Charleston Pirate Tours

79 Cumberland Street, Charleston, SC 29401

843-442-7299

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Eric telling us about the Powder Magazine building

27 visitor photos

Ranked #10 of 94 tours in Charleston

83 Reviews

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Type: Tours

Owner description: Use the tour guide Travel Channel, A&E, Lifetime, and ETV use. Explore Charleston’s piratical past on a tour that begins in one of Charleston’s oldest...... more » Owner description: Use the tour guide Travel Channel, A&E, Lifetime, and ETV use. Explore Charleston’s piratical past on a tour that begins in one of Charleston’s oldest buildings, the National Historic Landmark Powder Magazine Museum. In authentic costume & accompanied by Capt. Bob, the parrot, Eric Lavender shares stories of the pirates who plundered, partied, and perished in Charles Towne. Eric brings Charleston's Golden Age of Piracy to life with stories of Blackbeard's siege of the city, the capture and execution of Stede Bonnet and other pirates, the romance between Calico Jack and Anne Bonny, and much more! Along the way, learn about the city’s most historical buildings and events. We also offer a discounted combo ticket that includes the walking tour and the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon.

Useful Information: Activities for older children

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83 reviews from our community

Monica M

Bluffton, South Carolina

1 review

“Our teenager loved the tour!”

Reviewed May 14, 2012

Our family of 6 attended the Pirate tour and we all enjoyed it. But the biggest surprise was when my 14 year old on the way home said, "Thank you for taking us on the tour. I really liked it." For those with a teenager you know how rare it is for them to say thank you much less for... More

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We're so glad that all of you, especially the teen, enjoyed the tour! Thank you for posting the review. Sabrina Lavender More

Tim K

Charleston, South Carolina

1 review

“An excellent way to spend a Saturday afternoon!”

Reviewed May 8, 2012

If there is anything you need to do on a Saturday afternoon, whether you are visiting Charleston or simply trying to know the area better, you need to go on one of these pirate tours. Eric the Pirate was very informative and very friendly - I could not have asked for a better tour guide. The pacing of the tour... More

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Glad you enjoyed the tour. Thanks so much for posting a review! You're right about a Charleston pirate movie - romance, adventure, & comedy! There's so much, it could turn into a multi-movie franchise! Again, thank you... Sabrina More

Andrea L

Atlanta, Georgia

Reviewer

4 reviews

Reviews in 2 cities

“What a cool walking tour!”

Reviewed May 8, 2012

My husband and I came to Charleston for our honeymoon trip, and as my husband is a big pirate history fan, we decided to go on this walking tour. It was so much fun! We had a very small group and got very one-on-one, conversational treatment from our guide, Eric. What a cool guy he is! Fun, laid-back, funny, VERY... More

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Thanks so much for inlcuding our tour on your very special trip! We're glad that you enjoyed it and that you learned some new things about pirates. Thanks, also, for posting such a positive review! Best wishes! Sabrina More

Steadfastman

Raleigh

Senior Reviewer

7 reviews

Reviews in 2 cities

1 helpful vote

“Pirate Eric Lavender is AMAZING!”

Reviewed May 7, 2012

At the end of many tours in the Charleston area, I honestly felt buyer’s remorse. However… Pirate Eric Lavender's tour is “ALL THAT”... and a bag of lead Shot!!! It was truly worth "EVERY brass farthing"! Although "Captain Bob the parrot" was absent due to “parrot mating season”, the tour was still FANTASTIC! Eric Lavender clearly has 2 tours, a... More

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Wow! Thank you so much for your kind words. We're so glad that you enjoyed the tour. Thanks so much for understanding about Capt. Bob. His hormones are finally getting under control now. If you ever make it back to Charleston, give us a call, and we'll set up a meet & greet with Bob for you. Again... thank you!... More

joesjc

Plaistow, New Hampshire

2 reviews

Reviews in 2 cities

“Charleston in the Days of Pirates”

Reviewed April 29, 2012

This past Tuesday we spent a couple of hours with a Pirate named Eric. He shared many tales of the pirates that sailed in and around Charleston, as he took us down the streets of the city showing us the places they hung out (literally), imbibed and were buried. Eric's knowledge was limitless. A definite must do. Additional Note: Eric... More

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Thank you for the great review. We're glad that you enjoyed the tour! We're glad, also, that you were able to make another Charleston trip after Hurricane Irene wrecked your plans last summer :) Sabrina More

Susan&David

Western NY

Senior Contributor

35 reviews

Reviews in 18 cities

22 helpful votes

“Arg!!! Not really, it was fun!”

Reviewed April 27, 2012

We did the walking tour of Charleston with Eric and had a great time, learning lots of things about the pirate time in Charleston. Pirates in Charleston was during a very short period of time but we learned much about it as we walked the streets. Eric certainly knows a great deal about pirates and made his presentation in a... More

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See 4 more reviews by Susan&David for Charleston

Thank you for the nice review! We're so glad that you enjoyed the tour. Charleston's connection to the Caribbean (plus the pirate activity there), is why Eric keeps telling me that he needs to do a trip there for research! Again, thank you! Sabrina More

David S

Baltimore

1 review

“Real Pirate”

Reviewed April 18, 2012

Went on this tour with my wife and had a wonderful time. Eric is a real pirate dressed up in real pirate gear with a real parrot named Bob. He was a lot of fun and had lots of passion about the history of pirates and how the relate to Charleston. My wife and I had already gone on some... More

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We're so glad that you enjoyed the tour, and that Eric could show you some sites that you hadn't seen yet. Thanks so much for the nice review and recommendation. Sabrina Lavender More

Monroetravels

Monroe

Senior Reviewer

6 reviews

Reviews in 2 cities

2 helpful votes

“Nice alternative!”

Reviewed April 17, 2012

This was a great tour - Eric the pirate gave a tour like no other, learning about Charleston from the view of the pirates is very fun. It is a walking tour - but anyone can do it - it is very slow paced and you get to see many spots I doubt regular tours will cover. Captain Bob was... More

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Thank you for the kind words... and for pointing out that the tour isn't just for children! We're so glad that you enjoyed the walk. Sabrina Lavender More

Rclclmr

Reviewer

4 reviews

Reviews in 2 cities

1 helpful vote

“Very cool walk into history”

Reviewed April 14, 2012

Very entertaining and educational tour of Charleston. We had a great time and learned something along the way. Best tour guide in Charleston! More

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See 2 more reviews by Rclclmr for Charleston

We're glad that you enjoyed the tour! Thank you for posting a review. Sabrina Lavender More

Culturemom

Atlanta

Senior Contributor

23 reviews

Reviews in 6 cities

16 helpful votes

“Captivating way to learn about Charleston & pirates!”

Reviewed April 10, 2012

Interesting tour around Charleston harbor. We learned all about the pirates that visited the Charleston area in the 1700's. My two daughters, ages 8 & 12, were even captivated! More

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Thanks so much for the review! We're glad that you and the girls enjoyed the tour. I bet the girls really liked the story about Anne Bonny & Mary Read :) Sabrina More