Your complete Charleston booze cruise packing list: drinks, what to wear, snacks, and what to leave behind. BYOB tips for the Friki Tiki party boat.
2026 Packing Guide
You booked your spot on a booze cruise in Charleston, and now the real question hits at 11pm the night before: what do I actually pack for this thing?
Short answer:
- Your drinks
- Your sunscreen
- A light layer for the breeze
- A valid ID
- A good attitude
That covers the essentials.
But the gap between a group that shows up ready and a group that shows up scrambling is obvious by hour one.
This is the complete packing guide for a party boat Charleston day on the water, plus a quick rundown of:
- What a booze cruise is
- What to wear
- What to leave at the hotel
Bring your drinks. Bring your crew. Bring your sunscreen. The Friki Tiki handles the rest.
Looking for the Best Party Boat in Charleston?
Discover why our tiki-style party boat is the go-to experience for bachelorette weekends, birthday celebrations, and unforgettable harbor views.
Explore the Charleston Party Boat →What Is a Booze Cruise in Charleston?
A booze cruise is a recreational boat tour built around bringing your own drinks and your own crew out on the water.
Is just a group of friends, a cooler of seltzers, a playlist, and a few hours cruising the harbor in comfortable boat.
On the Friki Tiki specifically, a Charleston booze cruise means BYOB beer, wine, and seltzers (no hard liquor), coolers and ice already on board, a premium sound system for your music, and a bathroom on board so nobody is counting down the minutes.
It is not a dinner cruise. It is not a stuffy harbor tour.
It is a floating party with Charleston Harbor as the backdrop.
BYOB freedom
You bring exactly what your group wants to drink, at grocery-store prices.
Your music, your vibe
Connect a phone to the Bluetooth sound system and run the day your way.
Social by design
- Deck space for games
- Dancing
- Moving around
- Not rows of fixed seats
Real Charleston scenery
- Ravenel Bridge
- The Battery
- Fort Sumter
- Dolphins on about 90% of cruises
Want the full picture of how a day plays out before you pack for it?
Our Charleston party boat comes in 3 versions:
- Private
- Semi-private
- Thursday public sunset cruise
What Should You Bring on a Booze Cruise in Charleston?
The most important thing to know about a booze cruise Charleston experience is that it is BYOB.
The drinks are on you, which is great news for your wallet.
No resort markup on a rum punch.
You buy exactly what your crew wants at Publix prices and bring it aboard.
Drinks:
- Beer
- Wine
- Seltzers
- Champagne (cans preferred, no hard liquor)
Sun protection:
- SPF 30+
- Sunglasses
- A hat
- Light clothing layers
Food:
- Snacks
- A charcuterie board
- Catering as an add-on
Party gear:
- A playlist
- Games
- Decorations
- A waterproof phone case
Essentials:
- Valid ID
- A small dry bag
- A towel if you plan to swim
Every Charleston boat tour on the Friki Tiki already comes with coolers, ice, bottled water, snacks, a bathroom, and the sound system. You are packing the fun, not the infrastructure.
The Perfect Booze Cruise Awaits You in Charleston
Kick back, sip your favorite drinks, and take in the stunning views of Charleston Harbor - no agenda, just good vibes and great company on the water.
Book Your Booze Cruise →Drinks and Cooler Essentials
What to Drink on the Friki Tiki
Cans beat glass every time on a boat.
They are safer on deck, easier to chill, and they will not shatter.
If you are weighing options for a BYOB party boat day, canned everything is the move.
Useful tip:
There stores directly across the street from Brittlebank Park at 185 Lockwood Drive.
Stop on the way, grab everything in one run, and be on the boat in minutes.
No planning ahead required.
The Friki Tiki provides coolers and ice on board, so you do not need to haul a cooler from your hotel.
Bring drinks in a bag or soft-sided cooler and the crew gets it sorted.
You can also pre-stock the coolers as an add-on: tell the Tiki Tours’ team what you want ahead of time and it will be ice-cold and waiting when you arrive.
Ready to Explore Charleston from the Water?
Choose from private, semi-private, or public cruises aboard the Friki Tiki - with dolphin sightings, harbor views, and BYOB on every tour.
Book a Boat Tour in Charleston →Sun and Skin Protection
The sun hits fast on the water.
Charleston Harbor reflects UV from every direction, and even on a partly cloudy day a two-hour cruise can leave you noticeably pink.
- Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher): apply before you board, reapply halfway through
- Sunglasses: polarized are ideal on the water
- A hat: optional, but your future self will thank you
- A light jacket or cover-up: the breeze picks up when the boat moves, and evenings cool down fast even in summer
The U.S. Coast Guard reminds boaters that most incidents happen on calm, sunny days, exactly when people let their guard down.
Something people always forget:
Just because you have a drink in your hand does not mean you are protected from the sun.
Hydration and sunscreen work together. Drink water between your drinks.
The Friki Tiki provides bottled water on board, so there is no excuse to skip this.
What to Wear on a Booze Cruise in Charleston
How to Dress for a Day on the Water
Keep it casual and practical.
You are on a boat, not at a rooftop bar.
The short version: breathable clothes, shoes you can slip off, and a swimsuit underneath if it is a daytime cruise.
Daytime cruise:
Swimsuit under a cover-up, or shorts and a breathable shirt.
Sandals or boat shoes.
Leave the white sneakers at the hotel unless you want them wet.
Sunset cruise:
- A sundress
- Linen pants
- Casual summer wear
Cute for photos, comfortable enough to move around.
Footwear:
Something you can slip off if you plan to get in the water.
Flip-flops are the obvious pick.
How to dress for a sunset boat tour?
Dressing for the light and the breeze is a little different, and the sunset cruise runs cooler once the sun drops.
If you are doing a swim stop, available on private and semi-private boat tours from May through September, bring a towel.
Sunchill floating mats get deployed in the calm water off the Ashley River, and you are going to want to use them.
Snacks and Food
The Friki Tiki is BYOB, and the same goes for food. Bring whatever you want to eat. Drinks on an empty stomach are a fast way to peak too early, so this actually matters.
Best options for a booze cruise Charleston day:
- Charcuterie and snack boards (easy to share, no utensils needed)
- Chips, crackers, and dips
- Fruit platters
- Sandwiches or wraps if you want something more substantial
Pro tip:
You can add catering through Tiki Tours of Charleston.
Local restaurant partners handle the food so you do not have to think about it.
- Charcuterie boards
- Full spreads
- And more
See the full add-ons menu when you book.
Looking for the Best Party Boat in Charleston?
Discover why our tiki-style party boat is the go-to experience for bachelorette weekends, birthday celebrations, and unforgettable harbor views.
Explore the Charleston Party Boat →What to Bring for the Party
This is where it gets fun.
A booze cruise is not just a simple boat tour.
It is a floating party, and the groups who show up with a plan always beat the ones who wing it.
A curated playlist:
The Friki Tiki has a Bluetooth sound system.
Your boat, your music.
Build the playlist in advance.
Drinking games:
- Flip cup
- Ring toss
- Whatever your crew loves
There is enough space for drinking games.
Decorations:
- Sashes
- Balloons
- Custom cups for the bride or birthday person
The crew is happy to help someone feel celebrated.
A waterproof phone case:
You will want photos near the water and possibly in it.
A small dry bag:
Helpful for:
- Wallets
- Keys
- Anything that cannot get wet
Bringing decorations for a bachelorette party boat or a bachelor party boat?
Keep them light and wind-friendly.
It gets breezy out there and loose props blow away fast.
Brides planning the whole weekend can map it out with the bachelorette party planner, and groups chasing the full package can check the perfect bachelorette package.
What NOT to Bring on a Booze Cruise in Charleston
- Hard liquor: not permitted. Beer, wine, and seltzers only.
- Glass bottles: switch to cans. Wine bottles are the one exception.
- Pets: unless they are a certified service animal.
- Cigarettes or traditional smoking: not allowed on board. Vaping is fine.
- Your most expensive shoes: boats and heels are a bad combination.
Charleston party boat • Booze cruise • Bachelorette-ready
Book Your Bachelorette Party Boat in Charleston Now
- Fast booking • real-time availability
- Perfect for bachelorette weekends & group trips
Which Charleston Cruise Are You Packing For?
What you pack shifts slightly depending on the cruise you booked.
Daytime charters open up swimming.
The Thursday sunset cruise does not.
Here is the quick comparison so you pack right the first time:
| Cruise type | Swimming? | Pack extra | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private | Yes, 2.5 to 3 hr daytime, May to Sept | Towel, swimsuit, dry bag | Full-boat takeovers, big groups |
| Semi-private | Yes, on 2.5 and 3 hr summer cruises | Towel, swimsuit, cash for tips | Bachelor and bachelorette groups sharing the boat |
| Public sunset | No swimming on sunset cruises | Light jacket, camera | Couples, locals, smaller groups |
Not sure which one fits?
The boat tours overview lays out pricing and group sizes, and corporate outings, family boat tour, and special events each have their own setup worth a look.
Ready to Pack Your Bags?
Book Your Charleston Booze Cruise Now
If you are planning a Charleston harbor cruise on the Friki Tiki, the boat is ready for your crew. Private charters start at $700/hr, semi-private cruises start at $80 per person, and booking takes about five minutes. Availability goes fast on weekends, especially during bachelorette and bachelor season.
Book online at tikitoursofcharleston.com or call and text 843-990-8454 to lock in your date. Questions first? The contact page and the FAQ cover the rest, and the gallery shows what a packed-and-ready crew looks like on the water.
Bring your drinks, your playlist, and your people. We handle everything else.
Charleston party boat • Booze cruise • Best party boat
Book Your Tiki Tours of Charleston Cruise
- Fast booking • real-time availability
- Perfect for bachelorette weekends & group trips
Frequently Asked Questions about Booze Cruises in Charleston SC
What is a booze cruise?
A booze cruise is a recreational boat trip centered on bringing your own drinks and enjoying the water with a group. In Charleston, a booze cruise on the Friki Tiki is BYOB beer, wine, and seltzers with coolers, ice, a sound system, and a bathroom on board.
Do I need to bring my own cooler?
No. Coolers and ice are provided on board. Bring your drinks and the crew handles the rest. You can even pre-stock the coolers as an add-on.
What should I wear on a booze cruise?
Casual and practical. Swimsuit under a cover-up for daytime, a sundress or linen for sunset, and shoes you can slip off.
Can I bring food on the Friki Tiki?
Yes. Bring whatever you want to eat. Catering is also available through local partners as an add-on if you would rather not think about it.
Can I bring hard liquor?
No. The party boat is BYOB beer, wine, and seltzers only. No hard liquor. Cans are preferred over glass, though wine bottles are fine.
What happens if it rains?
The Friki Tiki cruises rain or shine, and Charleston summer showers are usually brief. If conditions become genuinely unsafe, the captain decides within one hour of departure and you get a full refund or a reschedule.
Is there a restroom on board?
Yes. The Friki Tiki has an onboard restroom. It is for liquid waste only, so plan accordingly before boarding.
Can I swim during the booze cruise?
Swim stops are available on private and semi-private daytime charters from May 1 through September 30. The crew deploys Sunchill floating mats in the Ashley River. Swimming is not offered on sunset cruises.
How early should I arrive?
Arrive 15 to 20 minutes before departure. On public and semi-private tours the boat leaves on time, and refunds are not given for missed boarding. Still have questions before you go? Our have questions page is a quick way to reach Tiki Tours of Charleston.
