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Fort Sumter ferry tours depart from two convenient locations in the Charleston area:

Liberty Square - Fort Sumter Visitor Center, 340 Concord Street, downtown Charleston, SC 29401. Ideal for visitors staying in the Historic District.

Patriots Point - 40 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464. Convenient for visitors on the east side of the Cooper River or those combining with the USS Yorktown.

A Fort Sumter tour takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes from start to finish. This includes a 30-minute narrated ferry ride to the fort, about 1 hour of self-guided exploration on the island (including ranger-led talks, museum exhibits, and the fort's fortifications), and the 30-minute return ferry ride.

Yes, advance booking is strongly recommended. Fort Sumter ferry tours frequently sell out, especially during spring, summer, weekends, and holiday periods. Booking online in advance secures your preferred date and departure time. You can book your Fort Sumter tickets on our website in under 60 seconds.

Fort Sumter tour ticket prices vary by age category:

Adults (12-61): $40
Seniors/Military (62+ / Active Military): $36
Children (4-11): $26
Infants (under 4): Free with a paying adult

All tickets include the round-trip ferry ride, entry to Fort Sumter, ranger programs, and access to the museum and exhibits.

Both departure points offer the same tour experience at Fort Sumter. Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant is best for visitors with a car (easier parking), those staying east of the Cooper River, or anyone wanting to pair the trip with the USS Yorktown and Naval Museum. Liberty Square in downtown Charleston is ideal for visitors staying in the Historic District or near the waterfront.

We recommend bringing comfortable walking shoes, a refillable water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, as shade is limited inside the fort. A camera or smartphone is great for capturing harbor views and the fort's architecture. During cooler months, bring a light jacket as it can be windy on the water. Have your Fort Sumter tickets (digital or printed) ready for boarding.

The Fort Sumter ferry accommodates wheelchairs and strollers. The fort's ground-level areas are mostly paved, though some surfaces may be uneven. Please note that the museum, gift shop, and upper levels of the fort are accessible only by stairs. Boarding ramp accessibility may vary with tides. Contact 843-722-2628 on the day of your visit for current conditions.

Fort Sumter boat tours operate rain or shine throughout the year. The ferries have both indoor and outdoor seating for passenger comfort in all weather conditions. In the event of severe weather (lightning, high winds, or rough seas), tours may be delayed or cancelled for safety. If a tour is cancelled due to weather, tickets can be rescheduled to another available date.

Yes, every Fort Sumter tour includes a ranger-led history talk by the National Park Service, covering the fort's role in the Civil War and its significance in American history. Depending on the time of your visit, you may also witness the daily flag-raising or flag-lowering ceremony at the fort, a moving tribute to the events that took place there.

Fort Sumter is open year-round, but the most comfortable months to visit are March through May (spring) and September through November (fall), when temperatures are mild and crowds are lighter. Summer months (June-August) offer the most departure times but are the busiest. Winter tours are available but with reduced schedules. Morning departures generally have cooler temperatures and the best light for photography.

Fort Sumter tour tickets are 100% refundable if cancelled at least 2 hours before the scheduled departure time. Cancellations made less than 2 hours before departure are non-refundable. In cases where tours are cancelled by the operator due to severe weather, full refunds or rescheduling options are provided.

Water bottles and small snacks are permitted on the ferry and at the fort. There is no food service at Fort Sumter, so plan accordingly if your tour spans a mealtime. The America's National Parks Store at the fort sells some snacks and beverages. Both departure locations (Liberty Square and Patriots Point) have nearby restaurants and cafes.

At Fort Sumter, you will explore the historic fortifications where the Civil War began on April 12, 1861. Highlights include a ranger-led history presentation, the fort's museum with Civil War artifacts and exhibits, the original gun emplacements, and panoramic views of Charleston Harbor. You can browse the America's National Parks Store and take photos of the iconic flag flying over the fort.

There is no age limit for Fort Sumter tours. Visitors of all ages are welcome. Children aged 4-11 receive a discounted ticket rate of $26. Infants and toddlers under 4 years old ride free but must be accompanied by a paying adult. The Junior Ranger program is available for children and adds an educational, interactive element to the visit.

Fort Sumter is located on an island in Charleston Harbor and is only accessible by boat. There is no road, bridge, or walkway to the fort. The authorized ferry service departs from Liberty Square in downtown Charleston and Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant. Booking a ferry tour is the only way for the public to visit Fort Sumter National Monument.