Lighthouse Shell Island Boat Tour

Cruise to an unspoiled barrier island for beachcombing, lighthouse views, and wildlife spotting

From$49/ person

Duration

4 hrs

Includes

Boat cruise, Barrier island visit

Highlights

Navigate the Lowcountry waterways aboard a 56-foot covered pontoon boat to reach a pristine barrier island accessible only by water. Spend time beachcombing, spotting wildlife, and admiring lighthouse views.

Cruise through scenic Georgetown rivers
Relax under a full canopy with fresh breezes
Stroll an undeveloped beach for 1.5 hours
Search for shells, dolphins, eagles and turtles
Capture photos of the historic lighthouse

What's Included

Guided 4-hour pontoon boat tour
Free time on Shell Island

Tours are not wheelchair accessible. Online bookings close 2 hours before departure.

Cancellation policy

Cancel up to 48 hours before departure for parties of up to 9 guests, or at least 7 days in advance for groups of 10 or more. No refunds for late arrivals or no-shows. Covid-related cancellations require written physician test results.

Meeting location

701 Front St., Georgetown, SC; ticket booth behind the Clock tower

Experience provided by Cap'n Rod's Lowcountry Tours

Handpicked for you, so you can book with confidence

Best local prices
Flexible cancellation
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Each booking directly supports small businesses in our community.

Lighthouse Shell Island Boat Tour

Cruise to an unspoiled barrier island for beachcombing, lighthouse views, and wildlife spotting

From$49/ person

Duration

4 hrs

Includes

Boat cruise, Barrier island visit

Highlights

Cruise through scenic Georgetown rivers
Relax under a full canopy with fresh breezes
Stroll an undeveloped beach for 1.5 hours
Search for shells, dolphins, eagles and turtles
Capture photos of the historic lighthouse

What's Included

Guided 4-hour pontoon boat tour
Free time on Shell Island

Tours are not wheelchair accessible. Online bookings close 2 hours before departure.

Cancellation policy

Review summary

4.8

Excellent

572 reviewsGoogle Maps

With an impressive track record and enthusiastic reviews, this Georgetown operation delivers a solid 4-hour adventure combining history, wildlife, and shelling. The captains and first mates consistently earn praise for their knowledge of local history and their genuine hospitality. Multiple guests mention spotting dolphins, bald eagles, and other wildlife during the journey to the shell island, while the crews share fascinating stories about the Winyah Bay area and Georgetown's past. The shelling experience itself gets mixed results depending on timing and conditions, though most visitors find plenty of treasures. Staff members frequently go the extra mile for guests with mobility challenges or special needs, and families particularly appreciate how welcoming the crew is with children. The large pontoon boat offers stadium-style seating and stability, though bringing a cushion makes the ride more comfortable. One reviewer had a negative phone interaction before their trip, but this appears isolated among otherwise glowing feedback about the staff's friendliness and professionalism.

What people are saying

Wow what a fantastic trip. Met up with Captains Tom and Josh. Wonderful guys. They will make sure everything is taken care of. Stadium bleacher style seating on a large pontoon boat. Very stable and large enough to walk around on. Recommend taking a pad to sit on. A rectangle gardening knee pad would be ideal and easy to carry. Recommend wearing comfortable clothes and shoes that you don't mind getting a little bit wet. I waded out to around mid thigh depth and the water was clear enough to see the bottom, with very minimal waves. Driftwood, oyster and clam shells are in abundance on the island. There is a bit of walking. (+/- 15 brisk mins) We were also able to find medium to large whelk shells. Plenty of shells for everyone on the tour. Also recommend to take a small shell shovel or something to sift the smaller shells with. Plenty of areas to take breathtaking pictures. Eagles, turtles, alligator areas, plantation homes, lighthouse, and sunsets can all be seen. Take your camera!! Lots of history about the town of Georgetown was learned along the boat ride to the island. Plenty of parking on adjacent streets and restaurants nearby on the boardwalk. All in all, probably my new favorite attraction. We will definitely book again.