Boat Tours
1 hour
Taking safety measures
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$21.00
per adult
Wilmington Water Tours
Wilmington Water Tours
Wilmington Water Tours
4.5
Historical & Heritage Tours • Boat Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Boat Rentals • Private Tours
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10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Full view
About
Wilmington Water Tours is a 46' catamaran which accommodates up to 49 passengers. We offer daily cruises as well as private charters. Our daily cruises include but not limited to: Eco/History tours, Sunset Cruises with Live Music, Birding tours, Holiday Tours and all on the Cape Fear River and its nearby waterways. Our full schedule is listed on our website, call us or book online!
Wilmington, North Carolina
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2023
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Improve this listingTours and Tickets by Wilmington Water Tours
Boat Tours
1–2 hours
Taking safety measures
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$33.00
per adult
Travelers talk about
(131 reviews)
(181 reviews)
(306 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,501 reviews
Excellent
1,217
Very good
174
Average
69
Poor
24
Terrible
17
gayle f
Knoxville, TN192 contributions
Dec 2022
We liked the tasty bloody marys on board the boat. The tour was peaceful and very informing of the shipping areas etc. that line the river. The boat is covered and enclosed as it was December and chilly outside. An employee took a picture of us with my camera for my souvenir. I really appreciated that. We'll do additional tours when we visit again.
Written December 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wilmington W
Comfortable cruise vessel, full service bar, large clean bathroom, 360 degree views, heated in the cool weather, friendly & knowledgable staff! Thank you for cruising with us and writing a review! You help us do what we love to do! We look forward to your return visit!
Written January 22, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mjcarty61
9 contributions
Mar 2023
If you have an extra hour do yourself a favor and book a trip on the Wilmington Water Tour. This is a great narrated tour along the Cape Fear Rive in Wilmington. We learned a lot about the town's history including shipping knowledge. There's a north tour and a south tour. You can book them back to back and get a discount. Each tour lasts 50 minutes. Our captain/tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and engaging! The boat also had a bar and bathroom.
Written March 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dukefantoo
Wilmington, NC26 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
We had family in town and decided to do the Sunset Cruise with acoustic music by Jim Nelson. It was a fabulous time! Jim was wonderful and would play any selection that you requested. The crew was helpful and accommodating. The evening was a perfect ending to a wonderful meal at Elijah's.
Written September 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BillBfromNC
Holly Springs, NC144 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
There are multiple bout tours offered, Wilmington Water Tours made an hour boat ride special.
Nice boat ride with a very engaging staff. They shared information about the history of the area, local crabbers and fishermen as well as a few dining tips.
It doesn’t hurt that they have cocktails for those interested.
The river is beautiful. Wilmington Water Tours will os a great group and will make tour visit serene and tranquil, but be warned you may end up laughing once or twice.
Nice boat ride with a very engaging staff. They shared information about the history of the area, local crabbers and fishermen as well as a few dining tips.
It doesn’t hurt that they have cocktails for those interested.
The river is beautiful. Wilmington Water Tours will os a great group and will make tour visit serene and tranquil, but be warned you may end up laughing once or twice.
Written September 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for taking the time to write this review, greatly appreciated.
Written October 1, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Christy L
Strongsville, OH243 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
We took the 90 minutes with Live Music cruise. Andrew was amazing, one man band. Suitcase for a drum, electric guitar, tambourine on his foot, all to produce a warm sultry blend of acoustics and songs while slowly floating down the river. The boat crew was also fantastic. Bathroom and bar was a definite must have. Boat is clean and tables, chairs and lights were just right for a relaxing ambiance. Definitely recommend doing at least once. Lights at dusk in historic Wilmington is something to see.
Written July 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wilmington W
Christy, Thank you for your kind words and recommendation!
We have over 20 musicians that entertain onboard Thurday through Sunday. All local, most singer song writers, each one brings their uniqueness to our Sunset Cruises. Thanks for giving Andrew Covil a "shout out".
Best, Diane
Written July 13, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
willieb3077_12
Leland, NC150 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
The tour was very nice. The captain provided an entertaining narrative on the sights and history of downtown Wilmington and Eagle Island. The on board bar had a decent selection of beer, alcohol and soft drinks. Seating is not real comfortable but is adequate. All in all a good way to spend an hour or so on a nice day.
Written September 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
theladyq
Louisville, KY106 contributions
Oct 2020
Captain Chris and the staff were really great! It was a sunny, breezy afternoon on the water.
Let’s be honest, there’s not a lot to the shoreline in Wilmington, but it was nice to be on the water and see the buildings and the US North Carolina. The most interesting part was the information about the area.
They do a North and South tour, each one every other house. You can get a deal and do both back to back if you want to. I’m not sure what the discount is because we didn’t get to since we went at 4PM.
They also do sunset cruises with music, etc. The day cruise is only $15.
Let’s be honest, there’s not a lot to the shoreline in Wilmington, but it was nice to be on the water and see the buildings and the US North Carolina. The most interesting part was the information about the area.
They do a North and South tour, each one every other house. You can get a deal and do both back to back if you want to. I’m not sure what the discount is because we didn’t get to since we went at 4PM.
They also do sunset cruises with music, etc. The day cruise is only $15.
Written October 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
m2394525
Asheville, NC1 contribution
Jul 2021
We booked the one hour Eagles island cruise on a Sunday after another plan got cancelled on us and we were very glad we did. The narration was great and informational, staff was friendly, the full service bar on board was a nice touch. Would recommend to anyone looking for a decent river cruise.
Written July 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
smcintosh0920
Hampstead, NC1 contribution
Jul 2023
The trip would have been better if not going south and looking at the state port most of the time. Should have traveled north away from the storage tanks, cranes and tug boats.
Music was a joke, the guys looked like they where not professional,
Sad sad trip not worth $40 per person
Music was a joke, the guys looked like they where not professional,
Sad sad trip not worth $40 per person
Written July 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wilmington W
So sorry to hear you considered one of our favorite cruises a sad, sad trip. Our Captains can choose a few different directions to cruise. North, South, West...With these sultry summer evening they typically cruise into the breeze which sounds like that evening was south passed the State Ports following alongside Eagles Island on the west side of the river, with great views of the sunset. We do encourage our guests to move about the boat freely to enjoy the 365 degree views of the river, photo taking, etc. We do encourage our staff including musicians to dress comfortably casual for the weather. In other words summer dress wear is acceptable.
Written July 23, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Doktor Z
1 contribution
Jul 2021 • Friends
I love being on the river with Wilmington Water Tours. My only criticism, and the reason for a 4 rating, for this July 16 Sunset Cruise is that the musician's (Justin Jernigan)volume was too loud. My friend and I were unable to have a conversation due to the excessively loud music.
Written July 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi I just booked the sunset cruise with live music can't wait what else included drinks, apps thank you
Footprints773619
2 contributions
There is a small bar but you pay for your drinks. I don’t recall any apps. We had 2 good guitar players. One was from Peru I believe. The captain was very knowledgeable.
Micklight
45 contributions
Is the cruise enclosed for the cold nights. Would a jacket or heavy coat be recommended?
Fiona G
35 contributions
The boat is partially enclosed, with heavy plastic windows.
We were cold; unfortunately, the hot drinks we were told would be available for purchase were not.
A blanket is strongly recommended.
columbatexco
Butner, NC
Is for kids because I have 1 in he have 2 years
Mary D
Wilmington, NC3 contributions
Hello,
Thank you for your interest in Wilmington Water Tours. Our tours are for all ages. We have kids come on our cruises all the time.
satkja
Wilmington, NC
How to make reservations? No phone #
babelangan
Leland, North Carolina8 contributions
(910) 338-3134
JenCArn
Austin, TX21 contributions
What time does the sunset cruise actually begin?
babelangan
Leland, North Carolina8 contributions
6pm
Jane J
7 contributions
is this tour wheelchair accessible
Wilmington W
Wilmington, NC3 contributions
Thank you for your question! We are completely wheelchair accessible. We have a wheelchair that customers can use and we have a very safe way that we get you down the ramp. There is a ramp that goes down to the boat and a small ramp that goes up to the boat itself. The bathroom on our boat is also wheelchair accessible. If you have any other questions, feel free to call us at 910-338-3134.
jerseyjill
Jackson, NJ592 contributions
HI, This looks like a fun way to see the sights. How much they charge for this tour? How long is it? Is it easy to get to from downtown? Thanks!
Wilmington W
Wilmington, NC3 contributions
We actually changed our prices after nine years in business. Our Eagles Island Cruise is $12 for adults, $6 for kids ages 4-12, and ages 3 and under are free. For the rest of February we will only be running Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, and 4pm. Our cruises are weather depenent. Thank you for your interest in Wilmington Water Tours!
Linatlyn
Durham, NC9 contributions
how would you dress for the sunset cruise
Christine W
Greensboro, NC97 contributions
There is no dress code to my knowledge. It is a catamaran with a nice bar, but if you happen to be celebrating and want to wear fancy evening wear, go for for it, nobody would care. Maybe bikinis would be inappropriate unless your whole party is heading to a pool party afterwards. Be happy...Look pretty and you will be fine anywhere on the river walk or the historic river front district. But beware there's lots of cobblestone streets and sidewalks, so heels might be dangerous and really not good on any boat deck.
NoDak F
MCVILLE19 contributions
Just wondering what the cost is and do you need reservations?
Keri P
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States3 contributions
We made reservations ahead of time since we were only there one weekend and didn't have much flexability in when we would be able to go. We knew we wanted a specific day and time so we reserved about 2 weeks before hand. It was $27per person plus the cost of drinks once you are on the boat. The drink prices were reasonable.
Wilmington Water Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Wilmington Water Tours Information
Excellent Reviews | 1,173 |
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Very Good Reviews | 170 |
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