CHARLESTON BOAT TOURS
Scenic Boat Cruises on Charleston’s Rivers, Harbor & Waterways
There’s just something better about Charleston from the water.
Charleston is surrounded by rivers, tidal creeks and harbor waters, making a boat one of the best ways to experience the Lowcountry.
Aboard the Friki Tiki, you’ll spend from two to three hours taking in the scenery from the Ashley River and surrounding waterways while enjoying a casual, laid-back atmosphere onboard.
Whether you’re looking for a scenic boat ride, a Charleston Harbor cruise, a sunset on the water or a private outing with your group, the Friki Tiki offers a fun way to experience Charleston away from the crowds on land.
*All tours include coolers, ice, waters, snacks, bathroom, and sound system. BYOB and additional food (no hard liquor).
Where Do Our Charleston Boat Tours Go?
Every Friki Tiki cruise begins on the Ashley River next to downtown Charleston. From there, your captain selects the best route based on the day’s wind and water conditions.
Both routes offer beautiful Lowcountry scenery, but each gives you a completely different view of Charleston from the water.
the battery and charleston harbor
When conditions are calm, we can cruise down the Ashley River toward the Battery and Charleston Harbor.
Along the way, you can take in views of the Charleston peninsula and harbor, with sights such as the Ravenel Bridge and USS Yorktown visible across the water.
This route gives guests a chance to experience the open harbor while seeing some of Charleston’s most recognizable waterfront scenery from a completely different perspective.
Wappoo Cut & Charleston’s Protected Waterways
When the harbor is too windy, we can cruise through Wappoo Cut, the tidal waterway separating James Island and West Ashley.
Wappoo Cut is much more protected from the wind and offers calm water, marsh-lined shores and beautiful Lowcountry scenery.
It’s a completely different experience from the open harbor and one of our favorite places to cruise when conditions are breezy.
Your party, your playlist, your rules. Book the entire Friki Tiki for your crew and cruise the Charleston Harbor in true island style.
Celebrate birthdays, bachelorettes, team outings, or just a sunny day on the water with your favorite people.
Private cruises are available daily with flexible scheduling, so pick your date, grab your crew, and let’s make it one for the books.
Want the full tiki experience without booking the whole boat? Hop on a shared cruise and make some new friends while you soak up the sun, sip your drink, and take in the Charleston skyline. It’s part party, part chill, and 100% good vibes.
Perfect for bachelorette and bachelor parties. Semi-private cruises run on select dates and times, so grab your crew and reserve your seats early — the tiki fills up fast when the weather’s this good.
Our Public Cruises are the ultimate way to experience Charleston from the water. Hop aboard the Friki Tiki for a laid-back harbor adventure with sunset views, cool drinks, and great company. Perfect for couples, small groups, or solo explorers looking to mingle, laugh, and soak up the city’s best views.
Public cruises are available on select dates and times, so grab your spot early — these sails fill up fast once the tiki lights start glowing!
Frequently Asked Questions About Boat Tours in Charleston
The Friki Tiki offers the best boat tours in Charleston, SC and we’re not just saying that. 465 five-star Google reviews back us up. Private charters, semi-private cruises, and public sunset tours on Charleston Harbor and the Ashley River. BYOB, onboard bathroom, premium sound system, and dolphins on 90% of our cruises. Charleston has boat tours and then there’s the Friki Tiki.
The Friki Tiki offers three types of boat tours. Private charters where the whole boat is yours starting at $700/hr. Semi-private cruises where you share with one other group at $80 to $120 per person. And our public Thursday sunset cruise at $75 per person featuring live local music on Charleston Harbor. Whatever your group size or budget, we’ve got a tour for you
Public sunset tours on the Friki Tiki start at $75 per person on Thursdays. Semi-private cruises run $80 to $120 per person depending on length. Private charters start at $700/hr for up to 20 people, $800/hr for 21 to 25, and $900/hr for 26 to 32 with a 2-hour minimum. Best value boat tour in Charleston, period.
All Friki Tiki boat tours depart from Brittlebank Park at 185 Lockwood Drive, Charleston, SC 29403. Park in the lot, walk to the first dock on the left, and our crew will be there waiting. Easy parking, easy access, right on the water.
All Friki Tiki boat tours have a 2-hour minimum. Private and semi-private charters can go longer, 2.5 or 3 hours depending on what you book. The public Thursday sunset cruise runs 2 hours, 6pm to 8pm. Honestly, two hours on the water goes faster than you think.
Yes and it happens constantly. Dolphins show up on roughly 90% of our boat tours on Charleston Harbor and the Ashley River. It’s one of the things guests mention most in our reviews. Book a tour and there’s a very good chance you’ll have a dolphin story to tell when you get home.
Honestly, Charleston is beautiful on the water year-round. Spring and fall are perfect with mild weather, calm water, and stunning scenery. Summer is peak season with warm water and long sunny days. Even winter tours have their magic with fewer crowds, crisp air, and dolphins year-round. There’s no bad time to get on the Friki Tiki.
For safety reasons, swimming may not be permitted if conditions are unsafe, such as strong tides or nearby storms. Swimming is not available on public or sunset cruises
Yes, the Friki Tiki is fully BYOB. Bring your beer, wine, and seltzers and we’ll have coolers stocked with ice waiting for you. No hard liquor on board. Want a professional bartender to handle the drinks? Add one when you book for $200+. It’s your tour, your drinks, your vibe.
Look for BYOB policy, onboard bathroom, group size capacity, and reviews. The Friki Tiki checks every box. Fully BYOB, onboard bathroom, 32-passenger capacity, and 465 five-star Google reviews. Also check departure location, cancellation policy, and whether the crew actually knows how to make a tour fun. We do.
Absolutely. The Friki Tiki is a great option for family groups. The open-air layout, dolphin sightings, and calm harbor waters make it an experience kids and adults love equally. Private charters are perfect for family reunions and celebrations. Just remember BYOB means adults only on the drinks. The dolphins are the entertainment for everyone.
Great question. A traditional boat tour is usually a guided sightseeing experience on a fixed route. The Friki Tiki is both. You get the stunning views of Charleston Harbor, Fort Sumter, dolphins, and the skyline, but you also get BYOB, your own playlist, and a crew focused on making it a great time rather than a lecture. Best of both worlds.
Worth it doesn’t even cover it. Charleston Harbor is one of the most stunning stretches of water on the East Coast with views of Fort Sumter, the Ravenel Bridge, the city skyline, and dolphins on almost every cruise. A boat tour in Charleston is one of those experiences that completely changes how you see the city. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a Charleston local, getting on the water is always the right call.
Charleston is famous for its stunning harbor, historic waterfront, and incredible marine life. The Ashley River and Charleston Harbor are home to bottlenose dolphins year-round, and the views of Fort Sumter, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, and the historic Charleston skyline are world-class. The best way to experience all of it is on the water aboard the Friki Tiki.