Kayak With Dolphins in Historic Shem Creek
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Paddle into the heart of Charleston’s most iconic tidal creek on this guided kayak adventure. From our private dock on Shem Creek, you’ll slip past shrimp boats and oyster beds into quiet saltmarshes alive with wildlife. Keep your eyes open for bottlenose dolphins surfacing nearby, pelicans diving for fish, and graceful egrets hunting along the banks. In summer months, even manatees and sea turtles visit these waters. Along the way, your naturalist guide shares stories of Lowcountry history and ecology, ensuring the experience is both fun and enriching. Stable kayaks, expert instruction, and small group sizes make this tour safe and enjoyable for all ages. Whether you’re a first-time paddler or seasoned adventurer, this is one of the best ways to see Charleston from the water.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Once you check in at Coastal Expeditions, your guides will prepare your group for the adventure by fitting your gear and offering a brief safety and instruction on how to sea kayak. Once we're on the water, we'll take a minute to get our "sea legs" before we paddle down towards the historic portion of Shem Creek and Charleston Harbor. We will return to this point at the end of the tour.
Shem Creek Park
Historic Shem Creek is one of the most iconic spots in Charleston and is known for its shrimp boats, seafood restaurants and wildlife. Bottlenose dolphins frequent this creek and will often breach just feet away from your kayak. In the summers, manatees call Shem Creek home and loggerhead turtles will occasionally pop above the surface. As you pass by the shrimp boats and oyster-lined marshes, you see Charleston Harbor and the Holy City Skyline. The Netflix show Outer Banks films on Shem Creek and your guide can show you familiar places where Pogues hang out!
What‘s Included
Kayaking Gear (Sea Kayak, Paddle, Personal Flotation Device)
2-Hour Guided Kayak Eco Tour
Professional Guide with storytelling & safety skills
Dry Bag (to keep phone & personal belongings from getting wet)
Gratuities
Options
Kayak With Dolphins in Historic Shem Creek
Reviews
406 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Shem Creek Is Magical!
philippa a,,Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Morgan was a lovely tour guide! Had a great day on the water with our family-everyone had a great time!
10/10, Amazing tour
shanepW7636MX,,Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Phenomenal experience with my wife. Very relaxing and informative. Colleen was amazing and extremely down to earth with a ton of knowledge of the area & ecosystem. We will 100% be returning!
Relaxing, romantic and fun
Leon B,,Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great experience kayaking through the harbor and into the marsh lands. Our guide Heidi was super friendly and very knowledgeable about the area and the animals, she loved telling and explaining to us what we were seeing. I found it very relaxing and a great experience. I would recommend it. Leon & Jena
Sunset kayak adventure
stevekB2488YL,,Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A wonderful evening with Bo! Abby had us we could handle the tour - it was 49 degrees!! Her medical latex glove trick worked. Bo was incredibly knowledgeable of the shorebirds, marshes, tides, and history of the area. A very passionate man that obviously loves his job, but more so, the ecological mission of Coastal Expeditions. Don’t hesitate…just Go!
Great kayak trip
923terezap,,Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great kayaking trip on Sunday, Nov 9. The weather was warm and beautiful. The crew gave us detailed instructions before getting in the Shem creek on our kayaks. The trip was planned to make it easier to go against the tide while we were full of energy and excitement and down at the end. Jackie was a very knowledgeable and fun guide. She gave us tips on how to navigate a couple of turns with swirling along the way and was paying attention to everyone, making sure we are safe. We will be back
Beautiful sunset kayak tour
lunalovegoodpotter,,Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an awesome sunset kayak tour with Jackie. She’s very knowledgeable and a great historian. We learned a lot during the tour. The sunset was beautiful with views of the downtown skyline. We have done other tours with this company in the past and always have great experiences. We look forward to our next tour!
Lovely creek afternoon
NYCBK14,,Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful afternoon kayaking up the creek. The outfitter was super professional annd everything went like clockwork. Our guide Jackie was terrific- very knowledgeable with years of experience. I even learned proper kayaking paddling. We saw lots of birds including egrets, pelicans and a bald eagle. Overall just a great experience in the water Plus drinks at the crab house right on the water next door before our flight- what could be better.
Excellent tour guide/excellent company!
E7905TZcathya,,Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Madison did an expert job with our tour-she is so knowledgeable and was super helpful with our kayaking skills! Coastal Expeditions also does a veterans program we are so impressed with. Happy to support a company that helps others.
Great kayak experience!
ambyerly1,,Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband and I were fortunate to be the only ones on the kayak tour. The weather was perfect and we had a great experience. We learned a lot about the area and some some amazing wildlife including a dolphin and green sea turtle! Would highly recommend.
Coastal Expedition for shark teeth!
crystalcP6476YL,,Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great experience on our spontaneous Coastal Expedition adventure! We drove up from Florida for the day to go out kayaking to the crab bank and then we took the ferry boat out to Morris Island. We had an absolutely fantastic time and a very pleasant laid back experience which was exactly what we went for. Stress relief and shark teeth! Everyone there from start to finish was wonderful!
From US$48.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by Coastal Expeditions