Charleston Eco Tours

Charleston Eco Tours Quick Facts

Duration 2.5 Hrs

Start Times 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Location Shem Creek Park Day-Dock Shrimp Boat Ln, Mt Pleasant SC 29464

Price $425

Capacity Up to 6 guests

Cancellation Full refund 48-Hour Notice

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What’s Included

Private vessel exclusively for your group
Experienced, licensed local captain / naturalist guide
Dolphin spotting through the barrier island waterways
Lowcountry ecosystem narration — salt marsh, tidal creeks, barrier islands
Wildlife sightings: dolphins, pelicans, osprey, herons, egrets
Anchor-out sandbar swim stop (weather permitting)
Life jackets and all required USCG safety gear

Description

The Lowcountry ecosystem around Charleston is one of the most ecologically rich coastal environments on the East Coast — a vast network of salt marshes, tidal creeks, and barrier islands that most visitors never get beyond seeing from a bridge. This private tour puts you deep into it.

Your captain navigates through the coastal waterways where bottlenose dolphins are frequently spotted feeding and traveling in family pods. Along the way you’ll take in the full range of Lowcountry bird life — pelicans riding thermals, osprey diving for fish, herons standing motionless in the shallows — and the wide, quiet scenery of the marsh at its best. Weather permitting, your captain can anchor off a sandbar for a wade-in stop before heading back in.

Your captain is JB Layton, a Charleston native who spent years working the water professionally — from pearling vessels off the coast of northwest Australia to commercial fishing boats running offshore along the Atlantic. He's been back home in Charleston since 2021 and knows these waterways as well as anyone. Expect local knowledge, good conversation, and the occasional sea story.

Good to Know

BYOB — the boat has large coolers stocked with ice and water; bring a wheeled cooler if packing your own (5–7 minute walk from parking to the dock)
Dress for the weather and bring sunscreen — temps on the water can run significantly warmer or cooler than on land
Arrive 25–30 minutes before your departure
Free parking at Shem Creek Park — 📍 [Get Directions on Google Maps]
No restroom on board — air-conditioned public restrooms are at the start of the boardwalk in the parking area
All ages welcome; if you're bringing young children, let us know when you book
No smoking on board — $250 cleaning fee applies; vaping is permitted if respectful of the space
No dogs allowed

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FAQ’s

Is this a private charter?

Yes — the boat is exclusively yours for the duration. No other guests.

Where do we board?

Shem Creek Park, Shrimp Boat Ln, Mt Pleasant SC 29464. Park on the right as you enter the lot and follow the boardwalk to the 2nd gazebo — your boat is at the dock below it. [Get Directions]

Can we bring food and drinks?

Yes — fully BYOB. The boat has large coolers stocked with water, or bring your own. Wheeled coolers recommended (5–7 min walk from parking). You're responsible for your group's behavior on board.

What's the cancellation policy?

48-hour notice required for a full refund.

Is smoking allowed?

Smoking is not permitted on board — a $250 cleaning fee applies to any group that violates this. Vaping is OK if you're respectful of the space.

Will we see dolphins?

Bottlenose dolphins are resident year-round in Charleston’s waterways and sightings are very frequent on this route — your captain knows exactly where to look. That said, they’re wild animals, so their presence is never guaranteed.