Hands-on boating classes and skills classes for Coastal Kids
Charleston kids grow up surrounded by water. Understanding our waterways and how to safely navigate them is an essential skill. Give your child the skills and confidence to safely enjoy all the Lowcountry has to offer!
Our lessons offer instruction and hands-on practice in a variety of coastal skills. Choose from one of our two 4-week programs, Kids Boating Skills and Kids Coastal Skills or gather a group of 4 or more to create a custom program that works best for you and your child.
Our goal? To foster a community of capable young boaters who love being outside, respect our waterways, and know how to explore safely.
5-6:30 PM | Tues | Starting Oct 6 | 4 Weeks
⚓ Kids Boating Skills ⚓
The best part of living in Charleston is being on the water. We want to help kids develop good habits early so that as they become more independent around boats, they have the knowledge and judgment to make smart decisions on the water.
Our Kids Boating Skills course is a four-week, hands-on introduction to the fundamentals of boating. Kids will learn boating basics and general water safety skills, get behind-the-wheel boating practice, and explore other boating-adjacent skills like cast-netting.
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Get familiar with the boat from bow to stern. Kids will learn basic boating terminology, important safety procedures, and how to prepare before you leave the dock.
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It’s their turn at the helm! Kids will get hands-on experience behind the wheel while learning the basics of maneuvering and handling a boat.
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The water is constantly changing. Kids will learn how wind, currents, tides, oyster bars, and mud flats affect where and how they can safely explore.
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Learn two practical skills every Lowcountry boater should have. Kids will learn how to properly secure an anchor, and then practice throwing a cast net for bait fish.
🌊 Kids Coastal Skills 🌊
Learn how to explore, harvest seafood, and safely have fun on the water! This course is designed to work well as a standalone course for kids who would rather be the passenger than the captain, or as a continuation for kids who loved our Kids Boating Skills course and want more.
Kids Coastal Skills is a four-week adventure for any kids who love being outside and want to learn how to make the most of Charleston’s waterways. We’ll spend lots of time out on the boat, but this session is less focused on operating the boat and more focused on learning about what you can do once you’re out there.
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Explore the coast like a naturalist. We’ll take the boat to a sandy beach where kids can scour the shoreline for sharks teeth, sea shells and other coastal treasures while learning about the natural history of the Lowcountry.
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Get hands-on with one of the Lowcountry’s most iconic activities. Kids will learn about local shrimp, how and where to look for them, and how to safely enjoy shrimping from the boat.
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We’ll take the boat to the perfect crabbing spot, where kids will each get to practice luring in some blue crabs by hand. Much more fun and interactive than just dropping in a crab pot!
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A day of exploring, swimming, and playing (with a bit of sneaky learning). Kids will learn how to choose a safe place to anchor, understand timing and tides, and identify areas that are appropriate for swimming and exploring.
Why Families Choose This Program
- Small Groups: Individual attention, lots of hands-on practice, and strong safety standards
- Professional Instructors: experienced naturalists, educators, and boaters with first aid and lifeguard certifications.
- Balanced Approach: a perfect mix of fun & learning.
- Outdoor Focus: instilling in kids the importance of movement, discovery, and screen-free time
Create your own session
- Age range
- Day of the week
- Start and end time
- Program focus
Private boating lessons also available
Book a custom session by submitting the inquiry form below!
Part of Women on Boats
Kids Boating & Coastal Skills are offered under Women on Boats, Tideline Tours’ hands-on boating education program.
We believe that boating knowledge and confidence should be accessible to everyone, and that the best way to learn is to get out on the water and do it yourself in a fun, supportive environment.
Now we’re bringing that same philosophy to the next generation of Lowcountry boaters.
Cost and Registration
- Ages 10–12. *If your child is outside of the age range please contact us to be placed on the waitlist for their age*
- 4 weeks – Begins October 6th and runs every Tuesday in October
- 5-6:30pm
- Drop-off & Pick-up at Sunset Cay Marina, Folly Beach
- $220 per student
- Other days available for private groups
Sign up directly online by clicking the following link: