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)
Our guides are passionate naturalists who bring these wild places to life. If your trip was meaningful, tips are a great way to say thank you. You will be given the option to add gratuity at the end.
Options
Kayak With Dolphins in Historic Shem Creek
Reviews
420 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Kiawah River trip
DayTrip27617984333,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a great experience! Bo was very knowledgeable and interacted with his guest with questions being answered. Our safety and having a fun time was his main concerned. Highly recommend this treat!
Great kayaking for all ages
Happiness06546614653,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nathan was an excellent guide! He remembered all 13 of our names on the trip. Very knowledgeable about nature and the area. Seeing dolphins was the kids highlight! Fun for all ages, 4 to 64.
Fantastic sunset paddle!
Tourist51871751197,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing experience with Megan as our guide. Learned a lot about the biome of the Lowcountry, saw dolphins at play and a beautiful sunset.
Best family fun
Jean O,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great fun! The guides were excellent . We could have just rented a kayak but having the guide lead us was much better with the added narrative and safety.
Fun, relaxing!
Lindsey C,Apr 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a blast and saw dolphins twice! We also saw pelicans and our guide was very knowledgeable about birds and the culture of the area.
Kayak krazy
mor5304,Apr 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We spent a couple hours kayaking with a group led by MC and Miles. A fabulous experience. Very thorough prep and safety. Fun, informative, professional tour of Shem creek. Couldn’t ask for better guides. All this and a beautiful Charleston day with dolphins, pelicans and wildlife. Plus the whole process of reserving, checking in and getting to the creek could not have been easier. Great staff, great fun. We will be back
Water-based wisdom was plentiful!
597christyp,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great people with a passion for service, environmental conservation and birds! Sam (can’t believe it was his first tour because he was a professor of salt water marsh knowledge) and Jackie (7 years and 65 miles a week on the water?! 🤯 💪) led us well despite a strong breeze. Had to adjust based on the conditions so missed dolphins but pelicans, cormorants and ospreys kept us entertained. Definitely a bit of an upper body workout (we’re 50-somethings) but appreciated the breaks and guidance on avoiding boats!
Nice Kayak Ride, but Not So Much Wildlife
Laurie W,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00While our guide was knowledgeable about the salt marsh ecosystem, we saw no dolphins and only a few birds. This part of Shem Creek is well developed, so kayaking involves passing many boat docks and looking at many homes along the shoreline.
Super Afternoon on the Shem
Seaside790179,Mar 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a terrific way to spend the afternoon in Charleston. Everything about it was easy and fun! I would highly recommend. Great for families.
Amazing!
P5090TZrachaelb,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We loved our time at Coastal Expeditions! Our guide, Olivia, was very nice and was extremely knowledgeable about the area! We went during low tide so we saw a bunch of the tuff mud and the oysters that call the Shem Creek home. We even saw dolphins! The kayaks were comfortable and the water was nice and calm. Great for the kids and great for those who've never kayaked before. My husband and I enjoyed our time here and we will surely come back our next trip!
From US$55.00
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Operated by Coastal Expeditions