A private sunset cruise in Charleston books the entire Roamer IV for just your group — starting at $375 for one to four guests, for a two-hour cruise departing Shem Creek at 6:30 PM nightly. For couples, it means the whole boat, not just a shared seat: no strangers on the bench, your own playlist, and the rail to yourselves as the sun goes down over the harbor. Prices are base; a 3% card surcharge applies at checkout.
Most couples who call about the sunset cruise ask the same follow-up question once I mention we run a nightly shared departure: 'can we just have the boat to ourselves?' You can. It's not an upsell I have to talk anyone into — it's just the other way onto the Roamer IV, and for a couple celebrating something, it's usually the right call.
What a private charter actually gets you
Booking private means you're not buying a seat — you're booking the whole vessel. For one to four guests, that starts at $375. Nobody else boards. It's still the same two-hour route out of Shem Creek, the same 6:30 PM nightly departure, and the same golden-hour timing as the shared cruise — the difference is who else is standing at the rail with you, which for a couple is usually nobody.
That matters more than people expect. On the shared cruise, you're on a bench with other guests, which is genuinely fine for most trips. For an anniversary, a proposal, or just a night you don't want to share, having the deck to yourselves changes the whole feel of the two hours.
What's included either way
- Two hours on Charleston Harbor
- Departs Shem Creek at 6:30 PM nightly, boarding 15 minutes prior
- Ravenel Bridge and Fort Sumter along the route
- Bottlenose dolphins most evenings
- BYOB — cans and plastic only; we supply the cooler, ice, and cups; no glass on deck
- Restroom on board
- Aboard the Roamer IV, maximum 23 guests
Why couples pick the private option
It's not really about luxury — it's about control. You pick the playlist. You pick when to pop whatever you brought in the cooler. Nobody's making small talk with you at the rail while you're trying to have a moment. A lot of the proposals I've watched happen on this boat happened on the private charter for exactly that reason: the couple didn't want an audience of strangers when the ring came out.
That said, I'll say the same honest thing here I tell everyone: if it's just the two of you and privacy isn't the point, the shared seat is $59 per adult and gets you the identical two hours, same captain, same light, same bridge. Private is worth it when being alone on the boat is actually part of what you're paying for.
BYOB and what to bring
Bring whatever you'd like to drink — cans or plastic only, no glass allowed on deck — and we'll have the cooler, ice, and cups ready. A lot of couples bring a small charcuterie spread or dessert for the ride; there's no galley on board, so anything you want to eat comes with you. Evenings on the water cool off fast once the sun's down, so a light jacket or wrap is worth packing even in summer.
Where you board
We depart from Shem Creek at 100 Church St, Mt. Pleasant — about 14 minutes from downtown Charleston, with parking on site. Boarding opens 15 minutes before the 6:30 PM cast-off, so plan to be dockside by 6:15. If you want a pre-cruise dinner, there are a few good spots on the creek within an easy walk.
"I've had a lot of quiet boats at sunset. The private charters are the quietest — in a good way. No one's performing for anybody else out there. It's just two people and the water."— Captain Keith
Booking for your evening
Private charters run on the same nightly schedule as the shared cruise, so book ahead — sunset slots fill up fastest around anniversaries, holidays, and wedding weekends. Let us know if you're celebrating something specific; we can't promise decorations, but we'll make sure you get the best stretch of the two hours for it.
Pricing, BYOB rules, weather policy, and departure details are all on our FAQ page — or call (843) 508-1600.
Frequently Asked
How much does a private sunset cruise cost in Charleston?
A private charter of the Roamer IV starts at $375 for one to four guests and scales up by group size from there. That's the whole boat, not a per-person rate. Prices are base; a 3% card surcharge applies at checkout.
How long is the private sunset cruise?
Two hours, departing Shem Creek at 6:30 PM nightly. Boarding opens 15 minutes before departure.
Is a private charter worth it for just two people?
It depends what you want. The view and the boat are the same as the shared $59-per-adult seat — private just means no one else is on board. It's worth it when privacy for a proposal, anniversary, or special night is the point; otherwise the shared seat gets you the identical two hours for less.
Can we bring our own drinks and snacks?
Yes — the cruise is BYOB. Bring what you like in cans or plastic; we supply the cooler, ice, and cups. No glass on deck, and there's no galley, so bring any food you want along too.
Local captain with LowCountry Coastal Excursions, running tours out of Shem Creek since 2017.