Discover the James Bald Eagle Tours
Discover the James Bald Eagle Tours
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About
The James River runs through it ... through the City of Richmond. And just minutes downriver is an incredible opportunity to see resident bald eagles, who live on the river all year long, in their natural habitat. This 2-hour, tidal river pontoon boat tour takes you into the midst of an ecosystem rich with wildlife, abundant in history and beautiful scenery. Discover the James' Bald Eagle Tour travels a five-mile stretch of the James River known as Jefferson's Reach, through five territories of resident bald eagles. Discover the conservation success story of bald eagles on the James River, where less than forty years ago there were none. Today, in 2016, over 260 pair of resident bald eagles call the James River watershed home making our river the site of the greatest comeback of the bald eagle in the entire North American continent. Ride aboard the Discovery Barge II, a comfortable 24-foot pontoon boat and experience majestic bald eagles closer than you may have ever seen them.
Richmond, Virginia
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Discover the James Bald Eagle Tours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
5.0
46 reviews
Excellent
46
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melissacocker
Virginia Beach, VA15 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
Captain Mike took us on an awesome tour of the James River to see the Bald Eagles! We saw so many! Also got to see egrets, herons and osprey. Lots of fish jumping. Beautiful scenery! Mike was very knowledgeable about the river and it's inhabitants. We got great photos of the eagles and everything else! Can't wait to do this again in the fall!
Written August 24, 2013
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.
Lovestoread 1982
Richmond, VA58 contributions
Sep 2019
Seeing bald eagles has been on our "bucket list" and since coming to Richmond VA, home of the James River, we were excited to be going out on the James with Captain Mike. He started spotting eagles immediately. We were able to see so many different birds while on the river. We also watched carefully to see a sturgeon jumping up from the water - apparently they also are seen doing this quite frequently. Captain Mike got the boat safely close to the eagles. They are truly majestic. We learned a lot of great information about the birds, the habitat and the river. I am ready to go again!!!
Written September 19, 2019
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.
Donald H
Virginia Beach, VA27 contributions
Sep 2016
There are not enough adjectives to properly review this experience. Capt Mike knows this stretch of river and its inhabitants . With his eagle eyes he is able to spot birds in trees across the rive ensuring that his guests get to see many birds. On our trip we were able to see all five nesting pair of eagles along with several osprey, great blue herons and egrets.
Written September 21, 2016
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.
BetterThanIDeserve1
Montana84 contributions
Jun 2016 • Friends
If you are looking for a quality, boat excursion to see the eagles, osprey, herons and a variety of other species, you would be negligent not to take advantage of this opportunity. Capt Mike does an exceptional job and knows the river better than anyone else around from both a nature and fishing aspect. Safe, comfortable, educational and especially fun no matter what the conditions you will have a great time.
Written June 18, 2016
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.
Underpaid62
Midlothian, VA183 contributions
Feb 2016 • Friends
Captain Mike is very easy-going, friendly and knows all the eagles and where they are hanging out on the James River, near downtown Richmond. He spots the eagles with his own 'eagle eyes' and tosses a fish in the water. Almost without fail, the eagle will pause, turn its head and swoop down to the boat for a look. Then the eagle will dive onto the water surface and scoop up the fish. Very breathtaking each time. A great 2 hours that goes by too quickly
Written March 6, 2016
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.
prountrey
Richmond, VA47 contributions
Oct 2015 • Solo
I had wanted to to this for years and finally did in October 2015. This is so easy and comfortable. The pontoon boat is like a floating patio. Amazing how much we could see and cover in 2 hours. Captain Mike makes the trip fun and educational. I took my DSLR and long lens and got hundreds of the best wildlife photos of my life. Captain is skilled at setting up position based on light and wind to get the best photos. This trip is a real bargain! I plan to come back and do this again soon with some friends. Maybe I will bring my grand-kids sometime too. They would love it.
Written November 2, 2015
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.
Tbkmama
Texas, Australia105 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
Absolutely loved this tour. CAPT Mike is wonderful and we got to see so many bald eagles, osprey, blue Herron. They provide binoculars so you can spot them and in many cases the Eagles will come down and fly right by you. We even were fortunate to see adult Eagles teach their young how to hunt. I definitely want to go again. Recommend to everyone!
Written August 1, 2015
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.
Deb74TSI
Richmond, VA7 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
I have absolutely no idea why TripAdvisor puts this tour in New Richmond, WV, because the tour I so thoroughly enjoyed was by Captain Mike Ostrander along the James River in Richmond, VA. Having tried to clarify that, this Bald Eagle tour is outstanding! The pontoon boat was comfortable even for a friend who worried about needing Dramamine; Capt. Mike was exquisitely informative and hospitable; from the point of departure we went 'up' and 'down' the James; and we saw multiple types of wildlife in addition to bald eagles. Capt. Mike has a wonderful depth of knowledge about the river, the wildlife, the history of the area, the plantations, everything. Our tour was in the afternoon, and we all (six of us) had the best time so give Capt. Mike our best accolades. We so enjoyed it, we all agreed we must do it again! Cheers and Thanks to Capt. Mike and the glorious eagles who visited with us.
Written October 11, 2014
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.
galaxy148
Glen Allen, VA806 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
We had been talking about doing this for a year and finally went this week. Capt Mike took us out on his boat along with two other avid eagle photographers. We were out for 2 hours and saw everything. Bald Eagles and there young, Osprey, Heron and Egret. It was great to see the birds chasing each other, swooping in for the fish Mike had and then watching them eat it in there natural habitats. Being out on the river was peaceful and the best way to see these beautiful birds. He was able to share with us the birds histories and point to them by name. If you don't have binoculars don't worry you can borrow some from Mike. Can't wait to go again.
Written July 31, 2014
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.
Barbara M
Cobbs Creek, Virginia, United States40 contributions
Sep 2013 • Friends
If you love Bald Eagles like I do, or Nature, you HAVE to book a cruise with Captain Mike to see the wonderful and beautiful James River. You will be seated on a kinda weathered but comfortable pontoon boat for the experience of your life. Captain Mike knows where each resident Eagle Pair's Terrritory begins and ends... The Eagles along this tour know Captain Mike and watch for his gift of fresh fish for them to snack on... Bring your camera and capture a soaring Eagle as it retrieves tastey fish offered by the Captain... Visit "Discover The James" web site and book a tour ....... Your heart and soul will thank you!!
Written November 30, 2013
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.
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