Tours & tickets

Castle Pinckney, Charleston

Experience the wonder of sailing on a classic, 84-foot tall ship in the idyllic setting of Charleston Harbor. As you cruise, marvel at the power of the wind filling the sails and the tranquility of the sea. Catch glimpses of historic landmarks, like Fort Sumter, and dolphins gamboling on the waves. Begin your sailing excursion at the Aquarium Wharf. There, meet your captain and crew of the striking, 3-masted ship known as the Schooner Pride. Admire the character and class of this authentic model of the classic coastal trading schooners. Next, prepare to set sail and help the crew as you begin to pull away from the dock. Once the sails are raised, sit back and relax on the benches lining the main deck. Enjoy views of Charleston Harbor stretching out before you. Continue your tour as you cruise past Charleston highlights, such as Fort Sumter, Fort Johnson, and Yorktown Point. Onwards, discover the historic waterfront area of Castle Pinckney. Sail further on waters that Blackbeard once traveled before returning to Aquarium Wharf.

Take in the amazing sights of Charleston Harbor on a boat tour with live narration from a guide. Gain insight into the history of Charleston while you glide through the gentle waves of the harbor, passing by the Battery, the Ravenel Bridge, Castle Pinckney, and more. Depart from Patriots Point or Aquarium Wharf as you cruise along the coastline of the beautiful Holy City. Hear enthralling tales of the city’s colorful past as well as scintillating facts about its most interesting former citizens. Make sure to bring your camera to capture famous American landmarks such as Fort Sumter, the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, the Battery, the Ravenel Bridge, Castle Pinckney, and other sites from Charleston's past and present.

Enjoy a 2 1/2 hour private chartered cruise for up to 6 guests on a monohull cruising yacht or a spacious motor yacht. Choose between daytime or sunset sailing to see the best view of the Holy City. Whether you are 6 people or 2 people, you will have the entire boat to yourselves. Meet the charter at the marina, cruise past the Charleston Battery, and take in the sites of downtown Charleston. Once past the peninsula, you will have clear views of Charleston and its surrounding areas from the heart of the harbor. You can view iconic scenes of Castle Pinckney, the Ravenel Bridge, the USS Yorktown, Fort Sumter and more as we continue our sail through the Harbor. Bring your camera for all the scenes but also keep your eyes on the water as dolphins are often seen swimming around the boat. Feel free to bring your own alcohol, snacks and other beverages on to the boat. Bottled water and soda are offered onboard. An extra refrigerator and glassware are kept onboard for guests to utilize.

Choose between a 2.5-hour afternoon or sunset cruise for up to six guests. Then, head to the Ashley marina to meet your captain. Board "Esprit de Joy" and relax aboard this 35-foot luxury sailboat. Cruise along the Charleston Battery and marvel at the spectacular view of downtown Charleston along the way. Sail past the peninsula and see many other iconic landmarks, including Castle Pickney, Ravenel Bridge, and the USS Yorktown. Observe Fort Sumter, which was built to protect against a naval invasion. Bring your own drinks and snacks to enjoy during the cruise. Use the ship's cooler to store your drink. We provide bottled water along with plastic champagne flutes and souvenir cups. Finally, cruise back to the Ashley Marina to end your memorable experience.