Set against South Carolina’s beautiful coast, Charleston has a fascinating past filled with daring sea robbers and buried treasures. A once buzzing harbor that was the central location of trades of all kinds, Charleston was the port for both legal merchants who sold goods to sea terrorizing pirates that targeted the harbor for more selfish gains.

That said, whether frightening or not, this harbor town was established with the help of pirates who spent their Spanish gold and silver with local merchants who came to this town. And these sea rogues weren’t subtle about it. The town with its old buildings and streets bore witness to the daring exploits of notorious buccaneers who once ruled the waves.

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From the famous hostage situation of Blackbeard to Bonnet’s execution, the Pirates of Charleston, SC, left an indelible mark on the city’s maritime legacy. Whether you’re a history buff, a pirate fan, or just a traveler looking for some excitement, these Charleston pirate spots are sure to spark your imagination.

Due to its popularity, there are plenty of Charleston pirate and ghosts tour that will give you the thrill you’re looking for while topping up your knowledge on history and pirate legacies.

Charleston Harbor – Where Blackbeard Rounded the Port

A city of pirates. A city of tales. It all started at Charleston Harbor. In the early days, the Harbor was the main entrance into Charleston with a dozen line of ships making its way into the harbor. Cargos containing deer skin, cotton, rice, indigo, the luxuries of Europe and even slaves and servants anchored in Charleston. With so much precious and priceless materials making its way into the port, it was bound to be a target for pirates.

And not just any pirate. Charleston Harbor caught the eye of the most fearsome of them all – Blackbeard. It was here in this port that the famed pirate Blackbeard set up a blockade and held the entire city hostage in 1718, demanding medical supplies and cargo for his crew.

While Blackbeard didn’t harm anyone and never spilled a drop of blood, the port and city was in his fearful hands for six days until the medicine was delivered to him.

Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon – Pirate Prisoners and Haunting Ghosts

A beautiful building sitting comfortably in the 122 Bay Street, the Old Exchange building doesn’t look like anything daunting from the outside. With it’s polished walls and a grandeur look; the Old Exchange has an equally posh and lavish history. And an equally horrifying one.

Beneath its marbled floors, this building held the Provost Dungeon where once the clanking of prisoners in chains and their tormented screams rang out in its closed off walls. Before the current building was constructed, it first came into existence in 1771, belonging to the Half Moon Battery, a center for trade in Charleston and which eventually harbored a prison underground.

Records and stories state that pirate legends like Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet, the “Gentleman Pirate” was imprisoned here during the 1700s. While Blackbeard escaped the dungeon, Bonnet and his men were executed in the White Point Gardens (see more below).

That’s one of the reasons why Provost Dungeon is told to be one of the most haunted places in Charleston. Visitors have exclaimed to hear the wailing of souls and the ghost of Bonnet still lurking about the grounds. If you have the guts to experience the same thrill and possible haunts, opt for this best ghost tour in Charleson that will take you through the spooky underground dungeon.

The Pirate House – Where the Sea Rogues Splurged Their Silvers

No pirate fan can leave Charleston without a visit to the Pirate House. This, now abandoned house, was once the most popular hangout spots for pirates. Located at 143 to 145 Church Street, the Pirate House was originally built for a normal family that once lived in Charleston before becoming a notorious place for pirates to gather. While no historical documentation says so, locals have been calling this place the Pirate House for as long as the place remembers.

How it came to be the “Pirate House” is not known. Some say that around the time the house was being restored in the 1920s, a rumor arose claiming that pirates were using the underground tunnel system to make their way into the House from the Battery and escape in a similar way. And because these pirates were hoarding the place, all kinds of debauchery from drinking and gambling to prostitution was said to have been taking place in the Pirate House.

It was also believed that illegal trades were one of the activities here. The pirates would sell stolen goods from other ships at discounted rates and made a living out of it. They would then go on to spend it on boozes and the lot.

Blackbeard was also said to have visited the Pirate House on several occasions and his treasure is thought to be buried somewhere in the underground to this day. Moreover, it’s also rumored to be heavily haunted.

Those who have visited or worked at Pirate House speaks of ghostly tales of what they have witnessed and experienced. Some of the best ghost tour in Charleston takes place at this Pirate House. So if you want to learn about pirates while having a supernatural experience, then this is the place to be!

White Point Garden – Bonnet’s Execution

Before this Charleston Park became a beautiful garden for leisure strolls in the 1830s, it held a darker past that saw many lives being taken. White Point Garden was a former execution site for the lawbreakers and pirates. It’s believed that around 50 pirates were hung from the trees at White Point. Among these pirates was Stede Bonnet, an 18th century wealthy landowner turned pirate.

Bonnet was of a high-class upbringing before abandoning his status and turning his life into the seas of thievery. Bonnet’s classy demeanor, and his peculiar ways of financing his own ship and paying his crewmembers earned him the nickname “the Gentleman Pirate”.

Unfortunately, he met his end when he was imprisoned and later executed at White Point during the 1700s along with 29 members of his crew. A stone slab was later erected near his hanging place, listing the execution of Bonnet and his crew.

While there aren’t many tours that will take you to White Point Garden, this one does! The tour will also take you to other interesting points in Charleston that will tickle your supernatural and historical senses.