Cruise from Charleston SCCharleston Catamaran Sunset Cruise: Music, Bar and Shem Creek Departure
A Charleston catamaran sunset cruise is a specific thing on this harbor, and this page covers the Palmetto Breeze version sold on GetYourGuide for $65 per person. It is a 2-hour, music-forward social sail on a 55-foot open-air catamaran with cushioned seating, partial shade and two restrooms. It leaves from the Shem Creek boardwalk in Mount Pleasant, not from downtown Charleston, which matters for your drive and parking. The listing is not narrated, drinks are paid by card on board, and children under 6 are not allowed. This page sets out what the ticket covers, what the evening is like and who should book a different boat. Start with the full comparison of cruises from Charleston SC if you are still choosing.
About This Tour
Palmetto Breeze Charters runs a 2-hour shared sunset cruise through Charleston Harbor from the Shem Creek boardwalk in Mount Pleasant. Music plays throughout the sail, and a bar sells local and domestic beers, wine, seltzers and soft drinks for debit or credit card only. The boat is a 55-foot open-air catamaran with partial shade, cushioned seating, two restrooms and open deck space front to back.
The route passes Fort Sumter, the downtown waterfront, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and the USS Yorktown. There is no narration, though the crew answers questions. The cruise is listed at $65 per person, is rated 4.8 from 132 verified GetYourGuide bookings, and the listing warns it is likely to sell out. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before departure.
$65 per person, booked through GetYourGuide. Reserve now and pay later is offered, and the listing flags it as likely to sell out.
2 hours on the water. Departure times are not stated in the listing, so check availability for the sail time on your date.
Check in at the top of the walkway on the Shem Creek boardwalk in Mount Pleasant, between Water's Edge restaurant and Mount Pleasant Seafood, listed as 1 Shrimp Boat Ln, Dock 3. Free parking is limited. Water's Edge validates parking if you eat a meal there.
A 55-foot open-air catamaran with cushioned seating, partial shade and two restrooms. No group cap is stated, and the listing says the boat can feel lively when fully booked.
Included: the 2-hour shared cruise, open-air seating with partial shade, cushioned seats, two restrooms and the captain and crew. Paid extra: all drinks (card only on board), food, parking, transport to the dock, and optional gratuities.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Every guest signs an electronic passenger waiver before boarding.
Check Dates and Availability
The listing does not publish fixed departure times, so open the calendar to see sail times and remaining seats for your date. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before departure.
Quick answer The short answer
This Charleston catamaran sunset cruise costs $65 per person and lasts 2 hours on a 55-foot catamaran from Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant, rated 4.8 from 132 GetYourGuide reviews.
Key takeaways
- Drinks are not in the fare. The on-board bar takes debit or credit cards only and outside drinks are banned, so bring a card and your license. See what the price covers.
- The dock is in Mount Pleasant, not downtown. Free parking is limited, so consider the BYOB sunset cruise from the same creek if you want to bring your own cooler instead.
- Children under 6 and wheelchair users cannot join. For a downtown dock and a narrated boat, compare the Charleston Harbor sunset cruise or the full list of Charleston cruises.
What the Price Actually Covers
The $65 fare buys the seat, the boat and the crew. Everything you eat, drink or park is billed separately, and the split below comes from the operator's own verified includes list on GetYourGuide.
How the Listings Compare
Each row below comes from the operator's own listing, and anything the listing does not state is marked that way.
| Line | In the price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2-hour shared sunset cruise | Yes | Departure time varies by date, check availability |
| Seating, partial shade, two restrooms | Yes | Cushioned seats, open deck space front to back |
| Captain and crew | Yes | No narration, crew answer questions informally |
| Beer, wine, seltzers, soft drinks | No | Sold on board, debit or credit card only, no outside drinks |
| Food | No | Not offered in the listing |
| Parking at Shem Creek | No | Free spaces limited, Water's Edge validates with a meal |
| Gratuities | No | Optional |
| Cancellation | Yes | Free up to 24 hours before departure |
Included in the $65
The ticket covers the 2-hour shared Charleston Harbor sunset cruise, open-air seating with partial shade, comfortable cushioned seating, two onboard restrooms, a professional captain and friendly crew, and the sunset and harbor sightseeing itself. That is the full verified list. No entry ticket to any site is included, and there is no food. Music is part of the atmosphere rather than a line item.
The cruise does not land anywhere. It sails past Fort Sumter, the downtown waterfront, the Ravenel Bridge and the USS Yorktown, so it replaces none of the paid attractions. For scale, the Fort Sumter ferry and fort entry ticket costs $43 and the Patriots Point admission is $28, but neither is part of this fare and this boat stops at neither.
What You Pay Extra on the Day
Drinks are the main extra. The onboard bar sells local and domestic beers, wine selections, alcoholic seltzers, non-alcoholic beverages and water, and it takes debit or credit cards only. No cash. Outside beverages are not permitted, so a cooler stays in the car. Food is not included and the listing does not promise any snack service. Parking is your own cost, and free parking near Shem Creek is limited. Water's Edge validates parking if you eat a meal at the restaurant. Gratuities are optional and not in the fare.
The honest note on timing: departure times are not stated in the listing, and Charleston's sunset falls as early as 5:14 p.m. in early December. Check the start time for your date before booking rather than assuming a golden-hour sail.
Data checked on 2026-10-03 against the operator's GetYourGuide listing.
Boats line the docks along Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant. Photo: Lightbulb Noob, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
What the Day Is Really Like
The listing gives phases rather than a minute-by-minute schedule. Here is how the evening runs, from the boardwalk check-in to the return dock.
Arrival and Check-in
The meeting point is the Shem Creek boardwalk in Mount Pleasant, between Water's Edge restaurant and Mount Pleasant Seafood. Look for the Palmetto Breeze sign and the walkway down to the lower dock, listed as 1 Shrimp Boat Ln, Dock 3. The arrival guidance conflicts slightly within the listing itself: the meeting-point text asks for 15 minutes early and the know-before-you-go text asks for 20 to 30 minutes.
Treat 30 minutes as the safe target, because parking is tight and check-in happens at the top of the walkway. Every guest signs an electronic passenger waiver from the confirmation email before boarding.
On the Water
The sail runs 2 hours through Charleston Harbor. Music plays throughout, which is the stated character of this boat: a music-forward, social sunset cruise rather than a quiet one. The listing says the vibe depends on the mix of guests, from calm and easygoing to energetic when wedding parties or bachelorette groups fill the deck.
There is no guided narration, but the crew chats and answers questions. You can walk from front to back and side to side, and guests are encouraged to stand, take photos and socialize.
The Route and the Sunset
The route passes Fort Sumter, the historic downtown waterfront, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and the USS Yorktown. Dolphins are frequently spotted in the harbor, especially on evening cruises, though sightings are not guaranteed and one traveler reported none. The listing does not state the exact sunset moment, and the sail time varies by date.
Charleston's sunset ranges from 8:33 p.m. at its latest to 5:14 p.m. at its earliest, so check the listed start time for your date against the sunset that day. Dinner afterward at the creek is an easy plan.
Who This Tour Rules Out
This boat has firm limits. Several are hard exclusions in the listing, and each has a better-fitting alternative on the same harbor.
Families with Children Under 6
The minimum age is 6, and children must be supervised by an adult. There is no exception stated. If you travel with a toddler, the Charleston Harbor Tour and Dolphin Watch Cruise runs live narration and lets up to two children ride free per paying adult from Patriots Point or Aquarium Wharf.
Wheelchair Users
The vessel is not wheelchair accessible because of the dock ramp and steps needed to board. Stroller rules are not stated. The water taxi and the downtown tour boats use different docks, so check access there instead.
Travellers Who Want Narration or a Quiet Sail
This is not a guided or narrated tour. The crew answers questions informally, but nobody explains the forts and history. If you want the story, the narrated history cruise on the Carolina Belle covers more than 75 sights in 90 minutes for $47.50.
If you want quiet, the same operator's listing itself suggests looking at daytime or specialty sails rather than this one.
Anyone Planning to Bring Their Own Drinks
Outside beverages are not permitted and the bar takes cards only. If BYOB is the point of your evening, the Shem Creek BYOB Sunset Cruise provides shared coolers with ice and bottled water and you supply the drinks for $45.
Sun-seekers Expecting Shade and Guaranteed Dolphins
Shade is partial on an open-air deck, so bring sunscreen and comfortable shoes. Dolphins are described as frequent but one traveler did not see any, so treat them as a bonus. High heels, pets, glass, coolers and bare feet are all barred by the listing.
The boardwalk along Shem Creek runs beside moored boats. Photo: B. Childress, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Could You See It Without This Cruise?
A free evening at Shem Creek gets you some of what this cruise sells. The boardwalk, the parking and the sunset on the water are all free, and this section uses figures from the town and park sources.
The Free Boardwalk Evening
Shem Creek Park opened in October 2011 and its boardwalk runs along working shrimp docks and restaurants. Parking in the park lot is free, a 35-space lot by the restrooms plus spillover on Shrimp Boat Lane, and it fills at busy times. The park is open 5 a.m. to midnight, so an evening visit fits easily.
Dolphins, egrets and other wildlife are seen from the creek itself, and the sunset over the water costs nothing.
What the Shore Cannot Give You
The boardwalk puts you at creek level, roughly 2,200 to 3,000 feet of walkway depending on the source. It does not take you past Fort Sumter, under the Ravenel Bridge or along the downtown waterfront. There is no music, no bar and no crew, and you cannot get the harbor-wide golden-hour view.
If you want to be on the water at sunset with a drink, a cruise is how you get that from this dock.
When the Free Option Is Enough
If your goal is a pleasant evening with the kids, a walk and a shrimp dinner by the water, the boardwalk covers it for the price of parking. If you also want the harbor sights, the water taxi's all-day pass at $17 stops at four points around the harbor and lists a dolphin cruise on every trip, though it is not a sunset product. For more no-cost ideas, see the guide to free things to do in Charleston, or plan a longer stay around 2 days in Charleston and 3 days in Charleston.
The cruise earns its $65 when the sail itself, the music and the bar are the evening you want, and when you would rather compare it against every other option on the Charleston cruises homepage before paying.
Shore and transit figures: Charleston Water Taxi, City of Charleston parks
The Evening Step by Step
The listing states phases and one duration, the 2-hour sail. Clock times are not published, so the steps below use labels except where the listing gives figures.
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Before boarding
Arrive at Shem Creek
Aim for 20 to 30 minutes before departure, per the know-before-you-go text. Free parking is limited near the boardwalk, and Water's Edge validates parking for diners.
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Before boarding
Check in at the walkway
Wait at the top of the walkway between Water's Edge and Mount Pleasant Seafood. The crew greets you and guides you down to the lower dock at 1 Shrimp Boat Ln, Dock 3.
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Before boarding
Sign the waiver
Every guest completes an electronic passenger waiver before boarding, sent in the confirmation email. Have your driver's license and a card ready for the bar.
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Departure
Leave the creek
The catamaran departs for a 2-hour sail through Charleston Harbor. The captain may change the route or return early for weather or safety.
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On the water
Harbor landmarks at golden hour
The route passes Fort Sumter, the historic downtown waterfront, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and the USS Yorktown. The listing says dolphins are frequently spotted on evening cruises, though sightings are not guaranteed.
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On the water
Music and the bar
Music plays throughout. The bar sells beers, wine, seltzers and soft drinks by debit or credit card only, and you are free to walk the deck between seating areas.
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The turn
Sunset and the ride back
No fixed time is stated for the sunset moment, which shifts through the year. Check the start time for your date.
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Back at the dock
Return to Shem Creek
The sail ends where it started, at the dock at 1 Shrimp Boat Ln Dock 3. Gratuities are optional and paid separately.
Pros and Cons
An honest read of the listing, including the parts the operator states plainly.
What we genuinely like
- Two full hours on the water for $65, longer than several 1.5-hour harbor cruises
- Cushioned seats, partial shade and two onboard restrooms
- Music and a social atmosphere that suits groups, birthdays and celebrations
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve now, pay later
- Rated 4.8 from 132 verified GetYourGuide bookings
The honest downsides
- Drinks cost extra and the bar takes cards only, with no outside drinks allowed at all
- The dock is in Mount Pleasant, a drive from downtown, and free parking is limited
- No narration, so history-minded travellers get little more than the view
- Not suitable for wheelchair users or children under 6
- The boat can feel lively when fully booked, and the music runs the whole sail
- Departure times shift by date, and winter sunsets fall as early as 5:14 p.m.
Who it's NOT for: Not for wheelchair users, families with children under 6, or anyone who wants a quiet, narrated BYOB evening.
Questions About This Cruise
How much does the Charleston catamaran sunset cruise cost?
The fare is $65 per person for the 2-hour shared sail, booked on GetYourGuide with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Drinks, food, parking and tips are extra. The cruises from Charleston shows how this fare sits against the other harbor boats.
Where does the catamaran leave from?
From the Shem Creek boardwalk in Mount Pleasant, between Water's Edge restaurant and Mount Pleasant Seafood, listed as 1 Shrimp Boat Ln, Dock 3. It is not a downtown departure. The Shem Creek BYOB sunset cruise uses the same creek if you would rather bring your own drinks.
What drinks are available on board?
The bar sells local and domestic beers, wine selections, alcoholic seltzers and non-alcoholic beverages and water, payable by debit or credit card only. Outside beverages are not permitted. There is no food service in the listing.
Can children come on this cruise?
No child under 6 is allowed, and children must be supervised by an adult. For a boat that welcomes young families with free child places, see the harbor tour and dolphin watch cruise instead.
Is the cruise narrated?
No. The listing states plainly that this is not a guided or narrated tour, though the crew answers questions and chats informally. If you want commentary on the forts and sights, the narrated history cruise on the Carolina Belle is the better fit.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
No. The listing says the vessel is not wheelchair accessible because of the dock ramp and steps required to board. No stroller guidance is stated.
What happens if the weather turns?
The captain may change the route or return early for weather or safety. Your booking protection is the free cancellation window, which runs until 24 hours before departure for a full refund. More booking and dock details are on the Charleston cruises homepage.
What Travelers Said
Had a great trip! Booked this as a treat for my parents and I while they were in town visiting. Great captain and crew, had a super nice time.
We had a wonderful time with plenty of great music, fun people on board and a gorgeous sunset. Entertaining pelicans dive fishing! Interesting sites and barges and lovely skies1
Loved the vibe! Captain and crew were very friendly! Music was great and prices onboard were great for drinks! Would definitely recommend! Justin, austin, and Madison were amazing!
Prices, availability and terms are set by the operator and confirmed at checkout.
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