Southern Spooky Season Events on the Water

Whether you like to be scared silly cruising down an eerie river on a haunted boat tour, or simply enjoy historic cities with seafaring ghost stories, October offers events for all water-lovers. From ghost ships packed with spooky tales to haunted cruises and Halloween fright fests, check out the following seasonal events held across the south. 

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THE HAUNTED SOUTH — BOAT TOURS ON SPOOKY SEAS

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Jamestown Haunted River Cruise

Williamsburg, VA Now – November 1

Cruise along historic Williamsburg aboard a spacious U.S.C.G.-certified pontoon departing from the James City County Marina. Choose from frightening and fun cruises such as the Jamestown Murder Cruise in the Historic Triangle, Pirate Tales of the Chesapeake or the Jamestown Haunted River Cruise.

Murrells Inlet Ghost Cruise

Murrells Inlet, SC Now – October 30

Set out to sea at dusk on a ghostly cruise of the dark side of this southern Inlet. The tour is family-friendly and explores local history and the unknown. 

Sandlapper Ghost Tour

Charleston, SC Now – November 29

Learn about historic Charleston’s forts, ships, Antebellum homes and pirates who still haunt the seas. The ship boards near the Charleston Maritime Center.

Haunted Land & Sea Tour

Savannah, GA Now – Halloween 

The river tour departs from Eastern Wharf Dock near Thompson Hotel and cruises down ominous creeks while guides share stories of the city’s haunted past.  

Mystic Ghost Rides Haunted Bayou Cruise

Bay St. Louis, MS

Seasonal

This unique BYOB excursion takes you through dark, misty marshes of the Mississippi Sound and southern bayou for a true “haunted south” experience. Embark on the Voodoo Love Boat Tour to hear the untold love story of pirate Jean Lafitte and The Curse of the Lost Gold in Bayou Caddy.

Moonlit Mysteries: Stargazing and Haunted History Boat Tour

St. Augustine, FL

Now – November 22

Cruise across the Matanzas Bay to St. Augustine’s historic bayfront to explore ancient navigation and creepy city tales while stargazing on this nighttime tour.

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FOR THE BRAVE ONLY — ENTER IF YOU DARE 

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USS Nightmare 

Newport, KY Now – November 9

The William S. Mitchell is a notoriously cursed dredging vessel responsible for the death of 112 crewmembers over its 45 years of service, as well as hitting four bridges when it broke loose form its mooring during a flood in 1993. Named after its peculiar and “maniacal” Captain who collected bones dredged from the Missouri River, the ship now sits on Riverboat Row in Kentucky where guests can be scared to death on spooky tours such as The Mitchell Massacre and The Haunted Dredge Boat Tour.

USS Lexington, “Haunting on the Blue Ghost” 

Corpus Christi, TX Now – November 2 

This WWII aircraft carrier-turned-museum transforms into a haunted house for the holiday season. This terrifying tour takes brave souls through more than 80 compartments on two decks while navigating through steep ladders, dark corridors and creaky hatchways, and even exploring places never before opened to the public. 

Haunting on Emerald Cut

Apopka, FL October 31 – November 2

This event is perfect for experienced kayakers with a fearless sense of adventure. Guests embark on a nighttime paddle through the dark spring-fed waters of Florida’s haunted Emerald Cut with secret scare zones along the way. Costumes are encouraged and the best dressed wins a free kayak rental for two!

Undead in the Water 

Tampa, FL Now – November 2 

Located directly behind the Florida Aquarium, step aboard the American Victory Ship & Museum for an eerie experience. The 1945 warship served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, and is famous for the mysterious purple glow emanating from the depths of the hull. Navigate a maze of passageways and decks as chaos is unleashed upon the vessel.