Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor
Description
Meet us at Aquarium Wharf near Concord St. and Calhoun St. in Charleston SC as you experience historic Charleston Harbor aboard our classic 84-foot Tall Ship for a unique sailing experience. There is no better way to witness all our beautiful Charleston sites as we hoist the sails and set off through the waters, past some of the most historic sites in the country and witness to some of the most playful bottle nose dolphins racing around the harbor. Sail by notable sites such as Fort Sumter, USS Yorktown, Arthur J. Ravenel Bride, and the Battery. Because we are sailing vessel working with the weather conditions of the day, the route and landmarks we pass on a daily basis can vary. Join us for a relaxing harbor sail!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your cruise starts at Aquarium Wharf, where you'll board your genuine tall ship, powered only by Mother Nature and her incredible wind power. Once on board, watch the crew hoist the sails. Travel through waters that Blackbeard once anchored in, relax on deck, and imagine a time when the harbor was filled with these magnificent ships. You may bring your own food on board, if you wish, but not drinks; beer, wine, and soft drinks are available for purchase on board at your own expense.
While this is not a narrated cruise, the incredible crew is happy to answer questions about some of Charleston's most historic landmarks that you will see, such as Patriots Point and the USS Yorktown, an Essex-class aircraft carrier that played an important role during World War II.
Don't forget about Charleston's own modern marvel with an up-close look at the impressive Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the western hemisphere. You're welcome to help raise and trim the sails, or you may sit back and enjoy the ride.
See beautiful homes that line the Battery and famous Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired, and watch for pelicans performing diving acts.
Pass by Charleston Waterfront Park
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Welcome to bring your own snacks or picnic; however you can not bring your own beverages
- Guests are welcome to go below deck or stay in the shade of the sails to keep out of the sun
- The Schooner Pride is not wheelchair accessible. We will do our best to accommodate disabled persons, but there are 5 stairs then a gangplank to cross to board. The "head" is also below deck and you will need to negotiate stairs to use it.
Reviews(765)
My mom & I went on a 10:30AM trip and had an excellent time. We saw dolphins and had a wonderful view of Charleston. No matter where you sat on the boat, about half of the ride was completely shaded, and there was room to walk to the shaded side during the ride. I'd recommend this boat ride to anyone looking to see dolphins & spend some time in the sun. Props to the women who were manning the boat, yall were awesome!
It was great and relaxing. A nice way to experience Charleston. We were able to see 3 dolphins! The crew was very nice.
It is not a narrated tour, but the guides are very knowledgeable & are happy to answer any questions you may have.
You don’t really pass by anything remotely it’s all over a half mile away. Not really any kind of pointing out anything about Charleston. Just sail out and come back.
Polite n knowledgeable staff, cool ship, drinks were needed, and reasonable….. did I mention that the crew were friendly
What a wonderful and delightful experience. Enjoyed every minute of it. Captain Dan and his crew were friendly and very accommodating to all travels. They made the trip feel safe and relaxing. Highly recommend. One thing I really enjoyed is that it wasn’t a narration trip, just relaxing and enjoying the surroundings. Captain and crew were there of course to answer all questions.
Put me on the water and I'm having fun! Boat captain introduced himself and stated he doesn't talk. He drove the boat back and forth around the little bay area. The two high school guides were available to answer questions, but were new and limited in knowledge. The dolphins appeared toward the end of the tour. If you're looking for a guided tour, this is not for you. Anyway, I enjoyed the boat, and the water. I'd do it again even without a guided tour.
It was a lot of fun. Took me back to my childhood sailing in the Caribbean. I will go again with all my kids when it’s cooler.
The boat was very nice. It was fun being on a schooner. We saw a few dolphins near the dock. We didn’t go very far. There was very little interaction with the crew. They didn’t have some of the drinks on the very limited menu. We’ve been on other tours like this but not in Charleston. Even though this wasn’t a sightseeing tour, little disappointed not to have some narration about the port.
The crew was friendly, but we were disappointed that we just rode around in circles and saw the same thing over and over. We were told there wasn’t enough wind. Maybe use the engine and sails if this happens again. At $50 a ticket, we expected to see more of Charleston.
