Your guests haven’t seen Charleston until they’ve seen it by water.  Hotel Bennett and Coastal Expeditions have created an exclusive adventure into Charleston Harbor so that they can experience the beauty of the Lowcountry in an unforgettable way.

The itinerary begins when a Coastal Expeditions guide greets your guests in the hotel lobby and accompanies them to Shem Creek.  On the ride, they’ll have an opportunity to ask questions and tailor the day to their expectations.

Upon arriving at the Coastal Expeditions campus, guests will board Godwit, a custom-built 35-passenger boat, and set out for a tour down historic Shem Creek and into the harbor.  Taking in the sights and sounds of the Charleston waterfront, their guide will share interesting local history about Old Village, Fort Moultrie, Fort Sumter, the Ravenel Bridge and more.  Dolphins, bald eagles, Eastern brown pelicans, ospreys- or even manatees- are certain to make an appearance on this ecotour.

After an hour or so, guests will depart onto a sandy island beach and either embark on a beach exploration or sea kayak tour through the estuary.

Option I: Sea Kayaking
Upon departing the boat, expedition sea kayaks and gear will be waiting on the beach. After a short instruction on how to paddle, guests will kayak through the saltmarsh estuary with their naturalist guide.  Depending on the tides and conditions, they may paddle through Clark Sound to see the historic Morris Island Lighthouse or go from James Island winding through the estuarine creeks to the north end of Morris Island. After a 2-hour paddle, Godwit will return to take them back to the mainland on a relaxing boat cruise.

Option II: Beach Exploration
Hike along the shoreline of Morris Island, an undeveloped barrier island near Charleston Harbor.  The naturalist guide will identify shells, fossils and more on a beach combing walk along the shore’s edge.  A 3-mile walk (can be adapted to be shorter) will give them plenty of time to enjoy the views, collect a few mementos and learn about the Lowcountry’s unique saltwater ecosystem before heading back to the mainland by boat.

Guest can choose return to Shem Creek or to the Charleston City Marina to complete the adventure.

PRICE
$750 (up to 6 people)
$125 each additional person

INCLUDES
Private expedition (boat+hike or boat+sea kayak), guide service and gratuity

PACK A PICNIC
We’ll have a cooler filled with ice and waters on board the boat.

TRIP DURATION
4 hours

LET’S BE IN TOUCH
Before the trip, our guides will need to talk with the clients to discuss weather conditions, expectations and how to prepare.  This allows us get everyone ready for the adventure for an enjoyable day on the water.

WILD IDEA
We can take your guests into blackwater swamps or out into Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge for an experience that gets them away from civilization and into Charleston’s wild places.  Just let us know and we’ll create a custom itinerary.

Adventurous, Birding, Dolphins & Wildlife

Please call 843.884.7684 to book this tour.