Featured Tour Fort Sumter Tour & Boat Cruise
Embark on a Historic Adventure
Fort Sumter tours depart daily from two locations: downtown Charleston and Mount Pleasant.
Fort Sumter Tours is an authorized National Park Service concessioner. We provide the only commercial boat transportation to Fort Sumter. We offer many departure times daily from two convenient locations: Liberty Square in downtown Charleston or Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant.
Board your tour boat and get ready for a relaxing 30-minute cruise to historic Fort Sumter.
Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by National Park Service rangers who will provide programming and answer questions about the history of Fort Sumter and its pivotal role in the American Civil War. Learn about the events that led to the outbreak of America’s most bloody war (read the tour narration).
Spend an hour exploring Fort Sumter before boarding the boat for a cruise back to your departure point.
Grab a snack!
Tour boat concessions offer a variety of drinks and snacks (including healthy options) available for purchase during the cruise to and from the fort.
Please note: No food items are allowed on the Fort Sumter grounds.
Browse the Gift Shop
America’s National Parks Museum Store is located in the Fort Sumter Visitor Center at Liberty Square and at Fort Sumter.
Shop a selection of souvenirs perfect for history buffs, including books, CDs and DVDs about Fort Sumter and the Civil War.
Please Note
Call us at 843-722-2628 with any questions regarding wheelchair accessibility.
During the spring and summer months, our 3:30 p.m. departure from Patriots Point will make a brief interim stop at Liberty Square before and after the tour.
Restrooms and water are available on the boat, which will remain at the dock during your visit.
Boats will Depart Promptly!
Please plan to arrive 30 minutes early.
| Depature Point | Time |
|---|---|
| Liberty Square (Downtown) | 9:30 a.m. |
| Liberty Square (Downtown) | 12:00 p.m. |
| Liberty Square (Downtown) | 2:30 p.m. |
| Liberty Square (Downtown) | 4:00 p.m. |
| Depature Point | Time |
|---|---|
| Patriots Point (Mt. Pleasant) | 10:30 a.m. |
| Patriots Point (Mt. Pleasant) | 1:00 p.m. |
| Patriots Point (Mt. Pleasant) | 3:30 p.m. |
Ticket Prices
Adults
$35.00
Senior/Active Military
$31.00
Children (4-11)
$21.00
Children 3 and under
FREE
Details You Need to Know About Fort Sumter Tours
Refunds
Fort Sumter Tour tickets 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. Rates and times are subject to availability and change without notice.
Passes
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.
Weather
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.
Accessibility
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.
Fort Sumter has limited accessibility for those with mobility issues. There is no elevator service at Fort Sumter. The museum, restrooms, bookstore and top level of Fort Sumter are only accessible by climbing stairs. 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.
Weapons
No concealed weapons are allowed on any vessels operated by Fort Sumter Tours.
Pets
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.
