MOUNT PLEASANT SIGHTSEEING TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Three Hours Aboard the Restored 1972 Gold Bug: A Charleston Lowcountry Day Cruise
A private, 3-hour charter for up to six passengers aboard a fully restored 1972 Potter Hull Sea Craft, customizable to Sullivan’s Island, Morris Island Beach, Shem Creek and other Lowcountry destinations.
Three Hours Aboard the Restored 1972 Gold Bug: A Charleston Lowcountry Day Cruise.
Set out from Mount Pleasant into the shallow, tidal weave of the Charleston Lowcountry aboard Gold Bug, a fully restored 1972 Potter Hull Sea Craft. In a compact three-hour window you and up to five companions can pick a course—beach, inlet, harbor or shoreline restaurants—while experienced captains handle the navigation and local conditions.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A Restored 1972 Potter Hull Sea Craft
Gold Bug is a fully restored 1972 Potter Hull Sea Craft, featured in the Florida Sportsman's Dream Boat series, outfitted with ample seating, a cooler with bottled water and ice, a Bluetooth sound system and towels for passenger use.
Captains with USCG 100 Ton Masters Licenses
The charter is run by maritime veterans—Captains Lauren and John Michael—each holding 100 Ton USCG Masters Licenses, bringing local Lowcountry hospitality along with broad seamanship experience.
Customizable Days: Beaches, Inlets and Waterfront Eats
Choose from suggested itineraries—Sullivan’s Island, Breach Inlet sandbar, Morris Island Beach, a harbor cruise, or stops for Shem Creek and Kings Tide restaurants—recognizing that some destinations depend on weather and tides.
What the day feels like
What Three Hours on the Water Feels Like
The trip flows like a short coastal story: a quick introduction aboard the Gold Bug, a confident shove into the Charleston Lowcountry’s tidal channels, then a chosen stretch of beach, inlet or waterfront restaurant where passengers can swim, relax, or explore before returning to port. The small-group format keeps the pace flexible—pick a destination, or let the captains craft a local route.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this charter suits—and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The charter is a three-hour private trip—plan your arrival and any restaurant reservations around a 3-hour window.
The boat provides a cooler with bottled water and ice, towels, and a Bluetooth speaker system; guests are encouraged to BYOB and to bring hats, sunscreen and weather-appropriate clothing. Inform the operator if you have children so appropriate life jackets can be provided.
Seating is arranged for up to six passengers; the vessel includes a cooler for refreshments and speakers for personal music. Captains are licensed and will advise on route choices based on tide and weather.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the cruise?
The charter is a 3-hour trip.
How many people can join?
The boat has seating for up to six passengers.
Can we swim from the boat?
Yes—swimming is allowed and towels are provided for passenger use.
What should we bring?
Bring hats, sunscreen and weather-appropriate clothing; there is a cooler with bottled water and ice aboard, towels and a Bluetooth speaker, and guests may BYOB. Let the operator know if you’ll have children so appropriate life jackets can be provided.
Who will be piloting the boat?
Captains Lauren and John Michael, both maritime veterans who hold 100 Ton USCG Masters Licenses, operate the charter.
Are destinations fixed?
Destinations are customizable—options include Sullivan’s Island, Breach Inlet sandbar, Morris Island Beach, harbor cruises, and Shem Creek/Kings Tide—however some stops are weather- and tide-dependent.