Charleston Pirate Tours

A Swashbuckling Good Time!
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5 STARS!   "What an awesome tour. Highly recommended and definitely a must if you are going to be in Charleston. Eric did a wonderful job with the pirate history of Charleston. We will definitely be back and be back for another tour of Charleston."  Jeff Baker, FaceBook

We were recently in Charleston and lucked upon Eric and Cpt. Bob. My son wanted to go on the tour, which I thought would be a bit hokey, so we went. I must say I was WRONG. We had several tours of Charleston and I must say ERIC IS THE BEST TOUR GUIDE IN TOWN!!!!! We learned more about the city and pirates than we could... have ever dreamed and had fun doing it. YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!  Thanks for a great time, The Powell Family, FaceBook

5 STARS!   "We would highly recommend this tour - learned so much about the history of Charleston in a fun and new perspective - make sure to wear comfortable shoes, but Eric goes at a pace where you don't realize how far you walked.  A must do if you visit Charleston.  Ramona Hernandez Rice, Facebook5

"This was a great tour, followed by a wonderful meal and the Buccaneer
restaurant. The day was HOT, but we all hung together. Thanks for keeping us in the shade as much as possible. My 4 and 8 year-old boys loved Captain Bob!" Amanda Willocks-Giles. FaceBook

"We certainly did enjoy the tour... They enjoyed (Eric's) stories, costume and parrot.  The Mills House also gave them a sense of keeping historical architecture intact.  Thank you for lining up everything.  I will recommend other groups to you."   Carol Robinson, Ridge View High School, on customized tour for students studying hospitality industry  

From the Edgar Allan Poe Library:  "When Eric Lavender walks into the room all activities cease, and the attention is totally focused toward the dreadlocks, the swashbuckling outfit and the parrot.  His stories of life on the Carolina coast as a pirate come alive and his audience is mesmerized.  Eric presented a program for the Edgar Allan Poe library and we are still talking about it.  His attention to detail, his life-like appearance and his ability to tell stories are all part of his alter ego.  The magic comes alive.  He is truly a wonderful teller of stories."  Jeri England, Manager, Edgar Allan Poe Library, Sullivan's Island.
 
"NOT YOUR AVERAGE CHARLESTON TOUR! - Part history tour, part ghost Tour, all fun! For a different kind of Charleston tour, don't miss Eric Lavender's Pirate Tour. His authentic costume and impressive knowledge make for an afternoon you won't soon forget. Don't waste your time on a carriage tour......learn more about Charleston with Eric Lavender! Definitely 5 stars!"  Plemmons family, South Carolina

Captain Bob (and you too Eric), Just wanted to drop a note and let you know how very much Wayne, Wanda, and Tiki enjoyed your Pirate Tour a couple of weeks ago.  Wanda is telling everyone here about it and one relative says Captain Worley was related to her family.  Don't know if I would want to brag about a 6-week pirate... though.  Was well worth the trip down from Myrtle Beach.  From Facebook - Wayne Teale, Myrtle Beach  (editor's note: Tiki is a green wing macaw.) 3/25/1025/10

"Entertaining and Lively
My tour guide, Eric, was very personable, lively and a great storyteller. Although we were just walking the hot, humid streets of Charleston, he kept the crowd entertained and interested in the stories being told.  Good job Eric."   Zerve.com


"Thank you for taking Scott and I on the Pirate Tour today.  I loved your stories and how you intermixed the pirate stories with the ghost stories. I thought your storytelling was great and was very pleased with learning about stuff I'd never heard about before."  Shuva, Davenport, IA
 

Great Experience
"Thanks for the great tour last night throught he haunted jail.  The tour guide, Eric, was incredible in creating the mental images of the prisoners and the ghosts haunting the jail.  He is a great storyteller.  It was a great addition to our stay in Charleston."      The Olseths, MN
 

"The Best Ghost Walk I've Ever Been On!!!
Our guide's name was Eric, and he was fantastic! Very knowledgeable about the history of the area, and very entertaining. He told great ghost stories, and answered every question we had. I have been on many ghost walks, in Gettysberg, Savannah, etc., and this one ranks in the top 3. We didn't want it to end!!!!"   Sincerely, Hilda Nichols, Tennessee     Zerve.com 

 

"Great tour, would recommend
The night-time jail tour was great. We arrived at dusk, the jail was creepy to begin with and bats were flying out of it. The tour guide, Eric, is very knowledgeable. I don't know about it really being haunted, but hey, whatever, it was entertainment... I would recommend this tour for it's entertainment value."   Zerve.com


Bulldog Tours Online Feedback question: "What can we do better?"  Answer: "Not much, except hire more guides like Eric.  He was a very good storyteller."


About Mt. Pleasant Children's Day Festival:  "Thank you for being part of the 20th Annual Children's Day Festival this year... As always you and Bob were a great hit at the event and enjoyed by hundreds of children."  Su McManus-Frost, Event Coordinator, Town of Mt. Pleasant

"We wanted to tell you that the Pirate Tour was the highlight of our entire trip to SC.  As I told Eric, it was worth every penny. His historic knowledge, gift for story telling, and love for the city were very impressive. He even made it understandable and fun for our 9 year old daughter. You always know you are on the right tour, when other tours stop to look at yours! The only thing I regret is not taking the lunch/dinner tour.
You are right, it is a bargain! We appreciate the service and assistance you gave us before the tour as well."  The Mason Family

My family and I had a GREAT time on the tour today. My eight-year old didn't say much on the tour, but has not stopped talking about it since. We also did the tour and meal combination and that was so worth it. This tour is not to be missed!         The Tomlinsons, Facebook

5 STARS!  "Wonderful Tour!!  We have a 2 and 4yr old girls and they enjoyed it as well.  Would def suggest to anyone and would love to do it again."  Jill Northway Harris, FaceBook   
 
"We were looking for an informative, family, fun tour; you delivered!  Our entire group loved the entertaining historical walking tour.  You have a natural ability to paint grand pictures in our minds.  Coupled with the beautiful historical backdrop of Charleston, we felt like we were in the thick of it all.  Special thanks for keeping adult descriptions suitable for young ears... We really enjoyed our pirate experience with you as our story teller.  Thank you for the recommendation on the  Buccaneer Restaurant.  All in all, we had an adventurous and enjoyable afternoon.  Thank you for the memories."  Baldwin Family,Residents of North Carolina and Michigan   December 30, 2009

"The tour was really amazing!  Both Samantha and I enjoyed it.  We aren't very used to the heat, as we are from Chicago, but it was nice that it wasn't overly long, but it was very interesting, and I thought would engage both children and adults alike.  Thanks!  Andy"   Andy W, Arlington Heights, IL
 
"We returned home this evening. The kids were still talking about their "pirates." They really enjoyed the tours in spite of the heat! (I'll make sure we have water bottles next year!) We will continue to have the pirates as a part of our itinerary! We will be back same time next year! I will be in touch.  Thanks so much!
Tina Childress, Laurens Middle School

What a delightful 2 hours we had this morning. Eric, you're personable and very knowledgeable. The weather cooperated too! Yay! In the fall, when our friends from PA. are heading back to FL., we'll get together again.  From Facebook - Jesse Bowdoin  4/2/10


"The best historical pirate tour guide in the business.

I thought the tour was informative and entertaining. You really know a lot about pirate history and your presentation was excellent.  One thing though-the parrot is fun and great but he does get in the way of your commentary. could you think of a separate routine with the parrot, maybe just posing was unique enough or just leave him out when you start your talk. I am actually working on some pirate fiction in the Caribbean. Can I call on you again for more information? Thank you"  Dr. Curtis Sonny and Barbara.


"Enjoyed our tour so much today!  Brice (the 4 year old) said it was the best trip in the world lol!  Look forward to coming back & doing a ghost tour :)"  from Monica in North Carolina


"Fun and very informative, lots of history thrown in: Eric, was a lot a fun. He provided history and fun facts all about Charleston. We all enjoyed it. Thanks.  Cathy"   Zerve.com  


5 STARS - Eric was entertaining and very knowledgeable.  A slight shorter tour for children and grandmothers would be great.  Otherwise, one of our favorite activities on our recent trip to Charleston.  From Facebook - Carolyn Kessler 3/20/10  


4 STARS - We enjoyed our tour very much.  A lot of walking but it's worth the history.  From Facebook - Cleveland Pert 3/19/10

 

From Charleston Magazine (on Children's Museum of the Lowcountry April 2008 Fam Jam):  "Island Paradise Balloon Art pirate Eric Lavender was a crowd-pleaser... He also brought along his friend Bob the Macaw, who drew a crowd with his loud whistles and chatter."

 

"Great story telling guide, different side of city

We had a great time... The best part of the tour was listening to our guide... He was very, very talented.  You could close your eyes and feel like you're back in history in the 1700s and 1800s...  Loved our guide..."Elena (from) Bucharest, Romania   

Zerve.com

 

"A lot of fun!  5 Stars
Eric was our tour guide.  He was a great story teller and very personable. Would definitely take this tour again... Thanks for the great tour! We had a great time..."    Zerve.com 

 

"Thanks so much we had a great time w/ you! keep up the great work!"  Rob Parslow via email