About Coastal Expeditions
Coastal Expeditions has been guiding visitors through the Lowcountry's tidal creeks, barrier islands, and salt marshes since 1992, making them one of the longest-running eco-tour outfitters in the Charleston area. Their flagship location on Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant sits right on the water, offering a retail shop, private parking, and direct launch access for kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Whether you are paddling past dolphins on a guided creek tour or motoring out to the uninhabited Bulls Island aboard one of their skiffs, every trip is led by a certified naturalist who brings the ecosystem to life.
The activity roster covers nearly every way to experience the coastal waterways. Single and tandem kayak rentals are available by the hour or the day, and SUP rentals cater to both flatwater cruisers and fitness paddlers. Guided kayak eco-tours explore Shem Creek and the surrounding marshes at sunrise, midday, and sunset, while motorboat charters head farther afield to Capers Island, Cape Romain, and the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. They also run shelling excursions, birding trips, and seasonal crabbing tours for families.
What sets Coastal Expeditions apart is the depth of naturalist knowledge on every trip — guides hold degrees in marine biology and environmental science, and the company actively partners with conservation groups to protect the habitats they showcase. Three decades of operating on these waters means they know the tides, the wildlife patterns, and the hidden channels that most visitors would never find on their own.
