Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 15 minutes
Mobile ticket
Visit historic Fort Sumter with the only operator in Charleston providing Admission to Fort Sumer National Monument and Round-Trip Ferry Transportation from Liberty Square or Patriots Point.
Cruise by top Charleston sites from your ferry such as Rainbow Row and Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. For those departing from Patriots Point, experience views of the USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier from up-close.
Explore the grounds of Fort Sumter and stand where America’s deadliest war began at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park. The first shots were fired here, igniting a conflict that saw more than 700,000 casualties. Experience the opening battle of the American Civil War and explore its origins with a National Park Ranger who will greet you upon arrival. Your approximate 1-hour visit to Fort Sumter allows ample time to explore well-preserved fort ruins and browse Museum Store souvenirs.
Then enjoy the beautiful views of the city as you ride the ferry back to Charleston.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure time
Boarding begins 15 minutes prior to departure time
Accepted payment methods include all major credit and debit cards only
The ferries are equipped with an elevator/lift and handicapped accessible restrooms. The Liberty Square boarding ramp can accommodate electric & manual wheelchairs and scooters except in extreme tide situations. Although the restrooms on Fort Sumter are accessible only by climbing a flight of stairs, the ferry remains at the Fort so that restrooms on the boat are available during your visit.
There is currently no Elevator Service at Fort Sumter – the museum, restrooms, bookstore and top level of Fort Sumter are only accessible by climbing stairs.
The Fort Sumter Tour is a boat excursion dependent on changing weather and tide conditions, Fort Sumter Tours cannot and does not guarantee accessibility. Ramps used to access the ferry can vary based on tides and adverse conditions.
Tours run rain or shine. Only the Captain has the final say as to whether he feels it needs to be canceled due to weather. That decision is made at the time of departure and throughout the duration of the tour.
What To Expect
Fort Sumter National Monument
Visit historic Fort Sumter National Monument located in Charleston, SC with the only operator in the city offering Admission to Fort Sumter plus Round-Trip Ferry Service. Experience a relaxing 30minute Narrated Harbor Cruise to historic Fort Sumter, where America’s deadliest war began. You will learn about the events which led to the outbreak of America’s most bloody war. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a National Park Service Ranger, who will provide further details about Fort Sumter and its pivotal role in the American Civil War. On the fort you will find a very informative museum (360 Video of Museum) with many historic artifacts and a souvenir shop. After your roughly one hour visit, you will enjoy a scenic cruise back to your departure point.
Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center
Ferries depart from the Fort Sumter Visitor's Center in downtown Charleston for those who select the Liberty Square departure option during checkout.
What‘s Included
Access to the Fort Sumter Museum, Bookstore, and Souvenir Shop
Experience the opening battle of the American Civil War with a National Park Ranger
Admission to historic Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina
1-hour Self-Guided Tour to explore Fort Sumter and its well-preserved ruins
Round-Trip Ferry Transportation from Liberty Square or Patriots Point (30-minutes each way)
Food & Beverages
Parking
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Options
Departing Liberty Square
Liberty Square: This Fort Sumter Tour departs from Liberty Square, 340 Concord St., downtown Charleston
Departing Patriots Point
Patriots Point: This Fort Sumter Tour departs from Patriots Point, 40 Patriots Point Road, Mt. Pleasant
Reviews
3,683 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great Historical experience
Mike G,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Very informative and you will learn something you did not know. I highly recommend doing this, especially if you are a history buff. I have our only 4 stars as we only had 1 hour to explore and we did not get to read all of the info and had to rush through the museum.
Educational and interesting.
dsteinfeld,May 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is a very interesting and important element to fully appreciate Charleston. The rangers and volunteers, especially Steve, were terrific. I salute their efforts in these difficult times.
Great experience for the history buff
Andrea A,May 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Awesome experience. Get there early if you want to sit in the open air seats of the ferry boat- they fill up quickly. The tour could have been a little longer IMO but I love all things history so the more time the better. The knowledge of the park rangers was very good as well as the boat captains. Well worth the money. I suggest leaving from Liberty Square as there is much more info about Ft Sumter and Charleston available there vs Patriot Point.
Great experience!
Roam05932775367,May 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was well organized and the rangers knowledge was do helpful and very interesting .
Must for everyone in the area
MICHAELA D,May 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very good trip, great moderator and very educational. Enjoyed it much and it was a total of two hours.
Good trip! Bad weather!
Averie H,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great experience! We arrived 45 minutes early and they started loading 15 mins before departure! The volunteer guide was super knowledgeable and told us just about everything we needed to know on our 30 minute trip there, we had about an hour on the island, then we boarded again to go back to liberty square, they had some snack and drinks on the middle deck. We hit some bad storms while there and their inside deck was fairly big enough to accommodate everyone with no rain hitting us! 10/10 experience! The museum on Fort Sumter was very informational!
anti-America speech by ranger ruined our visit--whole speech about slavery
BigGuy28601,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00The fort and ferry ride were great. The woman ranger who gave the talk was clearly a leftist-educated woman who believes the US still is and always has been a horrible, rascist country. Her talk was supposed to be about the actual FORT, it's history, the Civial War etc. Every part of her long talk went back to slavery, and how every part of the South was built on slaves. It was really offensive, in our faces. She needs to be removed from speaking to the groups! It would have been fine to have SOME coverage of slavery and it's role in the fort, but not THE CONSTANT drumming it into us.
Visit to Fort Sumter
Daphne H,May 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very nice ferry ride over to Ft Sumter. Our park ranger on the ferry was very knowledgeable and once off the ferry free to explore the fort and wonderful museum.
Too short of time at Fort Sumpter
Gerald G,May 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00Way too short time on island, one hour at National Historical Park. Would have to be speed reader just to get through museum. Volunteer talk on way to island was great. No talk on way back. Should be allowed to come back on next boat if not done and want to catch next boat.
Great day at Fort Sumter
Seaside33506961668,May 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The crew was wonderful. The man that was doing the talking was very knowledgeable and made it quite interesting.
From US$43.00
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