Planning A Girls Getaway Weekend In Charleston? Here's How To Get Out On The Water In Charleston

You're bringing the crew to Charleston — what’s the most iconic thing you can do? GET ON THE WATER IN THE LOW COUNTRY! Here are our favorite ways to get on the water — via boat, sailboat, tiki hut, catamaran, powerboat, and marina dining.

This is part of a multi-part series we created with the girls at Reagan Events— Reagan Kerr and her assistant Hannah Hunter, and myself, Shelby Ring of Ruby Riot Creatives wedding videography.

A Note From Your Authors: We love us some tasty snacks, some bougie cocktails, styley bars we can dress up or down in to feel super hot, and creating fun times with girlfriends, so here’s our take as late twenty-thirty-something Charleston locals on some of our favorite ways to get on the water during your getaway weekend in Charleston, South Carolina.

Get On A Legit AF Sailboat And Go Sailing!

Shelby Ring: If you want to go sailing on a legit sailboat — Charleston Yacht Charters - they have two 50’ Beneteau monohull sailboats that can accommodate up to six friends (I helped bring their second monohull Mystique up from Florida last summer to join the fleet!), and they have an awesome powerboat that’s perfect for cruising and partying for big groups called Kismet; they can take up to 20 adults.

These guys are the OG of the Charleston sailing + cruising world (also maybe I’m biased because I love sailing with these guys!!) — they’re the #1 ranked activity on TripAdvisor with over 1200 five-star reviews and have been around for years with consistent service, so I always love recommending these guys.

Definitely be sure to call way in advance, like months for if you're trying to get a weekend time, but you can go out sailing with a captain and a mate for two-three hour blocks at a time and sail in the harbor, spot some dolphins, sail by Morris Island, it’s so much fun.

Grab an earlier on the day time, afternoon, or they do sunset, and you bring your provisions. It’s a really fun sailing outing, monohull sailboats, or an easy-riding powerboat for a bigger gang looking to party; bring your snacks and booze!

Cruise The Harbor + Shem Creek On The Floating Tiki Lounge

Another fun boating or day on the water activity — have you seen the Floating Tiki lounge? Oh my God. It leaves out of Shem Creek - It’s a cruising Tiki Tour floating bar extravaganza — definitely a unique way to cruise on the low country waters! It just always looks like it's on the verge of capsizing. It's pretty much a Tiki hut on an inner tube essentially and your bartender/captain. Your captain steers you and your gang (up to six people total) around the harbor, which can be quite choppy sometimes. Maybe that starts your day there. Be sure to wear life jackets. Also it’s worth mentioning - there’s no bathroom on board, but it’s definitely a novel experience!

Karaoke Cat - Book The Party Cat For 25+ Big Groups

If you want to get out on the water - The Party Cat is another great bachelorette boat rental in Charleston. It's great for day drinking, going out in the Harbor…Grab your Frosé from the Co-op for your boat day. Pull up to Saltwater Cowboys, get your Trash Can Nachos and a Creekwhacker for lunch. They have a few pontoon boats in their fleet so that they can accommodate a group. Judging on their Instagram, some of their boats can hold up to 40 ladies on there.

Something unique they’ve recently started offering is a “Karaoke Cat” — from their website:

The Karaoke Cat is a great place to meet up with friends host a party or do some sightseeing. It will boast a 14,000 karaoke song list for you to enjoy with your friends.

We have a full-on karaoke machine under the covered portion. It also has a huge lounging area for those who want to get some sun. Comes standard with the beer pong table—ice and water are included. The most important feature we have on our boat is a head a.k.a. bathroom.

The more ladies, the more bikinis, the more skin, and the happier this group is.

Dine + Live Music On The Water With The Girls

There's also a new waterfront spot downtown in the peninsula area— Seabreeze Marina. Seabreeze Marina is new to like restaurant and the drink scene. It's always been a marina for like members who have their boats there, but they just open a restaurant and a bar, and they've got live music most nights of the week. It's a hidden spot off of Morrison Street downtown— So East Bay extension. It's delicious food. It's run by the same people who own many restaurants in downtown Charleston and drinks. And so you're literally on the water enjoying drinks. And there aren't that many places to be physically on the water on the peninsula.

What’s Next On Your Itinerary?

Check out these other helpful articles for building out your Charleston weekend itinerary: