52 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Some Charleston experiences never really lose their charm. A walk down Shem Creek at sunset is one of them. The air smells like saltwater and seafood, pelicans hover low over the marsh and people naturally slow down for a minute just to watch the boats move through the creek. Right there in the middle of it all is Palmetto Breeze, the big catamaran docked between Water’s Edge and Mount Pleasant Seafood that has become part of the scenery in the best possible way. But for Michael Fiem, it all started much smaller than that. Back in 2005, he was sitting on Shem Creek watching charter boats come and go when he caught himself thinking, “How can I do that?” Palmetto Breeze is not one of those experiences that feels overly polished or touristy. That is probably why people love it so much. It feels local. Comfortable. Like something Charleston would create naturally. The boat itself is massive and can accommodate up to 100 people. It feels more like being invited to a floating party than climbing aboard a tour boat. And honestly, the views do most of the work anyway. The cruises head into the lower harbor, passing beneath the Ravenel Bridge, drifting near Waterfront Park and eventually out toward the USS Yorktown with the skyline stretching behind it all. Even locals who have lived here forever still stop what they are doing to appreciate those views. Their sunset sails are some of the most popular trips they offer, and they often sell out. Charleston sunsets already feel dramatic on land. From the water, they feel unreal. The Sunday brunch cruise offers plates of chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, strawberry- stuffed French toast, cinnamon rolls, fruit and endless mimosas while groups bounce between the buffet and the upper deck. There are themed nights throughout the week during summer, including Monday ladies’ nights and Wednesday evening sails sponsored by Kona Brewing where drinks are included with the ticket. Corporate groups book the boat regularly, and many Charleston businesses come back year after year because they trust the experience will always feel easy and memorable. Karaoke, wedding rehearsals and wedding parties are just a few of the events they can host. They even have a captain who is ordained and has married couples onboard. “We do a little bit of everything,” Fiem said. “That’s what makes it fun.” The Fourth of July cruise has become one of their biggest traditions. The boat anchors near the Yorktown just as the sun disappears, and guests watch fireworks explode over the harbor while music plays in the background and people crowd along the rails with drinks in hand. For a couple of hours, everybody feels connected in that strange way Charleston can sometimes create. Even with all the growth, Palmetto Breeze still feels rooted in the same idea that started it years ago on Shem Creek. A local guy saw something on the water that made people happy and thought maybe he could generate that feeling too. For more information, visit palmettobreeze.com. BY CARI LAWSON The Best Seat in Charleston Palmetto Breeze gives locals and visitors a new view of the harbor our town Photo by MPeacockMedia, LLC.
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