Coastal Expeditions on Shem Creek

Unforgettable Sunset Kayak on Shem Creek! Our sunset kayak tour with Coastal Expeditions was absolutely incredible! From start to finish, the staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and made everyone feel comfortable—whether you were a beginner or experienced paddler. The setting on Shem Creek was stunning: calm waters, gorgeous Lowcountry scenery, and the perfect golden glow as the sun dipped below the horizon. We saw pelicans and egrets flying overhead. Our guides Liz and Heidi shared fascinating facts about the local wildlife and ecosystem, making the experience not only relaxing but really meaningful. It was the perfect mix of adventure and tranquility. If you’re visiting the Charleston area, this is a must-do experience. Coastal Expeditions truly knows how to showcase the beauty of the Lowcountry!

This was our third trip with Coastal Expeditions—we’ve done the kayak tour and two Morris Island fossil tours. Anyone who visits us, we take out with this crew to experience the true beauty of Charleston. Jackie and Graham are fantastic guides who not only help you find fossils, but also educate you on the area and the history behind each discovery. Their commitment to conservation and preservation truly sets this group apart and makes every tour feel meaningful, not just memorable.

Highlight of our visit!! We travel to the Mt. Pleasant area annually, this by far has been one of the best excursion/ activity so far. Our guide Abbi was absolutely phenomenal. She was top notch to assure that we had a great time and was a plethora of information with the area and ecology. Our youngest son was captivated with hunting shark teeth and Abbi’s charisma only enhanced his interest. They were very punctual with time. It was overcast the day we went so weather was perfect for an August day. We saw dolphins and even a quick glimpse of a manatee. From start to finish this was a great experience and found this group to be more than accommodating to any issue we may have had. If asked “would I recommend this group?” absolutely without hesitation. Thank you guys for a wonderful trip and our magnificent guide Abbi!

A group of us came to Coastal Expeditions to kayak on the river, and the experience was simply amazing. All of the employees were so kind, there to help, and very encouraging. Our guide, Jackie, was phenomenal. We felt safe, we appreciated the kayaking tips before getting in the water, and we loved all of the flora and fauna facts she gave us as we kayaked. Hands down the best part of our Charleston vacation!!!

Chance was great. We had crazy winds for the sunset tour, and he was very patient while we figured out how to battle them. He's very knowledgeable about the area, pointing out various birds to us. We really enjoyed ourselves.

Exceeded my expectations!!!! The Dominick House excursion was amazing!! Captain Nick is a gem! He knows soooo much about birds and plants and everything else! The house girls: Morgan and MC were tremendous! Food was restaurant quality. So freakin’ good!!! The organization was stellar. I was so impressed. I am not a camping gal. But I did this because I did the sunrise boat tour and I loved. This was an EPIC EXPERIENCE. What an amazing place! Loved all the hikes and excursions. Just beautiful. 💕 I loved every minute. Well done!!!!!

Truly an all around amazing experience! I have gone three times to the Morris Island Beach Drop and throughly enjoyed every trip. I have recommended this adventure to all of my friends and family. All of the staff are incredibly friendly and knowledgable. I found many beautiful shells along with some sizable shark teeth!

Had a great trip to Bulls Island via Coastal Expeditions this past weekend. Nick and Annie (apologize if I messed up any names) were awesome guides and seemed genuinely excited about the nature and wildlife, even though they do this all the time. The place was beautiful. It was an absolutely amazing experience. Thanks to all who work to protect and educate the public about this area. I also went to the Coastal Expedition location in Mt Pleasant and bought a hat and the staff there were very courteous and helpful.

When I found out you can paddleboard and see dolphins at Shem Creek, I absolutely had to go check it out. The rentals were reasonably priced from $35-55 for paddleboards and kayaks and are good up to 3 hr use at a time. The staff members got us ready in no time and gave us instructions and quick refresher on how to use the equipment and we were off. We were warned not to step in the mud at the creek as it is sticky, and if you or your pet get stuck in it, it will be difficult to get out. The oyster shells around could also cut you so do not touch or step on it. We were instructed to use our oar to push off the mud and oysters if we got too close. As my husband and I paddled towards the harbor, many boats were coming up and down the creek. It was Memorial Day weekend after all. I was worried this would scare away the dolphins. However, my husband did see two dolphins. I, on the other hand, happened to miss BOTH sightings. I did end up seeing pods of dolphins at the waterfront downtown later that night so I did not feel too upset about it. My husband and I had a great time at Shem Creek and highly recommend using Coastal Expeditions. The prices are fair, their staff were very nice, and they are dog friendly. We had our dog with us and saw a good amount of people kayaking with their dogs as well. There are bathrooms onsite and they are very clean. The onsite bathroom also has a shower, if you want to rinse off after kayaking/paddleboarding. We didn't have trouble with parking however I can see how it could be problematic when it gets more crowded in the later summer months.

This company runs ferry services with tours of Bull's Island and St. Phillips Island, which I've reviewed separately. Those are great. The company also run various canoe and kayak tours, which have been a bit of a nightmare for me. The Lowcountry wetlands are fantastic and demand to be experienced close up, and many of the tour options sound great. They run quite infrequently, and even when offered, have been unreliable in my experience. To some extent, this can be attributed to weather and varying demand, which is a hassle but is part of the business. Wisely, they don't actually charge you money until you are actually at your tour doing stuff. However, I haven't forgiven them for the one time I made an online reservation at the last minute only to drive to a site at 6 AM and find the tour was canceled, with no one around to answer the phone and an active listing still on their website. They were apologetic, but didn't really do much for me. When tours are unavailable, I keep getting calls asking me to reschedule for another day, which strikes me as tone-deaf. There may be a market of people who hang around waiting for a midweek spot to open up, but I would think that many of us are tourists who aren't there for very long (I'm rarely in Charleston for more than 48 hours, and it takes a lot for me to get there at all), and even the locals I assume must have jobs. If I scheduled for X day, I probably want to do something on X day. What's also irritating is that their website, while flashy, doesn't have a calendar. You have to search through a dozen infrequently offered niche tours to see if you can find something that's available when you're available rather than just seeing what is launching on the day that you're around and free. They really don't seem to get my needs in that regard. When I finally, after frankly a year of trying, found a kayak tour that actually fit my schedule, it was beautiful weather, beautiful scenery, and some hard work. Wildlife abounds, and my trip through the Kiawah River area yielded sightings - albeit sometimes fleeting ones - of everything from a roseate spoonbill to a dolphin trapping fish against an oyster bar. The people running the tours and the equipment are good enough, and while these things aren't cheap I still leave a tip. The scenery delivers, but this tour company hasn't always met my expectations. I'm just not aware of anyone else that gives you the same chance to see this particular environment.

Did the Morris Island Shark Tooth expedition, and had a great time. We found about a half dozen 2" fossil shark teeth, so well worth the time and money.

Excellent instruction from our guide, Dallas! Can't say enough about his emphasis on safety and keen known of the waters we were in. I'll be calling Coastal Expeditions again soon for a tour of Shem Creek. Thanks again Dallas

We recently took the Hunting Island Dolphin Cruise and loved our experience! It was perfect for our family with a 4 year old. The staff, Capt. Henry & Claire were very knowledgeable & kept us entertained. But the stars of the show are the bald eagles & dolphins (for us)! We look forward to returning to the area & taking another adventure with Coastal Expeditions!

We went on the Hunting Island Dolphin Cruise which launched off of Russ Point. The Captain and his assistant (can't recall their names, sorry!) were both very knowledgeable about the ecosystem. Their attitude/presentation was also very pleasant, the size of the entire passenger compliment was not too large so the two were able to communicate well as we went about the estuaries. They were able to take us to view dolphins, bald eagles, as well as discussing about the nature around us, very educational and got lots of good pictures. The boat navigation/operation was also good, the weather was pleasant that day (last Wednesday), so it was a great morning to be out. They were both attentive to boating safety as well as informing/assisting the passengers to make the trip very safe and pleasant. The only down-side I will give, is that the assistant gave us a restaurant recommendation to Johnson Creek Tavern and it turned out to be a real bust(!), a bad one (have Yelp review on that one). It didn't affect the rating for this cruise, but after a great morning it led to a bad buzz-kill. We all enjoyed the trip and do recommend the boating cruise to anyone who enjoys being out on the water, viewing dolphins . Stay away from JCT though.

Enjoyed the free crab bank educational kayak tour. Guides were knowledgeable about the area and kayaking. Session started off with a brief safety and lesson about kayaking. Paddled out to crab bank, and although windy, was a fun experience. Guides discussed the history of crab bank and their efforts to restore the island for future birds to nest. Fun trip that all ages can enjoy!

Could not have possibly asked for better customer service, safety, and a wonderful tour of St. Philliip's Island. The Captains were amazingly knowledgeable and taught us fascinating facts about the ecology, environment, the flora and fauna and history of the area on the tour. They were both captivating and their passion for the area was infectious. Can't say enough good things about these folks. Thank you Coastal Outfitters for a wonderful day!

My wife and I had so much fun! Our first adventure here on our two year anniversary trip and it was a great start. Went a little bit of everywhere and saw many so many different kinds of birds hunting or feasting. I recommend it to everyone :)

My husband and I visited bull island for the day and had the most amazing time. Our guides Will and Nick were fun and informative - one of my favorite parts of the trip was the ferry ride to and from the island to hear Will talk about the refuge. We took the 9am ferry over and the 4pm back which was a little lengthy for what we wanted to do but the 12pm return was too early. The walk to the boneyard was long but totally worth it. Unlike anything I've seen before and we brought home tons of conch shells and sand dollars. I would recommend this trip for anyone who enjoys the outdoors but be prepared to walk 10+ miles to visit the boneyard. Would come back with friends/family next time!

Nick and Anna were awesome guides on the Folly Creek kayak tour. We saw some dolphins and learned about salt marshes. It was very relaxing despite the fact that we burned 500 calories! Would definitely go with them again.

We went to St Phillips Island.Some pros and cons.It was very hot day! Alot of education on the Island, trees, p!ants etc.Very buggy in the "Jungle". As interesting as it was,it was hot and we sat and listened to alot.I guess i thought the tram would just take us to the water and we would have maybe 4 hrs on the beach.We ended up with 2 hrs on the beach and the rest was getting to the Island on the Ferry,which was amazing and the tram ride and stops to the beach.Once at the beach it is quite a walk so if you cant walk far,id advise not going.But we had a great time and Henry our Captain n guide was great and very knowledgeable!

Had a great sunset kayak with Brodie! He was very accommodating with us beginners. We saw so many dolphins! It was great how he was able to cater the trip to seeing the best wildlife and sunset view. Highly recommend!

Great way to spend the morning outside! Super friendly and informative staff. Highly recommend!

We went for their 4th annual folly doggie paddle, where you bring over 25 lbs dog food to rent a kayak or paddle board! Such a deal! The people were very friendly, organized and helpful, and had everything ready even if we did not make reservations. The paddle boards and paddles were new, plus if we wanted to, we could have brought our dogs along for the ride!

Went kayaking for the first time with my work family and our guide, David, was awesome! I loved every minute and definitely going to do again. Thank you David!

Family's first time to Charleston. - coastal expositions was recommended by a friend. Had a great time - Brody our guide was excellent , very knowledgeable and professional felt 100% confident as our guide - we saw dolphins and wildlife and learned some history too . A perfect day .

We did a kayaking tour on Shem Creek. It was a party of 30 plus people. The tour guides were patient and never left a person behind. The tour guides ( Katie, Dallas, Smiley, and 3 others) were fun, energetic, and full of information about the local history and environment. We would definitely return. Thanks guys. It was a blast.

Did the Bull Island Drop yesterday! WOW! What a trip! The boat ride, beach combing treasures galore! Nick and Will were awesome! Learned so much. Planning another trip very soon!

Highly recommended for kayak rentals, coastal tours particularly Cape Romain ecotours. Staff are knowledgeable and clearly love and embrace the low country's beauty.

We rented two double kayaks and came during the happy hour so we got an amazing deal!! The staff was super friendly and extremely helpful in directing us in where to go and giving us advice. It was beautiful and we were able to explore on our own. It is also very likely to see lots of cool wildlife- I would definitely recommend!!

So glad we found this! These folks were super accommodating and helpful... and nice! We texted (per the website) pretty late the night before and the next morning had a "see you soon!" message from them. Would absolutely come here again, and that's saying a lot for me - the water terrifies me! Lol

We took a kayaking tour led by the amazing Aaron out of Folly Beach today. Aaron was deeply knowledgeable, personable and friendly. He found us several pods of dolphins (unbelievable!) and even some pelicans diving for fish. I don't usually write on-line reviews but this was such a special experience I felt compelled to write one today.

We had a great tour with Anna! We had a large group with a bunch of teenagers and she was super informative and provided a great outing for our entire family. The kids said it was their favorite outing of our trip! I would highly recommend and definitely go back.

Great outfit for kayaking. We're rank amateurs but Dallas and his crew were awesome teachers and guides. Highly recommend CE for beginners or experienced kayakers.

Coastal Expeditions at Folly Beach was a great outfit to take a kayak guided tour of the beautiful estuaries around the islands near Charleston. They were friendly, accommodating to our needs and very professionally run emphasizing great customer service to ensure our enjoyment. Their equipment was top notch emphasizing safety concerns and customized the kayaks individually. Our guide was a great woman named Jaime with an environmental science degree who taught us so much about the local ecology, birds, water creatures, mud and was genuinely a pleasure to be with. I highly recommend you choose coastal for your kayaking adventure.

Cory was our tour guide this morning and he did not disappoint!! Not only was he extremely knowledgeable about paddle boarding he also was an amazing tour guide listing and pointing out various types of birds and agriculture. He was nice, fun, and funny! Great time all around! Can't wait to go again.

One of the best things I've done in the Charleston area. Good for both locals and tourists alike! If you're around a weekend they do their sunrise cruise, do it. It's worth losing sleep. We woke up at 330 for a 430 departure. The dock isn't well advertised when driving so I would suggest knowing the address/have your gps set so you don't miss the boat! We boarded at 415, made it to bulls island by 5, and to the beach by 515. The progression from dark to sunrise is unbelievably impressive. The trees visible at low tide are spooky yet incredibly tranquil. I loved absolutely every minute of this adventure. Boats come back shortly after sunrise (7:15) or 9:30 and 4:00pm so this trip can be as quick or as long as you'd like. We took the 7:15 back which gave us ample time to photograph the sunrise and even search for some shells after it was up. I'm not sure I could entertain myself till 4pm...if that's your plan, make sure you have water. Sad I missed alligator alley but excited to go back! Would recommend to families, couples, and friends. This is definitely a crowd pleaser...and makes for some beautiful photos.

This is the most fun I've ever had in SC!! I highly recommend visiting! We saw dolphins and felt the cool waves on the tips of our fingers, very relaxing, comfortable, and totally worth it!

Took a group of women from ages 8-68 on a fantastic trip to Bulls Island (on the ferry). Reserving our trip was easy and we got a family discount. Upon arrival we were warmly greeted by Nick, who ensured our safety from a nearby thunderstorm. On the 25-30 minute ferry ride, the crew pointed out a variety of estuary features, including spots for dolphin sighting and places to find birds. As we neared the island, Nick gave great tips on navigating and shell finding. We were surprised to find out there was even a picnic shelter with bathrooms. The 1.5 mile walk to the beach featured varied terrain and cover, and all passage was easy for our group. The beach was gorgeous and the shells were plentiful. Also, definitely heed the advice about bug spray for the forest walking. On the way back, Captain Wil taught us great info about loggerheads and some history to boot. We are happy to support their mission of care for the nature preserve! 10/10, would highly recommend!

9 of us went to Folly for a vacation and decided to do a kayaking trip. I'm so glad we found this place! I spoke to a woman on the phone and she accommodated us even though we called last minute. Greg was our tour guide and he was AWESOME. The whole trip was 3 hours and we kayaked through the Folly Creek. Greg was super cool and knowledgeable about EVERYTHING in the area. He told us about the wild life and even got us close to a pod of dolphins! I would recommend this place to anyone looking for the full kayak experience...and request Greg. He's the best!

We, 2 adults and 2 kids (11,13) went with Coastal Expeditions to Bull Island last week and had the best day! It was stormy the night previous and still windy in the morning so we intially did not think it would be a good day for a ferry ride. The wind suddenly died down and we changed our mind packing up in frenzy and setting out from Folly Beach to get to Garris Landing. It took longer than we expected. The crew (Will and Lilly) good humoredly held the boat 5 minutes so we could make it. During the boat ride out, as well as back, we enjoyed the informative talk by the naturalists. They pointed out the endangered wood stork on the way out. The talk continued a bit on land and then we started exploring by ourselves. Thanks to the storm the bugs weren't bad, so we made it out to the observation tower, spotting some 7 or 8 alligators in the marsh. We then continued to the Old Fort (with one alligator lying in the middle of the road), where we were up close with 4 alligators looking on as two of them were trying to get a crab. Very exciting (crab got away). We also saw a black squirrel, and a couple of deer. After that we ended up on the beach. Had a swim, collected welks (not conches, as we later learned on the trip back), saw some horse shoe crab shells. Did more swimming and exploring along the beach of the Boneyard. Very photogenic scenery! We did more swimming and eventually crossed over the island to make the 4 o'clock return. It was really enjoyable and great! Only wish we could have had an hour or two more to enjoy the island. Me and my daughter also rented a kayak at Folly Creek from the same outfit. We had to be saved by Lilly when we got stuck in the mud at low tide. She was really great about coming and guiding us back. ............ June 2012 Just back from another Bull Island experience thanks to Coastal Expeditions. We love it. Unfortunately this year was not a draught year and there were lots more mosquitoes...hate them!!! Could not do without this trip though.

Great service and very friendly. We had 4 adults, a teen and an 8 yo. Thorough safety precautions given without being excessive. Dallas was the type of person that made you feel like an old friend. I highly recommend this for your salt marsh kayak adventure. We all enjoyed it and felt very safe.