Top Charleston Adventure Tours

Charleston's coastal waterways hide an entire ecosystem most visitors never experience up close. This private boat adventure heads out through the marshes and estuaries of Folly River with a local captain, as you scan for dolphins, shorebirds, and other marine life in their natural habitat. There's time to stop at Morris Island to see the Morris Island Lighthouse and stroll on the beach.

Explore the waters around Folly Island on this small-group bottlenose dolphin-spotting tour. Let your captain sail you through the tidal creeks behind Folly Beach in the hopes of spotting the dolphins and observing their behavior in the wild. Listen as your guide explains more about the flora and fauna you see along the way.

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.

Savannah and Charleston are two of the most historic destinations in the American south, and the road connecting the two cities holds just as much history. This self-guided driving tour dives into the history and scenery of that route. Visit the haunting Old Sheldon Church Ruins, snap photos of the Angel Oak Tree, go birdwatching in the ACE Basin Wildlife Preserve, uncover stories of the Underground Railroad, see historic Drayton Hall, and so much more. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, entering your unique password, and accessing your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This is not an entrance ticket to attractions along the route. Check opening hours before your visit.

Set sail for an unforgettable 2-hour sunset cruise on the Serendipity Catamaran, departing from Seabreeze Marina in downtown Charleston. Enjoy stunning waterfront views and local wildlife as the sun dips below the horizon. This upscale sailing experience accommodates only 12 guests, ensuring a cozy atmosphere while you sip a complimentary champagne toast and savor a curated charcuterie spread. Guests are also welcome to bring their own beverages, making it a perfect setting for a refined evening with friends or a romantic outing. - Limited to 12 passengers for an intimate sail experience - Includes complimentary champagne toast and charcuterie spread - BYOB with provided cooler, ice, and cups - Departs from Seabreeze Marina, convenient for downtown visitors

Get off the beaten path and into Charleston's wild coastal areas on this eco boat excursion through salt marshes, estuaries, and tidal waterways. Your guide keeps an eye out for dolphins and shorebirds as you cruise toward Morris Island, a barrier island best known for its 19th-century lighthouse. Once ashore, you're free to walk the beach, collect shells, and explore at your own pace before the boat returns to collect you.

Sit back, relax, and sip your favorite drink while your captain takes you and your private party of up to six people for a sightseeing pleasure cruise in the waters around Charleston, South Carolina. Let your captain set sail for the sunset with you, or enjoy a leisurely afternoon charter.

During your 2.5-hour tour you will witness the beauty that has made Charleston the #1 City in the World year after year. Impressive, but what is beauty without a little brawn! During the tour you will see the Yorktown, Fort Sumter, Fort Johnson, Fort Moultrie, Castle Pinkney, and the world renowned Battery and White Point Garden which housed the artillery during the Civil War. If you think all of that sounds amazing, just wait until you see the sunset. Experiencing the Charleston sunset from the water will leave you breathless! After you catch your breath, the sunset will serve as the perfect backdrop for family portraits, engagements, you name it! Food and drink are encouraged! Alcohol is welcome for guests 21 and older. We provide the cooler and ice - aren’t we nice! Music and boating are like a horse and carriage - They just go together! All our boats are equipped with a Bluetooth stereo system that makes us the envy on the water so bring your tunes.

Hello travelers, Welcome to my city! Come ride with Captain Gene around the Harbor to see how beautiful Charleston is by water! It is breathtaking to see White Point Battery, FortSumter, Castle Pinckney, Shem creek, the rocks of the Charleston jetties and the tallest bridge on the East coast. While traveling enjoy a safe and comfortable ride on my vessel while I give a small history lesson and the first mate caters to your every need. Ride in absolute style in my new Irish lobster boat! I can take up to 24 guest! We will be safe and dry during our tour and the envy of everyone on land! Can not wait to meet you all! Captain Gene

Explore Folly Island from head to toe. Most Charleston visitors don't even realize our area has beautiful beaches! And Folly Beach will make you feel as if you've been transported to Key West! Arrive in style in my 2021 Mercedes Sprinter van, put your sun and surf clothes on, and soak in this surfer beach town. We can take 1-10 people. Our adventure takes us out on a 1/2 mile walk to the northern end of Folly, with a beautiful vista of Morris Island Lighthouse. This is where several scenes from Outer Banks is filmed. Next, walk the boardwalk into the ocean on Folly Beach Pier. Margaritas or ice cream anyone? Then, I will set you loose on the town to enjoy surfer shops. Taco Boy is my suggestion, but lunch is up to you. Finally, a drive to the south end of Folly, and the county park. Customize your adventure in advance and add additional hours. You can even rent beach chairs and enjoy the surf. Don't miss the chance to spend some time with the ocean!

Enjoy a quintessential lowcountry cruise through the salt marshes of one of Charleston’s most scenic rivers where we see multiple dolphin sightings on 99% of our tours! The waters here are calm and less crowded with land always in sight making this private tour more relaxing, intimate, and enjoyable! You will be onboard a 27’ Coast Guard Certified vessel. “Marsh Mama” is designed with an open concept. She has comfortable cushioned seats, and Bluetooth stereo for your enjoyment. Spacious coolers with ice and waters will be provided. You are welcome to bring whatever food and drink you’d like! (BYOB) Your captain will be experienced, knowledgeable, and fun. He will keep you safe, teach you interesting facts, and take great care of you. Your captain has a Masters License. The tour is great for guests of all ages! It is perfect for families, friends, and celebrations! You can even bring your pet! Inquire for group rates for up to 20 guests.

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.

As you embark on our 2-hour journey, you'll witness some of the most spectacular scenes enjoyed in coastal South Carolina. Our goal for our guests is to search for bottlenose dolphins and local species of birds while taking pleasure in the splendid scenery along the way. Bottlenose dolphins, well known for their intelligence, friendly disposition, and smiling faces, have been interacting with humans for centuries and seem to have as much interest in us as we have in them. They often swim near the boat, lifting their heads out of the water to get a glance at all the people on-board. Our South Carolina shores offer breathtaking beauty that becomes a serene portrait aboard our boat where we see dolphin jump and play. The Charleston coast is home to a wide variety of birds of prey, waterfowl, wading birds, terns and gulls, and shorebirds.

Download GuideAlong’s self-guided driving audio tour of Savannah and Charleston and explore scenic marshlands, historic estates, and coastal beauty. Visit iconic sites like ACE Basin, Angel Oak Tree, Charles Towne Landing, Drayton Hall, Old Sheldon Church Ruins, and Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. Along the way, enjoy stories of the region’s rich history, culture, and wildlife, all while driving at your own pace. Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace, spending more time at places that interest you and bypassing any that don’t. Stories, tips, and directions play automatically based on your location Travel at your own pace Tour offline using GPS. No cell service or WiFi is needed Suggested itineraries for half, full, or multi-day use No time limits or expiry, and free updates Like having a tour guide along for the drive Purchase one tour per vehicle.

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.

Visit the site where the first shots of 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 a round-trip, narrated ferry ride from Charleston. Enjoy time to explore the historic fort and museum, watch a battle reenactment, and browse for souvenirs before the return ferry ride.

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.

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.

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.

Travel back in time to discover one of America’s most historic cities—Charleston, South Carolina—on this guided walking tour. Visit points of interest including Charleston City Hall; the Dock Street Theatre, America’s first theatre; 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.