw a dolphin and a few pelicans! The view of the Ravenel bridge at sunset was an incredible sight!
Harbor Sunset Cruise
Julia_Z, May 2023
It would an enjoyable experience if it wasn’t completely overcrowded. The upper deck was packed with people. If you were lucky enough to grab a chair, you’d have to sit in one place for the duration of the cruise. Walking around wasn’t really an option. A lot of times I wasn’t even able to see what was pointed out on the sore. If you’re ok to be inside on the lower deck, then it’s fine. There was a plenty of space there but it’s really not the same experience through the glass (and not very clean) windows.
1 traveler found this review helpful
Worth it!
Melissa_W, May 2023
Great Trip. Very relaxing boat ride and great staff. Very accommodating. Lots of of history and great narration. We even got to see dolphins!
Charleston Trip
Harold_K, May 2023
Relaxing and interesting my wife and I enjoyed it. I would recommend it to anyone. Look to do it again when we return
Water
Lisa_D, May 2023
It was a fun and interesting trip on the water. So many friendly people. Was a hot day but we stayed on the bottom so nice and cool
Relaxing and Entertaining
Susan_S, May 2023
I reserved this tour for my husband’s birthday celebration in Charleston and we loved it. The tour was very informative and it was very enjoyable to take an evening cruise. I’d highly recommend it
Refund money quicker
Billy_G, May 2023
Booked twice it was canceled twice and saying it will be over a week before I get my 180 dollars back
Charleston at sunset.
LINDA_K, May 2023
The harbor was beautiful. The staff was friendly. It was very difficult to hear the captain as he explained the history, but the trip was enjoyable. Sorry we didn't see dolphins, but that is never a guarantee.
My review for The Charleston Harbor History Day
Cindy_B, May 2023
Weather was perfect. Boarded the boat easily. We sat on the upper deck. Seating was a little "snug". The captain of the boat must have been new. He had to read everything and would loose his place at times. The information he read was informative about the area and the past history. At the end of the cruise as we were getting close to debark, the captain asked for "Tips" for the crew. I felt that was inappropriate actually. They just did their job, which is what they get paid for. No one went above and beyond to deserve a "Tip", in my personal opinion.
Beautiful Sunset
Elizabeth_W, May 2023
This was an amazing way to spend our 1 year wedding anniversary! My Husband and I truly enjoyed it and we are so happy we went
Mothers Day excursion
Christi_M, May 2023
This little adventure is a nice, relaxing, educational cruise that basically anyone can take. They have a bar and snacks on board which makes it even better.
We loved getting on the water and seeing coastline…and history lesson
KatherineAnn_T, May 2023
Enjoyable sunny day!! But breezes kept us cool. Informative on Charleston history, Civil War, bay issues, shipping history… Learned about way to travel from NE to Florida without going out into ocean…. Also a nice break in between walking tours. Again-love how Viator offers reminders, meeting place tips.
Don't do this trip
Kathy_V, May 2023
Nothing, looked at bunch of industry and islands with nothing on them and a sunken barge. The only thing good about it was the bald eagle. Would not recommend to anyone and would really like a refund.
Good tour but seating was not well managed
Jim_H, May 2023
Fort Sumter and other old forts were interesting and was helpful in establishing Charlestons position relative to other islands and the Atlantic
Charleston harbour
Deborah_E, May 2023
Capt and crew, especially Joshua, were great. The photographer was serly and inconsiderate. Requiring a handicapped woman, get up, and move back down the pier without explanation. We asked her why we must move , twice, and she refused to answer. Only to be revealed to take pictures even if ya did not want to take pictures. Very inconsiderate and spoiler for the trip.
I learned a few things I...
Vicki_S, May 2023
I learned a few things I did not know about the Harbor. It was enjoyable and the crew and captain were great.
Castaways
Rob_J, May 2023
It was a great day for sailing. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Our historian was astute as well as amusing. Popcorn.
...

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Product code: 41498P1

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