Shem Creek Tour: Discover Shrimping History

Immerse yourself in the captivating history of the shrimping industry on the Shem Creek Shrimp Tour. Led by Captain Bryan, this unique walking tour takes you on a journey through time, allowing you to witness the industry in action and gain a deep appreciation for the hardworking shrimpers.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Mary Street - Visitors will travel along Mary Street to gain an overview of Charleston Harbor and explore the transformations this coastal community has faced due to conflicts, natural disasters, and insect infestations.
  • Magwood Drive - Visitors will pass by the residence of the first commercial shrimper on Shem Creek and observe the “shrimp…
What's Included
  • Small prize at end of the tour
Additional Information

This walking tour, guided by Captain Bryan, is far from the typical “sit there and be quiet” tour where the guide forgets you. Instead, after a brief introduction, Captain Bryan will take you on a historical journey exploring how Shem Creek rose to fame with its renowned shrimping fleet and much more. Unlike any other tour in the region, participants…

Location
111 Coleman Blvd
Coleman Boulevard
We meet on corner of Coleman Blvd and Mill street outside of the public parking garage/office. It is the only 4 story office building in the immediate area. There is a circular flower arrangement on that corner that I will be near with a grey hat and tour guide badge on.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(184 Ratings)
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358madelinew
May 24, 2026
Shrimpin’ and Smiling - Capt Bryan is engaging, well educated and full of energy. He has great stories that bring to life all the interesting history of Charleston. He ties in the economics of the Shrimping industry and shows you where to enjoy local shrimp! A real pro! We loved our time with him.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jimbennett
May 16, 2026
Pirates, Fires, Shrimp Boats… and One Fantastic Tour - The Shem Creek History & Shrimp Walking Tour was hands-down the highlight of our long weekend in Charleston — and this is coming from someone who did not expect to become emotionally invested in shrimp logistics. Capt. Bryan walked us through the historic neighborhood where we learned that Charleston’s early residents apparently could not catch a break: Spanish and French attacks in the 17th and 18th centuries, pirates kidnapping locals, and the whole place getting burned to the ground more than once. Honestly, the city has survived enough drama for at least three Netflix series. Bonus fun fact: the area was colonized in 1680, which made me feel very young and very bad at history trivia. Then we crossed over to the shrimping side and got a fascinating crash course in the shrimp industry — including what fueled its growth (modern refrigeration, the interstate system, and WWII…because apparently shrimp needed infrastructure). We visited one of the few remaining shrimp processing plants and got a sobering but interesting look at how global competition has dramatically changed what was once a booming local industry. We also went dockside to view a shrimp trawler where Capt. Bryan explained the entire shrimp-catching process, right down to the escape device that lets larger sea creatures avoid becoming accidental dinner guests. We wrapped up the tour learning how to throw a shrimp net, which is much harder than it looks and gave me a newfound respect for people who do this for a living. If “history and shrimp tour” sounds boring, trust me — it isn’t. Capt. Bryan is funny, charming, and teaches in a way that keeps you completely engaged (even when the subject is, technically, shrimp economics). When we return to Charleston, we’ll absolutely look him up for one of his other tours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cabtah
May 7, 2026
This tour will make you love Shem Creek even more - This was a fun walking tour. Capt. Bryan is very knowledgable about Charleston history, shrimping, and current trends. He was accommodating and flexible, ensuring a good experience. It was sad to learn that so few local restaurants actually serve local shrimp. The walking tour showed some historic homes, beautiful flora, and how to catch shrimp with a net. Bryan was a great guy and the tour is highly recommended. A treat at the end was very nice!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
587leslief
May 7, 2026
Cap’n Bryan was the best! - Captain Bryan was our guide for our morning tour. He was excellent! He has a wealth of knowledge that he shared in an informative, yet entertaining way that taught us so much about the history of Mount Pleasant and its development.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carolgc6687ko
Apr 24, 2026
Take Capt. Bryan’s Shem Creek Shrimp Tour! - Captain Bryan Blalock’s Shem Creek Shrimp Tour is excellent and filled with fascinating facts. I’m a Charleston resident who learned previously unknown information about Mount Pleasant’s history and shrimp culture. Bryan is very engaging with tour guests and delivers a fun, fact packed walk around Mount Pleasant’s Shem Creek area. I highly recommend taking this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
E3036vwdonnaf
Apr 23, 2026
Don’t Miss This Amazing Tour! - Captain Bryan was amazing! He not only had a wealth of interesting facts, he presented them in such an engaging way that history truly came alive. I’ve been on many wonderful tours but I have never learned so much and enjoyed doing so as much as I did on this tour. I can’t recommend this tour enough and not just for visitors but for anyone living in the area. Thank you, Captain Bryan - you are truly a gifted teacher!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dean_p
Apr 23, 2026
Shrimp tour - Captain Brian was very knowledgeable about the history of the area and we learnt a lot in the 2 hours we were on the tour.
Review provided by Viator
Tania_c
Apr 4, 2026
Captain B - Great time! Great history lesson. Can’t wait for the shrimp boil and the other amazing history tours.
Review provided by Viator
Trip58301116340
Apr 3, 2026
Shem Creek Tour - Excellent tour of Mount Pleasant. Nice mix of early history of the town and the rise and decline of the shrimping industry. Captain Bryan is knowledgeable and informative. This is a great tour to learn about the Shem Creek area across the harbor from downtown Charleston.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kristen_o
Apr 2, 2026
Great! - Bryan was very knowledgeable and it was a great walking tour! The kids were engaged in the history as well.
Review provided by Viator
From $29
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).