Cruising Charleston with Saltwater Cycle

Ohh Charleston..you truly are the definition of southern Charm! I recently traveled to this historic city to meet up with some of my girlfriends from college. We had an amazing weekend packed full of food, fun, and adventure. But we all agreed the activity we enjoyed the most was our pedal boat cruise through the Charleston Harbor with Saltwater Cycle. The only boat of its kind in the Holy City, Saltwater Cycle is so much more than a boat ride..it's an experience! 

Similar to the pedal bike taverns that are famous on the streets of cities throughout the U.S., the 30 foot pontoon-style boat holds up to 16 passengers with 10 cycle seats, which power a large paddle-wheel at the back of the boat (don't worry there's a back up motor if needed). If you're not pedaling, the boat also features benched seating at the front of the boat where you can soak up the sun and there is plenty of room for walking around and of course dancing.

Disclaimer: My friends and I were hosted by Saltwater Cycle for our tour. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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As soon as we boarded the boat and met the captain and crew we knew we were in for a good time! All of the cruises are BYOB and the cycle seats face a u-shaped bar with coolers and ice to keep your drinks cold throughout the whole cruise. They provided everything we needed - all we had to do was show up with a case of Truly (because what else does a group of girls drink these days?). This was such a great alternative to the expensive cocktails you'll find hopping from bar to bar in downtown Charleston and saved us tons of cash. Don't forget to pack all your favorite snacks as well. You also don't have to worry about paying for parking as there is a large lot with plenty of free spaces at the marina.

The captain acts as the DJ throughout your hour and 40 minute cruise through Lowcountry playing all your favorite tunes which is sure to keep everyone in the party mood. They also play a number of fun social drinking games. I won't spoil all the fun but anytime you hear the bell ring, be prepared to cheers with those around you!

We cruised on the public boat tour ($40-$45/pp) which is a great option if you have a smaller group and allows you to meet and mingle with new people. Our group was joined by another bachelorette party and by the end of the cruise it felt like we had gained 11 new friends. Saltwater Cycle also offers a private boat tour ($575-$675/boat) which is an ideal choice for large group events, corporate outings, or bigger bachelor/bachelorette parties.

Saltwater Cycle offers various tour times throughout the day, but we chose the 11:00 a.m. tour which worked out perfectly for our schedule. It was a great start to the day (not too early after a late night on King Street) and we were out on the water before the Chucktown sun hit its peak later in the afternoon. Our tour wrapped up around 1:00 p.m. which was the perfect time to grab brunch. ​

In addition to all the fun you're guaranteed to have, you'll also get to experience Charleston in a way many people never have the chance to - on the water! Cruising through Lowcountry offers stunning views of the harbor - and even a few dolphin sightings! The weather couldn't have been more perfect on the day of our cruise and we were joined on the water by so many other boats which only added to the fun.

"For hundreds of years, Charlestonians have lived, sailed, and loved the ocean. The water is a huge part of our culture and at Saltwater Cycle, it’s what we love sharing. On top of all that, the view from the water is spectacular and something you can only see from a boat!" ​- Saltwater Cycle

And we can't forget about the star of the show..Pawley the Pineapple! Pawley is the Saltwater Cycle mascot and represents Southern hospitality, friendship, and fun! He also makes for a great photo buddy. In colonial days, when a captain returned home from a voyage they would spear a pineapple on their fence post to let their friends and neighbors know that they had returned home safely and to celebrate over dinner and drinks. Today, the pineapple represents hospitality and a welcoming atmosphere which is exactly what Saltwater Cycle provided us with the entire afternoon.

Cruising with Saltwater Cycle is an experience you're sure to remember for a lifetime (and something I would do again and again if I lived there)! We all agreed it was the highlight of our entire trip. Whether you’re planning a bachelorette party with your gals, looking for a new team building activity, or simply want to see your city in a new way - a pedal boat tour is the way to go.