
Kayak With Dolphins in Historic Shem Creek
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 456 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Kayak With Dolphins in Historic Shem Creek worth booking?
Kayak With Dolphins in Historic Shem Creek is a 2-hour experience in Mount Pleasant, United States, from $55 per person. It scores 86 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 456 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 86 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (456)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $55 per person
Paddle into the heart of Charleston’s most iconic tidal creek on this guided kayak adventure. From our private dock on Shem Creek, you’ll slip past shrimp boats and oyster beds into quiet saltmarshes alive with wildlife.
What you get
About this experience
Paddle into the heart of Charleston’s most iconic tidal creek on this guided kayak adventure. From our private dock on Shem Creek, you’ll slip past shrimp boats and oyster beds into quiet saltmarshes alive with wildlife. Keep your eyes open for bottlenose dolphins surfacing nearby, pelicans diving for fish, and graceful egrets hunting along the banks. In summer months, even manatees and sea turtles visit these waters. Along the way, your naturalist guide shares stories of Lowcountry history and ecology, ensuring the experience is both fun and enriching. Stable kayaks, expert instruction, and small group sizes make this tour safe and enjoyable for all ages. Whether you’re a first-time paddler or seasoned adventurer, this is one of the best ways to see Charleston from the water.
What's included
Included
- Kayaking Gear (Sea Kayak, Paddle, Personal Flotation Device)
- 2-Hour Guided Kayak Eco Tour
- Professional Guide with storytelling & safety skills
- Dry Bag (to keep phone & personal belongings from getting wet)
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Once you check in at Coastal Expeditions, your guides will prepare your group for the adventure by fitting your gear and offering a brief safety and instruction on how to sea kayak. Once we're on the water, we'll take a minute to get our "sea legs" before we paddle down towards the historic portion of Shem Creek and Charleston Harbor. We will return to this point at the end of the tour.
20 minutes here
Shem Creek Park
Historic Shem Creek is one of the most iconic spots in Charleston and is known for its shrimp boats, seafood restaurants and wildlife. Bottlenose dolphins frequent this creek and will often breach just feet away from your kayak. In the summers, manatees call Shem Creek home and loggerhead turtles will occasionally pop above the surface. As you pass by the shrimp boats and oyster-lined marshes, you see Charleston Harbor and the Holy City Skyline. The Netflix show Outer Banks films on Shem Creek and your guide can show you familiar places where Pogues hang out!
100 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Mount Pleasant
Coastal Expeditions is located at the end of Mill Street on the left. Parking is available in the private lot. If the lot is full, public parking is available on Mill or Scott Streets. Check in upstairs in the Coastal Expeditions office.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Coastal Expeditions is located at the end of Mill Street on the left. Parking is available in the private lot. If the lot is full, public parking is available on Mill or Scott Streets. Check in upstairs in the Coastal Expeditions office.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Coastal Expeditions
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 454 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
454 verified traveler reviews for Kayak With Dolphins in Historic Shem Creek. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great expedition!
We just finished a three hour expedition With Nate as our guide. He was outstanding in all areas. We saw several dolphins some of them within 3 to 4 feet of our kayaks. His knowledge of the area, his personality and sense of humor made it thoroughly enjoyable trip. I highly recommend.
via Tripadvisor
Shem Creek: A Beautiful, Casual Paddle
The guide was excellent and knowledgeable. There were 2 family groups, a total of 8 people. We saw lots of dolphins and birds. They were very accommodating and very conveniently located; easy to load and unload the kayaks. Shem Creek was beautiful. The paddling was very casual; no effort was required. We did maybe 2 miles in 3 hours. If you are an experienced kayaker, you may want to just rent kayaks (which were nicely maintained), or get a guide for just your group. I would have liked to cover more territory as there was a lot to see.
via Tripadvisor
Awesome Tour
Our guides, MC and Claire were enthusiastic, helpful for inexperienced kayakers, and very knowledgeable of the wildlife within the creek. We saw a few dolphins, mullet, heron, egrets, and baby pelicans practicing their flying. The experience was awesome and as we live locally actually inquired as to whether Coastal offers membership opportunities for the ability to frequently paddle especially in the off season/ school year.
via Tripadvisor
Absolutely Amazing and Overall Fun!
This activity was absolutely amazing! I was out with my family and we had an amazing time! Our guide, Graham was excellent! He was very kind and helpful. He answered any questions we asked him, and was very knowledgeable is what he does. He obviously loves what he does and it shows. This place in general was amazing. They teach you the proper way to paddle as well. The people here are very kind and helpful. I would come again next time we are around.
via Tripadvisor
A Different Perspective of Charleston
Worth it! An experience of the Charleston area from a different perspective. If you like activity and outdoors to balance city trips this a great experience! Our guides were awesome!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 160
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 86
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Kayak With Dolphins in Historic Shem Creek: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Mount Pleasant.
How much does Kayak With Dolphins in Historic Shem Creek cost?
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Prices start at $55 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Mount Pleasant usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Kayak With Dolphins in Historic Shem Creek take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Mount Pleasant is not rushed.
Is Kayak With Dolphins in Historic Shem Creek worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 86 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 456 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Mount Pleasant, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Kayak With Dolphins in Historic Shem Creek?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Kayak With Dolphins in Historic Shem Creek suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Kayak With Dolphins in Historic Shem Creek?
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Around 160 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Mount Pleasant can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Mount Pleasant and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Kayak With Dolphins in Historic Shem Creek start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Mount Pleasant within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Mount Pleasant?
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Mount Pleasant, SC packs its best experiences into walkable neighborhoods, local food, and day trips nearby. Outty ranks every bookable tour and activity in Mount Pleasant by rating quality, review depth, booking demand and value, so you can see the standouts before you book. On Outty we rank every Mount Pleasant experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Scenes of Shem Creek History and Shrimp Walking Tour, Boone Hall Plantation All-Access Admission Ticket, Charleston Water Taxi Cruise with Dolphin Sighting. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Mount Pleasant?
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Spring and fall bring the best weather and lighter crowds in Mount Pleasant, while summer has the widest choice of tours and evening activities. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Mount Pleasant?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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