Space Coast River Tours

Take a tour along the beautiful Banana River.  You’ll see a variety of wildlife such as dolphins, manatees, and perhaps a alligator and a large variety of birds including the Brown Pelican, the majestic Great Blue Heron, the Snowy White Egret, the White Ibis, Wood Stork, Osprey, and the endangered Bald Eagle.  Daily 2 hour tours will take you over to Port Canaveral where you may see a cruise ship leaving the port, shrimp boats, and witness one of the busiest ports in the nation.

There are several boat tour operators who can show you the magnificent rivers, shoreline, and attractions along the Space Coast.  Space Coast River Tours offers tours Monday through Saturday at 1pm and on Sunday at 3:30pm.  Monday to Friday tours include a view of the river and areas off Merritt Island.  The Saturday tour is a lunch tour at Port Canaveral.  The Sunday tour allows you to watch the Port Canaveral Cruise ships departing.

Island Boat Lines, pictured above, offers tours twice daily Monday through Saturday (10am and 2pm) and once on Sunday (2pm only).  Some of their specialty tours include a Christmas Boat Parade, a July 4th Fireworks Tour, Bioluminescence Tours in the summer and fall, Rocket Launch Tours, and Wine and Cheese Tours for Mother’s Day and Valentines Day.  The Tours include a drink and snacks.  The boat is handicap accessible and seats up to 49 passengers comfortably.  There is a restroom on board.

If you are interested in a more unique experience, then try the Indian River Queen boat tour.  The Indian River Queen is a triple desk paddle boat which is 99 feet long and includes air-conditioned event spaces and onsite catering.  Although this boat is typically reserved for private functions, they do offer public cruises on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons with the option to dine and enjoy live music while cruising.

If boats aren’t your thing, then maybe you would wish to tour the coastline and rivers via kayak?  If so, then please click here to learn about kayak tours near our hotel.