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(796)
Sailboat was clean. Crew was attentive. Customer service was excellent. Looking forward to scheduling again. If you are sensitive to heat, you may want to schedule Morning or sunset cruise because the boat is not air-conditioned and no real shade to speak of.
Zero entertainment on board. Only had 3 n/a beverage options available. Kids were bored out of their mind. The "captain" talked about the boat at one point but you couldn't hear a word he said. We had to stay seated, learned nothing, and saw zero dolphins. The kids were so bored they wanted to jump off and swim back in 😅 Would not recommend if you're looking for any sort of entertainment.
It was great Crew was very helpful and informative Even gave some passengers a chance to help raise the sails This is a REAL sailboat !!
This was a wonderful cruise, well worth the money. We were able to see a ton of dolphins, got a closer look at Fort Sumter, and enjoy a nice boat ride. We went with the family and our children (6&9) had an absolutely fantastic time as did their grandma who was with us. My kids had a great time spotting dolphins (even though we also live on the coast and see them often). Highly recommend bringing some binoculars to assist in spotting them (can’t remember if the ship had them as we had our own) but they swam directly next to and under the boat also. The crew was amazing!! They let the passengers (kids or adults) help with raising the sails and even steering at times which my kids thought was so cool. The captain was so nice and we had a great conversation and he just really took his time with the kids. The other crew members did as well, we just had a longer chat with the captain. There were drinks for sale which were reasonably priced. Really a fantastic time and highly recommend, you won’t be disappointed!!!
If you want to go on a boat ride, this is your pick. That's all it is. Just a boat ride. The staff were very friendly.
Way too hot, no shade. Crew was pleasant . No wind. Just sitting in the bay looking at nothing . Not worth the money . Nothing to see except one dolphin.
A lovely time on the Pride. Great captain and crew. We saw dolphins both very close and a ways out. There is something special about sailing rather than a large engine on the water. So peaceful.
This was great family sailing experience. It’s a gorgeous vessel! With old school architecture and sails. We were even lucky enough to see some dolphins.
Laid-back sail of the harbor. Crew was very personable and knowledgeable. Saw dolphins and other wildlife.
We enjoyed this little excursion. We were only in Charleston for a few days, so it was nice to have a quick little trip to see the city from the water. The crew was really friendly and fun. Be advised it’s not a narrated tour. The crew is happy to answer any questions you might have, but the whole point is just to kick back and relax. And yes, we saw dolphins.
