What a bachelorette boat day usually looks like
Most groups book a private charter for two to four hours. A typical trip leaves from Shem Creek or a downtown marina, cruises the harbor past the Battery and Fort Sumter, and, when the tide and the captain allow, anchors at a sandbar for swimming and photos.
Many groups put the boat on the first full day of the weekend. It gets everyone together early, gives you the best group photos of the trip, and leaves the night open for dinner downtown or on King Street.
Picking the right boat size
Count everyone who will actually be on board, including anyone joining for just one day. For six or fewer guests, a small private charter with a licensed captain is often the most affordable option.
Once you go past six paying passengers, the boat generally needs to be a Coast Guard inspected vessel, which usually means a larger pontoon, catamaran or party barge. That jump in boat type is the main reason quotes change so much between a group of six and a group of ten.
Planning around Charleston weather
From late spring through summer, afternoon thunderstorms are common along the coast. Late morning and early afternoon departures give you a better shot at dry skies. Most operators reschedule or refund when the captain calls off a trip for weather, but the details differ, so read the policy before you pay a deposit.
What affects the price
Each operator sets its own rates. These are the factors that usually make the biggest difference for this kind of trip:
- Private charters are usually priced for the whole boat, not per person, so a bigger group can bring the per-person cost down.
- Spring and early fall Saturday afternoons are peak demand and book out first.
- Some operators charge extra for decorations, cooler service or a second crew member on larger boats.
- Captain gratuity is usually not included in the quote. Plan for it separately.
What to bring
- Sunscreen, applied before boarding so it doesn't stain white outfits
- A cooler with ice and drinks, if the operator allows BYOB
- Cans instead of glass
- Swimsuits, cover ups and a towel for each guest
- A waterproof phone pouch for sandbar photos
- Snacks or a boxed lunch
- Decorations the operator has approved (skip the confetti and glitter)