Get away from the hustle and bustle of the cities, and throw off all your worries in the oceans by signing up for Charleston Harbor Tours.
On a cruise, you feel more relaxed and more awake, and it is the best way to see aquatic animals, the city’s iconic sites and learn about maritime history.
Harbor Tours in Charleston offers a new perspective of the city, and you’ll realize and experience this only if you plan to go on one.
This article covers everything you must know before booking Charleston Harbor Tours.
Top Charleston Harbor Tours
# Charleston Harbor History Day-Time or Sunset Boat Cruise
# Charleston Harbor Sunset Cruise
# Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise
Table of contents
- What to expect
- Where to book tickets
- How do online tickets work
- Charleston Harbor Tours prices
- Discount tickets
-
Charleston Harbor Tours tickets
- Charleston Harbor History Daytime or Sunset Boat Cruise
- Charleston Harbor Sunset Cruise
- Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise
- Private Charleston Harbor Sailing Cruise
- Myrtle Beach to Charleston with Horse & Carriage Ride, Harbor Cruise, Boone Hall
- Charleston Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise
- Charleston Harbor Sightseeing Cruise Tour
- Charleston Historic City Tour and Harbor Cruise
- Departure point
- Timings
- Best time to go on cruise
- How long does the cruise take
- FAQs about Harbor Tours in Charleston
What to expect
On Charleston Harbor Tours, you see the beauty of the city through a new lens with no walking or running involved.
You’ll be seated on comfortable, cushioned seats and can explore all the decks of your boats or catamarans.
Highlights of the Charleston harbor cruises:
– Charleston’s Historic Homes
– The Battery Sea Wall
– Historic Churches
– Old Market Area
– The Four Corners of Law Rainbow Row
– Fort Sumter Aircraft Carrier
– Yorktown America’s longest cable-stayed bridge
– Charleston’s Harbor of History
Most cruises have live music, band, and other entertainment facilities, so bop along with your partner under the scintillating sky or hum with the musicians.
| Tickets | Ticket Cost |
|---|---|
| Charleston Harbor History Day-Time or Sunset Boat Cruise | US$57 |
| Charleston Harbor Sunset Cruise | US$56 |
| Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise | US$63 |
| Private Charleston Harbor Sailing Cruise | US$530 per group (up to 6) |
| Myrtle Beach to Charleston with Horse & Carriage Ride, Harbor Cruise, Boone Hall | US$192 |
| Charleston Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise | US$86 |
| Charleston Harbor Sightseeing Cruise Tour | US$34 |
| Charleston Historic City Tour and Harbor Cruise | US$59 |
Where to book tickets
Tickets for Charleston Harbor Cruise are available online or at the operator’s counters.
Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the counters.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the ticket counters.
Because some tours sell a limited number of tickets, booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointment.
When you book early, you also get your preferred time slot.
How do online tickets work
Go to the Charleston Harbor Cruise ticket booking page, select the number of tickets, date, and time slot, and click the Book Now button!
Upon payment, the tickets will be emailed to you. You don’t need to take any printouts.
On the day of your cruise, present your e-ticket to the cruise staff at the meeting point, and you’re all ready to glide!
Don’t forget to bring your official IDs.
Charleston Harbor Tours prices
The tickets for Charleston Harbor History Day-Time or Sunset Boat Cruise cost US$57 for adults aged 12 years and above and US$35 for children between four to 11 years.
The Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise ticket is priced at US$63 for guests aged 12 years and above and US$34 for children below 11 years.
There are many more harbor tours offered in Charleston.
Some can be experienced in large groups, while others can be enjoyed with a group you wish to go with (your friends and family).
The harbor tours are priced differently based on the experience it offers, the age group it caters to, the facilities and services it offers, and the route it covers.
Discount tickets
Most Harbour Tours in Charleston offer reduced tickets for seniors, military, and children.
This makes your family trips more budget-friendly.
Group discounts are offered if you book tickets for an entire group (usually up to 15 members), and the best part is your entire group will be seated together.
Charleston Harbor Tours tickets
On Charleston Harbor Tours, you get various cruise options, which are perfect for families, friends, and even couples.
You can select a sunset cruise with or without BBQ, sightseeing cruise, luxury cruise, or private cruise for a much more relaxing experience.
The cruise options we will suggest fit everyone’s pockets.
Charleston Harbor History Daytime or Sunset Boat Cruise
Set off along the Cooper River on this cruise and get splashed by history lessons from licensed captains.
The captains share many facts and information about the history of harbor cruises and sites you pass by.
From hearing about Fort Sumter, the fortified island where first shots were fired during the Civil War, to USS Yorktown and St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, there is definitely so much for you to know.
Spot Cooper River Bridges and Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge (connecting downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant) above you and pass by homes on the Battery, Fort Moultrie, and Fort Johnson.
Drinks are available for purchase throughout the tour till you are dropped off.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (12+ years): US$57
Child Ticket (4 to 11 years): US$35
Infant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free
Charleston Harbor Sunset Cruise
Sunset cruises are the most popular among all cruises as guests love to see the sky washed in reds, oranges, and yellows.
Watching waters slowly and silently swallowing the giant sun is a treat to the eyes.
Capture such amazing moments with your camera and take home memories that last a lifetime.
On this sunset cruise, board your catamaran and see Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie, Battery, White Point Gardens, South Carolina Aquarium, and Charleston’s scenic lighthouses.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (12+ years): US$56
Child Ticket (4 to 11 years): US$40
Infant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free
Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise
Enjoy a glitzy evening on oceans packed with live music and entertainment, offering a fantastic buffet on this cruise.
The BBQ buffet serves various lip-smacking dishes, including pulled pork, smoked chicken, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and many more!
Drinks are not included in the buffet but if you want, you can buy one for yourself.
The vessel has three decks with open seating on all levels, and the lower deck in the Main Salon is reserved for buffet.
This cruise is perfect for an ultra-romantic date night and proposing to your partner.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (12+ years): US$63
Child Ticket (up to 11 years): US$34
Private Charleston Harbor Sailing Cruise
The private cruise is perfect for those who wish to sail only with their groups seeking a more personalized and luxurious experience.
You can choose from two options– Daytime Sail on a 32 ft Sailboat (starts at 9 am) or Sunset Sail on a 36ft Sailboat (begins at 7 pm), based on your preference.
Bring your own drinks and nibbles, or request onboard catering and ask the professional photographer to take pictures for you.
This cruise takes care of the tiniest needs of guests and ensures you receive the best service and hospitality.
Ticket Prices
Daytime Sail on a 32 ft Sailboat: US$530 per group (up to 6)
Sunset Sail on a 36ft Sailboat: US$560 per group (up to 6)
Myrtle Beach to Charleston with Horse & Carriage Ride, Harbor Cruise, Boone Hall
The cruise package includes the following:
– Delicious boxed lunch
– Horse-drawn carriage ride around the historic district
– Boat tour of Charleston Harbour
– Visit to Boone Hall Plantation with a guided tour
– Quick stop at the Old City Market.
You also get a roundtrip transportation facility between Myrtle Beach and Charleston in a luxury coach.
The best part about the tour is you get a complimentary boxed lunch on the boat.
With so many activities and sightseeing to offer on a half-day trip, consider booking your tickets.
Ticket Cost: US$192
Charleston Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise
This dinner cruise serving a wholesome 3-course meal with a range of cuisines and desserts is not ordinary!
It is truly luxurious in every aspect, allowing you to absorb the outside views from both enclosed air-conditioned dining decks and the open-air observation deck.
The cruise has a live music facility with a full-time bar, but drinks are not included in your tickets and are available for purchase at the bar at your own expense.
Remember, tables of 4 or 6 persons are available, and couples will be seated with other couples.
Ticket Cost: US$86
Charleston Harbor Sightseeing Cruise Tour
This sightseeing cruise tour passes by important landmarks like Battery, the Ravenel Bridge, Fort Sumter, USS Yorktown Castle Pinckney, and more.
You get the flexibility to pick from two departure points, namely, Patriots Point or Aquarium Wharf.
Hear amazing stories from the captain of your boat about the history and significance of places your boat crosses, and take in the sweeping views of the water and sky right before you.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (12 to 61 years): US$34
Child Ticket (up to 11 years): US$24
Senior Ticket (62+ years): US$34
Military Ticket: US$32
Charleston Historic City Tour and Harbor Cruise
This tour is a combination of land and sea tours.
You’ll first board a climate-controlled luxury coach and embark on a 90-minute narrated land tour of Charleston and catch glimpses of Historic Churches, Rainbow Row.
After the historic city tour, it’s time to sail on water absorbing soul-uplifting views.
At Patriots Point, learn about Fort Sumter, the harbor’s past, and the aircraft carrier Yorktown.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (12+ years): US$59
Child Ticket (4 to 11 years): US$39
Infant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free
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Departure point
Charleston Harbor Tours’ departure point or meeting point varies from cruise to cruise.
Usually, the boats depart from Charleston Maritime Center in downtown Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
But you should always check the booking page to know the exact departure and arrival details.
Timings
The timings of Charleston Harbor Tours depend on the boat cruise you wish to go on.
The Charleston Harbor History Day-Time or Sunset Boat Cruise kicks off at 11.30 am, with the last cruise departing at 7 pm.
Other sunset cruises like Charleston Harbor Sunset Cruise, Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise, and Charleston Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise start at 7 pm.
The Private Charleston Harbor Sailing Cruise has two options, a daytime tour setting off at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm and a nighttime cruise at 7 pm.
Owing to its long tour length, the Myrtle Beach to Charleston with Horse & Carriage Ride, Harbor Cruise, Boone Hall cruise begins early in the morning at 7 am.
The Charleston Historic City Tour and Harbor Cruise leave at 10.30 am and Charleston Harbor Sightseeing Cruise Tour at 11 am.
Best time to go on cruise
Spring (between mid-April and late May) and fall (between late September to late October) are considered the best seasons to go on a Charleston cruise.
During these seasons, the weather is pleasant, letting you enjoy the views from the open decks.
You must reach the departure or meeting point at least 30 minutes before the cruise takes off.
Arriving early gives you ample time to take seats and settle down and hear the instructions given by the crew.
How long does the cruise take
The duration of Harbour Tours Charleston depends on the cruise you select. There are cruises that take 90 minutes to 2 hours. You will also find cruises that last close to 11 hours.
| Cruise | Duration |
|---|---|
| Charleston Harbor History Day-Time or Sunset Boat Cruise | 90 minutes |
| Charleston Harbor Sunset Cruise | 2 hours |
| Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise | 2 hours |
| Private Charleston Harbor Sailing Cruise | 2.5 hours |
| Myrtle Beach to Charleston with Horse & Carriage Ride, Harbor Cruise, Boone Hall | 10.5 hours |
| Charleston Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise | 2.5 hours |
| Charleston Harbor Sightseeing Cruise Tour | 1.5 hours |
| Charleston Historic City Tour and Harbor Cruise | 4 hours |
FAQs about Harbor Tours in Charleston
Here are some questions visitors generally ask before taking Harbor Tours in Charleston.
The shortest cruise lasts about 90 minutes, and the longest cruise runs for about 10 to 11 hours.
Yes! Most tours are accessible for visitors in wheelchairs and strollers.
Yes! Charleston Harbor Tours ensures that basic facilities like toilets are available for guests. But on some boats, you may not find restrooms.
The capacity of visitors varies based on the Charleston harbor boat tour you select and the size of the boat. Bigger boats can accommodate a maximum of 200 guests. If you wish to take a private cruise, remember no more than 6 people are allowed.
Wear something casual and comfortable for a harbor cruise. For daytime cruises, don’t forget to bring your hats, sunglasses, and sunscreens. For sunset cruises, you can take a jacket or scarf as it can be windy and chilly during the evening.
No! All infants must sit on their parents or guardians laps throughout the tour.
There is definitely a possibility of you getting wet during the cruise, especially when the boats cross rapids. You can ask for pouches from the staff on the boat to keep your belongings safe. Also, it is always better to bring your own bags to store your phones and other items.
Yes! On many tours, you get free water bottles.
Sources
# Charlestonharbortours.com
# Harborbarchs.com
# Luxurysimplifiedretreats.com
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