Cruise from Charleston SCCharleston Boat Rentals: Where to Rent, What It Costs, and the Rules
Charleston boat rentals let you drive your own skiff through the harbor, up the Wando River or out to the sandbars, with no captain and no crowd. This guide covers the rental companies, the real prices, the deposit and fuel charges, and the South Carolina boating rules that apply to renters. It also compares self-drive rentals with private captained charters you can book online, and with cheaper kayak and paddleboard options. If you would rather have someone else drive, the broader catalog of cruises from Charleston SC lists shared harbor, sunset and dinner trips as well.
The Ashley River at sunset from Brittlebank Park, with a moored sailboat in the distance. Photo: Ianmccor, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Quick answer The short answer
Island Boat Rentals on Daniel Island charges $350 for a half day (10am-2pm or 2pm-6pm) and $525 for a full day (10am-6pm) on non-holiday dates, and the person booking must be 25 or older. Shem Creek Boat Rentals in Mount Pleasant rents by 2, 4 or 8 hours with tax and fuel included, and its minimum age is 21. If you do not want to drive, a private captained charter such as the Blue Life yacht for up to 6 guests costs $525 for 2.5 hours. Anyone born after July 1, 2007 needs a boater education course or a $9.99 rental safety certificate to run a boat of 10 hp or more.
Key takeaways
- Compare self-drive rates, deposits and captained boats in the rental versus charter table.
- See every company, address and price under where to rent.
- Check the license, life jacket and alcohol rules in the boating rules section.
- Not driving? Skip to the private charters you can book online.
Rent It Yourself or Hire a Captain
The cheapest way onto the water with a group is usually a self-drive rental, but you take the wheel and the liability. The figures below come from the rental operators, SCDNR and the bookable charter listings.
Price Comparison
The table puts a half-day and a full-day self-drive rental next to three private captained boats and a kayak. Self-drive figures are Island Boat Rentals non-holiday rates before tax, insurance, booking fees and gas. Charter figures are the full-boat prices on the linked listings.
Kayak figures are Nature Adventures at Shem Creek.
| Option | Price | Who drives | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half-day powerboat rental, 4 hours | $350 (before tax, insurance, fees, gas) | You, booker 25+ | Sandbars and creeks on your own schedule |
| Full-day powerboat rental, 8 hours | $525 (before tax, insurance, fees, gas) | You, booker 25+ | A whole day exploring the harbor and rivers |
| Private yacht charter, Blue Life Charters | $525 for 2.5 hours, whole boat up to 6 | Captain and crew | Groups that want to relax and bring their own drinks |
| Private sail on the 43-foot Mystique | $525 for 2 hours, whole yacht | Two crew | A morning sail toward Fort Sumter or the Ravenel Bridge |
| Private party boat, Sip and Sea | $700 for 2 hours, private group | Captain and crew | Private groups that want a stereo and ice |
| Single kayak, Shem Creek | $45 for up to 4 hours | You, no license needed | Cheap, quiet paddling along the shrimp docks |
How to Choose
Pick a self-drive rental when your group has someone 25 or older with boating experience who wants four to eight hours on the water. The $350 half day at Island Boat Rentals is the lowest powerboat figure here, but remember the listed price is before tax, insurance, booking fees and gas. Pick a captained charter when nobody wants the responsibility.
The $525 Blue Life charter for up to 6 guests includes the captain, crew, bottled water and sodas, and the party boat at $700 for 2 hours comes with a captain, crew, a Bluetooth stereo and ice. Pick a kayak or paddleboard when the budget is tight: $45 covers up to 4 hours on a single kayak at Shem Creek, and a half-day paddleboard is $35. Note that Charleston boat tours on shared vessels are a different option again, with 1.5-hour narrated harbor cruises from $47.50.
Those group trips are covered on the Charleston boat tours page.
Where to Rent a Boat in Charleston
Three rental operations and one membership club cover the main self-drive options around Charleston. Prices and policies come from each operator's own pages where they publish them.
Island Boat Rentals, Daniel Island
Island Boat Rentals operates from the South Dock at 101 River Landing Dr, Charleston, SC 29492 on the Daniel Island Waterfront, phone 843-471-1893. The fleet is four dual or center console boats: Skimmer, a 23-foot Chaparral 230 Suncoast for 10 people with a 250hp Honda, Aloha, a 22-foot Seahunt 211 Escape for 7 with a 200hp Yamaha, Cormorant, a 21-foot Edgewater 205DC for 8 with a 200hp Honda, and Bay Quarry, an 18-foot 170 CC center console for 4 with a 115hp Yamaha.
Non-holiday rates are $350 for a half day, running 10am-2pm or 2pm-6pm, and $525 for a full day from 10am to 6pm. On Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day weekends the rate rises to $600 for a half day and $900 for a full day. The company states the listed price is before tax, insurance, booking fees and gas. The booker must be 25 or older and bookings need 24 hours of lead time. Deposits and exact fuel charges are not stated.
Shem Creek Boat Rentals, Mount Pleasant
Shem Creek Boat Rentals is at 1 Seafood Drive, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, phone 843-888-7368. It rents for 2, 4 or 8 hours, from an hour around Shem Creek up to a full day on the Cooper River. Before departure, staff give each renter a chart showing the permitted boundaries and channels.
The minimum age to rent is 21, and a standard driver's license is enough for renters 18 and older. Pricing includes tax and fuel, so fuel is covered in the rate. Cancellation is free outside 72 hours before the start, and if the company cancels for weather it issues a rental credit for a future booking. No captain is supplied on rentals, though customers may hire a private captain at their own expense and liability. Food and drink are allowed aboard, but red wine is not. Per-boat prices are not published outside its booking system.
Isle of Palms Marina
Isle of Palms Marina is at 50 41st Avenue, Isle of Palms, SC 29451, phone (843) 886-0209. Boat, kayak and paddleboard rentals are booked online through FareHarbor. The rental fleet runs from 16 to 25 feet, with dual console, center console and deck boats carrying up to 10 people, priced by two-hour, half-day and full-day rates. Renters must be at least 23 with a valid driver's license, according to a local rental guide.
The marina also offers professional captains for guests who prefer not to drive, including dolphin-watching packages. Its rental prices, deposit and fuel policy sit in the online booking system, so check there or call the marina for figures.
Quarterdeck Boat Club
Quarterdeck Boat Club is a membership club, not a pay-per-day rental, using the Isle of Palms Marina fleet with a Charleston HQ at 49-50 Immigration St. Members run 20 to 24 foot Sportsman and Sea Pro boats carrying 8 to 12 people. There is a $500 refundable deposit, no initiation fee and a $20 launch fee per reservation. Membership rates themselves are not stated.
Boats go out with enough fuel and the actual fuel burned, typically 5 to 10 gallons, is charged to the member account. Members may go anywhere within 30 miles of the departure marina. Weekday hours are 8am-8pm May through September and 8am-6pm October through April, with weekend sessions 8am-1pm and 2-8pm, or 2-6pm in the off months. Members must pass the SCDNR Boater Safety Course, which can be done online.
Sources: Daniel Island Waterfront, Shem Creek Boat Rentals, Isle of Palms Marina, Quarterdeck Boat Club
Do You Need a Boating License in South Carolina?
South Carolina does not issue a boating license in the car-driver sense, but it does require boater education for most renters born after a cutoff date. These rules come from SCDNR and the state boating regulations.
The Boater Education Rule
South Carolina requires anyone born after July 1, 2007 to pass an approved boater education course before operating a boat with a motor of 10 hp or more, or a personal watercraft. The Island Boat Rentals boats carry engines from 115hp to 250hp, so the rule applies to any renter in that age group there.
Renters get a specific break. A person born after July 1, 2007 may rent a boat while holding a rental safety certificate issued in their last name, valid for 30 days and only while operating a vessel from a rental business. Boat-Ed sells that rental-only certificate for $9.99. Full course options cost from free to $79.95: SCDNR in person is free, Boat US online is free, Recademics is $29.99, US Power Squadrons is $34.95, Boat-Ed is $39.95, Qualified Captain is $49.95 and Boat-Ed+ is $79.95. Renters born before that date are not covered by the rule.
Life Jackets, Alcohol and Registration
Life jacket law is strict for children. Anyone under 12 must wear a Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III or V life jacket aboard a Class A boat, which is a boat under 16 feet. Every boat must carry a wearable approved life jacket for each person aboard, and boats 16 feet or longer must also carry a Type IV throwable. The violation carries a fine of $25 to $200.
The boating-under-the-influence limit is 0.08 BAC, and an impaired operator below 0.08 can still be charged. A first BUI conviction carries a $200 fine or 48 hours to 30 days in jail, plus a six-month suspension of boating privileges. On the paperwork side, any outboard of 5 hp or more must be registered with the state. In SC, idle speed means the minimum speed needed to keep steerage, which matters in the posted no-wake zones.
Rule Summary
The table pulls the rules a renter is most likely to hit on a Charleston day on the water, with the source for each.
| Rule | What it says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Boater education | Anyone born after July 1, 2007 must pass an approved course to operate a boat of 10 hp or more | SCDNR |
| Rental exemption | A rental safety certificate in the renter's name, $9.99 via Boat-Ed, is valid 30 days for rental-business boats only | SCDNR |
| Child life jackets | Under 12s must wear an approved Type I, II, III or V PFD on boats under 16 ft | SC boating regulations |
| Life jackets on board | One wearable PFD per person, plus a Type IV throwable on boats 16 ft and longer, fined $25 to $200 | SC boating regulations |
| BUI limit | 0.08 BAC, and operators below 0.08 can still be charged, with a first offense at $200 or up to 30 days plus a 6-month suspension | SC Code 50-21-112 |
| PWC rules | Every rider wears a Level 70 PFD, a lanyard cutoff is required, and PWCs may not run between sunset and sunrise | SC boating regulations |
| Registration | Outboards of 5 hp or more must be state registered | SC boating regulations |
Sources: SCDNR boater education, SC boating regulations, SC Code
A boardwalk pier reaches over the marsh on the Ashley River in Charleston. Photo: Bohao Zhao, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where Renters Go: Tides, Sandbars and No-Landing Zones
Charleston has a large tide range, and two areas have rules that catch first-time renters.
The Tide Range
NOAA's Charleston Harbor station 8665530 reports a mean tide range of 5.22 ft and a great diurnal range of 5.76 ft. Mean higher high water is 8.53 ft and mean lower low water is 2.76 ft above station datum. Practically, that means water depth changes a lot between tides, so check the tide tables before you pick a lunch stop.
Crab Bank and the No-Landing Season
Crab Bank Seabird Sanctuary sits at the mouth of Shem Creek. It is closed to landing from March 15 to October 15. From October 16 to March 14, landing is allowed below the high-tide line.
You may view the island from a boat year round, and dogs are banned there all year. SCDNR says the same rules apply to the adjacent sandbars, so the tempting flats next to the sanctuary carry the same closure.
The Harbor, the Rivers and the Limits
Shem Creek Boat Rentals hands every renter a chart showing the permitted boundaries and channels, and trips range from an hour around Shem Creek to a full day on the Cooper River. The creek itself has posted no-wake zones where idle speed is the rule. Quarterdeck Boat Club members may go anywhere within 30 miles of the departure marina, Sandbar names beyond Crab Bank are not given here, so rely on the chart your rental company gives you.
Weather on the Water
What the operators say about weather is straightforward. Shem Creek Boat Rentals issues a rental credit if it cancels your booking for weather, and both Shem Creek and Island Boat Rentals want bookings made ahead, 24 hours of lead time at Daniel Island, so you have time to watch the forecast. Check the forecast before you go.
Sources: NOAA station 8665530, SCDNR Crab Bank
Private Charters You Can Book Online
If nobody in the group wants to drive, three private boats take the wheel for you. All three are priced for the whole boat, not per person, and all offer free cancellation 24 hours out.
Private Yacht Charter for Up to 6, $525
Blue Life Charters runs the private yacht charter for up to 6 at $525 for 2.5 hours around Charleston Harbor, by sail or motor yacht. The price covers the whole boat with up to 6 guests under USCG rules, plus captain and crew, bottled water and sodas. You bring your own drinks beyond that, and gratuities are extra.
Lunch and hotel pickup are not included. The boat leaves from Harborage at Ashley River Marina, 33 Lockwood Dr, where there is no on-site parking, so park next door at 17 Lockwood Drive and walk 4-5 minutes. The captain meets you in front of the marina building 10-15 minutes before the charter.
It is rated 5.0 from 426 reviews. Full details are on the private yacht charter page.
Private Morning Sail on the Mystique, $525
Charleston Sailing Charters runs the private morning sail on the Mystique, a 43-foot sailing yacht, at $525 for a 2-hour sail toward Fort Sumter or the Ravenel Bridge. The ticket covers the whole yacht for your party with two crew, bottled water and soft drinks. There are two bathrooms and shade on deck.
Gratuities are not included and are customarily 18-20 percent by Venmo or cash. You board at Safe Harbor City Marina downtown, parking in the pay lot in front of the Marina Variety store and following the signs down to the floating docks. It is rated 5.0 from 87 reviews.
See the private sailing charter page.
Private Party Boat Charter, $700
Sip and Sea Charleston runs the private party boat charter at $700 for 2 hours from Ripley Light Marina, with 3 hours listed at $1,000. The price includes captain and crew, a Bluetooth stereo and ice. Bring your own drinks, and park or get dropped off near the La Quinta Hotel, in front of whose entrance the dock sits directly.
It is rated 5.0 from 9 reviews, a small review base. Details are on the party boat charter page.
Cheaper: Kayaks and Paddleboards
Paddling costs far less than a powerboat. Nature Adventures at 1 Shrimp Boat Lane on Shem Creek rents single kayaks at $45 for up to 4 hours and $65 for up to 8 hours, tandems at $55 and $75. Happy-hour 2-hour rates are $27 single and $47 tandem, and a half-day paddleboard of up to 3 hours is $35.
Reservations are required. At Folly Beach, Charleston SUP Safaris rents a single kayak at $35 for 2 hours or $50 for 4, tandems at $50 and $65, and a full-day paddleboard from $50. Charleston Outdoor Adventures at Bowens Island rents a sit-on-top single for $35 for 4 hours and $45 for 24 hours.
No license is needed for a non-motorized craft.
Rental Tips: Do and Don't
A few habits separate a smooth rental day from an expensive one.
Do
- Do book 24 hours ahead, because Island Boat Rentals requires 24 hours of lead time, so walk-up rentals are not a plan there.
- Do carry the right certificate if you were born after July 1, 2007, since a $9.99 rental safety certificate in your name keeps a 10 hp or larger rental legal for 30 days.
- Do fit every child under 12 with a worn life jacket before you leave the dock, required on boats under 16 feet and fined $25 to $200 if skipped.
- Do read the boundary chart your operator hands you, because Shem Creek staff mark the permitted channels and Crab Bank is closed to landing from March 15 to October 15.
- Do budget for the extras at Daniel Island, where the $350 and $525 rates exclude tax, insurance, booking fees and gas.
Don't
- Don't drink past the limit, since the SC BUI limit is 0.08 BAC and a first conviction costs a $200 fine or up to 30 days plus a six-month boating suspension.
- Don't cancel inside the window, because Shem Creek Boat Rentals only refunds fully if you cancel more than 72 hours before the start.
- Don't land on Crab Bank or its adjacent sandbars during the March 15 to October 15 closure, and leave the dog home, since dogs are banned there all year.
- Don't plan around a fixed sandbar at low tide, because the mean tide range in Charleston Harbor is 5.22 ft.
Charleston Boat Rentals FAQ
How much does it cost to rent a boat in Charleston?
Island Boat Rentals on Daniel Island charges $350 for a 4-hour half day and $525 for an 8-hour full day on non-holiday dates, before tax, insurance, booking fees and gas, rising to $600 and $900 on Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day weekends. Shem Creek Boat Rentals rents by 2, 4 or 8 hours with tax and fuel included, though its per-boat prices are not published outside its booking system. Cheaper still, a single kayak at Shem Creek is $45 for up to 4 hours. For a comparison across all options, see the rental versus charter table.
Do I need a boating license to rent a boat in South Carolina?
There is no boating license, but anyone born after July 1, 2007 must pass an approved boater education course to operate a boat of 10 hp or more. Renters in that age group can instead buy a rental-only safety certificate for $9.99, valid 30 days and only on rental-business boats. Details are in the boating rules section.
How old do you have to be to rent a boat in Charleston?
It depends on the operator. Island Boat Rentals requires the booker to be 25 or older, Shem Creek Boat Rentals sets its minimum at 21 with a standard driver's license enough for renters 18 and older, and Isle of Palms Marina renters must be at least 23 with a valid license according to a local guide. See the full list under where to rent.
Is fuel included in a Charleston boat rental?
At Shem Creek Boat Rentals, yes, the company says its pricing includes tax and fuel. At Island Boat Rentals, no, the $350 half-day and $525 full-day rates are stated to be before tax, insurance, booking fees and gas. Quarterdeck Boat Club charges members only the actual fuel burned, typically 5 to 10 gallons per outing.
Can I rent a boat in Charleston without driving it myself?
Yes. Isle of Palms Marina offers professional captains, including dolphin-watching packages, and Shem Creek renters may hire a private captain at their own expense. Bookable online, the private yacht charter for up to 6 guests costs $525 for 2.5 hours, the private morning sail on the 43-foot Mystique is $525 for 2 hours, and the private party boat is $700 for 2 hours. They are compared in the captained charters section.
How do I rent a boat for cheap in Charleston?
Skip the motor. A single kayak at Shem Creek is $45 for up to 4 hours, the happy-hour 2-hour rate is $27, and a half-day paddleboard is $35, all without a license. At Folly Beach, a single kayak runs $35 for 2 hours. If you want a powerboat, the cheapest self-drive figure on this page is the $350 half day at Daniel Island.