Thank you so much, Chris and Cpt. Bruce. Chris was able to squeeze us on last minute. Everyone did... read more
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Columbia River Eco Tours
#1 of 16 Tours in Astoria
West Mooring Basin Slip D-5 503 468-9197, Astoria, OR
Review Highlights
“Great experience”
K3854IJmiker
“Beautiful Boat Ride with Bruce!”
We booked our tour over Valentine's Day Weekend and had the most beautiful and sunny private boat... read more
Lindzerlady
via mobile
Hanjan1
Salt Lake City, Utah
94
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All reviews captain bruce sea lions floating houses top deck great tour columbia river osprey boat ships
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MiaAmica
Oregon Coast, Oregon
13959
Another of those great venues to share with friends and family when they visit the area.
I highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in being on the water for a couple of hours and seeing Astoria and the surrounding area from the Columbia River. Reservations are advised as the maximum limit of 6 people is what is allowed on this lovely craft.
Wildlife is abundant and at a close view. The ships found on the mighty Columbia are almost close enough to touch.
This is two hours well-spent an any vacation in this beautiful area.
Date of experience: September 2018
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jayne D
12
This was our second experience aboard the Christina Cousteau. We brought food and drinks and enjoyed all of it up on the fly bridge while taking in the beautiful scenery. The sea lions were back this time. What a hoot! We saw the same pair of bald eagles and their nest along the banks of the John Day River. Captain Bruce was very knowledgeable and entertaining. I highly recommend this tour and we'll be back again.
Date of experience: August 2018
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
carolfB446BX
Eugene, Oregon
278
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What a disappointment!
We were so looking forward to this trip, especially after reading all the great reviews. However, Captain Bruce is not Captain Chris. He is knowledgeable about the area, his own qualifications, his girlfriend and photo of her, and talking forward into the wind, but anyone sitting behind him didn’t get to hear what he was saying. And that was at least three to four of the six of us.
After asking permission to board, we expected to be assisted in boarding the fairly awkward aft boarding area as the boat rocked up and down but Bruce didn’t offer to assist either of us. Luckily I boarded first and gave a hand to my friend, otherwise she would have ended up miss-stepping and possibly falling off the boat or hurting herself.
Be prepared to bring your own food or other beverages as there is nothing offered onboard, not even water. And there was no place to toss garbage. Bruce didn’t bother to tell us where the head was, or give us any safety instructions. Aren’t those required on these types of trips?
Be aware you must be able to climb a ladder to ride on top of the boat with the captain in fair weather to join the group. And the captain does NOT use a microphone so it is difficult to impossible to hear him speak when the wind is blowing, which it always does on the Oregon Coast.
We ended up having more fun downstairs visiting with another couple who we met on the trip than staying on top of the boat.
Date of experience: August 2018
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
christopherlloyd, Owner at Columbia River Eco Tours, responded to this reviewResponded September 11, 2018
It's always interesting for me, as the owner of Columbia River Eco Tours for the past 10 years and over 4,500 passengers, to analyse a negative review...
The negative reviews have one thing that is very consistent - they never tell you 'the rest of the story'.
In this case the above reviewer 'forgot' to tell you that the swim step for boarding the boat is the same height as the dock and since the boat is docked in the marina it does not rock up and down. We've had 90 year olds with canes easily board the boat. And of course we always offer assistance.
The ladder to the flybridge has seen 90 year olds, dogs and everyone else climb it. Many times with assistance, I've seen elderly passengers display an inspired sense of accomplishment for making the effort.
As to refreshments... the hotel where the above reviewer stayed gave her a free bottle of wine and a plate of cheese and crackers. I allow passengers to bring whatever food and drink they like aboard with them.
Captain Bruce told everyone aboard that there is a full bathroom onboard in the cabin. The life jackets and safety rings are in full view for all to see. There is a garbage bag hanging in the galley also in full view.
If you can't hear because of the wind, please ask us to speak louder and we'll be glad to do so.
I spoke with the above reviewer at least four times before she arrived at the boat. Each time she complained about something different. She complained about me. She complained about the hotel. I offered her a few suggestions but she ignored them and kept on complaining.
After she wrote the above review I called her to follow up. I pointed out the various inconsistencies within her review and asked her to remove it. She decided to leave it up, so I decided I'd fill anyone in, who takes the time to read this, on 'the rest of the story'.
Come take a tour! 4500 passengers, minus a handful of generally unhappy folks, can't be wrong. It's been the number one tour in Astoria for the past 7 years and I'm very proud of that! Thank you to all who've been aboard and to those of you who've not yet had the opportunity to enjoy the wonder of it, come on out we'll have a great time!
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Stacia W
Rapid City, South Dakota
74
via mobile 
We had a wonderful morning ride with Captain Bruce! He is extremely knowledgeable about the area, the river and boating. We learned so much from him, and already miss being in Oregon! This is a great experience and well worth the price!
Date of experience: June 2018
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jeffrey G
Austin
21
via mobile 
Captain Chris took a small group of us up the Columbia River from Astoria Oregon in his yacht. He was knowledgeable, affable and even gave a remote local a lift back to Astoria docks to get his sailboat. He, too was interesting and knowledgeable since he had lived here for 30 years.
You can't expect local color like that every trip, but the tour was well worth the time and money!
Date of experience: October 2017
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.