1.5-Hour Charleston Harbor Cruise with Live Narration
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Discover the shoreline landmarks of the oldest and largest city in South Carolina on this cruise of the Charleston Harbor. Pass important Civil War sites including Fort Sumter & Castle Pinckney, stately antebellum homes along the Battery, and an aircraft carrier from World War II. Enjoy fresh air and harbor views as you learn about Charleston’s rich history and well-known residents from a certified Guide. Friendly dolphin often accompany the boats.
* Daytime Harbor Cruises depart from Aquarium Wharf or Patriots Point (Specific departure locations must be selected at checkout).
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Accesibility: Charleston Harbor Tour is not handicap accessible as we have steps that must be climbed in order to board.
90-Minute Daytime Harbor Cruises depart from either Aquarium Wharf or Patriots Point (option available at checkout)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Fort Sumter National Monument
You will learn fascinating historically accurate Charleston history while you cruise the gentle waves of her harbor. Our knowledgeable and entertaining tour guides are certified by the City of Charleston and enjoy interacting with guests. You will cruise passed notable American landmarks, such as Fort Sumter, the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, The Battery, the Ravenel Bridge, Castle Pinckney and other sites from the past and present. This relaxing and fun Charleston Tour departs from two locations daily. You will hear enthralling tales of the city’s colorful past as well as scintillating facts about her most-interesting former citizens. Perfect for all ages, the whole family can enjoy cruising along the coastline of our beautiful “Holy City”. Do you know why we call it the “Holy City”? Find out on our 90-minute Charleston Harbor tour.
Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge
Pass by Ravenel Bridge
What‘s Included
Live Narration by Licensed City of Charleston Tour Guides
1.5-Hour Sightseeing Cruise of Charleston Harbor
Hear enthralling tales of Charleston's colorful past
Possibility of seeing dolphins from the boat
Pass by Fort Sumter, USS Yorktown, High Battery, Ravenel Bridge, Castle Pinckney, and more
Select between two convenient departure locations: Patriot's Point or Aquarium Wharf
Learn scintillating facts about the city's most interesting former residents
Options
Cruise Depart: Aquarium Wharf
Starting point:
Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, SC, USA
Cruise Depart: Patriots Point
Starting point:
40 Patriots Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, USA
Reviews
175 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Harbor view
579aliciah,,Oct 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very informative and relaxing harbor cruise. Only downside was there was nobody at the entry point until 5 min prior to departure. Very disconcerting wondering if they were actually coming or if we had messed up our reservation, etc.
Fun and personable narrator.
Tracy S,,Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00The cruise, details provided and the narrator were great. The narrator was personable and it was evident that he loved what he was doing. However, with that being said, I am unable to give 5 stars. Specific details about the location of the boat and the parking or lack there of should have been provided. This information would certainly have been helpful for persons not familiar with the area. Because there was more than one boat and neither seemed to have the name of the cruise we had booked it was very confusing and there was no one readily available to help.
Enjoyed this cruise
Anne F,,Oct 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00We enjoyed this Charleston Harbor cruise. The crew was professional and friendly. Unfortunately, the microphone the tour guide was using malfunctioned for a lot of the cruise. We felt like we missed information on Fort Sumter and the Civil War. Those were the things we were most interested in so we were disappointed.
Great few hours!!
Elaine P,,Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great way to spend a hot day- water and a breeze! Our host and guide was very knowledgeable and made the outing very entertaining.
Harbor Trip
Mary O,,Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00To buy a rain poncho if it is raining. But it was a great trip, and the gentleman that narrated the trip was awesome.
Very interesting and...
Terence M,,Oct 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very interesting and relaxing. Knowledgeable guide with entertaining stories. Different way to see Charleston.
My Charleston harbor cruise
Thomas H,,Oct 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very nice and informative cruise. The narrator was terrific. Lot’s of civil war facts about the Charleston harbor and surrounding islands and previous Forts.
Enjoyed the harbor...
Ginny W,,Sep 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Enjoyed the harbor cruise. Constant information from the guide. Couldn’t always hear what he was saying. Great afternoon.
Good but need some pep
sedienab,,Sep 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Overall good. The narrator could’ve been a little peppier. But he did have some funny stories to go along. My husband and i enjoyed it.
Not a real history
richn198,,Sep 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Nice boat ride, saw a couple of dolphins, nice crew, learned that Reese Witherspoon lives on one of the islands. If that’s your thing, enjoy. But if you want this as part of learning about the history of Charleston, this cruise is not for you, nor was it for me. Scarcely a mention that the city was a center of the slave trade and associated agricultural wealth. That really is what made Charleston, Charleston.
From US$40.00
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Operated by SpiritLine Cruises