Charleston Harbor History Cruise
About this activity
Highlights
- Historic Fort Sumter
- Stunning Battery promenade
- Majestic Ravenel Bridge
- Charming Rainbow Row
- Picturesque Waterfront Park
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided boat tour of Charleston Harbor
- Historical commentary by expert guides
- Scenic views of historic landmarks
- Food and beverages
Itinerary
Pass by: While aboard the Carolina Belle your professional and licensed captain will narrate history, sights, and facts about the Charleston Harbor as you pass locations critical to United States history. You will get close-up views of the Holy City's most famous and charming sights such as Fort Sumter: One of Charleston's most popular landmarks, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired, USS Yorktown: the famous World War II “Fighting Lady," Confederate and Union army Forts Moultrie and Johnson, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church: A surviver of both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, whose steeple was painted black so as not to be an easy target, Stately homes on the Battery: Symbols of Southern elegance and perseverance.
Pass by: You will also see the Cooper River Bridges, including the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge: A state of the art span that accommodates the largest ships in the world and connects downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant. To add to this wonderful experience, don't be surprised if you see Dolphins skimming the surface of the water and pelicans diving for food.
Pass by: Enjoy views of Charleston Waterfront Park
Meeting point
Start Location
10 Wharfside Street, Charleston, SC, USA
Important information
Know before you book
- Cruise operates rain or shine; cancellations are rare.
- Check the local weather forecast before your trip for optimal conditions.
- Arrive at the departure point at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for a boat ride.
- Bring a camera to capture the stunning harbor views.
- Consider bringing a light jacket, as temperatures can vary on the water.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Stroller Accessible
- Service Animals Allowed
- Easy Public Transport
- Infants Required On Laps
Good to know
- There is a flat pier out to the boat and the boarding ramp is about 30 feet long. Travelers will board on the top deck and there are stairs to the lower level. Restrooms are located on the top deck.
Traveler reviews
Great time
Staff friendly and helpful. Staff was knowledgeable. Light snacks and drinks offered. Captain was entertaining.
The tour was informative....
The tour was informative. Enjoyed the many sites during the cruise. The staff was very friendly. Definitely worth the visit.
VERY DISAPPOINTING!
VERY DISAPPOINTED! The cruise itself was fine, but the speakers made it impossible to enjoy what was advertised as a historical tour. Speaker near my seat did not work at all, was told "broke yesterday", not sure if that was accurate. More frustrating was I was not informed before seating. The working speakers were heavily distorted. I booked this tour specifically to hear the historical narration, but missed it all. Overall cruise ok, but the history component was not delivered...very disappointing experience.
Well worth the money
My friends and I throughly enjoyed the cruise. We were not among the first people who boarded, and we're a bit disappointed that we couldn't get seats on the outside deck. We wanted to be outside, so we chose to stand for the cruise-not the most comfortable for 3 seniors. The narration was very good.
Good tour if you’re on the top deck
We arrived in plenty of time for our tour, but not in time to get a seat on the top, open deck. As a result, we couldn’t see a lot of what was being described by the narrator/guide for much of the trip. Or we saw it when the guide had already moved on to other features.. That meant we had to walk around on the lower deck to peer out windows to see what was being discussed and that was quite frustrating. The tour itself was good, but I would not recommend taking it unless you are on the upper deck with full visibility.