Unearth ancient marine fossils on a self-guided 5-hour boat charter to Charleston’s barrier islands with Burnt & Sandy’s Charter Share. Ideal for small groups, this unique adventure offers a hands-on way to connect with coastal natural history.
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Difficulty
moderate
Duration
5 hours
Fitness Level
Participants should be comfortable boating and walking on sand, oyster beds, and uneven terrain for several hours.
Wildlife
History
Charleston’s barrier islands have long been visited by Native American cultures who left shell middens hinting at thousands of years of coastal life.
Conservation
Burnt & Sandy promotes responsible fossil collecting and discourages removing large natural formations, helping preserve the delicate barrier island ecosystem.
Burnt & Sandy
Unearth ancient marine fossils on a self-guided 5-hour boat charter to Charleston’s barrier islands with Burnt & Sandy’s Charter Share. Ideal for small groups, this unique adventure offers a hands-on way to connect with coastal natural history.
Burnt & Sandy operates from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, offering boat-based experiences that focus on coastal exploration and fossil hunting. Featured on The Adventure Collective, Burnt & Sandy presents a selection of guided and private trips tailored to different group sizes and interests, including a two-hour Sunset Tour, three-hour and five-hour private charters, a Half Day Charter, and a self-guided Charter Share to Charleston’s barrier islands.
Each trip listing communicates duration and highlights: the Sunset Tour emphasizes evening scenery and relaxation; the 3 Hour Charter and 5 Hour Charter provide private, customizable outings with options for harbor cruising and shark-tooth hunting; Charter Share offers a shared, self-guided five-hour trip suitable for small groups looking to split costs while exploring barrier island fossil deposits. The Half Day Charter is available as an intermediate option among the offered experiences.
Burnt & Sandy focuses on delivering location-specific activities tied to Mount Pleasant and the greater Charleston Harbor area. Trip summaries advise guests to dress appropriately for the elements and to bring essentials for time on the water. As a business featured on The Adventure Collective, Burnt & Sandy is presented within a curated context of outdoor and adventure operators. Information about trip durations, activities, and suggested preparations is provided for each experience so guests can select the option that best fits their schedule and interests.
All descriptions and trip options are provided in third-person to maintain factual clarity about offerings and logistics.
Tours Offered
5 Tours
Choice of private or shared trips
Location
Mount Pleasant, SC
Access to Charleston Harbor
Duration Range
2–5 hours
Short to half-day options
Activities
Shark tooth hunting
Fossil hunting at barrier islands
Book a Sunset Tour, 3- or 5-hour private charter, or join a Charter Share to hunt for shark teeth and explore barrier islands.
Bring layers for variable coastal weather
Mornings and evenings on the water can be cool and windy, so pack extra clothing to stay comfortable throughout your trip.
Wear sturdy water shoes
The shoreline terrain can include slippery oyster beds and rocky sandbars—good footwear helps prevent injury while fossil hunting.
Pack plenty of water and snacks
With no facilities on the dock or islands, staying hydrated and fueled during the 5-hour outing is critical.
Bring a waterproof bag for finds
Keep your fossil discoveries safe and dry while moving between fishing spots and the boat.
Sunscreen
Protects your skin from intense sun exposure on open water and beaches.
summer
Polarized sunglasses
Reduces glare off the water to help spot fossils and navigate safely.
Waterproof bag
Keeps your personal items and fossil finds safe from splashes and rain.
Water shoes
Provides traction on slippery and uneven surfaces around tidal zones.