The staff is great! They are all friendly, accommodating, and knowledgeable. Captain provides great info about anything and everything throughout the tour. We saw dolphins at a distance and within feet of the boat. Several birds to see as well. After the recent hurricane there was even storm damage to see. We will definitely consider taking the tour again. read more

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Looking for a river tour with a guided history of Melbourne, FL? Well then Good Natured River Tours is for you! Located next to Grills Riverside (they are not affiliated with Grills), you'll take a trip through Indian River up to and through the Banana River as well. You'll make stops to appreciate the wild life (we stopped to watch a baby and mother dolphin), all while getting a history lesson on the area. The Capt. Bill Reynolds is very knowledgeable of the area and does a great job at providing commentary and trivia, while throwing in a few jokes during the ride. Kelly ensures everyone is properly taken care of during the tour and will help with spotting aquatic life. I highly recommend this them for river tours, not just for tourists, but the natives as well. read more

Too Long? Summary: Wonderful. Make reservations ahead, especially if there are disabled needs. Everyone will enjoy this unless you are looking for a booze-fueled party boat. Wildlife & history abound. Long version: Terrific outing for families, couples, friends, tourists. I was impressed with the organization: quick & easy to find check-in booth, closely supervised embarking/debarking, arrangements made for a person requiring a rolling walker, etc. Kelly was very patient & fair managing the rotation of people in the bow (6-8) at a time. It was easy to become fascinated with the view and not realize how long others have been waiting. Small binoculars are provided for free during the cruise. Ample room on the stern for viewing. There are plenty of windows, some open, some closed, on the interior of the boat, so there is a good view from each seat. There are also plenty of seats in the stern for those who wish to be shaded, but otherwise open to the elements (mmmm, fresh air). I checked under the seats and there were more than enough life-jackets for the number of passengers on board. Of course, when the captain spotted something on the right side of the boat, everyone rushed to that side and crowded around to see whatever it was. I found sitting in the same spot accorded me a lovely view, and I had an exclusive view of dolphins playing because everyone was looking for them on the other side. The tour is supposed to be 2 hours, but since everyone was having a great time (and all stated we would like to continue and no one had appointments elsewhere), the Captain prolonged the trip about 30 extra minutes. A-hole speedboats were fairly prolific that day, so I suspect the extra time was to ensure safety (and because the Captain is awesome) Fascinating facts & history about the area. Views on the riverbank of how the wealthy live & build. Interesting info for any interest: local animals, environmental history, construction & human history, nautical rules in the area, Annie the dragon, historical business impact and evolution, etc. Local bird & animal fold-outs, large photos of commonly seen birds, etc. were displayed on board. Great for photographers, naturalists, quick-draw artists, etc. The Captain & Kelly have a wide knowledge of bird species, and their nests. His eagle eye can pick out a osprey's eye hidden within the branches. (Ha, a pun) I would suggest making a reservation, at least on weekends. The entire boat was pre-booked and full on our trip; anyone hoping for a last minute ticket would be disappointed. The entire boat is available for private parties. Snacks & drinks were available. Jimmy Buffet music was played at a discreet level. This is not a booze-fueled, screaming college kids on spring break, or sun-worshippers trip. There is no place to stretch out and tan (good). On my trip, the majority of the passengers were seniors, with a couple of teens and parents. Don't be the a-hole trying to sneak a quick drink or smoke, or carrying an unlit but stinky cigar. No one thinks you are special enough to break the rules except you. There is a tip jar on the way out. Bring some cash to put in the jar. The crew deserve it and unless you Scrooge, you will want to show appreciation of the wonderful experience. The only suggestion I have is to offer a dogs & owners only cruise. I can imagine the collective tail-wagging from the scents and scenery. read more

This was an excellent river cruise. It's a family-owned business, and the family was aboard, and did a great job of making all of us part of the trip. They spoke with the passengers like we were part of the family, and were very knowledgeable about the history of the river. Best part was they MADE SURE we saw dolphins and manatees. We hadn't seen any for most of the trip, but they took us to an area and we waited a bit, and there they were! Jumping out of the water, entertaining us and allowing us to take lots of pictures. Soda and snacks on board for just $1 each was a plus. I highly recommend this tour! read more

Good Natured River Tour exceeded our expectations. Kelly and Bill could not have been kinder or more welcoming. My husband, two kids, and I enjoyed a Sunday afternoon on the Indian River snapping pictures of playful dolphins and albino pheasants and chatting with fellow passengers. It was one of those days I'd like to bottle. We're already planning a return trip. If you forget water or snacks, they are available on board for a reasonable price. read more

Good Natured River Tours - Dolphin playing near the boat - Boating Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

This Crew clearly loves the river and what they do, this was my second time with them. I can not say enough to truly compliment them! In tbe future I will bring all my company on these cruises! They made us feel special and I learned so much about our waterways! read more

The crew were very knowledgeable... Helpful... Saw several pods of dolphins, manatees... Learned a lot of area history as well .. I'll be taking all my visitors on this cruise :-) read more

Good Natured River Tours - Dolphins frolicking - Boating Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

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All I have to say is that today was such an unforgettable experience!! We got the chance to meet such a nice and welcoming family running this tour!! They're so kind and very attentive to all of the passengers needs! The tour itself is beautiful, they gave us an extensive ride and took us along the Indian River Lagoon! We're able to see many dolphins swimming around the boat and the views were GORGEOUS!! On top of that, Bill (the captain, father, and husband) was always providing all of us guests with very detailed and interesting information about all the animals and historical data about the place. Excellent activity for families, friends, couples, and nature lovers!! read more

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Such an awesome river tour thanks to Captain Bill and crew. My husband and I had an amazing time. Captain Bill is very knowledgeable regarding the areas history, wild life and the river. His crew was very friendly and went out of their way to make sure everyone was comfortable and had everything they needed. Very clean boat with plenty of room to roam around during the trip. Definitely recommend this river tour. read more

Great tour. Boat was clean and the staff was fantastic. We took some out of town visitors on this tour and would highly recommend it to anyone who wants a great tour with ecological information and some history of the area. Once the tour gets started, you are allowed to move around the boat, so it's great for kids. read more

This tour was so much fun. Very informative, from the wild life, to the history, and the simple wows of the area,the captain and Billy made it a really fun tour. The numerous dolphins that swam along side the boat made for great pics and vids, as well as the plentiful variety of birds. I recommend this tour for all ages, im sure you will enjoy. Keep an eye out for the Albino peacock! read more

Good Natured River Tours - Dolphins swimming along with us!! - Boating Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

Excellent tour company! They go out of their way to make sure everybody gets to see dolphins. The boat made several turns and passes so we could see them. Had a pair ride our wake for several minutes. They are also very informative about the lagoon and the history of the area. read more

This is the tour ! The family owned riverboat is the way to go. Nature, water life , beauty - the Dolphins are all over and obviously love the owners ! Pretty smart Dolphins read more

Good Natured River Tours - Awesome family owned river boat tour! Do not miss this one , seriously ! The Dolphins love the owners ! Smarties - Boating Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

Wife and I went with a couple of friends and had a great time. Bring your own cooler with libations and spend a few hours learning about the history and wildlife around Merritt Island. The boat is spacious and the staff is friendly and very knowledgeable. They sell chips and sodas/water for $1 each which is a deal and like I say if you want something more you can bring a cooler full on board. Also check out their special events. My wife found an online coupon that got a deal on the outing and also a discount at the restaurant next door but even full price it would be worth it. On this outing we saw a lot of dolphins but no manatees as they are seasonal creatures. The dolphins live in the area so you should get some good pics anytime you go. This is also a great thing to do with kids as there are lots of animals to see. read more

We really enjoyed our your today! Knowledgable captain. We have 4 kids and they were quite wiggly. None of that seemed to bother the crew. We saw dolphins, osprey, plenty of other birds, blue heron. It was a nice relaxing ride. Not a ton of "action" but the Groupon made it worth every penny! Very nice crew! read more

Good Natured River Tours - Boating Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

Great tour on 3/27/14, worth every penny. Over 2 hrs long. Saw dolphins, manatee and the usual Florida birds. Toured the shoreline and listened to great commentary about the local houses both big and small. Owned and operated by husband, wife and their son. Very hospitable. Can't wait to come back next year and do the sunset cruise. read more

Good Natured River Tours - On the bow of Good Natured Tour Boat - Boating Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

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Such a wonderful tour! Enjoyed seeing all the birds and dolphins! A very entertaining and enjoyable trip! If you're anywhere near here when you're in Florida you need to make reservations and enjoy the ride! read more

One of the best if not the best river boat tour around. Great deal you won't be disappointed. Will definitely ride again.

Bought this through Groupon and was very happy with the tour. The captain and crew were very friendly and knowledgeable. We saw dolphins, manatees and a bunch of birds while enjoying a relaxing boat ride. I would recommend. read more

Staff is so nice and knowledgeable. We did the sunset cruise and had a great time. Saw dolphins and the sunset was beautiful. Bought tickets through Groupon at a fantastic price. Would definitely come back! read more

This tour was a blast. The owners were very friendly and helpful, and enjoyed their work. We were able to see several dolphins and take in some beautiful scenery. I highly recommend this event. read more

Very disappointed. My girlfriend and I made a reservation on Friday for a Sunday tour at 12p. We got to the pier at 11:53 just in time to see the boat sail away without us. Called but there was no answer as they don't answer when they are touring. Nothing on the sight says the tour leaves any earlier than 12p. read more

I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon river tour. Our guides were very knowledgeable. We saw lots of dolphins and even a manatee! i especially loved learning about the Merritt Island Dragon and seeing what's left of it. read more

This was a great tour! Bought a Groupon and went on a 9am Sunday tour. I am from IL and recently moved here for the year, so I wanted to do things that are typical for FL - and dolphin watching on the river seemed right the right thing to do. It was surprisingly long tour! (2+ hours), and the family that operates the tour was really nice and appear to truly love what they do. The captain gave commentary throughout the duration of the tour which was really nice, and we were able to see numerous dolphins swimming along the cruise boat, including some dolphins that were jumping alongside! It was really beautiful to see. Saw some other animals/birds as well, and got a great description of many of the homes along the tour. Super relaxing. Truly worthwhile. Would love to go again and definitely recommend others to go on the tour. read more

I live near Philly, but we visit family here each Fall. This was my 5th cruise with Captain Billy, and it was as enjoyable as the 1st. This man truly loves the lagoon, and shows you why you should love it too. A wonderful afternoon on the water. We will come back, again, next year. read more

I've gone on the good natured tour several times. I live locally and when a guest comes to town this tour is my go-to outing. The staff is all family and they treat you like family too. They are knowledgeable about the river and the wild life. They make sure you see dolphins. I and my guests always enjoy. Then there is an added bonus of a voucher for grills tiki bar. I usually save that for dinner. I highly recommend this tour. read more

The family who owns this tour company are very knowledgeable. They know a lot of the history of homes along Merritt Island and along the Banana and Indian Rivers. The boat was very clean, and snacks aboard the boat were very inexpensive - only $1.00 each. While I personally would opt for a sailboat or kayak rental, this is great when, in our case, we were treating our grandmother for Christmas. read more

Nice, family-run business. Lots of playful dolphins and some birds - it was amazing to see the Great Blue Herons nesting in the trees. The captain (dad) and his son shared their knowledge of the area (nature, fancy homes, and the local economy) - and the son (Billy?) was very sweet and attentive to all of the guests - answering our silly questions with a good-natured attitude. *One note, I get sea-sick easily and even though the water was a little rough due to a storm (they cancelled their later tour due to the weather), I had no problem at all during this boat tour. We would definitely recommend this outing - and hope to visit again some day! read more

Super friendly staff. Just a great tour from start to finish and you can't beat the prices!!!

I found this boat tour looking for inexpensive things to do in the area when some friends came in town to visit. This tour definitely exceeded our expectations. The captain and his wife were a lively pair and the tour was interesting, informative, and engaging. Seeing the dolphins was good fun, and it was just a lovely time out on the water. My friends and I packed lunch, but there were drinks and snacks available for purchase on the boat. Especially for the deal price, this tour was well worth it. read more

Perfect day crew is amazing so sweet so helpful and knowledgeable. Highly recommend!!!! read more

Good Natured River Tours - Boating Near Me - Melbourne, Florida

Nicest people ever. The family that runs this tour is very knowledgeable and full of interesting facts and history. Definite recommendation! Captain Bill and his son are great! read more

I highly recommend this tour - I went on it with a large group (13 family members) and we were very well taken care of. I called a few weeks in advance and Kelly reserved us a spot on the boat so we could all be together. At check in, Billy was very friendly and accommodating. During the tour we saw lots of wildlife, including quite a few dolphins that would swim along side us. The boat driver did a great job with commentary on the wildlife and history of the rivers/lagoons we traveled. Over all, my family and I had a fantastic time! read more

What a great tour! Kelly and Captain Bill are locals and have lived in the area for a long time, so they know it really well. We got to see a lot of dolphins and all kinds of birds - they knew them all. They also gave us good recommendations on where to get local mangos, which is always fun. I still have the Grills coupons to use, since I'm a local I will definitely use them. Be sure to give them a big tip, in exchange for all the useful tips they give out! Next time my nephew comes to town, we will contact them to go fishing. read more

Took the tour 1/27, wanted to see the dolphins up close & Capt. Bill did not disappoint. The tour was narrated & provided good insight of the area, birds, & dolphins. You can tell both Capt. Bill & Kelly truly care about the environment -it's not just a business. There was no rush to get back to the dock until everyone had a chance to obtain pictures/video of these beautiful mammals. We seemed to be the ones on display for the dolphins, not the other way around. The boat is comfortable with both inside & outside covered seating. Will recommend for anyone, don't hesitate to try. read more

Relaxing, perfect length of time to relax and sightsee. The staff was amazing :) seen some Dolphins and birds.

We see these boats almost daily around the Dragon Point area near the intersection of the Banana and Indian Rivers .....they seem to cover a lot of ground read more

Wonderful tour! You have to remember, the wildlife you MAY see are just that, wild, so there are no guarantees. However, First Mate Kelley said they've only had 2 days ever that they didn't see dolphins, and we got lucky--we saw MANY, including a large pod with several babies. The boat is clean and has a restroom and a snack bar with $1 Coke products, water, and chips, and Capt. Bill provides a running commentary, including lots of area history, of everything you see. Excellent experience--we highly recommend this tour! read more

WOW! Talk about a tour. From the moment we first met Kelly at the check-in booth to boarding and meeting Captain Bill... with their warm and friendly hospitality my husband, children and I knew we were in for a wonderful time on the Indian and Banana Rivers. Captain Bill's extensive knowledge about the rivers and area history and Kelly's charming hostessing, not to mention the multiple dolphin sightings, made what could have been a somber last day of our vacation in Cocoa Beach the absolute topper! Thank you Good Natured River Tours!! read more

We booked this tour as a groupon. We arrived early due to the distance between our home and Melbourne. We met Bill and Kelly. Prior to the cruise. They were very helpful. When it was time to checkin we met their son Billy. Bill did an excellent job as captain and tour guide with great information and stories of the area and provided plenty of opportunities to see Dolphins and other wildlife during our 2+ hours. Kelly and Billy manned the snack bar and ensured that everyone had a safe and pleasant trip throughout the entire cruise. It was just as much fun watching how excited Billy and Kelly got every time we saw Dolphins, they do this every day. We had a diverse age group on our tour and everyone appeared excited and happy with everything we saw. Thank you Bill, Kelly and Billy for a great afternoon. read more