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Charleston Harbor boat tour
You came for captained boat tours on Charleston Harbor, and the public-dock rule is the part to read before you board.
A City of Charleston public dock is closed to a commercial embarkation, except the Charleston Maritime Center.
One published harbor tour leaves from the day dock at Shem Creek Park, on Shrimp Boat Lane.
Send the request if that is the trip you want. Charleston Boat Tours replies by email.
The city ordinance and one operator listing answer different parts of the same trip. The ordinance says who may use a city public dock. The listing says where that published harbor tour actually leaves, and what it says you pass.
What the city ordinance says about a public dock
With the exception of the facilities located at and managed by the Charleston Maritime Center: (1) No fishing boat or other boat shall be allowed to make fast, moor, or anchor within five hundred (500) feet of a public dock from dusk to dawn. (2) No person shall be permitted to land from their boats, to embark on a commercial fishing or any other commercial expedition, or to load their boats with fishing utensils or any other articles from a public dock. (3) No fishing boat or other boat shall be allowed to dock at a public dock for a period of time longer than two (2) hours.
City of Charleston Code of Ordinances, § 22-8
| Limit on a city public dock | What § 22-8 says |
|---|---|
| Exception | Facilities located at and managed by the Charleston Maritime Center |
| Dusk to dawn | No boat shall make fast, moor, or anchor within five hundred (500) feet of a public dock |
| Commercial embarkation | No person shall embark on a commercial expedition from a public dock |
| Time at the dock | No longer than two (2) hours |
Where one published harbor tour says it leaves
All charters and tours depart from and return to the day dock at Shem Creek Park, located at Shrimp Boat Lane, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464. Your captain and boat will be waiting at the floating dock directly below the second gazebo. As you cruise the harbor, you'll pass iconic landmarks including historic forts, colonial-era homes and buildings, and the USS Yorktown. The boardwalk extends several hundred yards through the marsh to a fishing pier and floating dock on Shem Creek. Approximately 20 minutes from downtown Charleston. Approximately 10–15 minutes from Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island.
Charleston Harbor Tour listing on TRYTN
That listing also calls the harbor home to one of the busiest ports on the East Coast, and it says Shem Creek is home to Charleston's commercial fishing and shrimping fleet. It describes free parking and air-conditioned public restrooms near the entrance to the Marsh Walk and boardwalk. That listing does not state a fare.
Questions people ask
Q1. Where does one published Charleston Harbor tour leave from?
The listing says all charters and tours depart from and return to the day dock at Shem Creek Park, Shrimp Boat Lane, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, at the floating dock directly below the second gazebo.
Q2. Can a commercial trip embark from a City of Charleston public dock?
With the exception of the facilities located at and managed by the Charleston Maritime Center, no person shall embark on a commercial expedition from a public dock.
Q3. How long may a boat stay at a city public dock?
No fishing boat or other boat shall be allowed to dock at a public dock for a period of time longer than two (2) hours.
Q4. What does that harbor listing say you pass?
Historic forts, colonial-era homes and buildings, and the USS Yorktown.
We did not measure the tide, the seats still open, or a fare.