Cruise Charleston Harbor and get South Carolina Aquarium admission
90 minutes
Harbor tour, aquarium admission
See Charleston Harbor from the water, then explore 60 aquarium habitats whenever you’d like. Your combo includes a narrated 90-minute harbor cruise on the Carolina Belle plus an aquarium voucher.
Pick up your aquarium voucher at check-in at the Charleston Maritime Center ticket office, even if you plan to visit the aquarium first. Food and drinks are not included, and you can’t bring your own on board.
Non-refundable; you can reschedule with at least 24 hours notice (subject to availability). Runs rain or shine. If the operator cancels due to severe weather, mechanical breakdown, or lack of participation, your event will be rescheduled or ticket refunded.
No. You can do them on different days, with no restrictions on timing.
Pick up your aquarium voucher at the Charleston Maritime Center ticket office first, even if you plan to visit the aquarium before your harbor cruise.
Yes. Use your aquarium voucher for up to a year after your scheduled harbor tour.
Charleston Maritime Center, near Calhoun and Concord, Charleston, SC
Charleston Harbor Tours delivers a solid harbor cruise experience with genuinely friendly staff and knowledgeable captains who bring local history to life. Multiple reviewers mention spotting dolphins near the dock, and the onboard snack and beverage service gets consistent praise for being welcoming and helpful. The captains strike a balance between informative narration and entertaining storytelling, though a few guests found the jokes a bit corny. The 90-minute tours are smooth and comfortable, giving you good views of Fort Sumter and the surrounding waterways. The main thing to keep in mind is that this is a relaxed harbor tour rather than an action-packed adventure. Some guests felt there wasn't a ton to see beyond the fort and bridge, so set your expectations accordingly. A couple of reviewers had issues with customer service before boarding, particularly around timing and ticketing, though the crew on the actual boat consistently gets praised. One tip: arrive early to snag a good viewing spot up front, and consider bringing a hat and binoculars for afternoon tours. Overall, it's a pleasant way to spend an afternoon learning about Charleston's maritime history while enjoying the water.
This was a very nice, relaxing, informative harbor cruise especially on a warm, (not hot) sunny day. I feel it's a little overpriced and the snacks and bar items are very overpriced but you are in a tourist area and that's always expected, unfortunately. All in all, it's a great way to see Charleston from the water.
Meeko Depember
April 8, 2026
This was a very nice, relaxing, informative harbor cruise especially on a warm, (not hot) sunny day. I feel it's a little overpriced and the snacks and bar items are very overpriced but you are in a tourist area and that's always expected, unfortunately. All in all, it's a great way to see Charleston from the water.
Meeko Depember
April 8, 2026