2-Hour Guided Kayak Eco Tour in Charleston
Description
Embark on a guided, eco-based kayaking adventure through the saltwater estuaries of Folly Creek, navigating a network of tidal creeks that wind around uninhabited hammock islands. This 2-hour marsh kayaking excursion is designed for intermediate to novice, and young adult paddlers, ensuring a relaxed and enjoyable experience for all skill levels. You and a small group of paddlers will explore the unspoiled coastal marshes of Charleston's estuaries, immersing yourselves in the area's tranquil ambiance and breathtaking natural beauty. As you paddle through these pristine waters, keep an eye out for the diverse wildlife that calls this habitat home. Encounter Atlantic bottlenose dolphins playfully surfacing, catch glimpses of loggerhead sea turtles gliding by, and observe a variety of waterfowl in their natural environment. This adventure offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature and witness the vibrant ecosystem of Charleston's coastal marshes.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Before departing from our private launching area on Bowens Island, your group will participate in a brief instructional session, safety discussion, and an explanation on how to use the foot driven steering system on your kayaks. During your 2-hour guided eco-tour, you will explore Charleston’s iconic tidal creeks and saltmarsh. While paddling through the estuarine waters behind Folly Beach, your local guide will introduce you to the area's wide variety of wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins gracefully playing and feeding, wading birds exploring the shallows, crabs and invertebrates crawling on mudflats, and pelicans diving! Your guide will also discuss the value and functions of the area's major ecosystems.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Bring water, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and shoes that can get wet.
- Dress for the weather.
- Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
- Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult in a tandem kayak. Please contact to arrange for a tandem kayak.
- Our captains and guides work very hard to ensure that a memorable experience is had by all of our guests. Gratuity, as you feel so inclined, is always appreciated.
Reviews(1,006)
It was a beautiful kayak excursion out and back through the reeds. We saw dolphins and lots of birds. It was just the right length and not too hard to paddle.
Thank you for the wonderful review! We're so glad you enjoyed your kayak adventure through the beautiful Lowcountry marshes. Paddling through the winding creeks surrounded by reeds is a peaceful way to experience the area's natural beauty, and we're thrilled you were able to see dolphins and so many birds along the way. Those wildlife encounters make every trip unique. We're also happy to hear the tour was just the right length and that the paddle felt comfortable and enjoyable. We strive to make our kayak tours accessible for both first-time paddlers and experienced kayakers alike. Thank you for choosing Charleston Outdoor Adventures. We hope to welcome you back for another relaxing day exploring the marshes and wildlife of the Lowcountry!
This was a really great experience. We live in Charleston and are absolutely doing this tour again. Our guide was easy going, very knowledgeable. He was laid back and we didn’t feel rushed. We were able to explore the marsh at a good pace.
Thank you for the wonderful review! It means a lot to hear that even as Charleston locals, you enjoyed the experience enough to plan another trip with us. We're glad your guide's laid-back approach and knowledge of the Lowcountry made for such a relaxing outing. Exploring the marsh at an easy pace gives you the chance to truly appreciate the wildlife, scenery, and unique ecosystem without ever feeling rushed. Thank you for choosing Charleston Outdoor Adventures. We look forward to welcoming you back for another peaceful day exploring the beautiful Charleston marshes!
This was an amazing experience. Kelly was the best guide!! So friendly and knowledgeable about the ecosystem of the area. Very reasonable price. Book it!
Thank you for the fantastic review! We're so happy to hear you had an amazing experience with us. Kelly is passionate about sharing the beauty of the Lowcountry, and it's wonderful to know her friendly personality and knowledge of the local ecosystem helped make your trip so memorable. Learning about the marshes, wildlife, and unique coastal environment adds so much to the adventure. We're also glad you found the experience to be a great value. Thank you for the recommendation—it means a lot to our team! We hope to welcome you back to Charleston Outdoor Adventures for another unforgettable day on the water soon.
We had a great time, me and my families first time kayaking. CJ was a very energetic, confident guide that I would recommend every time. Enjoyed the history, wildlife and the company we kept with the group. We saw dolphins and an osprey on the nest. Thanks for a great time!
Thank you for the wonderful review! We're thrilled that your family's first kayaking experience was such a success. CJ sounds like the perfect guide for first-time paddlers—energetic, confident, and encouraging while sharing the fascinating history and wildlife of the Lowcountry. It's great to hear that everyone felt comfortable and enjoyed the experience together. Seeing dolphins from a kayak is always unforgettable, and spotting an osprey on its nest is another incredible wildlife encounter that makes paddling through the marshes so special. We're so glad you enjoyed the company of your group and had such a memorable day on the water. Thank you for choosing Charleston Outdoor Adventures, and we hope to welcome your family back for another kayaking adventure soon!
Awesome experience! They helped my husband find the right kayak for him and personalized our exploring.
Thank you for the wonderful review! We're so glad you had an awesome experience on the water. One of the benefits of a guided adventure is being able to tailor the experience to each guest, and it's great to hear the team took the time to find the right kayak for your husband and personalize the trip to your group's needs. That extra attention helps ensure everyone is comfortable, confident, and able to fully enjoy exploring the beautiful Lowcountry marshes. Charleston Outdoor Adventures strives to make every trip welcoming and memorable, and we're thrilled your outing was such a success. We hope to see you back for another paddling adventure soon!
Great experience, knowledgeable guide and great for all levels of kayakers. Didn’t see dolphins but saw a lot of other wildlife
Thanks so much for your 5-star review! Fingers crossed for next time!
We enjoyed lacking in the marsh. The guide Katie was amazing. She was full of information about the area. Plus a fun personality.
We're so glad you enjoyed your time kayaking through the marsh. The salt marshes are such a special part of the Lowcountry, and having a guide like Katie makes the experience even better. Katie does a wonderful job sharing information about the local environment, wildlife, and history while keeping the tour fun and engaging. Her enthusiasm and personality help guests feel comfortable on the water and make the trip memorable from start to finish. Thank you for choosing Charleston Outdoor Adventures. We're thrilled Katie helped make your marsh kayak tour such an enjoyable experience!
My son and I took the 2 hour morning kayaking tour. KD was our tour guide. She and everyone there, including Marky the dog, were fantastic. All the equipment was provided, including an airbag so we could take our phones and snap a few pictures. KD clearly loves her job and has a passion for the environment. I was a little skeptical that we would see dolphins in such a shallow area but we did, twice, we also learned a bit about the ecosystem and history. Definitely a must do if you are in the area ! Also bring treats for Marky. He's a good boy 🐕❤️
That sounds like a really special morning out on the water with KD. Having a guide who is passionate about the environment can completely change how you experience a place—especially when they’re pointing out details in the ecosystem and sharing local history along the way. Seeing dolphins not just once, but twice in shallow water is a great reminder of how active the Lowcountry waterways can be. That kind of surprise moment is often what people remember most from trips like this. And Marky the dog clearly added his own charm to the experience—sounds like he’s earned those treats 🐕. Charleston Outdoor Adventures aims to make these tours fun, educational, and relaxed, and it really sounds like your kayak trip with KD hit all of those notes.
the guide (Jason) was very knowledgeable about the eco system of the area. a pleasure trip, as well as educational.
That sounds like a really well-balanced experience. Having a guide like Jason who can clearly explain the ecosystem makes the trip more than just a boat ride—it turns it into something you can actually learn from and appreciate while you’re out there. Charleston Outdoor Adventures focuses on blending relaxation with education, so it’s great to hear your trip felt both enjoyable and informative.
Learned about the ecosystem and was very interesting Luke was a very good guide and showed us lots of things
That sounds like a really engaging experience. When a guide like Luke can point out details in real time—things you might normally miss—it makes the whole ecosystem come alive in a different way. Charleston Outdoor Adventures leans heavily into that kind of hands-on learning, so it sounds like your trip delivered exactly what it’s designed for: interesting, guided exploration of the Lowcountry waterways and wildlife.
