Kayak With Dolphins in Shem Creek: 2-Hour Guided Tour

Two hours paddling through shrimp boats, marshes and dolphin sightings

A 2-hour guided kayak tour of Shem Creek in Charleston where you paddle past working shrimp boats and oyster beds while watching for bottlenose dolphins, manatees and sea turtles. A naturalist guide shares stories of Lowcountry ecology and history; kayak, paddle, life jacket and dry bag are provided. Children from age 2 are welcome, and stable kayaks with expert instruction make it suitable for first-time paddlers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided kayak tour on Shem Creek

• Check in at Coastal Expeditions
• Receive gear and safety instructions
• Practice kayaking on the water
• Paddle towards historic Shem Creek
• Observe shrimp boats and oyster beds
• Spot bottlenose dolphins and wildlife
• View Charleston Harbor and skyline
• Return to starting point

The Experience

Two hours on the water starts at Coastal Expeditions' private dock on Shem Creek. Your guide fits your gear and walks through safety and paddling basics before you launch—enough time to find your balance before heading downriver toward the historic creek and Charleston Harbor. The route takes you past working shrimp boats and oyster-lined marshes where the water stays calm and the paddling stays manageable, even for someone who has never held a paddle before.

Shem Creek is known for bottlenose dolphins that breach close enough to see clearly, and in summer months manatees and loggerhead sea turtles move through these waters. Pelicans dive for fish along the banks, and egrets hunt in the shallows. Your guide reads the water and the wildlife, narrating stories about the Lowcountry's ecology and history as you paddle. The creek also appears in the Netflix show Outer Banks, and your guide can point out filming locations if you're familiar with it.

Everything you need travels with you: a stable sea kayak, paddle, personal flotation device and a dry bag to keep your phone and belongings from getting wet. The guide handles the storytelling and safety; you handle the paddling at your own pace. The tour returns to the same dock where you started.

What’s included

• Sea kayak, paddle and personal flotation device.
• 2-hour guided kayak tour with a naturalist guide.
• safety instruction and paddling basics.
• dry bag for your phone and personal items.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Coastal Expeditions

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see dolphins and wildlife from the water without needing paddling experience—the stable kayaks, small group size and expert guide make it work for first-time paddlers and families with children from age 2 up.

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Top questions

What wildlife might I actually see on this kayak tour of Shem Creek?

Bottlenose dolphins breach regularly in Shem Creek and often surface just feet from your kayak. Pelicans, egrets and other wading birds hunt along the banks. In summer, manatees and loggerhead sea turtles visit the creek. Your guide watches for them and points them out as you paddle.

Do I need kayaking experience to paddle Shem Creek?

No. The tour welcomes first-time paddlers and includes a safety and instruction session before you launch. Stable kayaks and small group sizes keep the experience manageable for all ages from 2 and up. Your guide adjusts the pace to match your group.

What's included in the 2-hour tour?

The tour includes your sea kayak, paddle, personal flotation device and dry bag; a 2-hour guided paddle down Shem Creek; and a professional naturalist guide who shares stories of Lowcountry history and ecology. Instruction and safety briefing are part of the experience.

Can young children or infants go on this kayak tour?

Children are welcome from age 2 and up. Infants must sit on an adult's lap. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and strollers or prams can be accommodated at the dock before launch.

Where do we meet, and how long does the whole experience take?

You check in at Coastal Expeditions on Shem Creek, where your guide fits your gear and covers safety basics. The paddle itself lasts 2 hours and returns to the same private dock. Plan to arrive a few minutes early for gear fitting.

What is Shem Creek, and why is it special for kayaking?

Shem Creek is one of Charleston's most iconic tidal creeks, known for its working shrimp boats, oyster beds and abundant wildlife. The calm saltmarsh waters and frequent dolphin sightings make it a prime spot for kayaking, and the historic setting includes views of Charleston Harbor and the city skyline.