Top Charleston Outdoor Activities

More than a welcome sight for sore eyes, the tidal marshes around Charleston are a hotbed for Lowcountry biodiversity. Keep your eyes peeled for sightings of wildlife such as Loggerhead turtles, bottlenose dolphins, and more as you paddle down Folly Creek en route to the tidal creeks that wrap around the Hammock Islands. This leisurely paced kayaking tour is capped at 12 participants for a more personalized experience.

Experience more than 300 years of history on this guided carriage tour of Charleston. See the many mansions, churches, and gardens as your horse-drawn carriage tour covers more than 2.5 miles and 30 blocks of historic Charleston. Belgian and Percheron draft horses will you lead you through the streets while you learn about this “Holy City” and its role in the Civil War.

Step out of the ordinary to experience an exciting, exhilarating outdoor adventure in Charleston, SC. At Wild Blue Ropes Adventure Park, we offer opportunities for personal challenge. Whether you aim to conquer your perceived limitations or move beyond individual comfort zones, we’ve got the experience for you. Our team believes success is what happens when failure is confronted head-on, and ultimately turned upside down. It’s a “challenge by choice” philosophy, encouraging each individual to participate, engage, and grow from the experience. The common theme of all Wild Blue Ropes programs is to promote physical activity, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. Providing visitors with a unique opportunity for personal exploration and gaining self-confidence is what we’re passionate about. But we’re more than just a destination. We strive to provide unparalleled customer service while providing you with the best, most unique, outdoor experience in Charleston, SC!

Get behind the wheel of an F13 speedboat for a guided tour of Charleston Harbor. Learn the basics of operating the speedboat from your guide, and then follow the guide boat past the Battery, under the Ravenel Bridge, to the USS Yorktown, and more, stopping for photo ops and to optionally change drivers. Small-group tour is limited to eight people or fewer.

Explore Charleston’s harbor and historic sights on a 2-hour stand-up paddleboard tour with an experienced guide and instructor. Learn to steer your board, then paddle alongside a small group on a route that changes with the season. Cruise past island forts that saw decisive battles in the Civil War, and take in views of the stunning Ravenel Bridge’s diamond-shaped towers. Experience stand-up paddleboarding for the first time, or brush up your skills with help from an instructor on a tour that combines the best of Charleston’s culture and natural beauty.

Get all the thrills of a Charleston ghost tour without any walking on this haunted horse and carriage ride. A horse and carriage takes you down twisting side streets and cobbled alleyways with ease as your guide shares spooky stories from Charleston’s past. Make your way past the Mills House, the Circular Congregational Graveyard, and and Provost Dungeon in the heart of the Holy City.

We are a family owned sailing charter business. Come enjoy a day of sailing and seeing the historic sites of Charleston from the water in a 36' Beneteau Sailboat. We offer hourly, daily, or customized tours according to your desires for up to 6 guests maximum (USCG Rules & Regulations). Sit back and relax while a professional crew caters to your every need on your private yacht. Most tours are 2-3 hours in length and circle the entire Charleston harbor before returning to the docks where you boarded the vessel. Bring your favorite beverages, a picnic, or you can also request gourmet catering to fit your desires. A professional photographer can be requested as well. If you are looking for a romantic evening we can accommodate with a 3 hour sunset sail with downtown Charleston in the background. We want to make sure you have the 5 star experience you deserve and will do everything we can to ensure this. Book now to enjoy the Charleston views from your privately chartered yacht!

Cruise through Lowcountry tidal creeks and marshes en route to the uninhabited Morris Island on this boat cruise from the Charleston area. A private boat company launches from Bowens Island for the scenic ride through an estuary rich in biodiversity before a soft landing on Morris Island. Spend free time to taking photos of the historic Morris Island Lighthouse, combing for seashells, and looking out for birds, sea turtles, and dolphins before your return.

Discover downtown Charleston on a Southern-style carriage ride that passes through the Commercial District and Waterfront Park. Learn about the history, architecture, and people of this old South Carolina city throughout the tour.

Watch the sunset from the water on a 2-hour evening cruise aboard an 84-foot (25-meter) classic tall ship. As the crew hoists the sails of the schooner, you'll glide through Charleston Harbor to enjoy the glow of twilight over one of the oldest cities in the U.S. Drinks are available for purchase on board.

Watch for turtles, dolphins and egrets on a 2-hour, stand-up paddleboard tour of Charleston with a local guide. Learn to steer your board, then paddle along low country coastlines that shelters a thriving population of birds and mammals. Identify pelicans and blue-winged teal with your knowledgeable guide, connect with North Carolina’s vibrant nature, and escape the city for Charleston's most perfect paddling.

Ride a horse-drawn carriage through the heart of historic Charleston on a guided tour through the heart of the city. Soak up the old fashioned charm of cobblestone streets lined with antebellum houses, lush gardens, and landmark churches as you listen to stories about Charleston history, architecture, and culture.

Paddle along the Charleston coast to see the sights from the water with a stand-up paddleboard rental in the heart of the low country. Get insider tips on the best places to paddle from an experienced and friendly staff, and enjoy free delivery service so you can explore on your own time, and at your own pace. Watch for wildlife and soak up the South Carolina sunshine while you experience the serenity of life on the water.

Explore Charleston in an intimate horse-drawn carriage during this private tour. Get personalized attention from your guide while riding through the historic streets of the old walled town.

Charleston sightseeing pass includes admission for 30+ top tours, attractions, and restaurants. Choose from a 1-, 2-, or 3-day option—days don’t have to be consecutive and can be used anytime within a 10-day window, making this an easy addition to your existing itinerary. Each ticket includes tours such as a carriage ride or trolley tour, plus skip-the-line access to select Charleston museums and plantations.

This one-hour tour tells the tales of Charleston's most pivotal moments and will have travelers falling in love with the unique culture and beautiful landscapes of this southern city. Your experience begins in the stable opposite Market Street, where you'll interact with horses before riding along in a custom carriage through the landmarks and attractions of this coastal town. The 16-passenger carriages are lighter and more comfortable that most, making them as enjoyable for the horses are they are for travelers!

On this historical Charleston tour, journey back in time as your guide reveals the beauty and charm of one of America's most historic cities. Learn about the history of Charleston and discover its pivotal role in American history with visits to more than 100 points of interest including Rainbow Row, Colonial Lake, the Old Exchange Building and Whitepoint Gardens. This tour combines a 90 minute Historic City Tour with a 90 minute narrated, non-stop Harbor Tour. The harbor tour may be taken in conjunction with the city tour or you may choose to split them up and take them on separate days.

Explore the Charleston waterfront on a stand-up paddleboard with a 2-hour tour to Morris Island Lighthouse, a historic structure that stands guard over the South Carolina coastline. Intermediate and advanced paddlers can brush up their skills as they paddle alongside an experienced instructor and guide. Watch for turtles and dolphins in the water and try to spot the diverse birds that flock to the coast, from blue-winged teal to egrets and geese. Enjoy the challenge of paddling to an iconic landmark, and capture unforgettable images of the low country.

Operation City Quest of Charleston allows your team to discover the city in a fun and different way. The game instructs you to find a variety of items that can be found in the downtown area. For every item you find, you'll get points. You'll also participate in exciting challenges for points as well. See how your points stack up to others on our app rankings. All our Scavenger hunts have a live remote host to help along the way. Come out and explore with us in Charleston

Exploring Charleston’s tidal marshes by stand up paddle board increases your chances of seeing wildlife hiding among the reeds while providing a fun and challenging activity. First-time paddle boarders love the personalized instruction and attention from your guide, while just about everyone appreciates getting close to dolphins, turtles, and more in the wild.

This Charleston ghost cruise brings you to the city’s spooky sites that can’t be reached on foot. Board a 45-foot catamaran and set sail on the Charleston Harbor, passing by the sites of pirate attacks, naval battles, and more. As you sail, your guide tells haunting stories of Charleston’s past.

Travel back to Colonial times aboard a horse-drawn carriage and discover more than 300 years of history on this private, 1-hour tour of Charleston. See the many mansions, churches and gardens of yesteryear on this narrated tour around historic Charleston. Enjoy the romantic clip-clop sound as this educational adventure winds through the streets and learn about this ‘Holy City’ and its rich history and role in Civil War times. See the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, one of the most historic buildings in America, and much more. Hotel pickup/drop-off included.

Enjoy a workout and get close to nature at the same time with this guided, 1-hour paddleboard lesson in Charleston, South Carolina. Paddle boarding is one of the fastest-growing recreations today. Hop on board a lightweight paddleboard, then travel along the heart of low country, Folly Beach, on historic Folly Island. Learn on the river (flat water) or head out to the surf. Also, see landscape and local wildlife that’s only viewable from a paddleboard. Bring some sunscreen and a sense of adventure. Stand-up paddleboard and paddle included.

Get away, take a break as you cruise with us on this little slice of paradise. Our Tiki cruise tour will give you a Polynesian Island feel while enjoying the historic waters of the Lowcountry.