About this tour
When Sarah from our BugBitten team booked the Yacht Kismet for a group sunset cruise, she got the run of a 20-person private vessel on Charleston Harbour with no strangers tagging along. It's exactly what it promises: a few hours of floating around with your mob, swimming if you fancy it, and whatever music and drinks you bring (or order in). The boat's Coast Guard inspected, runs with a captain and first mate, and there's a functioning bathroom onboard. It's the kind of charter that works equally well as a celebration, a catch-up with mates, or just a breather on the water at golden hour.
Highlights
- Genuinely private—only your group aboard with crew
- Bring your own booze or order gourmet catering direct to boat
- Jump in to swim or float on water hammocks and rafts
- Control the Bluetooth speaker—become the onboard DJ
- Full bathroom, bottled water, soft drinks included
- Charleston Harbour views without the tourist boat crowds
- Flexible itinerary: history chat, swim, relax, or mix it
What to expect
Sarah's group showed up to find a well-maintained vessel crewed by a captain and first mate who know the harbour. The vibe is relaxed—you're not herded through a script. If you want a bit of local history as you cruise, they'll weave it in; if you'd rather just drift and chat, that works too. The boat's big enough that 20 people don't feel cramped, and the inclusions (water, soft drinks, floats, hammocks, sound system) mean you can settle in without faffing. Swimming off the boat is genuinely on the table if the weather cooperates, and there's no pressure to stick to a rigid schedule.
The real payoff is having a floating space that's yours alone. No schedule jostling, no sharing the rail with strangers' cameras. A couple of hours melts into four pretty easily when you're on the water with people you actually chose to be there.
Good to know
Brilliant for groups—birthdays, farewells, team hangs, or just mates wanting time together on water without the hassle of hiring individual tickets or coordinating arrivals. Suits all fitness levels, and there's flexibility to swim or stay aboard. The BYOB angle means you're not locked into pricey onboard markups; bring what you want or order catering (Caviar and Bananas can deliver straight to the boat). Bathroom's onboard, which matters on longer outings.
Gratuities aren't included, so budget for tipping the crew separately. The 2–4 hour window is broad—confirm exact timing and weather impact upfront. Charleston Harbour can get breezy, especially late afternoon, so bring a light layer. If anyone in your group gets queasy on water, they'll need to manage that themselves; there's no medical setup. Infants must stay on an adult's lap throughout. Peak summer weekends book out, so reserve well ahead.
Bring swimwear and a towel if you plan to use the water. No hidden costs beyond gratuity, but alcohol and catering are extra (unless BYOB). Maximum 20 passengers, private charter only. Best in calm weather.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.