Top Charleston Nature and Wildlife Tours

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.

Learn all about more than 300 years of history on this guided carriage tour of Charleston. See the many mansions, churches, and gardens as your horse-drawn carriage tour covers more than 2.5 miles and 30 blocks of historic Charleston. Belgian and Percheron draft horses lead you through the streets while you learn about this “Holy City” and its role in the Civil War—leave your guidebook at home, these stories are better.

Get all the thrills of a Charleston ghost tour without any walking on this haunted horse and carriage ride. A horse and carriage takes you down twisting side streets and cobbled alleyways with ease as your guide shares spooky stories from Charleston’s past. Make your way past the Mills House, the Circular Congregational Graveyard, and and Provost Dungeon in the heart of the Holy City.

Explore the hidden beauty of the Charleston Lowcountry as the sun rises over the tidal salt marsh. Your morning ecotour boat charter takes you away from the crowds and into remote creeks, winding waterways, and untouched areas of the estuary where wildlife begins its day. While everyone else is heading into rush hour traffic, the marsh is already alive. Watch great blue herons, egrets, pelicans, ospreys, and other coastal birds begin their morning routines while dolphins move through the creeks and feed along the shoreline. The early morning hours offer some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities, with calm waters. Join your local captain for a behind-the-scenes look at what makes Charleston’s tidal salt marsh so special. Learn about the history, culture, and ecology of the area while exploring waterways. Join this off-the-beaten-path adventure through the Tidal Salt Marsh and experience the wildlife, incredible marsh views, and Charleston beyond the postcards.

Embark on a horse-drawn carriage tour through the heart of historic Charleston, one of the most charming cities in the US. Ride along cobblestone streets and take in the antebellum architecture, historic landmarks, and lush gardens. Your knowledgeable guide shares fascinating stories about Charleston’s rich history and Southern culture. This is a charming introduction to this part of Charleston.

See the Charleston Harbor by boat with a leisurely sightseeing tour along the Cooper River to Fort Sumter National Monument. Leave the guidebook at home, because this fully-narrated tour focuses on Charleston, South Carolina's 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.

Hunt for treasure in Charleston with a pirate adventure cruise for kids aboard a wooden ship. Climb aboard the boat for a small-group tour complete with costumes and pirate gear for all kids. Cruise out on the Ashley River to Wappoo Creek and enjoy a variety of music, games, treasure maps, and more. Adults can kick back and relax during the cruise which includes scenic views and potential dolphin sightings.

Discover one of America’s most haunted cities and prepare for a scare as you trundle through historic neighborhoods and past Charleston’s most famous supernatural hotspots by horse-drawn carriage. Hear chilling tales about the city’s past inhabitants, some of which still frequent their homes and graves, and pass eerie graveyards, churches and warehouses said to have paranormal activity. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, this activity is a fascinating insight into Charleston’s history.

Visit Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens on this 4.5-hour tour from Charleston, South Carolina. One of the oldest working plantations in the United States, Boone Hall was founded in 1681 and still grows crops. During your tour led by a guide in period costume, you'll see the plantation's slave quarters and learn about its history and modern-day use. Select a morning or afternoon departure time when booking. Enjoy a personalized experience on this small-group tour of just 15 people.

Travel back to Colonial times aboard a horse-drawn carriage and discover more than 300 years of history on this guided, 1-hour tour of Charleston. See the many mansions, churches and gardens of yesteryear on this narrated tour around historic Charleston. Enjoy the romantic clip-clop sound as this educational adventure winds through the streets and learn about this ‘Holy City’ and its rich history and role in Civil War times.

Enjoy a slow tour of Charleston without tiring yourself out by walking when you trade in a walking tour for a horse-drawn carriage excursion. Hop in a private horse-drawn carriage and head out on the town, checking out historic landmarks and listening to live commentary from the carriage driver you make your way through the city.

Travel back in time to discover one of America’s most historic cities—Charleston, South Carolina—on this guided small-group walking tour. Explore some of the city’s most enchanting alleys and hidden passages. Visit the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, a colonial building with a 300-year history; Rainbow Row, the longest cluster of Georgian row houses in the United States; plus historic Philadelphia Alley, and many more.

Discover a side of the Charleston region that few other visitors get to experience when you visit Wadmalaw Island's Charleston Tea Garden. Hop aboard a trolley bus and head into the fields where hundreds of tea plants grow. As you go, learn insider stories about how tea leaves are transformed into your favorite drink. Finally, enjoy a tea tasting and stop off at the gift shop before the tour's end.

Magnolia Plantation has been in Drayton family hands since 1676, and its Romantic-style gardens are among the oldest in America still open to visitors. This small-group full-day trip covers three guided experiences at the site: a tour of the historic house, a nature train ride through the gardens and cypress swamps, and the Slavery to Freedom tour, which follows the lives of the people enslaved there.

Travel back in time aboard a horse-drawn carriage and discover more than 300 years of history on this private tour of Charleston. See the many mansions, churches, and gardens of yesteryear on this narrated tour around historic Charleston. Enjoy the romantic clip-clop sound as this educational adventure winds through the streets and learn about the evolution of the city over the centuries.

Charleston's oldest buildings and landmarks are spread across the downtown peninsula and seeing them on foot can eat up much of your day. This private horse-drawn carriage covers more ground at an easy pace, with your driver-guide narrating the journey as you ride. See the Powder Magazine, the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, and the graveyard at the Circular Congregational Church, plus surviving stretches of the old walled city.

Enjoy a time-saving way to explore one of the country’s most historic cities on this sightseeing bus tour of Charleston, South Carolina. Visit Rainbow Row, the longest stretch of Georgian row houses in the United States; the Old Exchange Building; White Point Garden, in the heart of the city's historic district; and more. You can also upgrade to include admission to the Joseph Manigault House or the Charleston Museum.

Experience the beauty of the Lowcountry during golden hour as the sun sets over the tidal salt marsh. Your evening ecotour boat trip takes you away from the hustle and bustle of Charleston Harbor and crowded beaches into the quiet, remote waterways of the estuary. Cruise through winding tidal creeks and keep an eye out for great blue herons, egrets, pelicans, ospreys, shorebirds, and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins as they move through the marsh. Each trip offers a unique opportunity to experience wildlife in its natural habitat while enjoying the peaceful tranquility of the marsh. Relax on the water with Capt. Chris, a local guide sharing the stories, history, culture, seafood and ecology that make the Lowcountry special. Explore hidden creeks and untouched marsh views away from crowded tourist routes while learning how this ecosystem supports the wildlife. Watch the sunset, discover the hidden side of the Lowcountry, and enjoy an unforgettable coastal adventure beyond the postcards.

The audio guide is a convenient mobile companion for a self-guided walk through Charleston. The tour is designed specifically for getting to know the city in a short time (2–2.5 hours). Follow the route on the in-app map to walk from Washington Square to the Charleston City Market, passing the city’s main landmarks. You will definitely see: The Four Corners of Law, Rainbow Row, The Nathaniel Russell House Museum, The Williams Mansion, The French Huguenot Church. The tour includes 25 interesting stops. All stories are written by professional journalists and historians, with a touch of humor and a love of travel. After you download the tour, the app works offline. You can always hear the audio guide clearly through your headphones. Enjoy fascinating stories and legends as you move at your own pace, with no need to follow a tour group. You can stop at any time to rest in a café or turn down a picturesque alley, and then continue your walk around the city later.

Charleston is such a relaxed city that it’s hard to believe that it’s much busier than the towns along the coast. Take an opportunity to leave the city streets for the shoreline during this private guided tour. You’ll visit the islands of the Charleston peninsula, first stopping at Folly Beach then visiting Sullivan’s Island. Throughout the tour, you’ll stop for photos at two lighthouses, a popular tourist beach, and a historic fort.

Enjoy a half day cruising the harbor on a private center console captained by a professional yacht captain. Stop at secluded island beaches for shark tooth hunting, shelling or just lay out on the beach. We pass by all the historic areas of the harbor and more. The perfect boat to see and do it all in style! Add beach chairs, cabana, beach towels, beach cooler and JBL speaker, and make it a party on the beach (additional fees for each item). Southern Charm can reach speeds of 30mph, in three hours we can cover a lot of ground and visit many parts of the harbor. Lunch at Shem Creeks many restaurants is an option along with a long stroll on Morris island with the hopes of finding that coveted 50 million year old Megalodon tooth! Its up to you what we do and our captain will take you there! We provide, cooler with ice, soft drinks, bottled water, Bluetooth boat stereo, Emergency porto potty, and Rain ponchos just in case You may bring any food or beverages onboard.

Explore the hidden beauty of the Charleston Lowcountry as the sun rises over the tidal salt marsh with up to 6 of your favorite people. Your morning ecotour boat charter takes you away from the crowds and into remote creeks, winding waterways, and untouched areas of the estuary where wildlife begins its day. While everyone else is heading into rush hour traffic cruise and watch great blue herons, egrets, pelicans, ospreys, and other coastal birds begin their morning routines while dolphins cruise the creeks. The early morning hours offer some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities with calm waters. This is a private tour for up to 6 passengers. Join your local captain for a behind-the-scenes look at what makes the Lowcountry so special. Learn about the history, culture, and ecology of the area while exploring waterways. Join this off-the-beaten-path adventure through the tidal salt marsh and experience the wildlife, incredible marsh views, and Charleston beyond the postcards.