Charleston sunset sail: Fort Sumter catamaran tour

Watch the Ravenel Bridge tower above you as the sun sets over Charleston's harbor

A 2-hour sunset sail aboard the Palmetto Breeze, a 50-foot catamaran departing from Charleston harbor, takes you past Fort Sumter, the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point, downtown Charleston, and the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge as daylight fades. The vessel includes an onboard bar with local beers, seltzers and wine (card payments only), open deck seating, and shaded areas. Children are welcome from age 6. The route is suitable for all fitness levels, though not recommended for those with severe mobility issues.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunset sail around Charleston harbor

• Board the Palmetto Breeze catamaran
• Sail past Fort Sumter historic fortress
• Pass by USS Yorktown aircraft carrier
• Glide past Charleston Peninsula skyline
• Pass under Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge
• Enjoy drinks from the onboard bar
• Watch the sunset over the harbor

The experience

The Palmetto Breeze leaves Shem Creek and immediately opens onto the harbor where Fort Sumter sits in the water: the fortress where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. From the deck, the scale and isolation of the fort become clear in a way no land view captures. The cruise then carries you past the USS Yorktown, a World War II aircraft carrier now permanently docked at Patriots Point. The ship's size is striking when you're floating beside it, and the angle from the water makes for photographs you can't get from shore.

As the light begins to shift, you sail past the Charleston Peninsula's historic skyline (pastel buildings and period architecture stacked along the waterfront), and then glide beneath the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, a cable-stayed span that towers overhead and frames the approaching sunset. The two-hour window is timed to catch the sky's transformation, and the open deck gives you the full view. If the water is calm, watch for dolphins and seabirds moving through the harbor alongside the boat.

The catamaran has shaded seating if you want to step back from the sun, and the onboard bar stocks local beers, seltzers, and wine, card payments only. There are also bathrooms aboard. The boat is spacious enough that you're not crowded even when full, and the crew handles the sailing so you can focus on the water and the light.

What’s included

• Vessel and crew.
• open deck and shaded seating.
• access to onboard bathrooms.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except WednesdayDepartures at 15:30, 16:00 and 17:00Last departure this season: 29 Nov

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 100

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Palmetto Breeze

Is this one for you?The Palmetto Breeze departs from Shem Creek in Charleston harbor, so you don't need a car to reach the boat. It's accessible from downtown hotels and the waterfront. The 2-hour window is built around sunset timing, which means the light and the landmarks line up without you having to plan the hour or chase the moment.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Fort Sumter and why do we pass it on the sunset sail?

Fort Sumter is the historic fortress in Charleston harbor where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. The cruise passes it early in the route as you exit Shem Creek, giving you a water-level view of the site and its significance to American history.

What's included in the ticket price?

The ticket includes the vessel, crew, and access to both the open deck and shaded seating areas. An onboard bar serves local beers, seltzers, and wine for an additional cost (card payments only). Bathrooms are also available aboard.

How long is the sunset sail and when does it depart?

The cruise lasts 2 hours. The boat departs from Shem Creek in Charleston harbor. Specific departure times are available at checkout.

Will we see the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge on this cruise?

Yes. The Palmetto Breeze passes beneath the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, the cable-stayed span connecting downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant. Passing under it from the water gives you a full sense of its height and modern design, and it's one of the most photographed moments of the sail.

Are dolphins likely to appear during the sunset sail?

Dolphins and seabirds do travel through Charleston harbor and may accompany your journey, though sightings are not guaranteed. The open water and the timing of the cruise make encounters possible, especially when conditions are calm.