Charleston Eco Boat Cruise with stop at Morris Island Lighthouse
5
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*
Charleston Eco Boat Cruise with stop at Morris Island Lighthouse
By Charleston Outdoor Adventures
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About
The uninhabited Morris Island makes a nice contrast to the nearby city of Charleston, but Morris Island isn’t easy to get to, as it’s only accessible by boat. This cruise sets sail from Bowens Island and takes you to Morris Island to spend free time exploring it at your own pace before heading back. Be on the lookout for marine life, such as bottlenose dolphins and sea turtles, from the boat.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-99, max of 21 per group
Duration: 2h 30m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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Highlights
- This cruise travels to Morris Island, which is only accessible by boat
- Explore Morris Island at your own pace
- Catch sight of dolphins and other marine life, as well as a lighthouse
- Fit the cruise into your schedule, with multiple departures offered
Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best
2024
- 2.5-Hour Tidal Creeks Eco Boat Cruise in Charleston
- See wildlife including Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, wading birds, pelicans, sea turtles, and more
- Learn information about the local ecosystems and history from your Naturalist Captain
- Live Narration On Board
- 1 hour stop at the beach!
- Fuel surcharge
What's not included- Snacks
- Bottled water
- Gratuities
- Make your way to Bowens Island for your Morris Island eco-cruise. On the water, cruise through inlets, salt marshes, and estuaries near Folly Beach on your way to the island. Keep a lookout for marine life such as dolphins and sea turtles, as well as birds along the route. After you arrive on Morris Island, spend free time exploring independently at your own pace. See the historic Morris Island Lighthouse, go searching for shells, or just relax and take in views of the surrounding area. Your Morris Island cruise ends on the Charleston Harbor and returns to the original meeting location for drop-off.
- Start:
- 1871 Bowens Island Rd, Charleston, SC 29412, USADrive to the end of Bowens Island Road and find our office by the marsh. The parking lot is located on the right as you drive in.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infants must sit on laps
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 50458P2- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travelers can participate
- Remember to bring water, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a camera, and a bag for shell collecting if desired. These essentials will help ensure you stay comfortable and prepared throughout the adventure.
- Dress for the weather with clothes and shoes that are suitable for beach walking. Comfortable, weather-appropriate attire and sturdy footwear will help you fully enjoy the experience on Morris Island.
- Please note there is a stop at Morris Island where travelers can visit for about 45 minutes to an hour. During this time, you can walk around and explore the island. However, this may pose an issue for wheelchair accessibility. Travelers have the option to remain onboard during this stop if they choose.
- Restrooms are available before departure. Please note that there are no restrooms available for the duration of the tour.
- Please arrive 15 minutes early for departure to check in at the Charleston Outdoor Adventures office. This ensures a smooth and timely start to your adventure.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 21 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- What type of boat is used for the Charleston's Tidal Creeks Eco Boat Cruise with Stop at Morris Island Lighthouse?
- We use a comfortable Carolina Skiff bay boat for this tour.Answered Mar 2021
- Is the Charleston's Tidal Creeks Eco Boat Cruise with Stop at Morris Island Lighthouse handicap accessible?
- Yes, the boat is accessible. As the island is made up of sandy beaches, guests in wheelchairs may wish to stay on board the boat during the Morris Island stop.Answered Mar 2021
- Is the Charleston's Tidal Creeks Eco Boat Cruise with Stop at Morris Island Lighthouse appropriate for young children?
- Yes! Children love combing the beach to collect shells and there is a good chance to see native wildlife during the trip.Answered Mar 2021
- What should I bring with me on the Charleston's Tidal Creeks Eco Boat Cruise with Stop at Morris Island Lighthouse?
- Bring water, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, a camera, and a bag for shells you find on the beach. You can also bring a small cooler with drinks and snacks. Wear comfortable shoes that you don't mind getting sandy/wet.Answered Mar 2021
The tour operator has provided the following answers to customers’ questions.- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 50458P2
From
$56.00
per adult
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Itinerary
- 1871 Bowens Island Rd, Charleston, SC 29412, USADrive to the end of Bowens Island Road and find our office by the marsh. The parking lot is located on the right as you drive in.
- Pass byCharleston Outdoor Adventures
- 1
- 2
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- Resort400922509800 contributionsGreat kayak tour experienceOur guide Maddy was very knowledgeable about the area and wildlife. One of the guests couldn't keep up with the group so she tethered their kayak to hers for the whole tour. I felt she was a such a good sport about it. Everyone we encountered, from check in to check out was professional and very pleasant. I will definitely use them again when we are back in the area.Written October 8, 2024
- Megher20080 contributionsExcellent paddle experienceWanted out in the late afternoon with Maddie, and it was excellent! She was very knowledgeable and tailored the experience to the group. Highly recommend any paddling experience with her!Written October 8, 2024
- Extraordinary1698140 contributionsMoney Well SpentWe thoroughly enjoyed the guide we had as well as the trip itself. We would highly recommend it to others.Written October 7, 2024
- CD4300 contributionsgood experience, as advertisedDolphins, stingrays, diving pelicans, jumping fish and shrimp. Well organized, informative tour of the tidal marshes. Our guide, Kat, was terrific. The distance covered will be limited by any inexperienced kayakers in the group, but you can see quite a variety of wildlife in a relatively small area.Written September 30, 2024
- Just_wondering_eh0 contributionsVery informative and relaxingOur tour guide, Cade, was very good. He shared information about the estuary and wildlife from the minute we got in the kayaks till the minute we got out. He went at a very comfortable speed for everyone.Written September 8, 2024
- gonzaloh4060 contributionsGreat!Great first experience. We tried the individual kayak. The check in process was easy and very clear. Our guide Michaela was excellent! Friendly, explained what to expect before staying and the different animals we'll be seeing along the way. She kept us all safe and made sure we were all having a good time. Definitely worth trying it!Written September 7, 2024
- Psychpr0 contributionsKayaking is good!Kayaking in Charleston… something you must do at least once . Carr , the kayak guide was very friendly and exlained all the points before touching the water while once there, she asked us for animals we were expecting to see. Through the tour , she kept our interest with topics of the respective charactteristics of soils and animals in the area -no matter the animals were shy today-. One couple saw a baby shark and we saw different birds.Written September 2, 2024
- jessicabQ8684SR0 contributionsEnjoy the local wildlifeWe went on the morning tour and got to see a lot of the local wildlife! We saw dolphins, shrimp, herons and several other birds. We enjoyed our time thereWritten August 31, 2024
- J779USrachelm0 contributionsLots of dolphins, nice calm waterWe saw multiple pods of dolphins! Sarah, our guide, was amazing. She was funny, knowledgeable about the wildlife, and kind.Written August 27, 2024
- 687hildaa0 contributionsGreat experience!The kayaking tour was a very nice way to explore the saltwater swamp outside Charleston. We were lucky to see dolphins hunting right in front of us! Tour guide Dallas was friendly and knowledgeable. The only thing holding back the five star was that my father's kayak was broken and leaking. Otherwise it was a five star experience.Written August 27, 2024
- K'Ron S0 contributions10/10 Would Recommend!!The staff here is AMAZING!!!! Thank you to KD, Maddy, and Kat for being so welcoming and helpful to us newcomers. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and provides a ton of insight on the local ecosystem. As an avid wild life enthusiast, there was no shortage of fish and birds to look at. The shrimp literally jump clear out of the water, and if you're lucky enough, they land on the kayak!!! There was never a moment when we felt unsafe out there on the windy water. 10/10 would do it again.Written August 19, 2024
- G4558JCtimd0 contributionsA leisurely paddleExcellent experience for the whole family. No extreme fitness needed. A wonderfully informative and leisurely paddle.Written August 16, 2024
- Safari365781346460 contributionsA Great & Fun Introduction to Charleston’s Coastal WatersThe Guided Kayak Eco Tour in Charleston was fantastic! Our guide Mikayla (sp?) was excellent! She gave us great instructions before we left, and gave us very interesting information as we paddled along. This was my first time in a kayak, and I’m over sixty, so I was a little nervous. Mikayla was super patient and encouraging. She explained the features of the ecosystem, pointed out all the wildlife we encountered, told us something about the people who live and work in this area, and simultaneously kept a watchful eye on us, giving us a hand if/when we needed it and allowing appropriate independence for the more experienced kayakers. When we got back to shore, other members of the Charleston Outdoor Adventures were right there, cheerfully helping us get the kayaks out of the water and helping us get out of the kayaks! I would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone! It was a great introduction to understanding what this beautiful coastal community is all about.Written August 6, 2024
- CharleneMG0 contributionsDolphin Cruise was a great experience to see dolphins in the areaI had been wanting to do this Dolphin Cruise for a while and since my son and granddaughter were visiting Charleston, I thought it would be a great opportunity. Captain Craig was well versed in the area and explained how and when dolphins would feed in those areas. We observed many dolphins and really enjoyed our tour.Written August 4, 2024
- 573lezliec0 contributionsBowen Island KayakingGreat experience Our guide KD was very informative and helpful We had all levels of kayaking in our group of 5 and everyone had fun Even saw dolphinsWritten August 3, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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1,100 reviews
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Anne
Columbia, MD1 contribution
Nov 2020
The day after Thanksgiving I went on the Eco Cruise to Morris Island. It's a trip I have enjoyed often, typically taking visitors to Charleston, or going with a neighbor. It's an easy trip. Always remarkable for the beauty and opportunity to be on the water. Shelling on Morris Island is a treat, and the captains are without fail professional and knowledgeable about the surrounding eco system.
This time, we saw several dolphins, including a mama and a calf. Our captain on this trip was Josh. Because we saw so many dolphins, he wove a lot of dolphin behavior information into his discussion. COA does a good job of making sure their staff really understand the information they are providing and they typically do it in an effective way. Josh is obviously invested in the natural world which made the information he shared that much more valuable. It was a great trip! Safe as well, given we're in a pandemic. Thank you COA!
This time, we saw several dolphins, including a mama and a calf. Our captain on this trip was Josh. Because we saw so many dolphins, he wove a lot of dolphin behavior information into his discussion. COA does a good job of making sure their staff really understand the information they are providing and they typically do it in an effective way. Josh is obviously invested in the natural world which made the information he shared that much more valuable. It was a great trip! Safe as well, given we're in a pandemic. Thank you COA!
Written November 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy and Rick Ross
27 contributions
Dec 2021 • Couples
This was an intimate cruise I. A smaller boat carrying 17 people. Josh our guide was great! He was personable, extremely knowledgeable, truly cares about the ecosystem and shares that love as a very professional guide. It was relaxing, engaging, and we saw so much wildlife. I highly recommend this trip if you appreciate nature and want to spend 2.5 hours immersed in the beautiful marsh and beaches or Charleston!
Written December 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yodakat
Philadelphia206 contributions
We enjoyed the tour. Our captain was informative and engaging. We saw several dolphins. The captain knew where to look for them and was knowledgeable about all the wildlife we encountered. The time on Morris Island was plenty for shell hunting and walking to see the lighthouse.
In the settings of Covid our boat was only partially filled but there was still less that 6ft of space between the 3 families and captain. The captain did not wear a mask nor did he enforce/encourage mask wearing for guests. I would tour with this company again but not during the pandemic as I did not feel safe with their masking practice.
In the settings of Covid our boat was only partially filled but there was still less that 6ft of space between the 3 families and captain. The captain did not wear a mask nor did he enforce/encourage mask wearing for guests. I would tour with this company again but not during the pandemic as I did not feel safe with their masking practice.
Written April 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura M
Greenville, SC11 contributions
We decided at the last minute to take this tour because the weather was unseasonably warm for January. We read the reviews and saw so many folks recently gave great reviews. This was a great afternoon. We learned a lot about the local eco system and had a beautiful boat ride out to the island. Found loads of shells and enjoyed beautiful scenery. A great day!
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TulaKitty
Santa Rosa, CA416 contributions
We originally booked this tour so we could see the Morris Island light. Yes, it is standing out in the water and one cannot get to it, but it was nice to get as close as possible. Captain Josh made the tour very interesting with lots of facts about the flora and fauna. We spent an hour beach combing and picked up a bunch of shells that we were able to collect (there were so many shells). We saw dolphins, pelicans and other birds. Captain Josh even plucked an oyster out and someone ate it raw. We really enjoyed this cruise and would recommend it to our friends if they were visiting the area.
Written April 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patricia C
Mesquite, TX508 contributions
Feb 2020
First besides telling you how wonderful Josh, our boat captain , was I have to say... if you take this ride in winter... BUNDLE UP! it gets windy and therefor chilly. we were on the boat with some pros who brought blankets which came in handy with the wind and when some of the water was spraying up. In summer no need to worry about all that, I bet it feels awesome lol.
We saw quite a few dolphins on the boat ride out to Morris island. The boat captain stopped when ever one was spotted so we could watch them. We saw oysters in their natural habitat and pelicans. The boat captain was very knowledgeable about the sea life as well as history of Morris island and Charleston. Morris island was SO full of sea shells, some were as large as my whole hand. we found a lot of sand dollars but most were still living and Captain Josh told us how to tell which ones were living and asked we leave them there. my kids really enjoyed walking the beach and finding a dead crab and jelly fish along with collecting shells.I found it relaxing. We had plenty of time to explore and the whole thing took the 2.5 hours as they stated it would.
FYI if you take an Uber get his info just in case. Maybe it is because we went in winter. Maybe in summer a lot of people are going back and forth to Folly beach and the Uber and Lyfts are more plentiful in summer but in winter... we had a hard time finding anyone near to come get us. It took almost an hour before we got a ride there to pick us up. I had wished we had gotten the Uber driver's info who took us out there to at least call and see if he could take us back to the historic Charleston area when we were done. it ended up being a lyft we got to take us back.
We saw quite a few dolphins on the boat ride out to Morris island. The boat captain stopped when ever one was spotted so we could watch them. We saw oysters in their natural habitat and pelicans. The boat captain was very knowledgeable about the sea life as well as history of Morris island and Charleston. Morris island was SO full of sea shells, some were as large as my whole hand. we found a lot of sand dollars but most were still living and Captain Josh told us how to tell which ones were living and asked we leave them there. my kids really enjoyed walking the beach and finding a dead crab and jelly fish along with collecting shells.I found it relaxing. We had plenty of time to explore and the whole thing took the 2.5 hours as they stated it would.
FYI if you take an Uber get his info just in case. Maybe it is because we went in winter. Maybe in summer a lot of people are going back and forth to Folly beach and the Uber and Lyfts are more plentiful in summer but in winter... we had a hard time finding anyone near to come get us. It took almost an hour before we got a ride there to pick us up. I had wished we had gotten the Uber driver's info who took us out there to at least call and see if he could take us back to the historic Charleston area when we were done. it ended up being a lyft we got to take us back.
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mohammad E
1 contribution
May 2022 • Family
The tour was supposed to be 2.5 hours but because of rainy weather conditions, they finished in 1.15 hour ( we already knew it is gonna rain but they wanted to give it a shot and they said they will do partial refund after it). When we asked about refund amount, they said they will decide after the tour depending on the duration. We were 5 people and paid $270 in total. The trip was very short, they refunded only $50. They should have refunded us half of the tickets since we only went for half of the tour. Moreover, we did not see anything; just two birds and 2 small dolphins. It was really waste of money and will not do again for sure and do not recommend it to others.
Written May 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your experience, and we're sorry to hear that your tour did not meet your expectations. We always strive to provide the best possible experience for our guests, and it's disappointing to learn that the weather affected your outing.
Regarding the refund, our policy aims to be fair based on the circumstances, but we understand your frustration. We appreciate your feedback as it helps us improve our communication about expectations and refunds in the future.
We are sorry that you did not see more wildlife during your tour. The natural environment can be unpredictable, and while we aim to provide engaging encounters with local wildlife, we recognize that this doesn’t always happen. Your experience is not reflective of our usual standards, and we truly appreciate your comments. We hope you might consider giving us another chance in the future.
Written October 6, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jenny O
1 contribution
Aug 2022 • Family
We had an excellent experience! Captain Dallas was knowledgeable, funny, and personable. He interacted with members of our party of all ages, kept us entertained, and even remembered everyone’s name on the boat! We saw many dolphins, an incredible sunset, and found sand dollars while walking on the beach at the lighthouse. We would not hesitate to go again!
Written August 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ELNO523
West Hartford, CT2 contributions
The folks at Charleston Outdoor Adventures have their act together - from booking to boating it was all smooth sailing. Captain Dallas was knowledgeable about the environs and inhabitants of the marsh — not to mention entertaining. We saw a large number of dolphins, some strand feeding and a pair surfing in our boats wake. It was a wonderful afternoon on the water, not to be missed.
Written October 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth S
3 contributions
Jun 2021
This was a phenomenal tour packed with education and fun. Tripp was our Captain and he is both kind and extraordinarily knowledgeable about the Charleston waters and animals. He held our attention throughout with easy to understand conversation about the waterway and was amazing at helping us spot dolphins. We saw entire pods, including a mama and her baby swim right by our boat! We also saw a number of other animals and fowl that Tripp said are rare to see. It is fascinating that he can both captain the boat and be on the lookout for so many rare animals and fowl at the same time. This was easily the best tour in Charleston that we have been on. We hope to be back and take their 5 hour fossil tour.
Written June 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We don't have a car and are staying in Charleston. How would we get to the dock?
Written September 2, 2022
We took an Uber! It’s a ways away from everything else so there’s not really a great option otherwise
Written September 3, 2022
Hello,
When you are on Morris Island will you get to walk up close to the light house or just see it from a distance?
Written June 23, 2022
You can get about 150 feet away from the lighthouse , plenty close to get some good pics but you can’t get right up to it because it is surrounded by water.
Written June 26, 2022
Is there water available for purchase? What can you bring on the boat?
Written June 23, 2022
There was nothing available for purchase aboard the boat. There is, however, a restaurant at the site where several people bought food and beer before and after the excursion. Food and drinks were not sold as take out, but you may bring your own provisions with you. We brought our own lunch and water and I would recommend doing so.
Written June 23, 2022
Hello, I just reserved the tour for 2 people on March 21st at 2. Last name Price/Daugherty. I can’t seem to find my account and my credit card info. With that information, is there a way to find my account/actual reservation online again? Thank you.
Ms.Price
Written February 22, 2022
Does this tour require a minimum of two guests per booking, as stated in the tour description?
Written November 11, 2021
No, I don't believe there is any requirement that you must be more than one guest.The girls who run the phone lines and you will check in with are great, patient ,friendly and accommodating..
Written November 13, 2021
Is there a place to store a stroller?
Written September 5, 2021
There was no strollers present during my tour. I would think you would have to stow it away in your car prior to take off.
Written December 5, 2021
Would a small, well behaved dog be allowed?
Written July 31, 2021
No, there is not. There is a rest room inside the restaurant at the landing before you board, however, it is VERY bare bones. Shower curtains instead of stall doors for example. The restaurant is also what one may call a "dive" .
Written April 9, 2021
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.