Join the next BBQ & Boats Sunset Cruise, a quintessential Charleston experience

Make plans to hop on the Daniel Island Ferry for the next BBQ & Boats Sunset Cruise, featuring Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ.

A sunset over calm waters sets the backdrop for a hearty plate of Southern BBQ, featuring pulled pork, mac and cheese, potato salad, and ribs—perfectly capturing a summer evening feast.

We don’t know what’s prettier, the loaded barbecue plate or the Lowcountry sunset.

Photo by CHStoday

Picture this: It’s golden hour, and a warm summer breeze blows through your hair as you take a relaxing ride around Charleston’s waters, enjoying a plate of barbecue you can’t have just one serving of. Boats and barbecue — it’s a match made in... Charleston.

A cheerful group poses dockside in front of a white boat, smiling under cloudy skies. Dressed casually, they radiate camaraderie and summertime vibes along Charleston’s scenic waterfront with boats in the background.

Meet the talented team that made this boat and barbecue collab happen.

The Daniel Island Ferry + Rodney Scott’s BBQ have teamed up to offer a BBQ & Boats Sunset Cruise — which means you have the chance to enjoy some James Beard Award-winning barbecue on the Charleston harbor.

Editor Callie poses with a hearty plate featuring pulled pork, mac and cheese, potato salad, and ribs. There's a sunset over calm waters + the Ravenel Bridge in the background.

How do you make Editor Callie smile? A sunset cruise + a plate of barbecue.

Photo by CHStoday

Newsletter Editor Callie here — I joined the inaugural cruise and have a few reasons why you can’t miss the next one.

  • The ferry captain navigates around Holy City landmarks, giving you up-close and unique perspectives of the Ravenel Bridge, the USS Yorktown, and downtown. We even spotted a pod of dolphins playing between docks.
  • It’s award-winning barbecue — and while I don’t have to say more, I will. You can’t miss mac + cheese, it was the favorite thing on my plate, after the smoked wings, of course. Pro tip: Save room for dessert, you’ll need space to end things on a sweet note with some of the best banana pudding in the Lowcountry. Take a look at the rest of the menu.
A creamy banana pudding topped with whipped cream and vanilla wafers is held up against the backdrop of Charleston’s iconic Ravenel Bridge and rippling water, capturing a sweet Lowcountry moment.

To top off an incredible evening, guests were treated to delicious banana pudding.

Photo by CHStoday

Tickets are $100 and the next Barbecue and Boats Sunset Cruise leaves from downtown’s Waterfront Park and will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 27, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. You’re going to want to act fast — the tickets for the last cruise sold out very quickly. (To get your tickets, tap the downtown Charleston departure tab, and scroll until you find the BBQ & Boats link.)

Events
We’re highlighting the best kid-friendly activities that Charleston, SC has to offer — complete with art classes, animal encounters, and outdoor fun.
Mena Mark Hanna shares what’s new, what’s exciting, and why Spoleto Festival USA 2025 is a can’t-miss.
Sponsored
This Palmetto Community Care fundraiser is making its return to Charleston after a three-year hiatus — and this year, tickets are all-inclusive.
From jazz and opera to dance and physical theater, here’s one can’t-miss Spoleto Festival USA event from each genre to help you plan your festival lineup.
From outdoor concerts and art exhibitions to sand sculpting and potlucks, explore some of the best regional and local talent with these can’t-miss Piccolo Spoleto free events running May 23 through June 8.
The Moonlight Martini Trail highlights six downtown restaurants + bars that feature signature martinis — if you try them all, you can earn deals + a chance to win a stay at The Loutrel.