Top Isle of Palms Sightseeing Tours: Your Guide
If you’re headed to Isle of Palms, South Carolina, and looking for ways to explore beyond the beach, you’ve come to just the right place! This pretty coastal town has got way more to offer, like, your standard sunbathing, you know. To totally make the most of your visit, taking a sightseeing tour is really a great idea. You get a unique perspective, some awesome views, and some insights from folks that really know the area, actually.
So, let’s get into the top five Isle of Palms sightseeing tours that will, too it’s almost, really make your trip unforgettable! We’re talking dolphin watching, creek exploration, and, so I hear, even some history thrown into the mix.
1. Barrier Island Eco Tours: Dolphin Watching Excursion
When I think “Isle of Palms,” I, just like, pretty much immediately think of dolphins, basically! I mean, come on, who doesn’t love seeing these, arguably, awesome marine mammals frolicking in their natural habitat? Barrier Island Eco Tours, which is, like, very well-regarded for their expertise and conservation efforts, you know, it’s like they give you the chance to do just that! Their dolphin watching excursion is totally popular, and that’s very understandable.
So, you climb aboard a comfy boat, actually, and it’s, as I was saying, usually led by a marine biologist or a super knowledgeable naturalist. They’ll share really interesting facts about the local ecosystem and, of course, all about the dolphins! These tours, or so I believe, tend to operate in the calmer waters around the island, often going, arguably, past Capers Island Heritage Preserve. And, naturally, keep your eyes peeled! You’ll potentially spot bottlenose dolphins playing, feeding, and maybe even putting on a show for you!
The tours are structured to have only a little environmental impact. The crews really follow responsible wildlife viewing practices. It’s a sustainable tourism approach. The dolphins get their space, basically, and the tourists learn respect for these wild creatures, you know. It’s actually win-win.
These guys at Barrier Island Eco Tours usually limit the number of people per trip, very so that, you get more personal attention and better viewing opportunities, basically. So, book ahead. You don’t want to risk missing out on this, alright?
Read our full review: Barrier Island Eco Tours Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Barrier Island Eco Tours)
2. Coastal Expeditions: Shem Creek Kayak Tour
If, arguably, you’re up for some paddling, Coastal Expeditions will get you on a kayak and they are, too it’s almost, taking you through the winding waterways of Shem Creek. This experience is far different from your usual sightseeing bus tour. Actually, you get to be active, be outdoors, and, of course, be very, very close to the water, as I was saying!
The Shem Creek area happens to be loaded with cool things to see, alright, from wildlife to cool historic spots! Keep your eyes open, anyway! You’ll often, apparently, spot herons, egrets, and maybe even a, sort of, secretive river otter, actually. These tours sometimes pass by the shrimp boats docked along the creek, really giving you a taste of the local fishing industry. These tours offer so much beyond what you can see from the land.
Kayak tours, naturally, work no matter your experience level. Coastal Expeditions caters to beginners as well as, arguably, more experienced paddlers. You can pick a guided tour where an expert will give insights regarding the area, the wildlife, and the ecosystem. On the other hand, those who are, in some respects, more comfortable kayaking can do, very possibly, a self-guided excursion.
Paddling, really, is a fun way to stay active. So too, it’s almost, being on the water just plain chills you out! That really is what brings a lot of visitors to this activity. I have, arguably, never met a crabby person on a kayak, honestly. Read our full review: Coastal Expeditions Kayak Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Coastal Expeditions Kayak)
3. Isle of Palms Boat Tours: Sunset Cruise
Want something just a little more relaxing? Isle of Palms Boat Tours tends to be all about those lovely sunset cruises! Picture it! The sun, actually, it is sinking slowly down, the sky explodes with every color there could possibly be, and there you are, chillin’ on a boat with a cool drink. Could be the perfect end to your action-packed day!
You know, these sunset cruises offer, usually, amazing views of the coastline, actually, and that’s very understandable. You’ll pass by landmarks such as, you know, the Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse, and you are, arguably, offered the opportunity to capture breathtaking pictures. A lot of these tours happen to include light refreshments and, if the company is doing things right, actually, music! These will completely add to that evening ambiance.
These sunset tours are a neat fit for couples on romantic getaways, families, as a matter of fact, even just friends who desire to just kick back, basically, and watch the sky, anyway. It might be worth grabbing a light jacket for when that sun completely dips, since, naturally, there will be that little cool breeze, definitely. Read our full review: Isle of Palms Boat Tours Sunset Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Isle of Palms Boat Tours Sunset)
4. Nature Adventures Outfitters: Bulls Island Ferry and Garris Landing Exploration
If you feel as if you really want to connect with nature, alright, and, that, Bulls Island Ferry through Nature Adventures Outfitters tends to be the move. It’s usually just a short ferry trip to Bulls Island. That’s a really unspoiled barrier island inside Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, or so I believe. Nature fans, this place should be very high on your radar!
Once, arguably, on Bulls Island, so I hear, you’re pretty free to explore. Options available can sometimes even, you know, be guided walking tours led by expert naturalists! They will bring you on, in some respects, more scenic trails, very like the famous Boneyard Beach. Or so I believe, that’s a shoreline filled with weathered trees, anyway! These old trees look amazing! So, yeah, get those cameras ready!
Bulls Island offers so much opportunity for bird-watching. Really. You can, often, expect to spot migratory birds! Keep an eye out too for other, like your, critters. So, yeah, keep looking out for alligators, bobcats and tons of other coastal creatures! Wear comfortable shoes. I usually do that. You can see more of it when you aren’t worried about blisters. You will potentially hike more trails than you, arguably, initially plan. Read our full review: Bulls Island Ferry Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Bulls Island Ferry)
5. Charleston Outdoor Adventures: Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Tour
Okay, if you feel you are really wanting to get active while, definitely, checking out the water, Charleston Outdoor Adventures totally hooks you up with a stand up paddleboard adventure! The SUP tours, anyway, offer you a one of a kind view. Really. It’s often right at the water level. You tend to paddle through gentle creeks and calm inlets, basically.
There can be different tours designed for a variety of skill levels. Novices can easily get a lesson to, arguably, just nail the basics, but experienced paddleboarders, so I hear, will appreciate going farther, you know, to explore areas a bit more removed from the crowds, definitely. Talk to Charleston Outdoor Adventures if you feel unsure if SUP tours are, I have heard, good for you! They will have insight on what tour best addresses those areas.
When paddling, definitely be alert to shorebirds plus, apparently, dolphins and other critters! Guided tours will very likely teach you the region, and local natural history! Paddling out on a SUP really combines nature and, just like, getting your exercise, definitely! Read our full review: Charleston SUP Tour Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Charleston SUP Tour)