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Charleston Fort Sumter Ferry and Self-Guided Tour 2 hr
Average
3,991 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score
- Mount Pleasant
- 2 hrs 15 min
- Updated November 2, 2026
Cruise across Charleston Harbor, meet a National Park Ranger, and explore Fort Sumter’s historic ruins at your own pace.
About this tour
Step into the place where the opening battle of the American Civil War began on a harbor cruise to Fort Sumter. This Charleston Fort Sumter ferry and self-guided tour pairs sweeping waterfront views with time to explore one of the city’s most significant historic sites.
Board at Liberty Square or Patriots Point for a 30-minute ride across the harbor. From the ferry, enjoy views of Charleston’s landmarks; departures from Patriots Point also offer a close look at the USS Yorktown. At the fort, a National Park Ranger greets visitors and shares the story of the conflict’s first battle. Spend about an hour exploring the well-preserved ruins at your own pace, then visit the museum, bookstore, and souvenir shop before the return ferry ride.
The 135-minute excursion includes round-trip transportation and a self-guided visit, with the ferry remaining at the fort during your stay. Plan ahead for stairs: there is no elevator at Fort Sumter, and access by ferry can vary with tides and weather. Book your Charleston Fort Sumter tour for a memorable look at the history and harbor scenery that define this destination.
Highlights
- Cruise round-trip from Liberty Square or Patriots Point
- Stand where the opening battle of the Civil War began
- Explore Fort Sumter’s historic ruins at your own pace
- Meet a National Park Ranger on arrival
- Take in Charleston Harbor views from the ferry
What's included
Included
- Access to historic Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina
- Access to the Fort Sumter Museum, Bookstore, and Souvenir Shop
- Round-trip ferry transportation from Liberty Square or Patriots Point, 30 minutes each way
- Approximately 1-hour self-guided visit to explore Fort Sumter and its well-preserved ruins
- National Park Ranger greeting and account of the opening battle of the American Civil War
Not included
- Food and beverages
- Parking
Ratings on each provider
The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.
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View on ViatorViator
4.56 / 5 · 3,991 reviews
Important information
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure; boarding begins 15 minutes before departure
- Select your ferry departure location at checkout
- Tours run rain or shine; the captain decides whether weather requires cancellation
- Ferry access and accessibility can vary with tides and weather conditions
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- The ferry has an elevator and accessible restrooms; restrooms are unavailable on Fort Sumter, but the ferry remains at the fort during your visit
- Fort Sumter’s museum, bookstore, and top level require climbing stairs; there is no elevator service at the fort
- The Liberty Square boarding ramp can accommodate manual and electric wheelchairs and scooters except in extreme tide conditions
- Infants and small children can ride in a stroller; service animals are allowed
- Major credit and debit cards are accepted
Frequently asked questions
How long is the tour?
The full excursion lasts about 135 minutes, including a 30-minute ferry ride each way and approximately one hour at Fort Sumter.
Where does the ferry depart?
Choose Liberty Square or Patriots Point as your departure location at checkout.
How early should I arrive?
Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Boarding begins 15 minutes before departure.
Is the tour accessible?
The ferry has an elevator and accessible restrooms, but Fort Sumter’s museum, bookstore, and top level require stairs. Ferry access can vary with tides and weather.
Does the tour run in bad weather?
Tours run rain or shine. The captain makes the final decision about cancellation based on weather conditions.
How this score is calculated
This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 4.56 from 3,991 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.
How the score works and rating distribution in Mount Pleasant
- Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
- Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
- Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
- The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 5.0.
Provider rating distribution in Mount Pleasant
How many tours in Mount Pleasant have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.
- GetYourGuide
- Viator
from $45.58
on Viator