Tours/Charleston/Fort Sumter Access and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry
Fort Sumter Access and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry
4.6(3,930)Charleston2h 15min
VIATOR4.6(2,220)TRIPADVISOR4.5(1,710)
+9 photos
At a glance
Duration
2h 15min
Price from
$46 / person
Location
Charleston, United States
Rating
4.6 / 5 · 3,930 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Small group, up to 385
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Confirmation
Within 24h
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Fort Sumter Tours
Meeting point
Tour requires a ferry boat to and from the island. Please select ferry departure location at checkout.
Description
Visit historic Fort Sumter with the only operator in Charleston providing access to Fort Sumer National Historic Site and Round-Trip Ferry Transportation from Liberty Square or Patriots Point.
Cruise by top Charleston sites from your ferry. For those departing from Patriots Point, experience views of the USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier from up-close.
Explore the grounds of Fort Sumter and stand where America’s deadliest war began at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park. The first shots were fired here, igniting a conflict that saw more than 700,000 casualties. Experience the opening battle of the American Civil War and explore its origins with a National Park Ranger who will greet you upon arrival. Your approximate 1-hour visit to Fort Sumter allows ample time to explore well-preserved fort ruins and browse Museum Store souvenirs.
Then enjoy the beautiful views of the city as you ride the ferry back to Charleston.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
11 times a day, 9:30 AM–3:00 PM
Next available
Fri, Oct 9
Adult (ages 12–61)
$46
Senior (ages 62+)
$41
Child (ages 4–11)
$28
Infant (ages 0–3)
Free
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
In demand: 90 of the next 240 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 8.
Tour Options
Departing Liberty Square
Liberty Square: This Fort Sumter Tour departs from Liberty Square, 340 Concord St., downtown Charleston
Departing Patriots Point
Patriots Point: This Fort Sumter Tour departs from Patriots Point, 40 Patriots Point Road, Mt. Pleasant
Itinerary
Fort Sumter National Monument
60 min
Visit historic Fort Sumter National Monument located in Charleston, SC with the only operator in the city offering access to Fort Sumter plus Round-Trip Ferry Service.
Experience a relaxing 30minute Narrated Harbor Cruise to historic Fort Sumter, where America’s deadliest war began. You will learn about the events which led to the outbreak of America’s most bloody war. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a National Park Service Ranger, who will provide further details about Fort Sumter and its pivotal role in the American Civil War. On the fort you will find a very informative museum (360 Video of Museum) with many historic artifacts and a souvenir shop. After your roughly one hour visit, you will enjoy a scenic cruise back to your departure point.
Fort Moultrie
Pass by
Fort Moultrie is a series of forts along Sullivan's Island. Enjoy views of the fort as you cruise by or while on Fort Sumter.
What's included
Included
Access to the Fort Sumter Museum, Bookstore, and Souvenir Shop
Experience the opening battle of the American Civil War with a National Park Ranger
Access to historic Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina
1-hour Self-Guided Tour to explore Fort Sumter and its well-preserved ruins
Round-Trip Ferry Transportation from Liberty Square or Patriots Point (30-minutes each way)
Not included
Food & Beverages
Parking
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.6
3,930 reviews
5
2,836
4
714
3
229
2
52
1
99
How it compares in Charleston
No. 4 by number of reviews among 314 tours in Charleston
Starting price $46 is close to the typical $43 for tours of similar length in Charleston
Excurgo comparison of 314 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure time
Boarding begins 15 minutes prior to departure time
Accepted payment methods include all major credit and debit cards only
The ferries are equipped with an elevator/lift and handicapped accessible restrooms. The Liberty Square boarding ramp can accommodate electric & manual wheelchairs and scooters except in extreme tide situations. Although restrooms on Fort Sumter are unavailable; the ferry remains at the Fort so that restrooms on the boat are available during your visit.
There is currently no Elevator Service at Fort Sumter – the museum, bookstore, and top level of Fort Sumter are only accessible by climbing stairs.
The Fort Sumter Tour is a boat excursion dependent on changing weather and tide conditions, Fort Sumter Tours cannot and does not guarantee accessibility. Ramps used to access the ferry can vary based on tides and adverse conditions.
Tours run rain or shine. Only the Captain has the final say as to whether he feels it needs to be canceled due to weather. That decision is made at the time of departure and throughout the duration of the tour.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Fort Sumter Access and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry take?
Fort Sumter Access and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry lasts about 2h 15min. The itinerary has 2 stops.
How much does Fort Sumter Access and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry cost?
Prices start at $46 per person for this Charleston experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Fort Sumter Access and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, with 11 departures a day between 9:30 AM and 3:00 PM.
How much does Fort Sumter Access and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry cost for children?
Children aged 4–11 pay from $28, adults from $46. Infants go free.
Does Fort Sumter Access and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry sell out?
It can: 90 of the next 240 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Fort Sumter Access and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Tour requires a ferry boat to and from the island. Please select ferry departure location at checkout. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Fort Sumter Access and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 385 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
The ferries are equipped with an elevator/lift and handicapped accessible restrooms. The Liberty Square boarding ramp can accommodate electric & manual wheelchairs and scooters except in extreme tide situations. Although restrooms on Fort Sumter are unavailable; the ferry remains at the Fort so that restrooms on the boat are available during your visit. There is currently no Elevator Service at Fort Sumter – the museum, bookstore, and top level of Fort Sumter are only accessible by climbing stairs. The Fort Sumter Tour is a boat excursion dependent on changing weather and tide conditions, Fort Sumter Tours cannot and does not guarantee accessibility. Ramps used to access the ferry can vary based on tides and adverse conditions.
Reviews(3,930)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
H
Helen_E
October 1, 2026 · via Viator
Everything was first rate...
Everything was first rate from ease of purchasing tickets to boarding & safety check. But the highlight was the presenter on the boat, (12:00 on Sept. 30). He had been a history professor and brought his vast knowledge of and passion for the time/ place /politics of the start of the Civil War to all on board who were about to tour Ft. Sumter. Most informative & enjoyable. All the rangers were professional & knowledgable. Museum was very interesting. Great experience.
D
David_G
October 1, 2026 · via Viator
Great trip
Great trip. Very basic but informative. More than enough time to spend at the fort. Run by the park service
E
Edward_R
October 1, 2026 · via Viator
Ft. Sumpter Tour
Very pleasant. Excellent boat ride and tour of Fort Sumpter. Hot dogs on board and drinks like water and pop.
A
Amy_B
October 1, 2026 · via Viator
History with a view
Bring a hat for sun! Take time to read informative signs , and honor the history. Guides were excellent and enthusiastic!
R
Relax46530623418
September 30, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Top notch!
It was a very pleasant boat ride out to Fort Sumter, with a tour guide named Kevin who was exceptionally knowledgeable! We really enjoyed it, and sailed up close to the aircraft carrier, too! Top notch!
C
Carlton_B
September 30, 2026 · via Viator
Great history
Beautiful day, with dolphins, a boat ride and a fort with history. Our guide and historian was excellent, really knew history. So much to know about the fort and it's place in history.
D
David_H
September 30, 2026 · via Viator
Very nice trip
Great amount of information provided and looks so much better than 25 years ago. Would do it again in the future
D
Donna_M
September 29, 2026 · via Viator
Ft Sumter
Loved the ferry ride and visit to Ft Sumter. The guide on the ferry was very knowledgeable and I learned things I never knew. Time on the island was a little short to really read all the history and see the fort
K
KittyLu917
September 29, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Wonderful
Very informative and compelling.
R
Ross_N
September 28, 2026 · via Viator
Boat has indoor and...
Boat has indoor and outdoor seating and bathroom
Smooth boat ride, about 20 minutes each way
Very interesting
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Tour
Duration
Rating
Price
Fort Sumter Access and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry
