Charleston sunset cruise packages come in two forms — a shared per-person seat at $59 per adult and $49 for children 12 and under, or a private whole-boat charter starting at $375 for one to four guests. Both run two hours, depart Shem Creek at 6:30 PM nightly aboard the Roamer IV, carry up to 23 guests, and are BYOB. Prices are base; a 3% card surcharge applies at checkout.
The question I get asked most at the dock isn't 'how much is the sunset cruise' — it's 'which one do I book.' People walk up assuming a sunset cruise is one product with one price, and it isn't. There are really two ways onto the Roamer IV at golden hour, and picking the right one has more to do with your group than your budget. Here's the honest breakdown.
The shared seat — $59 a person
The shared cruise is exactly what it sounds like: you buy just the seats you need on our nightly public departure, and you share the Roamer IV with other guests who did the same. It's $59 per adult and $49 for kids 12 and under. This is the cheapest way onto the water at golden hour, and for a lot of people it's the right call — you get the same harbor, the same light, the same captain, and the same dolphins as anyone else on board.
Best fit: couples, solo travelers, and small groups of two to four who don't mind striking up a conversation with the folks on the other bench. If you're visiting Charleston for a few days and you want a beautiful two hours on the harbor without spending charter money, this is it.
The private charter — the whole boat from $375
The private option books the entire Roamer IV for your group. One price by group size, not per head. It starts at $375 for one to four guests and scales up from there. Nobody else is on the boat but the people you brought — the deck, the cooler, the music, the rail at sunset, all yours.
Best fit: proposals, milestone birthdays, a bachelorette or bachelor group, a family that wants to spread out, or anyone who'd rather not share the sunset with strangers. If you want control of the playlist and the timing of the champagne pop, book private.
What's on board either way
- Two hours on Charleston Harbor
- Departs Shem Creek at 6:30 PM nightly, timed to the light
- Ravenel Bridge and Fort Sumter on 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
- Up to 23 guests on the Roamer IV
Which one should you actually book?
Two people who just want the view? Book the shared seat, no question. You'll save real money and the experience is genuinely the same. Six or more, or any occasion where you'd be annoyed to share the rail with strangers? Go private. The other honest thing I'll tell you: once a group gets to about eight people, the per-head math starts favoring the private charter anyway. Run the numbers before you assume shared is cheaper.
Where you board
Both packages board at our Shem Creek dock at 100 Church St, Mt. Pleasant — about 14 minutes from downtown Charleston. There's parking on site and a handful of good restaurants a short walk away if you want to eat before or after. Boarding opens 15 minutes before departure, so plan to be dockside by 6:15 PM for the 6:30 PM cast-off.
"Everyone shows up thinking sunset means the moment the sun touches the water. The sky actually peaks 15 to 20 minutes after that — the color runs pink and orange right up the horizon once the sun is technically down. That's why our cruise runs a full two hours. You'd hate to miss the best part."— Captain Keith
Pricing, BYOB rules, weather policy, and departure details are all on our FAQ page — or call (843) 508-1600.
Frequently Asked
How much is a sunset cruise in Charleston?
Shared seats are $59 per person and $49 for children 12 and under. A private whole-boat charter starts at $375 for one to four guests. Both are base prices; a 3% card surcharge applies at checkout.
How long is the sunset cruise and when does it leave?
Two hours, departing Shem Creek at 6:30 PM nightly, timed to golden hour. Boarding opens 15 minutes before departure.
What's the difference between a shared seat and a private charter?
A shared seat buys just the seats you need on the public departure and you share the boat with other guests. A private charter books the whole Roamer IV for your group at one price by group size.
Is the sunset cruise BYOB?
Yes. Bring what you like in cans or plastic; we supply the cooler, ice, and cups. No glass on deck.
Local captain with LowCountry Coastal Excursions, running tours out of Shem Creek since 2017.