Charleston Kayak Company
Charleston Kayak Company
Charleston Kayak Company
5
Boat Tours • Eco Tours • Dolphin & Whale Watching • Stand Up Paddleboarding • Kayaking & Canoeing
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Charleston Kayak Company offers access to some of the most scenic waterways in the Charleston area. Naturalist guided kayak tours and rentals are offered year-round from the grounds of historic Middleton Place. Immerse yourself in the rich history, ecology, and protected waterways surrounding this National Historic Landmark site. Tours are suitable for any skill level or experience. If your more comfortable with an engine, join one of our history and dolphin boat tours exploring the salt marshes aboard our 24ft Carolina Skiff. Join a regularly scheduled departure, or arrange a private trip. No matter what the season, we have an offering to get you on the water!
Charleston, South Carolina
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Charleston Kayak Company
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(39 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
427 reviews
Excellent
408
Very good
15
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Stephanie O
2 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
This was an amazing experience! Luke was great at giving my boyfriend and I instructions and made us feel very comfortable and prepared for our kayaking adventure. The views while kayaking were so beautiful and the wildlife in and out of the water were fun to see... especially the American alligators. I would recommend this to anyone who loves the beauties of nature and to anyone who enjoys kayaking or wants to try it for their first time.
Written August 2, 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.
yodakat
Philadelphia190 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
It was easy and convenient to meet our guide right at the Middleton Place Inn where we were staying. It was a short walk to the launch site. The river is tidal but the timing of our launch made sure we were not paddling against any serious currents. We saw several birds and one small alligator. I enjoyed our guide’s commentary on the ecosystem and history of the area but felt she could have given us more information. I felt too much of our paddle was in silence or small talk which made it feel less like the true tour I was expecting. COVID precautions were good. Our guide wore a mask while loading and unloading the kayaks. Our group was small(5 people) total so it was easy to keep distance and still hear the guide. I would use this company again and maybe check out their swamp tour next time.
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.
HandMadeMikey
Asheville, North Carolina5 contributions
Aug 2020
My girlfriend and I booked an afternoon session with these guys and everything was great! We were staying at the Inn at Middleton Place and it was super convenient to book with them the night before on their website and then walk right over from our room the next day. The price was right, the kayaks were great, and the guide that met us was super helpful and informative. It was pretty hot when we started, but that's to be expected at 3:30pm in Charleston in August. We really loved exploring the creeks that got narrow with cool trees overhanging, and we loved seeing the wildlife on the Ashley River. Would absolutely do another trip with these guys. Loved it.
Written August 11, 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.
Talknwaters
Ozark, MO2 contributions
Feb 2020
My sister & I took the SWAMP tour @ Middleton plantation. She had never wanted to go kayaking but since it was my birthday & I arranged it, my sister agreed as long as there was no current. This was perfect for 2 sisters on the mid to high end of 50s. LUKE met us & put sister's fears to rest. Just the 3 of paddled that day in Feb. Luke answered all our questions & shared lots of info on the ecology, rice cultivation, carbon credits, kyacking, etc. We also had ample time to just paddle down the "trail" & listen to the tree frogs and appreciate the world of swamp. Fyi--no bugs or bad smells helped sister further enjoy herself outside her comfort zone
Written February 18, 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.
Megan M
Charleston, SC3 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
While visiting Middleton Place to celebrate our anniversary, my husband and I decided to rent a tandem kayak for a self guided tour. It was our first time and our guide Luke was very professional and informative when explaining the basics. We can’t wait to do it again & HIGHLY recommend that you go see Luke if you find yourself out at Middleton Place (or any of their other locations).
Written July 15, 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.
nonnieleec
Texas 17 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
Great experience! The location is a beautiful setting on The Ashley River at Middleton Place! Luke, the staff member was informative, efficient and provided great kayak Instruction that made the experience on the river so enjoyable. We rented a double kayak and found it easy to maneuver. Highly recommend this water adventure!
Written August 2, 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.
Gregg Attaway
2 contributions
Apr 2021
I love Charleston, and I visit often from the Upstate of South Carolina, and this is absolutely one of the most fun, educational, and fun adventures I do in the Lowcountry. Dallas was an amazing guide who was knowledgeable about the flora and fauna and history of the cypress swamp and she simply made the entire trip that much more personable and enjoyable; but it would be a magical and unforgettable experience even without a guide. I cannot recommend the tour enough for any Nature lover, history enthusiast or anyone simply looking for that "different and unique" activity in the Charleston area.
Written April 26, 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.
Nadya
11 contributions
Mar 2021
Absolutely marvelous and unique experience I am so glad I decided to do this tour. Dallas was a perfect knowledgeable, friendly, and funny guide who kept our group of strangers feel like we are old friends. I did the blackwater swamp tour. The swamp is on private protected land with this company being the only one allowed to take visitors there so it's your small group and nature and nothing else, feels so good! Water in the swamp is shallow only about 2 feet deep, there are no bugs or mosquitoes as the water too acidic for them, no alligators because there is no room for them to bask. It's just a magical forest plenty of birds and you. Loved this trip.
Written March 30, 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.
Nia
Salzburg, Austria7 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
We had Dallas as our guide and we really enjoyed our trip through the black water swamp outside Charleston. Her company has access to a beautiful private swamp on some preservation land near Middleton Plantation. Dallas knows the history and bio systems in the swamp and is a knowledgeable and friendly guide. Our skills ranged from never kayaked before, to experienced and athletic. Dallas made us all feel comfortable and shared her tips to make it a comfortable day for everyone. We did not end up needing the bug spray or sunblock we wore, but I would recommend a hat
Written May 1, 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.
Kevin and Melody
Summerville, SC6 contributions
May 2020
A perfect day on the water. This area of the Ashley was so relaxing, only saw one boat the whole time we were out. Our guide was Dan and he was a wealth of knowledge about kayaking and the area in general. He answered any questions we had and shared some great points about the area...but at that same time, he did not go overboard by letting us enjoy the surreal silence when needed. We would recommend the Ashley River guided tour to anyone. We saw 8 alligators and 3 blue herrings, a real natural experience. This was my wife's first experience kayaking and she loved it and now she wants to go out again. Thanks Charleston Kayak Company for the perfect kayaking trip!
Written May 31, 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.
SarahRenay
Charleston, SC4 contributions
How bad are the mosquitoes?
M Goebel
Arkansas City, KS6 contributions
They were there on the shore in October but none at all once you’re on the water.
Adilah A
Troy, NY105 contributions
Are there snakes in the waters?
JENNIFER S
Murfreesboro, TN9 contributions
I didn’t see any at all
kizzybutt46721
Hamilton, IN
Are there alligators?
BftTraveler
Beaufort, SC34 contributions
Our guide explained that only baby or juvenile alligators live in the swamp; it provides protection for them. Once they get bigger, alligators prefer to sun in the wider, open spaces around rivers and marshes.
coastgal09
Roseville CA85 contributions
Fishroon; you stated there were no bugs to worry about on this tour. Are there really no bothersome mosquitos in the swamp? I would like to book this tour but my husband is worried about being tormented by mosquitos.
dmp37
Pittsfield, MA27 contributions
There are some when you first get in the kayak from the dirt road, but after you launch there is no issue. They provide bug spray, but I didn't use it and had no problem. The mosquitoes don't breed in this swamp water so it's amazingly absent of bugs once you start to kayak away from the road.
Charleston Kayak Company - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Charleston Kayak Company Information
Excellent Reviews | 408 |
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Very Good Reviews | 15 |
Charleston Kayak Company Photos | 229 |