Nature Adventures

Saltwater Tours

Just 3 minutes to 35 minutes surrounding Charleston, the saltwater tours include a variety of habitats that include shallow bays with historic harbor views, sandy beaches with barrier islands, or saltwater marsh creeks. Paddle to 4,000 year old Indian ruins in the National Forest and journey back in time! Wildlife includes dolphin and nesting colonies of thousands of Eastern Shorebirds. Manatees and Sea Turtles are seasonal and are seen about 10-20% of the time during summer months. Our Shem Creek & Crab Bank Island tour has the most wildlife and chance for seeing dolphin, but you’re welcome to also explore the waters surrounding the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge just up the coast.

 Daily trips and overnight Expeditions available. Expedition style and day touring sea kayaks available - with or without rudders - your choice!

Tour prices

All tours are based on either 2 - 2.5 hours, 3 - 3.5 hours, or Full Day.

2 - 2.5 hours - $39 for adults, $29 for kids ages 12 and under

3 - 3.5 hours - $55 for adults, $39 for kids ages 12 and under

Full Day - $85 for adults, $48 for kids ages 12 and under



Shem Creek & Crab Bank Island Preserve
Sewee Indian Shell Ruins & Awendaw Creek
Capers Island State Heritage Preserve
Awendaw Creek & Marsh Paddle
McClellenville Shrimping Harbor & Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge
Folly River Marshes & Bird Island

Explore our Blackwater Tours

The Tours

 

Shem Creek Shrimping Harbor and Crab Bank Island Preserve

Our Most Popular Saltwater Tour, launched from our own boat ramp!

2 Hour, 1/2 Day (3 hours) and Full Day (5-6 hours) tours available. Mt. Pleasant – ( 3 miles from Downtown Charleston)
Located in the Mt. Pleasant area, just minutes from Downtown Charleston. Your paddle begins down historic Shem Creek among shrimp boats and festive restaurants that line the creek. We then journey out to a 22 Acre Island Preserve called Crab Bank, which is home to thousands of nesting shorebirds including the state threatened species Wilsons Plover and EasternBrown Pelicans. Frequented by dolphin and sometimes manatee, this is a nice wildlife paddle. This tour also includes incredible views of the historic Charleston Harbor, Castle Pinckney, Ft. Sumter, the Sullivan's Island Lighthouse and Patriots Point.

Directions

Book Online for the Shem Creek 2 Hour Tour!
Book Online for the Shem Creek 3 Hour Tour!

Sewee Indian Shell Ruins & Awendaw Creek

2 Hour, 1/2 Day (3 hours) and Full Day (5-6 hours) tours available. Awendaw, SC area (24 miles from Charleston)

This is a wonderful tour that meanders through the saltwater marshes of Awendaw Creek where the Sewee Indians once resided. We'll explore Indian Ruins and see beautiful barrier islands as we paddle through waters surrounded by the Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge. Paddlers often see Dolphins and numerous wetland shore birds, including some endangered species, as well as eagles as they paddle through the waters and once in a while are greeted by Loggerhead Sea Turtles.

Directions

Capers Island State Heritage Preserve

Full Day Tour only. 12 or 20 miles fron downtown Charleston - 2 DIFFERENT Departure Areas

Capers Island is a beautiful undeveloped pristine barrier island. Home to the orignal "Boneyard Beach", it gives way to incredible natural beauty. We do two different tours here. You can paddle through Sewee Bay 2 1/2 miles each way (round trip 5 miles).... to the South Side of the island. For the more experienced paddler who wants a little more challenge, you can paddle with us 5.5 miles each way (round trip 11 miles) to the North End of the Island across from Bulls Island. Both areas are wonderful. The North end offers a little more privacy, with less visitation.... Full Day Tours available only or Overnight Expeditions.

Directions

McClellanville Shrimping Harbor and Refuge

2 Hour, 1/2 Day (3 hours) and Full Day (5-6 hours) tours available. McClellanville, SC area (38-40 miles from Charleston)

We begin our paddle on Jeremy Creek, located in the Historic Shrimping Village of McClellanville. As we kayak past historical coastal homes and shrimp boats we head out into the harbor. Islands of spartina, bull rush and wild rice line the banks of our journey as we paddle through saltwater creeks to see remaining rice trunk gates, still functioning and left from the rice era of the 1700's and 1800's. The area is bordered by 43,000 acres of the Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge and another 11,000 acres of the Santee Coastal Reserve. This pristine wilderness is famous for it's "Bulls Bay Oysters" and delicious "Shrimp". As we explore the creeks we usually see dolphin, alligator, and several species of coastal birds. You can rent a home right on the water or camp in the National Forest only minutes away. It's a favorite place to paddle for the locals!

Directions

Awendaw Creek Indian Ruin & Marsh Paddle

2 Hour, 3 - 3 1/2 Hour and 5-6 Hour Tours available.

A saltwater paddle to cermonial rings built by the Sewee and Coastal Plain Indians dating back to 4,000 years+. On this journey we'll find indian pottery and will paddle through the Cape Romain national Wildlife Refuge as well.

2 Hour or 1/2 Day Tour available.

Directions