Top Charleston Outdoor Activities

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.

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.

Take in views of some of Charleston’s top historic sights from a unique perspective with this panoramic dinner cruise through Charleston Harbor. Enjoy a three-course dinner and a full-service bar available for purchase as you cruise past Fort Sumter, the Battery, and Ravenel Bridge. Capture spectacular harbor views, watch the sunset (for summer cruises), and relax to live musical entertainment on board.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The TouringBee 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.