Behind the Scenes of Shem Creek Shrimp Walking Tour

Recommended by 99% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Charleston, USA

Great choice

10+ bookings last month.

1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

5.0

· John_L ·

Sep 2025

Great morning. Captain Bryan is very knowledgeable. He grew up in this area and knows so much history. We also learned so much about the shrimping industry and sustainability. We got a great lesson in how to toss a net which was really a blast. Highly recommend!

· Gertrude_M ·

Mar 2026

He gives a lot of really good historical facts about Mt. Pleasant and Charleston. He was very knowledgeable and presented information in an interesting format. He engaged well with the children on the tour.

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Overview

Get a look behind the scenes of the historic South Carolina shrimping industry with a guided walking tour of Shem Creek. This immersive experience will give you a chance to see this nearly century-old waterfront community at work, as you learn all about the history, ecology, culture, and language of this special place.

Walking tour of Shem Creek immerses you in the shrimping industry
See the shrimping fleet at work and learn about its history
The tour ends on Mount Pleasant’s charming waterfront boardwalk
A small group means a more intimate experience

What's Included

Small prize at end of the tour

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

111 Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, USA
We meet on corner of Coleman Blvd and Mill street outside of the public parking garage/office. It is the only 4 story office building in the immediate area. There is a circular flower arrangement on that corner that I will be near with a grey hat and tour guide badge on.

End point

1313 Shrimp Boat Ln, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, USA
The tour ends a short walk away from starting location on a beautiful public boardwalk that is next to the creek where guests have the opportunity to explore further.

Operating hours
.10:00 am

Itinerary

Mary Street

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Magwood Drive

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Shem Creek

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Hibben Street

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Mt. Pleasant Seafood

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Shem Creek Park

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers

No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
Walking distance is around 1.5 miles. Please note especially with summer heat that guests should be able to walk this distance.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

5.0

based on 177 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Captain B

Tania_C, Apr 2026

Great time! Great history lesson. Can’t wait for the shrimp boil and the other amazing history tours.

Great!

Kristen_O, Apr 2026

Bryan was very knowledgeable and it was a great walking tour! The kids were engaged in the history as well.

Great Small Group Tour

Gertrude_M, Mar 2026

Great guide….great tour

Nicholas_I, Mar 2026

Tour guide Bryan was personable,, enraging and eager to share his deep knowledge of Mount Pleasant/Charleston history plus the origin, evolution and today’s status of the local shrimping industry. We were the only two booked and Bryan gave us an intimate private tour when other tours we’ve booked in recent years have canceled without their minimum. Can’t wait to book another of his many tours when next back in Charleston. Highly recommend!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Nick! It was such a pleasure meeting y’all. The local shrimping industry is not well advertised nor understood so it is amazing to share its valuable history to guests like yourselves. Thanks for this amazing review and I hope to see y’all again in the future. Y’all have a friend here in Charleston. Safe travels- Capt B

Highly Recommend Shem Creek Shrimp Walking Tour

Lizette_J, Sep 2025

Bryan, our tour expert, is so knowledgeable and entertaining! He made this unique tour fun and educational at the same time.

What a great morning!

John_L, Sep 2025

History of Shem Creek tour - not a shrimp tour

Michelle_M, Sep 2025

Our tour guide was fantastic but the tour did not meet the description. We were expecting more of a working shrimp boat and a seaside snack. We spent more time learning about history and homes than on the shrimp docks. We thought we would get to eat shrimp but left without a snack and had to run to lunch.

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Hi Michelle, I know we have discussed this in person but will respond publicly. Viator has had AI or as they say "copywriters" change my tour description. I have spent an hour trying to get my description changed back and This is a direct quote from my chat with Viator " Unique product description content written by Viator's copywriters. VUC is based on your provided content, but it overrides the provided content on the product page, and is written in a way that emphasizes the value of booking the tour/activity vs. going on your own to get you more bookings." Meaning, I am unable to control the public facing description of my own tour!!! That I designed... SMH. My own description does not include anything about a "seaside snack" or "whetting your appetite." Those have been added against my wishes. Michelle is not wrong in her review as the current description makes it seem like we get food on the tour and removes the historical component. Please note for future guests this is not a food tour but this is a historical based walking tour that starts out in a community that dates back to 1680, then we use that history to explain how shrimping begins commercially. From there we visit 2 generational shrimping family facilities to check out the catch, pass by a trawler to discuss how the boats/nets work. And we finish with a cast net demonstration to teach folks how to catch their own shrimp. This tour has been featured on the local news and a nationally syndicated American Dream TV and I have family in the shrimping industry! I hope future guests will join along to learn about the last vestiges of a bygone era with the local shrimping industry and history of this beautiful community. Michelle, thanks for making me aware of the description changed and still being such wonderful guests despite leaving hungry at the end ! If you are back in town I will be glad to have you join on any of my other walking tours for free to make up for slightly misleading description (that Viator made), just reach out you have my number. - Capt B

The best tour we had in...

Elizabeth_C, Aug 2025

The best tour we had in Charleston! Captain is honest, sweet and loves his history! The tour was fun, interactive and informative!!!

Great combo of knowledge and fun.

Michael_S, Aug 2025

Captain Brian was GREAT! He was so very knowledgeable and FUN!!! Not only did we learn, we laughed. A wonderful combination when you are doing a tour. He was so kind, especially to the children attending. I was impressed that he was able to remember names of so many in the group. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who is able to do the slow walk with him. I promise, you will not be disappointed.

Fun and informative

Sherri_B, Aug 2025

Great mixture of history and humor. Learned a lot about the background of the shrimping industry in Charleston. Captain Brian was an awesome guide and held our interest with great stories.

It’s a shrimp

Laray_H, Jul 2025

Capt brad was great knew a lot of history fot the small island, gave us great place to eat lunch. Over all a great experence.

Definitely recommend

Victoria_S, Jul 2025

Very fun and informational! Captain was a great tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and friendly. Cool to learn about history and shrimping in Charleston.

Shrimping adventure

Scott_K, Jun 2025

Captain Bryan was very knowledgeable and informative about the local history and architecture, as well as the details of shrimping. Locally raised and grown, committed to the community.

Just Book It!

Amanda_D, May 2025

Capt. Bryan was SO awesome! We did this tour with our kiddos ages 2 & 4 and he kept them engaged along with the adults too! There was so much history and knowledge Bryan shared about the area and we learned really cool facts about shrimp too! This was the perfect tour to get out and about to walk off breakfast and see the area. I would do this tour again once we come back and visit! Hats off to you my friend!! Great tour!

Best day is Charleston area

Kimberly_W, May 2025

This by far was the best tour. Captain Bryan was thorough, funny and had the most history knowledge. He taught us about war history as well as shrimping. Mount Pleasant is a beautiful town. I loved admiring the old houses on the walking tour. Money well spent. Thank you Capt. Bryan

Amazing Journey With Captain Bryan

Jack_T, May 2025

Very informative about the history of Shem Creek and how shrimping started. Highlighted the struggles and challenges of present day shrimping.

Captain Bryan was the...

Paula_P, Mar 2025

Captain Bryan was the best! A great history lesson on the evolution of the shrimping industry in SC from the Revolutionary War to present

Great tour away from the congested historic side

Amy_B, Mar 2025

Captain Brian was very knowledgeable about the history of Mount Pleasant. In addition he had a vast knowledge of the shrimping industry. He was very passionate and enthusiastic about his hometown. Not just telling you information, but he was presenting it like a story. He was able to answer your questions and took every question seriously. Recommend some local restaurants that did not disappoint!! We ate local shrimp at Arts Bar and Grill and the flounder sandwich was great!

Family of 5 & Dog

JOHNNY_M, Mar 2025

Captain Bryan's was one of the best experiences of our vacation. Our kids enjoyed learning history of our country and shrimping. Our group included 11, 10 and 8 year olds and all loved it even our 15-year old dog :) Highly recommend this tour and came back w/ great recommendations for the rest of our trip.

Great tour

Patti_B, Mar 2025

Great tour even for locals of Charleston! Bryan did a great job of sharing Charlestons history bridging that to the shrimping industry.

Eat local seafood

Alec_D, Feb 2025

It’s a great behind the scenes look at Shem creek and the history that has brought us to present day. Eat local seafood when you can. It helps support small independent businesses that aren’t ultimately owned by Fortune 500 corporations who don’t know or care about whatever forever chemicals are in the frozen plastic bag of food they’re selling to you.

Not to be missed!

Tara_B, Feb 2025

Having never been to Charleston we wanted to learn about the local history and current culture. Capt Bryan covered it all and more! Highly recommend this tour. You will love it!

Most informative and fun...

Wyatt_K, Feb 2025

Most informative and fun experience we had on our trip. Captain Bryan is extremely knowledgeable and very easy to talk to. It was a fun time and we learnt a lot.

Don’t Miss the Shem Creek Shrimp Walking Tour

Louise_C, Feb 2025

Captain Bryan was knowledgeable and entertaining. We all enjoyed the tour and left with a wealth of new information. We highly recommend.

A little different; a lot of fun!

Kerry_J, Feb 2025

Outstanding and interesting. Bryan is a wonderful guide with a true passion for the area and a wealth of knowledge. You will have a wonderful time away from the crowds and chaos of the most touristy parts of Charleston.

If you want history you’ll love it

Chelsea_M, Jan 2025

Bryan knows his history! Very personable and informative. It was a trip highlight and worth every penny.

Enjoyable walk in Olld Town.

sims1068, Nov 2024

Super informative and interesting. Bryan was fun and answered all the questions presented. Beautiful area to walk through. Just wished we could have packed some shrimp to take home.