Myrtle Beach: Scenic Riverboat Cruise with Optional Lunch

The best Myrtle Beach views are away from the sand. This 90-minute cruise carries you along the Intracoastal Waterway aboard the renovated 70-foot Barefoot Queen, a paddlewheel boat with indoor cabins, an open-top deck, live narration, and plenty of calm water views. I like the old-fashioned boat and the friendly onboard entertainment, especially when the guide mixes local history with familiar songs.

I also like the simple pacing. You can sit back, watch the banks slide past, and spend time with family without committing to a full-day excursion. The main drawback is that the scenery is mostly greenery, waterways, and large private homes, so anyone expecting beaches, wildlife, or dramatic coastal sights may find the route modest.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• The Barefoot Queen is a real paddlewheel-style vessel: This renovated 70-foot boat gives the outing its character, rather than feeling like a basic sightseeing ferry.
• The cruise itself lasts 90 minutes: Allow extra time for the shuttle, check-in, and boarding.
• You have three seating areas: Two inside decks offer shelter and climate control, while the open-top deck provides the clearest views.
• Music is part of the experience: Narration is paired with singing and familiar songs, with entertainers such as Les receiving especially warm praise.
• The route focuses on the Intracoastal Waterway: Expect greenery, elegant homes, and a peaceful ride more than major landmarks.
• Lunch is optional: The upgrade includes a sandwich, cookie, chips, and water or tea, but the meal is basic rather than a destination lunch.

Arriving at the Barefoot Queen Parking Lot

Your outing begins at the Barefoot Queen parking lot, not directly at the boat. A shuttle starts running 45 minutes before departure and takes you to the ticket office for check-in. This extra step is easy enough, but you should not arrive at the last moment. The captain greets passengers as they board, and everyone must be on the vessel at least five minutes before departure.

The shuttle matters because it separates the parking area from the boarding point. Give yourself enough time to park, find the shuttle, check in, and walk aboard without turning a gentle cruise into a rushed start.

The total outing will take longer than the advertised 90-minute cruise. The water portion lasts an hour and a half, while the shuttle and boarding process add time on either side. One published description caused confusion by suggesting 4.5 hours, but the cruise itself is clearly described as 90 minutes. Check the departure time when booking and plan around the full transportation process.

Boarding a 70-Foot Paddlewheel Boat

The Barefoot Queen is the star of the show. At 70 feet long and renovated in the style of a classic paddlewheel vessel, it looks much more distinctive than a standard tour boat. The design gives you that old riverboat feeling, even though the cruise takes place on the Intracoastal Waterway near North Myrtle Beach.

Inside, you will find two decks with protection from the weather. The enclosed areas are useful on hot, cool, or breezy days, and the air conditioning has been appreciated by passengers during warm weather. Assigned seating is also available, which removes some of the usual scramble to find a place.

The open-top deck offers the best sightlines. It is the place to go if you want unobstructed views of the banks, but outdoor seating is limited. Do not assume you can move outside whenever you wish and find a chair waiting. If the view matters most to you, board promptly and ask the crew where outdoor seating is available.

The main cabin can be the better choice for comfort. One quieter seating area on the main floor has been appreciated for its larger table and lower crowd level. You give up some open-air viewing, but you gain shade, air conditioning, and a steadier place to enjoy the narration.

Cruising the Intracoastal Waterway

Once underway, the boat follows a calm section of the Intracoastal Waterway for roughly three miles before returning toward the dock. This is not a fast-moving adventure. The pleasure comes from the slow pace, the gentle boat movement, and the chance to see North Myrtle Beach from the water.

The banks are lined mainly with trees, greenery, and large homes. Some properties are striking, and the narration may identify notable residences, including one associated with Johnny Depp. The homes can be fun to look at, but the route is residential rather than wild or historic in the traditional sense.

That distinction is important. If you want wide ocean views, a beach cruise, dolphins, or a close look at marsh wildlife, this may not be the right trip. The scenery is pleasant and polished, but not packed with major sights. I see it as a change of pace from the crowded resort strip, not a substitute for a serious nature tour.

The route does offer a useful sense of the area’s waterways. The Intracoastal Waterway is a working network of protected channels, and the narration gives you background on how it shaped travel and development along the South Carolina coast. The commentary adds purpose to what might otherwise be a simple ride past expensive houses.

History, Singing, and Easygoing Entertainment

The narration is one of the strongest parts of the experience. The onboard guide explains the waterway and points out features along the route, so you have something to listen for as the scenery passes.

Music adds a lighter touch. Several trips have included a singer or entertainer performing familiar songs from the 1960s and 1970s. Les has been singled out as a particularly enjoyable entertainer, and singing has occasionally encouraged passengers to dance. This is not a formal concert, but it gives the ride a social, old-fashioned feel.

I like this combination because it prevents the cruise from becoming silent sightseeing. You can watch the water, listen to local stories, and enjoy a song without needing to choose one activity. The balance also works for mixed groups. One person can pay attention to the narration while another simply relaxes with the view.

The quality of the entertainment can vary by departure, since live performers are involved. Still, the repeated praise for the music, captain, and crew suggests that the atmosphere is a central part of the Barefoot Queen experience rather than an afterthought.

Choosing the Right Seat for Your Day

Your seating choice can shape the trip. Here is how I would think about it:

• Choose the open-top deck if clear views and fresh air matter most. Seating is limited, so arrive early and ask the crew for guidance.
• Choose an enclosed deck if you want air conditioning, shade, or protection from changing weather.
• Choose a main-floor table if you prefer a quieter setting or want room to sit with a small group.
• Move between areas if permitted so you can enjoy both the commentary inside and the view outside.

The boat is not designed around constant movement from one deck to another. You may have better viewing from outside, but the enclosed areas are where many passengers remain for comfort. The trip works best when you accept that each seating area offers a different advantage.

For photography, the open deck should provide the clearest angle, but limited outdoor seating means you may need to make that a priority from the start. If you mainly want to hear the narration and stay cool, the cabin is perfectly reasonable.

Is the Optional Lunch Worth the Extra Cost?

The $38 starting price includes the riverboat cruise and onboard narration. The lunch option adds a sandwich, cookie, bag of chips, and water or tea. Sandwich choices include ham and cheese, turkey and cheese, roast beef and cheese, and a vegetarian option.

This is a practical meal, not a culinary reason to book the cruise. I would choose the lunch if you want to keep the outing simple and avoid finding food before or after boarding. It is especially useful for families who prefer a predictable meal during the trip.

If food quality and value are your main concerns, you may prefer to skip the upgrade. One passenger found the sandwich lunch decent but felt the money would have been better spent on a drink at the bar and a restaurant meal afterward. That is fair advice. The meal is convenient, but it is not likely to be the highlight of your day.

Drinks beyond the included water or tea are available for purchase. If you have specific dietary needs, the vegetarian sandwich is the only special option identified here, so check the available choices before booking.

How the $38 Price Measures Up

At $38 per person, the cruise is reasonably priced for a 90-minute boat ride with narration, live-style entertainment, and access to indoor and outdoor seating. The value comes less from the distance traveled and more from the complete setting: a distinctive paddlewheel boat, a calm water route, a captain and crew who receive strong praise, and music that gives the trip some personality.

You should not judge the price against a full sightseeing day. The cruise covers a short stretch of water and returns to the same area. If you want a long route with many stops, this will feel brief.

I think the cost makes sense when you want a relaxing activity that does not require much physical effort or planning. It also works well on a warm day when the beach feels too busy, or when your group needs a quieter break from Myrtle Beach attractions.

The lunch upgrade is where I would be more selective. The base fare offers the core experience. Add lunch for convenience, not because it transforms the cruise into a better tour.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?

The Barefoot Queen suits couples, families, older visitors, and anyone who enjoys a calm ride with a little entertainment. It is a good choice when you want to see a different side of North Myrtle Beach without spending half a day on an organized excursion.

You will probably enjoy it if you like:

• Historic-style boats and relaxed sightseeing
• Local stories mixed with live music
• Air-conditioned seating on a warm day
• Easy transportation from a designated parking area
• Views of the Intracoastal Waterway and waterfront homes
• A short activity that fits around other Myrtle Beach plans

You may want another activity if you need constant action, major landmarks, ocean wildlife, or a wide range of scenery. The route is peaceful, but that also means it can feel repetitive if you are not interested in homes, trees, and waterways.

The trip is also less appealing for anyone hoping for a long cruise. Ninety minutes passes quickly, especially once you account for boarding and the return shuttle. For many people, that is an advantage. For others, it will feel like a brief introduction.

Practical Tips for a Smoother Ride

Arrive well before departure so you have time to park and catch the shuttle. The shuttle begins 45 minutes before the scheduled departure, and you must be aboard at least five minutes before leaving.

If you want an outdoor seat, treat early boarding as important. Limited open-air seating means the cabin may be the practical fallback, especially on a busy departure.

Bring a light layer even in warm weather. The outdoor deck can feel breezier than the parking area, while the air-conditioned interior may be cool for some passengers.

Think about your priorities before boarding. If you care most about views, ask about the open-top deck. If you care most about comfort, choose an enclosed area. If you want a quieter table, the main-floor cabin may be your best option.

Finally, keep your expectations in the right place. This is a pleasant waterway cruise with stories and music. It is not a wildlife safari, a beach tour, or an architectural tour with frequent stops.

Should You Book the Barefoot Queen?

I would book this cruise if you want a gentle, low-stress Myrtle Beach activity with a memorable boat, friendly staff, local narration, and music. The strongest parts are the Barefoot Queen itself, the calm Intracoastal Waterway setting, and the warm onboard atmosphere created by the captain, crew, and entertainers such as Les.

I would skip the lunch upgrade unless convenience matters more than getting the best meal value. I would also choose a different excursion if you need dramatic scenery or a full afternoon of sightseeing.

For most people, the best plan is simple: pay for the cruise, arrive early for the shuttle, aim for the open deck if views matter, and treat the optional lunch as a useful extra rather than a must-have. At $38, it is a fair way to spend 90 peaceful minutes away from the noise of the resort strip.

FAQ

How long does the Barefoot Queen cruise last?

The riverboat cruise lasts 90 minutes. The shuttle, check-in, and boarding process take additional time.

What is included in the cruise?

The cruise includes the riverboat ride and onboard narration. Lunch is included only if you select the lunch option.

Where do I meet for the cruise?

You park at the Barefoot Queen parking lot and take the shuttle to the ticket office. The shuttle begins operating 45 minutes before departure.

How early should I board?

You must be onboard at least five minutes before the scheduled departure time.

Is lunch included in the $38 price?

The $38 price is the starting cost for the cruise. Lunch requires selecting the lunch option separately.

What does the lunch option include?

Lunch includes a sandwich, cookie, bag of chips, and water or tea.

What sandwich choices are available?

You can choose ham and cheese, turkey and cheese, roast beef and cheese, or a vegetarian sandwich.

Is there indoor seating?

Yes. The Barefoot Queen has two inside decks, including air-conditioned seating.

Is there outdoor seating?

Yes. An open-top deck provides outdoor views, but seating there is limited.