Soundside Tours LLC.
Home
Shelling Adventure
Shark Tooth Adventure
Serious Shellers Cruise
Sunset Cruise
ICW Scenic Cruise
Christmas Light Cruise
Bear Island Camping
Custom Private Charters
Emerald Isle Boat Tours
Swansboro NC Boat Tours
Guides
  • Shelling Guide
  • Bogue Sound Bird Guide
FAQ
About Captain Edward
Emerald Isle Things To Do
Blog
Contact Us
Gift Certificates
Soundside Tours LLC.
Home
Shelling Adventure
Shark Tooth Adventure
Serious Shellers Cruise
Sunset Cruise
ICW Scenic Cruise
Christmas Light Cruise
Bear Island Camping
Custom Private Charters
Emerald Isle Boat Tours
Swansboro NC Boat Tours
Guides
  • Shelling Guide
  • Bogue Sound Bird Guide
FAQ
About Captain Edward
Emerald Isle Things To Do
Blog
Contact Us
Gift Certificates
More
  • Home
  • Shelling Adventure
  • Shark Tooth Adventure
  • Serious Shellers Cruise
  • Sunset Cruise
  • ICW Scenic Cruise
  • Christmas Light Cruise
  • Bear Island Camping
  • Custom Private Charters
  • Emerald Isle Boat Tours
  • Swansboro NC Boat Tours
  • Guides
    • Shelling Guide
    • Bogue Sound Bird Guide
  • FAQ
  • About Captain Edward
  • Emerald Isle Things To Do
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Gift Certificates
  • Home
  • Shelling Adventure
  • Shark Tooth Adventure
  • Serious Shellers Cruise
  • Sunset Cruise
  • ICW Scenic Cruise
  • Christmas Light Cruise
  • Bear Island Camping
  • Custom Private Charters
  • Emerald Isle Boat Tours
  • Swansboro NC Boat Tours
  • Guides
    • Shelling Guide
    • Bogue Sound Bird Guide
  • FAQ
  • About Captain Edward
  • Emerald Isle Things To Do
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Gift Certificates

Private Emerald Isle Boat Tours on Bogue Sound and the ICW

Private Emerald Isle Boat Tours on Bogue Sound and the ICWPrivate Emerald Isle Boat Tours on Bogue Sound and the ICWPrivate Emerald Isle Boat Tours on Bogue Sound and the ICW

Shelling, island hopping, sunsets and scenic cruises toward Swansboro, all on a private boat with a USCG-certified captain.

Book Now

Pets welcome on all cruises

Private Emerald Isle Boat Tours on Bogue Sound and the ICW

Private Emerald Isle Boat Tours on Bogue Sound and the ICWPrivate Emerald Isle Boat Tours on Bogue Sound and the ICWPrivate Emerald Isle Boat Tours on Bogue Sound and the ICW

Shelling, island hopping, sunsets and scenic cruises toward Swansboro, all on a private boat with a USCG-certified captain.

Book Now

Pets welcome on all cruises

Private Boat Charters on the Crystal Coast

A Soundside trip is a private boat charter for your group only: one boat, one party, 2 to 6 guests. Cruise Bogue Sound and the Intracoastal Waterway, watch for dolphins and shore birds, hunt for shells or catch the sunset. Celebrating a birthday, an anniversary or a family visit? Tell us when you book. Want your own length or route? See our Custom Private Charters.

Soundside Tours Cruise List

Daily Cruises

Click a photo to see the tour details

Sand dollars, whelks and shells found on a Shelling Adventure

Shelling Adventure

$200 for your private boat with 2 guests, plus $50 for each extra guest (up to 6).

Three hours of island hopping on Bogue Sound, with stops at our favorite shelling spots and shark tooth spots along the way. Sand dollars, whelks, fossil shark teeth and salt air, all on a private boat for your group. Come Join The Hunt!

Hand holding about 15 fossil shark teeth on a white boat deck

Shark Tooth Adventure

$185 for your private boat with 2 guests, plus $50 for each extra guest (up to 6).

Two hours on Bogue Sound hunting the sandbars and island beaches for fossil shark teeth, and you keep every tooth you find. A private trip for 2 to 6 guests. Come Join The Hunt!

Large whelk shells found on a Serious Shellers trip

Serious Shellers Cruise

$350 for your private boat with 2 guests, plus $50 for each extra guest (up to 6).

Five hours on remote islands and quiet shorelines of the Crystal Coast, made for dedicated shell hunters ready to walk the sand in search of sand dollars, Scotch bonnets, whelks and more. Come Join The Hunt!

Family enjoying a private sunset cruise on Bogue Sound

Sunset Cruise

$150 for your private boat with 2 guests, plus $50 for each extra guest (up to 6).

Two hours on Bogue Sound at golden hour, cruising from Emerald Isle toward Swansboro and Bogue Inlet as the sky turns color over the marsh. Ospreys head home. Come Catch the Sunset!

Waterfront homes along the Intracoastal Waterway seen from the boat

ICW Scenic Cruise

$150 for your private boat with 2 guests, plus $40 for each extra guest (up to 6).

A relaxed 2-hour Eco Tour up the Intracoastal Waterway from Emerald Isle toward Downtown Swansboro, past salt marshes, remote islands and Cedar Point. Ospreys and egrets line the way. Dolphins are often seen on most of our tours. Come Cruise the Sound!

Boats decorated with Christmas lights on the water at night

Christmas Light Cruise

$250 for your private boat with up to 4 guests, plus $25 for each extra guest (up to 6).

A cozy 1.5-hour cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway, where waterfront homes, docks and boats glow in their holiday best. Hot chocolate and cookies are on us. Runs November 15 to December 25. Come Celebrate on the Water!

Family at the Welcome to Bear Island sign, Hammocks Beach State Park

Bear Island Camping

$100 total for drop-off and pick-up, for up to 4 campers and all your gear.

Skip the ferry. We'll carry you and all your gear across the sound to Bear Island at Hammocks Beach State Park, then pick you up when you're ready. Leaves from the Maintenance Docks at Hammocks Beach State Park in Swansboro. Come Camp the Island! Bear Island camping drop-off details

Soundside Tours boat beached at a quiet shelling spot on Bogue Sound

Custom Private Charters

Priced to fit your plans. Call 910-448-4218 for a quote.

Your own day on Bogue Sound and the ICW: birthdays, family trips, photography outings, shelling, shark tooth hunting, Swansboro-area routes and holiday trips, planned around your group. Come Plan Your Day on the Water! Plan a custom private charter

Bring the Dog: Pet-Friendly Boat Tours

Pets are welcome on every Soundside cruise, and service animals are always welcome. Please email or call us about your pet when you book. Plan for sun and wind for your pet as well as for yourselves.

Why Book with Soundside Tours

  • Private trips: one party per boat, 2 to 6 guests, so the day goes at your pace.
  • USCG-certified captain: Captain Edward has more than 10 years on the waters of the Crystal Coast.
  • A boat built for it: a 24 ft Carolina Yachts boat, custom-made for touring and easy to clean and sanitize.
  • Family and pet friendly: kids ages 1 and up and pets are welcome.
  • Safety first: Type I US Coast Guard approved life jackets are on board, and children under 13 are required to wear an approved life jacket.
  • Custom trips: want your own length or route? See Custom Private Charters.
  • Easy to find: our regular pickup is the Emerald Isle Boat Ramp, 6800 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle, NC 28594. (Bear Island camping trips leave from the Maintenance Docks at Hammocks Beach State Park, 1572 Hammocks Beach Rd, Swansboro.)

Planning Your Trip

Finding us: Meet at the Emerald Isle Boat Ramp, 6800 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle, NC 28594. Please arrive 20 minutes before your start time so you can settle in and use the restroom at the docks. To park, keep right all the way down the hill and continue straight back to the single-car parking lot directly in front of the boat ramps. Please avoid the truck-and-trailer parking (the extra-long spaces). Staying in Swansboro? Inquire about a different pickup location, and tell us if you'd like to see tours departing from Swansboro. Call 910-448-4218.

Read all FAQs · Visiting Emerald Isle? · Staying in Swansboro? · Planning something special? · Things to do in Emerald Isle · Crystal Coast shelling guide      · Bogue Sound bird guide · Boat tour gift certificates

Photo Gallery


    Follow Us on Social Media

    Our Customers Love Us and You Will Too!

    Happy with your trip?

    Leave us a Google review | Read our reviews on Tripadvisor

    About Soundside Tours

    Orange sunset over the water on an Emerald Isle sunset cruise

    Overview

    Captain Edward

    See marine wildlife and enjoy a shelling adventure off the coast of North Carolina on a private boat tour just for your group. Choose a morning or afternoon departure. Feel safe with a US Coast Guard-certified captain leading the way, then walk the sands of a remote island or sand bar in search of seashells, shark teeth and more. If you d

    See marine wildlife and enjoy a shelling adventure off the coast of North Carolina on a private boat tour just for your group. Choose a morning or afternoon departure. Feel safe with a US Coast Guard-certified captain leading the way, then walk the sands of a remote island or sand bar in search of seashells, shark teeth and more. If you don't see your date or time available, please call 910-448-4218.

     


    Captain Edward of Soundside Tours at the dock

    Captain Edward

    Captain Edward

    Ahoy there! I’m Captain Edward, your friendly Soundside Tours charter captain navigating the beautiful waters of the Crystal Coast. For over 10 years, I’ve had the privilege of sharing my passion for the stunning marine environment with adventurers from all walks of life. Whether it’s exploring the vibrant ecosystems, spotting dolphins, o

    Ahoy there! I’m Captain Edward, your friendly Soundside Tours charter captain navigating the beautiful waters of the Crystal Coast. For over 10 years, I’ve had the privilege of sharing my passion for the stunning marine environment with adventurers from all walks of life. Whether it’s exploring the vibrant ecosystems, spotting dolphins, or simply soaking in the breathtaking sunsets, I strive to create unforgettable experiences that connect people with nature.

    I’m a proud husband to my wonderful wife Morgan, and we’ve been happily married for 15 amazing years. Together, we’re raising two energetic boys who share our love for the great outdoors. As a family, we enjoy everything from sunset cruises and shelling to beachcombing and camping—there’s always an adventure waiting just around the corner!

    Faith is a guiding light in my life, and I am grateful for the blessings that God has bestowed upon me. My love for Jesus inspires me to be a steward of the environment, encouraging others to appreciate and protect the natural beauty that surrounds us.

    Join me on the water, and let’s create lasting memories while exploring the wonders of God’s creation!

    Featured on KAYAK Guides badge
    Book Now

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Please reach us at info@soundsidetours.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

     Sorry, we do not offer bathroom services, we recommend using the bathrooms available at the docks before setting off on the tour. In the event of an emergency situation, we will make every effort to get you to the closest area available. 


     Please arrive at least 20 minutes before the boat is scheduled to leave.  This will give you ample time to gather your possessions and use the restroom if needed before boarding the vessel. 


     Yes, snacks and drinks are allowed to be brought on board for the comfort of the passengers. Please let us know the size of your cooler or baggage. Please, no open containers on the boat. The boat was custom-made for the tour and is easily cleaned and sanitized.


    Please dress for the weather. You will be exposed to the elements, sun, rain, wind etc... Sun hats, sun block, sun glasses, non marking waterproof shoes, and clothing that can and will get wet are recommended. Weather on the Crystal Coast can be unpredictable.


     Yes, children ages 1 and up are allowed on board. Parents are responsible for the children at ALL TIMES. Our boat is very stable and was built to U.S. Coast Guard safety guidelines, so kids can enjoy the wildlife comfortably and safely. (Children under 1, please contact us directly via email or phone.)


     Yes, pets are welcome on all of our private cruises, and service animals are always welcome. Please email or call us with details about your pet when you book.


    • We try to work with you on the unavoidable cancellation of a trip due to weather conditions. We monitor the weather closely and will contact you within 4 hours of your trip to make a decision on a reschedule if needed. For weather-related cancellations, refunds are only issued if you purchased the trip insurance. 
    • If you need to cancel, our policy is as follows:
    • If you cancel your tour/charter, we will offer a reschedule credit only, no refunds will be issued.
    • For named storms, no refunds will be issued, only reschedules. 
    • To cancel you must call Captain Edward at 910-448-4218 to confirm.


    No, tips are never required. Captain Edward works hard to make your trip memorable, and gratuities are always appreciated. Cash or Venmo (@CaptainEdward) works great. Thank you!


    Contact Us

    Send us a message with any comments, questions, or scheduling concerns. We will get back to you soon!

    Soundside Tours LLC.

    6800 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle, North Carolina 28594, United States

    910-448-4218 info@soundsidetours.com

    Hours

    Open today

    05:30 am – 09:30 pm

    Sunday: Bear Island camping drop-offs and pick-ups only (no tours)

    Contact Us

    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    Cancel
    Dolphin leaping out of the water near Emerald Isle, NC

    Copyright © 2026 Soundside Tours LLC. - All Rights Reserved.

    Isaiah 43:19

    Call 910-448-4218

    • Shark Tooth Adventure
    • Bear Island Camping
    • Custom Private Charters
    • Emerald Isle Things To Do
    • Gift Certificates

    Powered by

    This website uses cookies.

    We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

    DeclineAccept