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Glide through Shem Creek’s oyster-lined channels where bottlenose dolphins often surface just feet from your kayak. This two-hour guided eco tour combines Lowcountry natural history with safe, small-group paddling—ideal for beginners and wildlife seekers.
Glide through Shem Creek’s oyster-lined channels where bottlenose dolphins often surface just feet from your kayak. This two-hour guided eco tour combines Lowcountry natural history with safe, small-group paddling—ideal for beginners and wildlife seekers.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Coastal Expeditions · Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
You push off from a low wooden dock, the creek opening like a moving lane between oyster beds and low marsh grass. Salt air pulls at your face and the skyline of Charleston hangs distant and slightly softened by heat haze. Within minutes the sound of motors fades and the water takes over — sleek dolphins weaving through the tide, pelicans punctuating the surface, egrets stalking along the banks.
moderate.
2 hours.
Light to moderate fitness; able to sit and paddle for roughly 90–100 minutes on open water with some short rests
No — guides give a brief instruction and fit you to a stable sea kayak; beginners who can paddle for 2 hours and follow safety guidance are welcome.
Dolphins are commonly sighted in Shem Creek year-round, though sightings aren’t guaranteed; timing at tide change and quieter periods increases chance of encounters.
Bring sun protection, water, and closed-toe shoes; guides provide kayaks, paddles, PFDs, and a dry bag for phones and small items.
Parking is available at the Coastal Expeditions private lot on Mill Street with overflow on Mill or Scott; check in upstairs at the office and meet your guide on the deck.
Shem Creek has functioned as a working creek for centuries, central to the Lowcountry’s shrimping, oystering, and waterfront trade that shaped Mount Pleasant and Charleston.
Respect local wildlife by keeping distance from dolphins and never feeding them; stay on established channels to avoid trampling eelgrass and disturbing nursery habitat.
Coastal Expeditions operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
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