Quick Answers Fort Sumter Tours FAQs

Book online or simply walk in to either departure point. Call 800-789-3678 or 843-722-BOAT (2628). If purchasing tickets in person please arrive at least a half an hour early.  Please note starting December 1st, 2025 – ACCEPTED PAYMENT METHODS at Fort Sumter Tours ticket windows, as well as on board each vessel:  All major credit and debit cards ONLY.

• Adults $43.00
• Senior/Active Military $39.00
• Children (4-11) $26.00
• Children 3 and under FREE
• ACCEPTED PAYMENT METHODS at Fort Sumter Tours ticket windows, as well as on board each vessel:  All major credit and debit cards ONLY.

Liberty Square (Downtown)

• Jan 2 – Feb 26 11:00 am & 2:00 pm
  
• Feb 27 – Nov 28 9:30 am, 12:00 pm &  2:45 pm
• Nov 29 – Dec 24 11:00 am & 2:00 pm
• Dec 26 – Dec 31 9:30 am, 12:00 pm & 2:45 pm

Patriots Point (Mt. Pleasant)

• Jan 2 – Feb 26 12:30 pm
  
• Feb 27 – Nov 28 10:45 am & 1:30 pm
• Nov 29 – Dec 24 12:30 pm
• Dec 26 – Dec 31 10:45 am & 1:30 pm

Downtown Charleston

Fort Sumter Visitor Center
340 Concord St,
Charleston, SC 29401

Mount Pleasant

Patriots Point
40 Patriots Point Rd,
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

Total tour time is 2 1/4 hours.  Time at the Fort is 60 minute.

The Fort Sumter Tour is a boat excursion. Due to changing weather and tide conditions, Fort Sumter Tours cannot and does not guarantee accessibility. The Liberty Square boarding ramp can accommodate electric and manual wheelchairs and scooters except in extreme tide situations. The Patriots Point location cannot accommodate wheelchairs or scooters. To ensure your visit will be fully accessible, we recommend calling Fort Sumter Tours on the day of your visit at 843-722-2628.

There is a lift at Fort Sumter enabling visitors access to the museum, restrooms, bookstore and top level of Fort Sumter.  In addition, the tour boat does have restrooms and will remain at the fort during your visit. The tour boats are equipped with an elevator/lift and handicapped accessible restrooms. Please visit the National Park Service Accessibility page for more details.

Yes. For Liberty Square in downtown Charleston the Aquarium parking garage is adjacent to the Fort Sumter Visitor Center.  Please allow extra time for parking as the garage does fill up quickly most days.  Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum in Mt. Pleasant has adjacent parking.  Both parking areas are pay to park.

America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, frequently referred to as the National Parks pass does not apply to the ferry fee. This includes the Interagency Senior, Access, Military, 4th Grade Pass and Annual passes.

Fort Sumter Tour daytime tickets & extended stays are 100% refundable if canceled 2 hours in advance of the departure time. If tickets are canceled less than 2 hours from departure time they are non-refundable but please call the 843-722-2628 regarding transferring to a different day. Rates and times are subject to availability and change without notice.

Fort Sumter tours cruise in most weather conditions year-round. The Charleston area experiences a high number of lightning strikes during the summer. Know the latest weather conditions and seek safe shelter in the event of lightning or thunder. Lightning identified within 10 miles of Fort Sumter will prompt the closure of the observation deck, and visitors are advised to shelter in the fort’s museum or on the ferry. The National Park Service and Fort Sumter Tours will inform visitors when there is a possibility that storms may impact the length of time visitors can spend at the fort. For more weather information, visit www.nps.gov/fosu.

Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted, but they are not allowed inside the fort’s museum. Note, that on each of the primary vessels (Spirt of the Lowcountry and Spirit of Charleston) there are water bottle filling stations.  Please contact our Group Sales department for information regarding groups and this policy (843-722-2628).

Bringing outside alcoholic beverages onto the boats and Fort Sumter is strictly prohibited. Beer and wine will be available for purchase on the return boat trip only. Intoxicated visitors are not allowed in the fort.

Smoking on the boats and Fort Sumter is strictly prohibited.

Please follow the current recommended CDC guidelines. Visit the National Park Service site for more info.

Pets are not permitted at Fort Sumter due to the high volume of visitors to this secluded island fort. Fort Sumter Tours does not permit pets on board vessels.  Please visit the Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park website for details.

No concealed weapons are allowed on any vessels operated by Fort Sumter Tours.

Please help us with leaving no trace behind at Fort Sumter.  Click here for details!

Please note effective January 2nd, 2025, the Fort Sumter Visitor Center will be open to visitors from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.