While we usually hear about the beaches on the West Coast of the US and Florida, I feel like Charleston deserves much more recognition.

There’s no wrong way to explore this unique city, but it’s hard to deny the magic of gliding through dolphin-filled waterways or sailing into a Lowcountry sunset.

With its rich maritime background, sprawling harbor, and virtually endless scenic inlets, I highly recommend taking one of the 5 best Charleston boat tours out there.

Each one of these are well worth your time and money, and each offers something a bit different from the rest. Let’s jump right in!

Be sure to see our reviews of Charleston Food Tours, Charleston Horse Carriage Rides and Charleston Plantation Tours.

Best Boat Tours in Charleston

	Charleston Eco Boat Cruise with Stop at Morris Island Lighthouse	Charleston: Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise	Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise
Location:	1871 Bowens Island Rd, Charleston	40 Patriots Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, Charleston	Charleston Maritime Center
Start:	8:00, 9:00 & 10:00 AM	7:00 PM	11:30 AM, 1:30, 3:30 & 6:30 PM
Duration:	2.5 hours	2.5 hours	1.5 hours
Includes:	2.5-hour tidal creeks eco boat cruise, see wildlife, Naturalist Captain, historical and biological live narration onboard, 1-hour stop at the beach	2.5-hour luxury dinner cruise of Charleston Harbor, sunset views of the harbor, 3-course dinner, cruise by top sites such as Fort Sumter and the Battery, live music	Cruise along the historic Charleston Harbor, live narration onboard of the Civil and Revolutionary war sights
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Charleston Boat Tours For 2025

1. Charleston Eco Boat Cruise with Stop at Morris Island Lighthouse
2. Charleston: Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise
3. Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise
4. Private Luxury Sunset Cruise on the Sailing Yacht Fate
5. Private Morning Sailing/Dolphin & History Tours on Mystique

Charleston Boat Tour Reviews

1. Charleston Eco Boat Cruise with Stop at Morris Island Lighthouse

What to Expect on the Tour

While Charleston has a ton to offer when it comes to architecture and “vibes”, if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a bit, this is an excellent opportunity to do so.

The Charleston Eco Boat Cruise with Stop at Morris Island Lighthouse highlights the maritime history of the city as well as its stunning flora and fauna native to the area.

Rather than crowded, noisy sightseeing vessels, expect a more intimate experience that pays respect to the manmade and natural beauty all around you.

The South is known for taking things a bit slower, and that’s exactly what you get here. It’s a leisurely pace that’s perfect for couples, solo travelers, and even entire families with younger children.

With an onboard Naturalist Captain, you have quite literally the best possible person there to lead the way and share in-depth stories about the region that you wouldn’t likely learn from a history or geography book.

Expect to sail through saltwater estuaries and keep your eyes open for critters as you head towards the picturesque Morris Island, which is a secluded barrier island.

Once you arrive, you’ll have a nice stroll along the beach and even get to see the iconic Morris Island Lighthouse while hearing tales about its past and present!

What Makes This Tour Great

If you’re a history buff or nature lover like me, you’re going to fall in love with this tour, which balances both perfectly. Escape the city crowds and hop on your vessel for the morning or afternoon with your Naturalist Captain there to regale you with interesting historical and cultural commentary.

Sail through the estuaries, passing marshes filled with all kinds of wildlife, and even catch sight of some bottlenose dolphins playing around!

What I really loved about this tour was that our captain was super knowledgeable and friendly, and very obviously not just reading from a script. Just sailing around would’ve been worth it, but when you arrive to the hauntingly beautiful Morris Island Lighthouse, you’ll be glad you did.

We had plenty of time to wander around on our own, soaking in the kind of raw beauty that I’d never seen Charleston portrayed before.

If you’re looking for a view of Charleston that many tourists miss out on, this is the one to take.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

Other Charleston Experiences You May Enjoy:

2. Charleston: Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise

What to Expect on the Tour

While there are plenty of incredible restaurants to check out for a solid dinner in Charleston, if you want to do things right, I have an alternative for you. Whether you’re looking for a romantic date night option or simply a different type of dinner from the norm, this next tour is just the ticket.

The Charleston: Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise is the perfect excuse to get dressed up while seeing a part of the city many tourists miss out on.

If you have a few hours in the evening available, I highly recommend not skipping this excursion. Expect to enjoy some of the best sunset views around all while savoring a fantastic 3-course dinner comprised of fresh, local ingredients.

Learn about and see top landmarks like Fort Sumter and the Battery while skilled live musicians serenade you and the other guests. Make sure to check out the views from the top deck, with full 360 vistas perfect for snapping photos for the perfect memento to take back home with you.

What Makes This Tour Great

Charleston has this certain charm and magic to it, that is particularly highlighted when the sun starts to go down. This tour is the perfect way to experience that – right on the water, cocktail in hand, with the skyline engulfed in a golden glow.

This full-fledged experience is rather languid, taking you on a slow roll through the harbor, past Fort Sumter, under the Ravenel Bridge, and alongside the sparkly lights of the Holy City.

As if that weren’t cool enough, you’ll do all that while feasting on fresh Lowcountry fare like shrimp and grits and iconic Southern sides. I loved the vibe, which was certainly laidback but polished.

For example, there was a great live band, but it wasn’t the high-energy party music that you’d find on a boat party with beer cans everywhere. All the while, our captain shared interesting stories and historical information through the PA system as we passed each landmark, which was a great way to learn!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

3. Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise

What to Expect on the Tour

If you’re short on time but still want to enjoy the fantastic views of a Charleston Harbor cruise, look no further than this one.

The Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise experience is one of the most versatile and convenient cruises, making it super easy to fit into just about any itinerary. As the name would suggest, you get to choose between either a daytime or sunset cruise, though the latter is particularly magical.

I recommend parking at the South Carolina Aquarium Parking Garage, which is the closest parking you’ll find to the meetup point, which is at the Maritime Center. It’s very easy to access and parking is quite affordable, so you can save your cash for the treats and drinks on board.

Whether you’re a history nerd or simply want to get a glimpse of “old” Charleston, you’re sure to appreciate the fact that your cruise takes place on an old-fashioned 1920s-Bay-Steamer-replica yacht like I did.

Once onboard, your captain will share all kinds of historical information about Civil and Revolutionary War sights as you pass by, along with pointing out other interesting sights, like the bottlenose dolphins that tend to hang around!

What Makes This Tour Great

There are some cities that I believe you have to experience from the water to get the full experience. Charleston is one of those, complete with a rich history and the kind of waterfront views that instantly make you fall in love with a place.

Not to mention, how cool is it to get to sail on a 1920s Bay Steamer replica while cruising past places like the Battery and Fort Sumter – where the Civil War’s first shots quite literally were fired?!

I loved how authentic and interactive the commentary was – no robotic, script-y narration that you’ll often find on bigger tours. You’ll hear all about pirate raids, Revolutionary War battles, and many of the most important events that made Charleston the city it is today.

Of course, any history lesson is a bit easier to digest when you have a cold drink in hand and amazing views – just a bit of what you are sure to enjoy on this cruise!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

4. Private Luxury Sunset Cruise on the Sailing Yacht Fate

What to Expect on the Tour

Perhaps the sunset cruises that we’ve talked about thus far have piqued your interest, but you’re looking for something even a bit more intimate. If that sounds like you, there’s no better option than the Private Luxury Sunset Cruise on the Sailing Yacht Fate.

You still have the incredible views wrapped up in the golden light of sunset, but you get the charter literally all to yourself!

While there’s nothing wrong with the other sunset cruises I’ve covered, if you don’t mind spending a bit more, this is a lovely option great for couples or entire families wanting a break from the noise.

The sailing yacht is the most luxurious way to see the harbor and city skyline views, though you get to choose the vibe you want: perhaps you want to learn about history and keep things calm or ramp up the energy and crank up some music!

No matter what you feel like, you’ll have complimentary soft drinks and water included. You can enjoy onboard catering which is fresh and has a Southern twist, or you can bring your own alcoholic beverages and snacks.

What Makes This Tour Great

If you’re looking for a way to melt away all your stress, you could opt for a massage, or perhaps hop on a sailboat at sunset. While both at once sound ideal, this is the next best option – no packed dinner boats or tourist-heavy harbor cruises to speak of.

You’ll instead board the Fate, which is a beautifully sleek, well-maintained sailboat with expert captain and crew there to ensure an amazing experience for you and the rest of your private party.

Like I said, this is a completely private tour, so you can expect a personal, intimate journey as you pass landmarks that somehow look even more impressive from the water.

The crew took very good care of us, answering all of our questions, in a professional yet laidback manner. They even taught us a bit about sailing, which was invaluable as most aren’t willing to do so!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

5. Private Morning Sailing/Dolphin & History Tours on Mystique

What to Expect on the Tour

Last but certainly not least, is the Private Morning Sailing/Dolphin & History Tours on Mystique adventure! If you’re celebrating a special day like an anniversary or birthday, I can’t imagine a better tour to take than this one!

Tackling the subject of American history, flora and fauna, and both manmade and natural beauty, there’s something for anyone of any age and background.

While there are many cruise start times during the day and evening, I highly recommend taking the morning tour for a few different reasons. Number one, their brunch is absolutely phenomenal and I’ve not been on any tour that offers brunch like this (hello caviar and bananas?!).

Number two, there seemed to be way fewer people on the water, which allowed for even better views and a bit more of a serene environment.

What Makes This Tour Great

The Mystique was one of my favorite vessels we had the pleasure of sailing on in Charleston. The 43-foot sailing yacht is smooth and spacious, with a fantastic captain and crew there to ensure there are plenty of laughs and good eats to be had!

You get to bring your own drinks and snacks or choose to have them do it for you, which I suggest you do if you want some of the best brunch around.

I would’ve been happy with the conversational commentary about the history and culture surrounding Charleston, but they did us one better: dolphins. Our captain even “introduced” us to one of the dolphins that apparently always hangs around them!

With refreshing drinks, plenty of sun and shade, clean restrooms, and unobstructed views, what more could you want in a morning?

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience