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Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

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Overview

Available languages

English

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

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.

Please note 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.

3:45 tour departing from Patriots Point is a 3 hour tour in total time.

Charleston County has now dropped into a medium risk level for Covid-19, therefore masks are not required, but optional.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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 (available for purchase)

Gratuities

What To Expect

1

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.

1 hour • Admission Included
2

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.

Admission Not Applicable

Options

Departing Liberty Square

Liberty Square: This Fort Sumter Tour departs from Liberty Square, 340 Concord St., downtown Charleston
Starting point:
Fort Sumter Visitor Center, 340 Concord St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA

Departing Patriots Point

Patriots Point: This Fort Sumter Tour departs from Patriots Point, 40 Patriots Point Road, Mt. Pleasant
Starting point:
40 Patriots Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, USA

Reviews

4.57

3,147 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

2257
599
186
37
68
  • Unable to take tour that day

    Paul G,

    Oct 6, 2025

    - Viator

    1.00

    Unable to take tour due to Gov shutdown all tours were cancelled so I couldn’t go I don’t have anything more to say about this

  • Event cancelled

    Forest A,

    Oct 4, 2025

    - Viator

    1.00

    NEED REFUND . US government. shutdown closed ft Sumter so vendor cancelled trip. An advance text would have been helpful.

  • Hurricane and the government

    Kim R,

    Oct 3, 2025

    - Viator

    1.00

    Don’t try to book during a hurricane scare or a government shutdown. Both times our booking was canceled 😞

  • Government shutdown 🙁 vacationing from Arizona ,got an email while we were a couple hours away

    Paul C,

    Oct 2, 2025

    - Viator

    1.00

    Don’t book anything if there are rumors of government shutdown. Came from Arizona and just a couple of hours from the tour it was canceled because of government shutdown. So very disappointing. Of course not fort Sumter fault. Heard it was a good thing to see.

  • The Ferry ride was...

    Nita H,

    Oct 2, 2025

    - Viator

    5.00

    The Ferry ride was comfortable, a lot of Civil War history but not much time to read everything. Wear comfortably shoes and a hat.

From $40.00

4.57
3,147 reviews
Check availability

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