Public vs Private Bachelorette Boat Cruises in Charleston

At first glance, the answer seems obvious — private sounds better. But in reality, many groups are surprised to find that a public cruise can actually be the smarter, more fun, and more relaxed option for their celebration.
Here’s how the two formats really differ, and how to choose the one that fits your group best.

A public bachelorette boat cruise means you’re booking spots on a shared boat experience. Your group celebrates together, but you’ll also be on board with other guests — often a mix of bachelorette groups, birthdays, and friends visiting Charleston.
What many groups don’t realize:

• public cruises often have a built-in party atmosphere
• music, hosting, and pacing are already handled
• costs are usually lower and more predictable

For smaller groups or flexible planners, public cruises can feel effortless — you show up, bring your drinks, and enjoy the ride.
Public cruises tend to work best when:

• your group is small or medium-sized
• you like a social, upbeat vibe
• you don’t need full control over timing or playlist
• you want a fun experience without organizing every detail

A private cruise means the boat is reserved exclusively for your group. You choose the time, music, decorations, and overall flow of the experience.
This format appeals to groups who:

• want privacy and full control
• have a larger guest list
• plan themed celebrations or coordinated outfits
• want flexibility with schedule and stops

However, private cruises also come with more responsibility. You’re not just booking space — you’re essentially planning a mini event on the water.
Things groups often overlook:

• higher overall cost (even if split)
• more decisions to make ahead of time
• pressure to “fill the vibe” yourselves

Private doesn’t automatically mean better — it means more customized.

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Public cruises
✔ lower cost per person
✔ lively, social atmosphere
✔ minimal planning
✖ less control
✖ shared space
Private cruises
✔ full privacy
✔ custom music and flow
✔ ideal for large groups
✖ higher cost
✖ more planning involved
Neither option is “right” or “wrong.” The best choice depends on what your group actually values.

Group size plays a bigger role than most people expect.
For smaller groups (6–10 people):
Public cruises often feel more fun and dynamic. You get energy from the boat without feeling like you’re underutilizing a private space.
For medium groups (10–16 people):
Both options can work. The decision usually comes down to budget and how important privacy is.
For larger groups (16+ people):
Private cruises start to make more sense. At this size, having full space and control usually outweighs the extra cost.

Ask yourselves a few honest questions:

• Do we want to meet other groups or keep it just us?
• Do we enjoy structured hosting or total freedom?
• Is this a relaxed daytime celebration or a high-energy party?
• Are we trying to simplify planning or personalize everything?

The clearer you are about your group’s personality, the easier this decision becomes.

Charleston offers a wide range of bachelorette boat experiences, and that’s a good thing. The mistake many groups make is assuming that private is automatically superior — or that public means compromising the experience.
The best bachelorette boat cruise is the one that matches your group’s energy, expectations, and comfort level.
If you’re still comparing options, our main Charleston bachelorette boat guide breaks down how different boat experiences work and what to expect from each format.

This guide is based on real planning experience from the Harbor Bar Pedal Tours team, who host both public and private bachelorette cruises on Charleston Harbor. The goal isn’t to push one option, but to help groups understand how different formats actually work — so they can choose what fits them best.