Are you an adventure seeker or travel enthusiast visiting Myrtle Beach? If so, we have an exciting recommendation that will elevate your trip! Just a short drive from Myrtle Beach lies Georgetown, SC—a charming town brimming with history and natural beauty. This post explores the best boat tours in Georgetown, offering you a unique way to experience its stunning landscapes and rich heritage. I will guide you through the top tours, share my personal reviews, and provide all the information you need to plan your adventure.
I have taken 2 of these low country/Shell Island tours and have had many trips to Myrtle Beach and Georgetown South Carolina, due to living just 3 hours away, plus even as a child living 6 hours away, this area was where my families go to vacation spots.
Explore the History of Georgetown SC
Georgetown on the coast of South Carolina, is a town steeped in history, dating back to its founding in 1729. Once a bustling hub for rice plantations and indigo exports, located on the intercoastal waterways, this historic town has evolved into a vibrant community that proudly preserves its past. This perfect place is great to wander through the beautifully preserved streets lined with antebellum homes, plantation mansions, moss-laden oaks and you'll feel like you've stepped back in time. The historic waterfront overlooking Winyah Bay and quaint shops make Georgetown a must-visit destination for anyone interested in American history and Southern charm.
Front Street is a charming little street in Georgetown where the boat tours are located. You will see old buildings, but you will also see off into the distance industry that was built to provide jobs for people in the area off of the intercoastal waterway. With the tours you will learn about some of the special buildings and history of the area. If you have time to explore this little historic area of Georgetown before or after your tour, it will make for a great day. There is so much history in this area.
Winyah Bay is where 4 Rivers meet, the Waccamaw River, Black River Sampit River, and the Pee Dee River. This is the 4th largest estuary on the East Coast of the United States. You will notice dark waters of the Pee Dee lowcountry mixing in the bay as you head out into the ocean on the boat ride. You will see the colors change as you go farther out.
Location of Georgetown SC
Nestled along the South Carolina coast, Georgetown is conveniently located just 35 miles south of Myrtle Beach. This proximity makes it an ideal day trip or weekend getaway for visitors looking to explore beyond the bustling beaches of Myrtle Beach. The scenic drive down Highway 17 offers glimpses of the stunning Lowcountry landscape, setting the stage for the natural wonders awaiting you in Georgetown.
Whether you're a local tourist or a visitor from afar, Georgetown's unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty makes it a worthwhile addition to your travel itinerary.
This drive can take over an hour, depending on what part of Myrtle Beach you are staying at, not to mention if you are staying in North Myrtle Beach, it will be further. There will be many redlights on Highway 17, which is one of the main roads to get there, but on a good note, the farther you get from Myrtle the traffic is better.
Why Visit While in Myrtle Beach?
Myrtle Beach is known for its lively boardwalk, sandy shores, and bustling attractions. However, if you crave a change of pace and want to immerse yourself in nature and history, Georgetown is the perfect escape. The boat tours in Georgetown offer a serene and educational experience, allowing you to explore pristine rivers, marshlands, and coastal ecosystems teeming with wildlife. These tours provide a refreshing contrast to the energetic vibe of Myrtle Beach, making your vacation even more memorable.
FYI, on the way to Georgetown, Brookgreen Gardens is a wonderful place to visit.
Georgetown SC Boat Tours.
Low Country Tours and Rover Boat Tours
Address and Contact Information
Address: 735 Front St, Georgetown, SC 29440
Phone Number: (843) 546-8822
Website: Low Country Tours
Available Tours
Low Country Tours and Rover Boat Tours offer a variety of excursions designed to showcase the natural beauty and historical significance of Georgetown. From narrated history tours, a scenic tour, to wildlife spotting adventures, there's something for everyone. Their lighthouse shell island tour is popular, and takes you on a fascinating journey to a secluded barrier island, where you can search for seashells and enjoy the pristine coastline. You will also hear about local lore involving the lighthouse and plantation nearby.
Departure times vary due to the tour you take. The Shell Island tour boat will be the one I am reviewing later in the blog. This was the first tour company I used.
Captain Rod's Low Country Tours
Address and Contact Information
Address: 745 Front St, Georgetown, SC 29440
Phone Number: (843) 477-0287
Website: Captain Rod's Low Country Tours
Available Tours
Captain Rod's Lowcountry Tours specializes in providing an authentic Lowcountry experience. Their tours highlight the area's rich history, scenic beauty, and abundant wildlife. One of their standout offerings is the Plantation River Tour, which takes you along the Waccamaw River to explore historic rice plantations and spot native wildlife. You will even hear a ghost story. For those interested in ecology, their Eco-Tours provide an in-depth look at the region's unique ecosystems.
Departure times vary due to the tour you take. This was the second tour boat company I used when I did the tour the following year.
Swamp Fox Tours
Address and Contact Information
Address: 814 Front St, Georgetown, SC 29440
Phone Number: (843) 527-1112
Website: Swamp Fox Tours
Available Tours
Swamp Fox Tours offers a range of exciting boat tours that cater to different interests. Their Historic Harbor Tour provides a comprehensive overview of Georgetown's maritime history, and historical sites. While the Wildlife River Tour offers a chance to see alligators, ospreys, and other native species in their natural habitat. For a more personalized experience, Swamp Fox Tours also offers private charters, allowing you to customize your adventure.
My Review of my 2 Boat Tours to Shell Island
I had the pleasure of joining Rover Boat Tours on their highly recommended Shell Island Excursion, and it was a great experience I'll never forget. I also took a Captain Rod’s tour the following year. Both were great, so I highly recommend either of them.
The adventure began with a warm welcome from our knowledgeable guide, who shared fascinating insights into the area's history and ecology as we cruised along the scenic waterways.
When boarding the ship, they will give you a safety briefing and also let you know that they have soft drinks and bottles of water for you on board. After everyone is aboard, (I believe it was 25 people on our tour) we all could easily hear the tour guide talking into a microphone and talking about Georgetown and showing off and explaining the types of shells we could find on the island, I guarantee you will find awesome shells.
When booking tours, you should realize that tour times vary during the year due to high tide, low tide, and when the sunsets. I also will say, stepping off the boat onto Shell Island on my second time taking this boat trip, was not as easy due to erosion on the beach. My first trip 2 years before was very easy, so due to tides and erosion things will vary throughout the year. If someone has disabilities or knee problems, it could be an issue. Just be careful, you don't want to twist your ankle getting off the boat on the island.
A Journey Through Pristine Waters
As we navigated through the tranquil waters, the beauty of the Lowcountry unfolded before our eyes. Majestic oak trees draped in Spanish moss lined the banks, creating a picturesque backdrop. Along the way, we spotted various bird species, including egrets and herons, adding to the sense of serenity. Mother nature is truly a beautiful thing.
Not only did this tour take me to Shell Island, but it also went by the lighthouse, old plantations in the area, and discussed the history of the bay and what happened here during the Civil War. You will pass by old rice plantations. You will not be really close to them, but close enough to imagine what it was like back in the times when the salves worked the areas and loved in slave cabins. While on the boat tour we spotted dolphins swimming near the boat and actually stopped the boat to be able to watch them closer. And in the trees near the lighthouse, bald eagles were spotted. They are easy to spot with their white heads sticking out of a tree.
Discovering Shell Island
Upon reaching Shell Island, we were given ample time to explore and collect seashells. The island's untouched beauty was a stark contrast to the crowded beaches of Myrtle Beach. Walking along the shoreline, I felt a deep connection to nature and a sense of tranquility that is hard to find elsewhere. Our guide provided insightful information about this unspoiled barrier island and its unique ecosystem, making the experience educational and enriching.
We were told to stay on the beach area and to not go deep into the island away from the coast, as there is wild boar that live here, and it would not be as safe. The wild boar would not be coming to the beach area because there were many of us on the island. I had never thought about encounters with wild boar, but the tour guides were right, as we never saw any while on the island.
The island is full of tons of shells, and I'm not talking about just small shells, there are lots of large shells too. One of my suggestions when getting off the boat, walk to the rock sea wall at the edge of the island. You will find amazing shells there, plus interesting sea life. I spotted a horseshoe crab, the first one I ever saw that was not in an aquarium.
Sea turtles do use this island to lay eggs on, but both of my trips to the island were technically not in the season for sea turtles so I did not see any nests.
A Memorable Experience
The return trip was equally enjoyable, with more opportunities to admire the stunning scenery and wildlife. Rover Boat Tours exceeded my expectations with their professionalism, knowledge, and dedication to providing an unforgettable adventure. I highly recommend their Shell Island Excursion to anyone looking to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Georgetown, SC.
I had a great time and so did everyone in my group. As mentioned, before I have done this tour twice, and would do it again in a heartbeat. Everyone will have a great time, learning and taking in the sites near Georgetown SC.
Conclusion
Georgetown, SC, offers a treasure trove of experiences for adventure seekers, travel enthusiasts, and local tourists alike. Its rich history, stunning landscapes, and diverse ecosystems make it a must-visit destination. From my personal experiences, the boat tours highlighted in this post provide a unique and immersive way to explore Georgetown's natural beauty and historical significance.
Whether you're drawn to the serenity of Shell Island, the historical insights of plantation river tours, or the thrill of wildlife spotting, Georgetown's boat tours have something for everyone. Don't miss the opportunity to enhance your Myrtle Beach vacation with a visit to this charming town.
Ready to set sail on your next adventure? Book a shell island tour today with one of the recommended companies and discover the magic of Georgetown, SC. Your unforgettable experience awaits!
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Seeing an area by water/boat is a great perspective! Sign me up!
This sounds fun!
Thanks for this recommendation. We have visited Myrtle Beach but have not explored Georgetown. A boat tour looks like a perfect way to enjoy a few hours. Fun to have time to explore Shell Island too. Good to know it is good even more than once! LD (Holland)
Shell island looks like a fun tour! Saving this for our next SC visit, thanks!