We've been coming to Mystic every year for a while, and this is the first time we discovered Mystic Boat Adventures. My daughter and I had an absolute blast piloting the boat, and once we got over the fear factor that we were going "too fast" and gained confidence in piloting the boat for the first time, it felt like second nature. We did the 3 hour Mystic River tour which ended with a "free sail" hour at the end. However, we opted not to go out into the Sound due to heavily windy conditions, so we stayed in the channel in the "playground" area doing donuts and figure-eights. Before we knew it the 3 hours was up. Rob was a great host and he taught us how to pilot the boats in no time. He was also very knowledgeable of the Mystic seaport area. We had a great time and will absolutely be making this a regular part of our yearly Mystic trips! read more

I decided to book a 3 hour tour with Mystic Boat Adventures to surprise my hubby for his birthday at the end of July. The reviews were all highly praising and it looked like a fun experience. I have to say: don't hesitate! Book them! Rob was a pro guide and made sure we understood how to operate our boat safely and how to get the most fun out of it. Yes, there are safety things that you need to be aware of, but he was very encouraging of us trying out what the boat can do. We loved getting to do donuts in our boat! The tour itself was very informative, and we really got a feel for the area. We're already looking forward to returning for another season with a full group of friends to rent out all the boats. This is a must-do activity when visiting Mystic. Be sure to arrive on time as requested so that you can be briefed on the safety. That is so important, and that is why they tell you in advance that you will be turned away if you are late to the safety briefing. For those of you who may be wondering, there is ample parking, and it was about a 15-20 minute drive with traffic from downtown Mystic. Again, a huge thank you to Rob for being an awesome guide and helping us have the best experience possible for my husband's birthday surprise. Hope to see you again soon! read more

Mystic Boat Adventures - Boat Tours Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

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60th Birthday Adventure!! What an experience! We went yesterday and had our own private tour! What a great day seeing all of the Mystic sights! Doing figure 8's and donuts was so much fun! The owner is very friendly and knowledgeable! He makes it fun and you won't want to go back to the docks! The 3 hour tour is by far the way to go! Make sure you feed the ducks! They expect it read more

Do it now!!!! hurry, don't wait!!! Best Boat Adventure ever!!! Rob, our instructor was to the point!, like me!!! He was very informative, and so much fun. State of the art boats which handle like a dream......doing donuts, figure 8's and taking in the sites in southeast CT. Will definitely go back and bring my peeps for the 3 hour sunset cruise!!! Book it now!!! read more

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This was amazing! We had such a great time! My sister and I enjoyed the tour thoroughly! It was very informative and educational yet fun and surprising. We can't wait to go again! read more

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We had a great time. The guide was great- he knows everything about the area and made sure we had a good time on the boats. Really fun way to spend an afternoon- highly recommend. read more

I went to this place on 8/14/24. I arrived @11:00am. My tour was at 1pm. The tour guy wasn't there when I arrived. Around 11:30 he pulled up to the docks with 1 couple that had been out on tour. He told me to come back at 12:20. We came back at 12:10. There weren't any other people there at this time. Around 12:20, 3 other couples arrived. Rob the tour guy gave us forms to fill out. He said when your finished get on the boat. We finished our form and proceeded to get on boat that was locked in number D-14. Rob literally ran over to the boat I was getting in and told me to get in another boat because he's giving this boat to the other couples. I was really upset when he did that! I paid my money just like they did and was there first. I contacted the company and waited for someone to contact me. On 8/17/24 Rob called me. He said he had read my review (which now has been removed) so I said you know my complaint. He told me that he gave the boat to the other couples because he wanted them to have the newer boats. This is what I already knew because the boat we were in was slow and kept jamming up. I told him his boat was raggedy and he knew that and that's why he put us in it. If you run a business you should treat everyone equally. He said it's his establishment and he can do whatever he wants. So that being said I can't recommend this place because I had to make it fun the best Way I knew how. We were literally left behind many times and didn't really get to hear what he was saying in the group gatherings because we pulled up last. I wanted this to be a good experience but he made it not so good with his obvious actions. read more

Mystic Boat Adventures - We had to get in the second boat which was old!!! - Boat Tours Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

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Arrive 30 minutes earlier for a brief introduction and instructions on how to operate the boat. It was a bit overwhelming the directions and consequences as to what will happen if you don't do as he says. We were also lost as to how to arrive at the place. No clear cut directions were given so we called a few times to find out. Once we arrived we were kinda berated for arriving on time and not earlier. We explained to him that we were sorry and why we didn't come earlier, but got lost finding the place. Anyways, we filled out a lot of forms (basically signing our life and liability away.) At first learning how to start the boat and steering it was a bit nuts. But once we got the hang of it all was well. We were left alone to do figure eights and donuts all over the water. We were given directions on how to steer the boat and the distance we needed to keep to do the tricks. I felt that one hour was enough time to do all of this. I'll never forget this part of the trip as it was so exhilarating. read more

Such a fun adventure! Did the 1-hour tour option and it was a good amount of time for us. The instructor was funny and personable, and made sure everyone had a great time out on the water. Would definitely do it again. read more

Mystic Boat Adventures - Boat Tours Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

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We took the 3 hour Mystic Boat Adventure today and were a group of 3 boats in total and the tour leader/owner Rob. I read many of the reviews on Yelp and Trip Advisor before booking . Most are 5 star reviews detailing what a great and unique boating opportunity this is. To address a few negatives that I read; this is an "Adventure" not a tour of Mystic. The adventure is your opportunity to drive this unusual craft on your own, enjoy the beautiful coastline and marinas and experience the Mystic River sites such as the drawbridge and Mystic Seaport from a new perspective. Rob does share many local stories and facts. This adventure is also safety focused which is why you are asked to arrive 30 minutes before to be given some safety tips and familiarize yourself with the boat. The tours must leave promptly to make the drawbridge opening and not have to wait around in order to be able to pass and see the Seaport up close. Most of these criticisms seem unwarranted. If you got soaked, you didn't listen to the explanation on how to handle a swell and maneuver your boat. That being said this is just a fantastically unique boating experience and you get to see some great Mystic and Long Island Sound sights along the way. We chose the 3 hour tour after debating if we should try the 1 hr first. I agree the 1 hour is really too short to optimize the experience. We are CT natives and non boaters. However we love the ocean and love a great view. This tour brought you a perspective on Mystic that you can't get otherwise. We did travel under the drawbridge, got very close to the Charles W. Morgan , the Nordic Viking ship and Mayflower replica being constructed, travelled down the Mystic River, saw Ram island , Latimer Reef Light and Fisher's Island as well as a private island. The pace could be fast and bumpy or as calm as you desire and you are in control. The boats give a nice smooth ride with a few bumps when you are out in open ocean but at all times you feel, safe and secure. It is very relaxing at the start as you glide along the calm Mystic River and then experience a little more excitement in the waters near Fishers Island. My husband did think the price seemed initially steep but after taking the adventure, felt it was well worth it, unique and a great addition to the activities offered in Mystic. Rob did a great job summarizing safety and how to avoid any issues that could arise. He shared some great info about local Mystic and the two ships being constructed in the Seaport and other local tidbits. With the 3 hour tour, you are out in open ocean and can move pretty fast which surprised my husband and he definitely enjoyed. We have been on cruise excursions where you are really limited and this was not the case. The boats are stable, easily driven and a great opportunity to get a new perspective on Mystic CT. Give it a try...we really enjoyed it!! read more

In my opinion, Mystic Boat Adventures is one of the BEST summer fun spots in Connecticut. You don't need any boating experience, just some basic common sense and a desire to have fun. Our instructor/guide was professional, courteous and very knowledgeable about the coastlines of the surrounding states (CT, NY, RI). He provided us with instructions on how to control the boat (safety first), a cooler with ice & a bottle of water for my wife and I & he even took pictures of our adventure while we're out there. The advertisement says: "excitement with speeds up to 30 MPH", Trust me, you'll feel like you're going a lot faster, and when you open up the throttle on smooth water surface, you'll swear you're flying, It's so cool! When our guide took us out to the open water, he encouraged us to do donuts (going as fast as possible). Its almost like "The Fast and Furious", but on the water. We'll definitely be coming back for more! We did the 1 hour ride, next time we'll book the 3 hr ride. I highly recommend this place. It's a blast! PS... Just a few words to make your day more enjoyable: If you're following directions on a GPS, pull into the parking lot of Costello's Clam Shack, walk around the building to the docks. Items to bring w/you: a change of clothes or a towel (you may get wet), sun screen or tanning lotion, eyeglass straps (so you won't lose your glasses). read more

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We've been wanting to try this experience since last summer and just hadn't gotten there. Today we finally made it happen! My husband & I decided on the early 9am-12pm tour. A bit of advice: be sure to arrive no later then 30 minutes before your reservation, but I would say 45 minutes. We arrived exactly at 8:30 and the owner was already going over directions and getting everyone else started on explanations. I wanted to use the restroom and thankfully I was able to but my husband had to fill out the 2 page form since he was the one going to be operating the boat and he was not able to use the bathroom! He asked and was told there was no time. It was really nice that they provide a cooler on each boat with 2 waters already inside. We did bring extra just in case along with a small snack. All together we were a group of 4 boats of patrons. If you have never operated one of these boats you have to really be sure to pay attention because he does go over the directions rather quickly; and he is very direct. It got a little confusing- lots of "don't do this and don't do that". At first we were a little intimidated but once we got out on the water it became very easy to drive! If you do the 3 hour tour, first you will go for a small tour around Mystic River, he will take you by mystic seaport and do some explaining. To be honest we could have went without the tour part, as we have been to mystic many times and we just wanted to drive the boat! It was all good though. Before and During some of the sightseeing you get to have fun and do some doughnuts/ drive full throttle! After the sightseeing, you go back towards the anchored boats and then onto the open water! We stopped quick to drive by an island and then we got to have free time to go fast/ do doughnuts. It was really awesome and so different! One thing to note is that we felt very , very safe on the boat, more safe then I feel on a jet ski! I also wore my bathing suit, at the end during free time you will most likely get wet! It's fun! They also have a spot in the boat that locks down where you have more then enough room for wallets, wristlet, my coverup fit, my hat also fit in it. There is a spot on the dock if you have a backpack or bigger bag that won't fit on the boat. Overall we had a really great time and made a day of it. We would recommend this activity for anyone in the area. It's something different to do especially on a hot day! read more

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Hidden behind a clam shack restaurant, Mystic Boat Adventures is waiting! Upon arrival (30 minutes beforehand) we met the owner, who was very polite and friendly. We were given life vests and told to get into these two-person power boats that were set up on a floating barge. We were given instructions on how to operate the boats, given all but one in our party did not have boating licenses. The information the owner provided was very clear - though to someone who has never operated a small boat the instructions seemed a little bit daunting- and we were pushed into the Sound one boat at a time. We then took about 15 minutes to get out to the area meant for 1 hour rides. It was a little small compared to other boating/jet ski spaces we have had before, but it was still a lot of fun. We were able to cruise, do figure 8s or doughnuts, but we had to stay in a confined space on the water. The power boats can really move - and you will get wet!! Suggestions from a patron - -taking photos of each boat beforehand is a really nice way to get more media attention and gives every rider a keepsake. We didn't get these and we were really missing out on that! -perhaps it's best to have two crew members working during the times in which you have all the boats out. My mother's boat stopped working in the water on our way back to the barge and she was left out there stranded until we realized much later on that she wasn't with us. The owner had to go back out and look for her, as well as tow her back to shore. There was no one following in the back to ensure accidents like this do not happen (and I'm sure they happen often with amateur drivers). Also, small radios in each boat would be better to help drivers hear instruction better! -to people reading this review and have gotten this far: definitely go on this ride! It is very much worth it and SO MUCH FUN. It's a really good time - just be aware of the time it takes to get used to driving the boat, and that you may not catch on quickly! read more

Mystic Boat Adventures - My sister and I - the only photo we got! - Boat Tours Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

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Beautiful boat ride. Great captain , nice ride down Mystic River. Well worth the 45 min ride ....

This was amazing! A perfect mix of historical tour (saw the Amistad ship from the movie and the recreation of the Mayflower), relaxing lazy river exploration and speed boating: speeding out over open water and doing high speed donuts in the bay. Tons of fun, would definitely do again. Highlights included going under the Mystic Drawbridge as it opened and seeing the sunset behind the lighthouse from the water. 5 of us went including my 10yo daughter who had a fear of deep water--Captain Rob was great with her, keeping her entertained and not afraid. In 3 hours went to 3 states (RI, CT & NY) by water, and Rob was accommodating, informative and made 3 hours feel like 30 minutes. Everybody had a great time, highly recommend it! read more

The instructor and everything was great. However, I have a fear of water so it was absolutely terrifying to me. You might say... if you hate water, WHY are you doing this tour? This year for me is a year of getting rid of my fears. I don't know if this exactly helped but it was a stepping stone. Let's just say I was gripping onto the boat for dear life the whole time. Luckily my husband drove the boat because if it was me... it wouldn't have happened. My biggest advice is GET THERE EARLY! They do not wait for people. We got there on time but there was another couple who did arrive late and were not allowed to get on the boat. I don't think they got a refund but I could be wrong. Regardless, give yourself time and get there early. We did the 1 hour long tour which is quite enough for me, but you can do the 3 hour tour if you would like. The instructor had some great stories and it was really very interesting. My husband loved this and said it was the best thing we did in CT. I am giving this a 3 based on MY OWN FEARS. However, I'm sure my husband would give this a 5. Would I do it again? Nope, not for me! But I would recommend it to challenge yourself or if you don't have a fear of water, it would be extremely fun for you. read more

Would highly recommend this great tour! Our tour guide Rob was very knowledgeable about that the area and gave a great tour.....Rob gave you enough time to go on your own and have some fun with the boats too! Going under the drawbridge in Mystic was also a cool thing to experience. read more

We had the very best time! What a fun summer activity. We did the late 3 hour tour 5-8pm and the sunset was beautiful. We live in the Hartford Connecticut Area and this was a short hour drive and it was worth it. Lots to do in Mystic too! Do yourself a favor and look this up! read more

Mystic Boat Adventures - Sunset - Boat Tours Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

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What a blast!!!! I want to buy one of these boats for myself. First off getting to the boats is a beautiful drive through marinas and Mystic neighborhoods. Parking at the Clam Shack is free and it's a quick walk to the boats. Rob is a riot!!! He will inform you, make you feel comfortable/ safe and most of all let you have fun! This man is all about you getting out there and doing what you paid for. Rob will bring you around and show you all the local treasures you weren't even aware were off the coastline. There's so many options of where you can go and what you can do depending on the size of your group, and the conditions of the water. I definitely would suggest a 3 hour tour we started with an hour just to see how we liked it but will definitely be returning! read more

Mystic Boat Adventures - Boat Tours Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

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This boat ride was a lots of fun I mean who doesn't love a speed boat but I think this had to be one of the best. I think everybody should experience once. I am definitely going back before the season is over and this place is open until end of October, yes water is warm actually warmer at that time I believe. They have one hour tour $75 Per person and three hour tour $135 per person, must be 2 in a boat. You don't get wet but you will definitely get some water splash which is really nice. I was a little bit confused to find this place, they share same parking lot with Costello's clam shack and it's right behind the Costello's on the water of course :D After boat tour you can enjoy good seafood at Casello's clam shack (I have not tried them yet) due to Abbott's lobster in the rough right next to it. I wish it was closer it's three hour driving from New York City where I am. ENJOY the ride read more

The Most Fun We had this summer! Great sights down Mystic River and into the sound. Rob our Guide was Awesome, fun & knowledgeable! Highly recommend the 3 hr. Boats are Awesome, easy & glide across the water.. Don't hesitate to go it's an Absolute Blast!! Going again next Summer! Can't wait! Thanks Rob!! read more

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My son and I had a blast this afternoon! We took a one hour boat tour but next time we will take the 3-hour tour! Rob is an awesome tour guide and made us feel safe operating the boat. I highly recommend taking this adventure tour if you are in the Mystic area...it is an unforgettable experience! read more

I've been a boater all my life, and this was a blast. I know the area well and our guide (Rob) took us to all the good places, even north of I95 to catch a break and grab a bite. Went thru the seaport and then all the way to Latimer Reef with the 3 hour package. We had a breezy day with a north east wind so the Fisher's Island Sound portion was wet, which made it even more exciting. Enjoy the day, wash off the salt, and grab a bite in Mystic - it's a great way to spend a Saturday read more

I did the 3 hour sunset tour. It was fun, beautiful and well worth it! I went alone and joined 3 other boats plus Rob, the guide. I highly recommend seeing Mystic this way if you are inclined to motor boats/pontoons (as opposed to someone navigating for you). Trust all the good reviews here... it combined my sense of adventure and being near the water (without it being too thrill-seeking!). Thanks for the great outing, Rob! read more

My boyfriend and I had a great time out with Rob on these boats. Awesome combination of fun with the boats but also tour/sightseeing. Being out there is so fun in and of itself, but whether you go up the river and see all the Mystic Seaport ships (what we did primarily) or you take the sunset tour (would love to do this one in the future), there's plenty to see and Rob will slow up and give you some interesting background info. I have to say I was a little bit nervous about the boats at first but he did a really great job of structuring the tour so that you can get a feel for them near the marina and by the time we were out in open water I felt so comfortable with it. And even though they're open like that, you only get some splashing on your feet, unless your boyfriend decides to cut into a wave to splash you :) TIPS: Take the 3hr tour. Our tour flew by so quick, I would've been so disappointed if we had only booked 1hr. Go to Abbot's for a lobster roll afterward - so good! read more

Yesterday was our second time hitting the water with Rob for the 3 hour tour. Again this year was just amazing and so much fun! We now have a dedicated group of 8 people and will be going every year. Rob is amazing with his tour and showing you a truly fun time with safety always first. We could ride these boats all day long! Another great adventure and different from last year. Our entire group had a blast and will be booking next year and every year! Can't wait to do it again! Thanks again Rob! Mike and Anne read more

What an awesome experience! The views were amazing. Rob was the best tour guide and knows all the history of the boats and the area. Be careful as he encourages fun so if fun isn't your thing then I would pass. Keep up the great work! Cheers to creating more smiles in Mystic! read more

I cannot recommend renting a Craig cat enough! My son, 15, and I had the BEST time. Both us were laughing and smiling the entire time. The boats were so much fun and easy to navigate. You will not regret it and money well spent for a beautiful day on the water having the time of your life! read more

The concept is solid: these are sturdy little boats in a great location. However, we experienced a couple issues that will guarantee we never do this activity again, nor recommend it to others: Our initial arrival at the dock was underwhelming. We got there early, as instructed, but we were not greeted when we arrived, and were unsure what to do. After several minutes, a young man appeared, mumbled something inaudible, and handed us a clipboard with a lot of paperwork (much of which could have been filled out online beforehand). That was our first impression of the activity. The lack of a friendly introduction and clear instructions may not seem like a big deal, but in business, these seemingly minor aspects of human interaction go a long way towards creating a positive initial experience (and cultivating return business). On to the activity itself: 1. The one-hour tour is not really long enough to see interesting things along the coastline. It was enough to get instructions, see a private beach (where we couldn't actually land or see much of anything), and boat around a tiny island covered with ducks and duck poo. I'd hoped to go by at least one lighthouse; nope. The remainder of the excursion was just free-form boating, which was not only kind of boring, but also not what we were given to expect. I'm guessing the three-hour tour is more interesting, but the one-hour tour in no way qualifies as an "adventure," in my opinion. It's really more of an introduction to the fun you COULD have, and the sights you COULD see. 2. Your experience is HIGHLY dependent upon the height of the day's swell. The ocean was choppy the day we went, and we got absolutely soaked. While getting wet was an expected part of the activity, getting five gallons of water shot into your face without warning, over and over, does get old. If you're a more experienced boater, you might be able to navigate the swell better than I did. 3. Lastly, and most seriously, I didn't like the way I was treated by the tour guide. He started the event cordially enough, but his instructions were difficult to hear, especially since he had us start the engines before the rest of his presentation. By the end of the excursion, he was visibly impatient and even rude at one point. That was totally unwarranted and unacceptable. This is a tourist business where people are not expected to be expert boaters. For what we paid vs. what we experienced, I thought we could at least expect to be treated with courtesy and with the understanding that we probably haven't done this before. To be as fair as possible, the other members of our group seemed to have a decent time. I personally will not return, nor recommend this activity to my friends, but feel free to take this with a grain of salt. Everyone can have an off day. If you try it, I hope you have a better time than we did. read more

I don't do a lot of reviews, but I decided I needed to review Mystic Boat Adventures to get the word out on how great it is. We have vacationed in Mystic a number of times over the last 8 years and thought we had done everything. When I saw a tour of these boats going by our rental house, I immediately called and booked a tour for us. It was the high point of this vacation trip to Mystic. Rob, the owner and our guide for our tour, was welcoming right from the start. He made everyone feel comfortable and was thorough in instructions and in getting us setup. We are a family of 6, with kids ages 10, 16, 16, and 18. While you have to be 18 to pilot the boat, the under 18 got to help steering at times. My wife was a little cautious at first, but with some help from Rob, she ended up relaxing and opening the boat up. The boats are very safe and you can go as wild (me) and tame (my wife) as you want. Rob took us on a 3 hour tour out into open water to see parts of NY, RI, and CT. It was neat to see parts of land from the water side as you get a different perspective. I would highly recommend this. Do the 3 hour tour. read more

SO MUCH FUN!!! The guide was very informative and made you feel comfortable with operating the boat. The area is absolutely beautiful and seeing it on the water is even more amazing! Definitely worth the money! read more

We came here in July 2018 and it was hands down the best and most fun experience in Mystic (and Mystic has some fun adventures for a fun weekend). First and foremost, Captain Rob was amusing and informative of the boats and history of Mystic (perfect for me who likes to learn my surroundings). Second, the boats WERE SO FUN!! They are small, but zippy boats that are incredibly safe, but just SO DARN FUN once you get comfortable with them. Third, if possible, do the 3 hour option. One hour I don't believe, one would get the full enjoyment. But if the one hour is all you can do, then do it!! :) read more

Loved the experience. Thank you for a great Covid birthday kayak tour on the wonderful mystic river

We booked the three hour sunset cruise, and unfortunately, the motor blew on one of the pontoon boats, so we were not able to take the original sight seeing tour as planned, but Rob did EVERYTHING is his power to still make it a memorable trip. He took us out into the open ocean and taught us to do tricks and let us really open up the motors on the boats. We had a BLAST!! Through five days of touring and stops through New England, this was UNANIMOUSLY the best part of our trip, according to my whole family. The one thing I would caution people is WEAR BEACH ATTIRE, as you will get wet, no question about it. I made the mistake of not listening to the website, and I wore regular shorts and a t-shirt and sneakers, and I was SOAKED by the time I got back, but it was seriously one of the most fun things I have EVER done, and I can't wait to go back. Kudos to Rob for going out of his way and adjusting on the fly and making a bad situation like a broken down boat into a really memorable trip!!! WE WILL BE BACK FOR SURE!! read more

owner was extremely rude and was belittling when we couldn't find the place when we finally arrived with their poor directions the older man who was running the cruise did nothing but belittle and yell at us for being late when it was no fault of ours that we could not find the entrance because we were given bad information made my wife upset to the point where we had to leave. read more

BEYOND AMAZING. One of the happiest hours of my life. I could have stayed on that little speedboat all day long- If you're in the area, you absolutely MUST book at least an hour ride with Mystic Boat Adventures. You'll experience something that you probably don't experience everyday: carefree pure joy. That, by itself, is invaluable - and definitely hard to come by in our normal everyday lives. read more

Had a great time would recommend this to anyone I am afraid of the water, and I LOVED every minute of it. Great to do with a group or just a couple.. read more

I booked a boat tour for my husband's 30th and could not have asked for a better experience! Our guide Bobby was full of knowledge & even offered to take pictures along the way. Their main concern was making sure we felt safe & enjoyed every moment... which we did. We will most definitely be back & highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun adventure out on the water! read more

Awesome adventure! The tour guys were amazing, such knowledge of the river and all the landmarks, not only was it such a fun boating adventure we learned so much history. We came from Long Island just for this boating adventure and it was more then we had imagined... Can't wait to return next summer read more