Fort Sumter National Monument Tours and Tickets

Q: How much does it cost to visit Fort Sumter National Monument in 2026?

Tickets to Fort Sumter National Monument cost US$40 for adults and US$26 for kids 4–11; kids 3 and under visit for free. Visits include round-trip ferry transportation from the Fort Sumter Visitors Center in downtown Charleston or Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, entrance to the historic fort, and an introduction to the site by a Forest Ranger.

Q: How long does a Fort Sumter tour take?

Fort Sumter tours take about two hours, including one hour on the historic boat for the round-trip cruise to the fort and one hour to explore the fort. Evening tours that include a sunset cruise, barbecue dinner on board, and an hour to explore the fort take about three hours.

Q: Can I visit Fort Sumter on my own, or do I need a guided tour?

Fort Sumter can only be reached by boat, so all visitors must purchase a ticket that includes a narrated cruise to the fort and an introduction by Forest Rangers upon arrival. Afterwards, you have about an hour to explore on your own before reboarding the boat for the return trip to your departure point.

Q: What are the best times to visit Fort Sumter?

Fort Sumter is open daily all year round, except for on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Book the first or last tour of the day to watch the flag raising and lowering ceremonies and avoid the crowded midday hours. Alternatively, book the evening tour for sunset views and a dinner cruise.

Q: Is Fort Sumter accessible for people with disabilities?

Yes, boat tours departing from the Visitors Center in downtown Charleston are accessible to wheelchairs. Fort Sumter is fully accessible, including the parade ground and all floors of Battery Huger via an elevator. There are also accessible restrooms at the site.

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Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

Visit the site where the American Civil War began without the hassle of arranging transportation or waiting in line for tickets. This Fort Sumter package includes admission skip-the-line tickets as well as round-trip ferry transport. Take in views of Rainbow Row and the Battery as you cruise through Charleston Harbor. Then, enjoy time to explore the historic fort and museum, before the return ferry ride.

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Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

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Experience the charm and beauty of Charleston on a morning or afternoon walking tour. With an entertaining guide, take a leisurely stroll through the city’s Historic District, passing antebellum mansions, hidden gardens, historic churches and graveyards, as well as famous sites like Fort Sumter, Rainbow Row, and the Waterfront Battery. Along the way, learn about Charleston’s rich history and contemporary culture.

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Historic Charleston Walking Tour: Rainbow Row, Churches, and More

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Charleston Harbor History Day-Time or Sunset Boat Cruise

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.

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Charleston Harbor History Day-Time or Sunset Boat Cruise

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Charleston Iconic Sunset Sail - Lux Catamaran w/Bar & Bathrooms

Set sail aboard the Palmetto Breeze for a spectacular sunset experience on Charleston’s harbor. This spacious 50-foot catamaran offers a perfect setting to watch the sky transform into a palette of golden hues as the sun dips behind the historic city skyline. During this 2-hour cruise, take in iconic sights like Fort Sumter, the Ravenel Bridge, and the Charleston Peninsula. Enjoy the ocean breeze on the open deck or relax in the comfortable shaded seating. Keep an eye out for dolphins and seabirds as they accompany your journey, adding a touch of magic to the evening. Enhance the moment with a drink from the onboard bar, featuring local beers, seltzers, and wine (card payments only). Whether you’re a visitor exploring Charleston for the first time or a local seeking a fresh perspective of your city, this sunset sail promises a truly memorable evening on the water.

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Charleston Iconic Sunset Sail - Lux Catamaran w/Bar & Bathrooms

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Charleston See-It-All City Bus Tour with Adventure Sightseeing

See the highlights of Charleston in comfort on this guided tour on a climate-controlled minibus. Learn more from your guide’s narration as you ride past must-see Charleston sights such as the Battery, the Citadel, Old City Market, and Hampton Park. Also enjoy spectacular views of Fort Sumter, Castle Pinckney, and the Sullivan Island Lighthouse from a distance. The express tour provides an ideal overview for first-time visitors to Charleston.

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Charleston See-It-All City Bus Tour with Adventure Sightseeing

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Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor

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 glide past some of the city's historical sights and watch for dolphins in the water. The route varies depending on the sailing conditions. Drinks are available to purchase on board. Select a morning or afternoon departure time when booking.

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Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor

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Charleston historical walking tour with a Professor of History at The Citadel

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1.5-Hour Charleston Harbor Cruise with Live Narration

Learn more about the city of Charleston and its landmark harbor as you cruise through the waters with this sightseeing cruise. Set off on a comfortable pleasure craft and skirt the coastline to take in the skyline and top historic sites like Fort Sumter, the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, The Battery, the Ravenel Bridge, and Castle Pinckney. Gain a better understanding of the city’s colorful past with live narration during the cruise.

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1.5-Hour Charleston Harbor Cruise with Live Narration

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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.

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Charleston Harbor Sunset Cruise

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Small-Group Tour: Charleston Old Walled City Historical Walking Tour

A walking tour of Charleston is especially pleasant when done in a small group of just 15 people or fewer. Discover the best tours in Charleston without the hassle of overcrowded sidewalks as you follow your guide through the historic French Quarter, past the majestic mansions of Broad Street, and down to the Charleston Battery As you walk, your guide regales you with tales of Charleston's fascinating history, which is all too easy to miss if you forgo a guide.

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Small-Group Tour: Charleston Old Walled City Historical Walking Tour

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Nature Boat Tour with Certified Naturalist in Charleston

Although Charleston may be more famous for its bars than its beaches, visitors would be remiss to overlook the Holy City's natural charms. Join a certified naturalist for a 2-hour nature boat tour through the waterways off Charleston Harbor, including a stop to explore the historical Morris Island. Throughout the tour, take in views of the Charleston skyline and spot wildlife like dolphins and seabirds with the help of your guide.

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Nature Boat Tour with Certified Naturalist in Charleston

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Day Trips to Charleston#7 See Ft Sumter,CarriageTour,Lunch & more

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Gray Line City Tour with Charleston Museum Admission

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Private Luxury Yacht Charters, BYOB & Dolphins

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.

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Private Luxury Yacht Charters, BYOB & Dolphins

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Sightseeing Bus Tour of Charleston with Adventure Sightseeing

Charleston is a wonderful city to walk around, though there’s no beating the Southern heat quite like a relaxed, air-conditioned ride. Join this bus tour for a comfortable cruise around Charleston’s best attractions. Pass by the Fort Sumter National Museum and Charleston City Market. Stop at the Battery & White Point Gardens for a photo op. See the Charleston Harbor where your guide’s family sailed into in 1740.

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Private Luxury Sunset Sail on the 50ft Sailing Yacht Fate BYOB

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Private Morning Sail, Dolphin and History Tour on Mystique

Take in the beauty of the Charleston coastline and even spot dolphins along the way with this exclusive sailboat charter directly from the downtown Harbor City Marina. Enjoy the luxury of an entire boat to yourself as you skirt the coast past highlights like the Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge, the battery, and historic forts on the Charleston Harbor. Keep your eyes peeled for bottlenose dolphins and stay cool with drinks and shade on board.

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Private Morning Sail, Dolphin and History Tour on Mystique

2 hoursFree Cancellation

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Private BYOB Afternoon Harbor Sail On 50ft Sailing Yacht Fate

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Private Sunset Sail BYOB Dolphin/History Tours on 43ft Mystique

Welcome to Mystique, the beautiful 43ft sailing yacht operated by the longest running private charter company in Charleston's history. #1 activity on Tripadvisor for over 12 years, our sailing yachts are the highest quality and operated by two professional crew to give you the best experience possible. Standard 2 hour charters are private, only you and the guests in your party will be on board. Additional hours can be added by request. We depart from the safe Harbor City Marina downtown Charleston and sail out towards fort Sumter or the Arthur Ravenel Jr bridge, past the battery and the historic forts on the Charleston Harbor. We always point out the bottlenose dolphins that we see and try to get as close as we can for your viewing pleasure. Great for children and adults alike, we have plenty of shade, two bathrooms and soft drinks refreshments are included. We strive to provide the best customer service giving our guests the finest sailing experience available in Charleston.

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Private Sunset Sail BYOB Dolphin/History Tours on 43ft Mystique

2 to 4 hoursFree Cancellation

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from USD 599

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Private Morning Sail/ Dolphin Tour on 50ft Fate, BYOB or Catering

Create the sailboat cruise of your dreams with this fully customized private tour on board the Fate in Charleston Harbor. Set off for as little as two hours or for half a day to take in the sights along the waterfront, including Charleston Battery, Fort Sumter, and Ravenel Bridge. Upgrade with catering for food and drinks on board, or bring your own refreshments—you can personalize your charter to suit your tastes.

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Private Morning Sail/ Dolphin Tour on 50ft Fate, BYOB or Catering

2 to 4 hoursFree Cancellation

5.0

(40)

from USD 599

Per group

Private Afternoon Sailing/Dolphin & History Tour on 43ft Mystique

Welcome to Mystique, the beautiful 43ft sailing yacht operated by the longest running private charter company in Charleston's history. #1 activity on Tripadvisor since 2012, our sailing yachts are the highest quality and operated by two professional crew to give you the best experience possible. Standard 2 hour charters are private, only you and the guests in your party will be on board. Additional hours can be added by request. We depart from the safe Harbor City Marina downtown Charleston and sail out towards fort Sumter or the Arthur Ravenel Jr bridge, past the battery and the historic forts on the Charleston Harbor. We always point out the bottlenose dolphins that we see and try to get as close as we can for your viewing pleasure. Great for children and adults alike, we have plenty of shade, two bathrooms and soft drinks refreshments are included. We strive to provide the best customer service giving our guests the finest sailing experience available in Charleston.

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Private Afternoon Sailing/Dolphin & History Tour on 43ft Mystique

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Private Afternoon Harbor Cruise on Kismet for parties up to 20

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What are people saying about Fort Sumter National Monument

Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

Pat_K, May 2026

Educational and...

Educational and enjoyable. Had a beautiful day to explore the Fort. Ferry was clean and pleasant. Would recommend.

Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

Maria_H, Apr 2026

A great learning experience

It is a great learning experience for all ages. A beautiful place that is kept clean and there are very knowledgeable park rangers on site

Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

Charles_L, Apr 2026

Sumter side trip

Great trip! I have wanted to see Fort Sumter for some time. Boat was clean and on time. I disagree with some of the other reviews which were critical saying trip was too short. I thought the length was fine. It is a very small fort and didn’t take long to see everything.

Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

MICHAELA_D, May 2026

Must for everyone in the area

Very good trip, great moderator and very educational. Enjoyed it much and it was a total of two hours.

Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

Andrea_A, May 2026

Great experience for the history buff

Awesome experience. Get there early if you want to sit in the open air seats of the ferry boat- they fill up quickly. The tour could have been a little longer IMO but I love all things history so the more time the better. The knowledge of the park rangers was very good as well as the boat captains. Well worth the money. I suggest leaving from Liberty Square as there is much more info about Ft Sumter and Charleston available there vs Patriot Point.

Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

Tanya_R, May 2026

Great tour! Presentations took you back in history and painted a real picture of the life of enslaved people.

The Boone Plantation was an informative experience that gave historical knowledge of people who were enslaved, not only on the Boone Plantation, but throughout the US. The presentations were extremely well done! Each cabin held a wealth of knowledge highlighting how enslaved people lived and also events leading up to and after the Civil War. I would highly recommend this tour.

Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

Marie_R, May 2026

Booking/Parking suggestions

Staff was very friendly and professional. We really enjoyed the opportunity to see very significant historical sites. Only issue is confusion while booking online for the ferry. It needs to be more clear before checkout what location to depart from. Also, it's unfortunate that there's no free parking at Patriot's Point.

Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

Kevin_M, May 2026

Great 3 hour addition to your Charleston experience

Well done excursion from Charleston that's just the right amount of time. 30 minutes each way on the ferry out to Fort Sumpter with a brief but informative live narration on the way to set up the tour at the Fort (one hour ashore). Recommend spending time in the museum on the island which does a great job of describing everything. We almost missed it and wish we had more time inside the nice AC reading all the material. Highly recommended addition to the charm of walking around Charleston.