rappahannock river dinner cruise

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• Reedville, VA

Tangier Rappahannock Cruises

Tangier and Rappahannock Cruises offers three different cruise experiences. FREDERICKSBURG: Journey back into an era-gone-by on the scenic Rappahannock River. Enjoy a narrated cruise by historic Civil War sites and George Washington's boyhood home. Enclosed for rain or shine, our climate controlled cabin includes seated dining and a dance floor upstairs. Join us for a Lunch or Dinner Cruise on the, Paddlewheeler "The City of Fredericksburg." A favorite choice for weddings and receptions. Lunch Cruises are Tuesday-Saturday from 12:00 PM-2:00 PM. Dinner Cruises are Tuesday-Thursday from 6:00 PM- 8:30 PM. Sunday Brunch Cruises are Sundays from 1:00 PM-3:30 PM. Friday and Saturday nights are dinner-dance cruises. Fridays from 8:00 PM-11:00 PM and Saturdays from 7:00 PM-10:00 PM. Departs from the city dock on Sophia Street in downtown Fredericksburg. RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER: Virginia's Rappahannock River is full of adventure, history, and excitement. It all comes alive for you in a day you'll always remember, aboard the cruise boat, Capt. Thomas. View the rare bald eagles as you take the twenty mile narrated cruise up the scenic Rappahannock River. Your destination is Virginia's premier winery, Ingleside Plantation, for tour a tour and tasting. Catered lunch is available.Departs from Tappahannock, Virginia Wednesday-Sunday at 10:00 AM. TANGIER ISLAND: Your cruise leaves from historic Reedville, Virginia, the center of the largest fishing industry in the U.S. The ship often paswses fishing boats working their nets or large ocean freighters traveling between Baltimore and Norfolk. After a relaxing one and one half hour narrated cruise, the ship docks at Tangier where you are met by a friendly guide. Spend two and one half hours walking around this quaint island, or take a tour on a mini-bus. Departs Reedville daily at 10:00 AM.

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Rappahannock River Charters

Escape the traffic and enjoy the beauty of the  Rappahannock River  with your friends and loved ones. Experience a breath-taking  sunset cruise  aboard  Miss Nicole . There’s so much to see while on the cruise: wildlife and fishing, the beautiful landscape of the  Northern Neck  – all while cruising on our historic Rappahannock River.

Captain William Saunders has over  31  years of successful operating experience and is renowned for his attention to detail, safety and excellent service.

We are moored at  Carter’s Creek  in beautiful  Irvington, Virginia . We offer  Fishing  Tours as well as Scenic  Day  and  Sunset  Cruises.

THE “MISS NICOLE” IS A FAMILY, PET-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT!

The ‘Miss Nicole’ is a classic all wooden Chesapeake Deadrise.

She is one of the very few Chesapeake dead-rise boats that are used for both Charter and Commercial purposes.

From April through October, she is a Charter boat; from November through February she is used as an oyster-harvesting boat.

The design for the official state boat of Virginia is based on her hull. These classic wooden boats have worked the waters of the Chesapeake Bay for over 200 years.

She is 38 feet in length by 11 feet in width, with a heated cabin area as well as restroom facilities

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Are you the type that loves an outdoor adventure? Or are you looking to spend quality time with your loved ones splashing along our shorelines?

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Rappahannock River Sunset Sail

Enjoy a Private Sunset Cruise on Rappahannock River in Weems

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About This Experience Gift

• Join a Professional Crew on a Sailing Cruise in Weems
• Indulge in a Private River Cruise as the Sun Starts to Set
• Take in the Beautiful Scenery from the Rappahannock River

General Information

Soak up the beauty of a Virginia sunset on this 2-hour evening cruise on the stunning Rappahannock River.

The Rappahannock is one of the most scenic river corridors in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and the longest free-flowing river in the eastern United States. Meet your crew at Carter’s Cove Marina in Weems, and board your 36-foot vessel before sailing gently out of the harbor and into the river. Cruise along the water, taking in your beautiful surroundings and looking out for local wildlife, as the sun begins to dip below the horizon, painting the sky every shade of orange, pink and red overhead. Slip into the water for a quick dip during summer months, or if you’d rather stay dry, pack a cooler with food and something sparkling to toast with, and just kick back on deck. After the sun has set, sail back to the marina as the stars pop out one by one.

This sunset sailing trip on the Rappahannock River would make a wonderful trip to book on your next vacation in Virginia, and a fabulous experience gift for a birthday or anniversary.

Where It's Located

• Weems, Virginia

Who Is Included

Participants The Weems Sailing Experience Gifts Certificate is valid for two participants. You can have up to two participants on this private cruise.

Guests This experience is not suitable for non-paying guests or spectators.

When It Is Offered

The Weems Sailing Cruises are offered 7 days a week March through November, subject to availability.

How Long Is It

The Rappahannock Sailing Cruises run for 2 hours.

The Sunset Sailing Cruises may be rescheduled due to inclement weather conditions.

What To Wear

You should dress for the weather and wear comfortable, closed-toe flat shoes.

Additional Information

You may wish to bring a camera or smart phone, although we do not assume any liability for their protection from the elements.

ITEM/SKU NUMBER: US-0422-0001

Reservation Information

Xperience Certificates® cannot be exchanged once a reservation for the experience has been made.

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Gifts can be printed out upon purchase; or, delivered instantly via eMail to you or to the gift recipient. Certificates can be personalized with a message and include a full description of the gift purchased. Don’t worry, we won’t disclose the price of the gift.

NO EXPIRATION DATES

Certificates are valid for one year from the date of purchase. After 12 months from the date of issue, the redeemer will be responsible for any price increase for the activity (if there is one at the time of redemption).

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Worried about selecting the perfect gift? No need to! Certificates valid for a specific activity can be exchanged at any time prior to redemption. Plus, open Choice Certificates can be purchased here .

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Fodor's Expert Review Rappahannock River Cruises

A cruise 20 miles up the river to Ingleside Vineyards leaves from Tappahannock. Rappahannock River Cruises enlists its ship Capt. Thomas to take passengers on the narrated day cruise. A buffet lunch is served at the winery for $13. Snacks are served on board, or you can bring your own. To reach the dock, take Highway 17 south from Tappahannock to Hoskins Creek. The cruise departs daily at 10, returning at 4:30. They also offer a cruise from Reedville to Tangier Island.

Quick Facts

468 Buzzard Point Rd. Warsaw, Virginia  22560, USA

804-453–2628

www.tangiercruise.com

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Fishing Charters

Boat Cruises

Rappahannock River Fishing Charters and Sunset Cruises

[email protected], 804.516.2026.

© 2024 W.H.Murray Marine & Guide Services

Design by L! Marketing

Escape the traffic and enjoy the beauty of the  Rappahannock River  with your friends and loved ones. Experience a breath-taking sunset cruise  aboard Miss Nicole . There’s so much to see while on the cruise: wildlife and fishing, the beautiful landscape of the Northern Neck  – all while cruising on our historic Rappahannock River.

Captain William Saunders has over 31  years of successful operating experience and is renowned for his attention to detail, safety and excellent service.

We are moored at Carter's Creek  in beautiful Irvington, Virginia . We offer Fishing  Tours as well as Scenic Day  and Sunset  Cruises.

THE "MISS NICOLE" IS A FAMILY, PET-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT!

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History and science cruises on the Rappahannock River at Tappahannock

by Tom Chillemi – 

T here are mysteries in the Rappahannock River, known only by a few. Forgotten but not gone are relics, sinking in river mud at Tappahannock. Their stories would be lost except for those who have taken time to learn about the past and bring them forward to the present. 

Another type of discovery awaits. Here 33 miles up the Rappahannock from the Chesapeake Bay, fresh water mixes with brackish water in a unusual ecological zone.

Nate Parker and Richard Moncure of Rappahannock Roundstern, a local charter boat business in Tappahannock, are ready to take the curious on a journey of discovery aboard two vintage “round stern” deadrise workboats.

Parker, who traces his ancestors back several generations at Tappahannock, is a historian. 

Moncure, a former Friends of the Rappahannock steward, is currently the S.T.R.E.A.M. director at St. Margaret’s School in Tappahannock, combining science curriculums.

Moncure explained the Rappahannock River offers a dynamic habitat at the river’s “salt wedge,” where salt and freshwater converge. It’s an ecosystem where bald eagles, blue crabs, oysters and many fish species call home. It’s a place that changes through the year as the earth and water warm, he said. Ospreys spend their summers nesting and raising fledglings before returning to South America for the winter.

The water’s nature mysteries surface here in the form of dolphins that swim through in summer months, said Moncure. These mammals surface to catch a breath, giving observers a short glimpse of their friendly faces that seem to smile.

Fortunately for would-be swimmers there are almost no jellyfish due to the fresh water’s influence.

The area is an amazing fishery that includes many native species like perch, croaker and striped bass, said Moncure. “But you can also cruise into a local creek a few turns and catch a largemouth bass or a long nose gar,” he explained. “This part of the river is also the home to a few non-native fish like blue catfish and snakeheads, which are also fun to catch and eat for dinner as well.” 

Sturgeon are seen, but only very rarely, adding to the river’s mystique. “They’re hiding on the bottom,” Moncure added. 

The Rappahannock River at Tappahannock is also a place where the landscape makes it easy to imagine Captain John Smith’s journey up the river more than 400 years ago where he met the Rappahannock Tribe.

History is all around Tappahannock

N ate Parker of Rappahannock Roundstern enjoys talking about history in a way that brings back the past.

Parker and Richard Moncure operate Rappahannock Roundstern, which owns two antique wooden hand-built roundstern deadrises built on the Rappahannock for watermen.

These style boats were once used by many watermen for oystering, crabbing and many types of fishing on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, unfortunately since the invention of fiberglass vessels these wooden deadrise boats have become a “dying breed,” said Parker.

Rappahannock Roundstern specializes in historic cruises, scenic tours, bird watching, eco-tours as well as fishing. Moncure is the former Friends of the Rappahannock steward and is currently the S.T.R.E.A.M. director at St. Margaret’s School. Parker manages June Parker Marina, where Rappahannock Roundstern is based. He also serves on the Essex County Wetlands Board and has volunteered his marina’s beach for many years to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) to do river sampling.

Parker and Moncure both care very much about the Rappahannock and its history, marine science, and ecology and they enjoy teaching how and why to care for the river. And, giving folks an opportunity to enjoy the Rappahannock and all it has to offer.

To book a history and science cruise, call Parker at 313-0099 or Moncure at 214-0447.

Parker has Rappahannock River water in his veins. He traces his ancestors back several generations. 

Pilings mark the place where a thriving pier once offloaded goods from steamboats.

Before the pier was built, ships from England moored here and loaded goods bound for Europe.

Tappahannock’s ghost ship 

“Caponka” was a large wooden cargo ship that was constructed for the United States Shipping Board in 1918 by Grant Smith-Porter Co. located in Portland, Ore. Quite a few similar vessels were built due to a shortage of cargo ships needed during World War I. She was a quick vessel and her first and only voyage was to the Philippines, the Far East and the Mediterranean.

After WWI many of these cargo ships were not needed anymore. In 1920 “Caponka” was sent to the Potomac to join the ghost ship fleet. In 1924 she was bought by Capt. Plummard Derieux and headed to Tappahannock to be used for grain storage near the steamboat wharf. During a bad storm in the 1930s she broke free and floated onto the mud flat where her remnants remain, said Parker. 

Part of the ship’s pilothouse was dismantled and the lumber was used to build Zac Johnson’s ferry boathouse that remains on the north shore of the Rappahannock across from Tappahannock.

Many stories have been told about what “Caponka” was used for after getting stuck, explained Parker. In 1949 the ship caught fire and burned to the waterline. 

Numerous stories have been told about how the fire began. The derelict ship had become a place where men congregated to “relax” and play poker. Many believe a fight broke out one night when an oil lantern was broken and the fire began.

What’s left of the hull is not visible even at low tide. Many boaters have hit the ghost ship lurking just below the water’s surface. The shipwreck is now marked on most marine charts.

From ferry to bridge

Before the construction of bridges across the Rappahannock River at Tappahannock the only way to get across was by ferry boats, explained Parker. 

Zac Johnson of the Northern Neck built a ferry house out of the “Caponka” pilothouse. Flags were used to signal. If someone in Tappahannock wanted to cross, they would raise a red flag. Johnson would signal his reply. If it were a black flag, that meant he was not operating.

Johnson ferried cars and trucks across the Rappahannock until the first of two bridges was constructed in 1927. The low bridge had a swing span that opened to allow boats to pass.

The bridge was named for State Senator Colonel Thomas J. Downing. His 7-year-old  grandson, also named Thomas Downing, cut the ribbon with an oyster knife on the day the bridge was opened.

Young Thomas Downing followed in his grandfather’s footsteps and became a politician who served numerous terms on Virginia’s Senate. 

The current Downing Bridge was constructed in 1967. It was a much higher bridge, which meant boats could pass under it. Thomas Downing was at the dedication ceremony for the current bridge as well, said Parker. 

After the new bridge was built the original bridge was deconstructed and scrapped. The majority of the concrete piles used in the building of the first bridge were bought by the man who was attempting to build Tappahannock Marina, now June Parker Marina, and were used for construction and fill.

Discover The Rappahannock River w ith a Capt. Bull custom cruise

B oat owners have a saying, “A boat is a hole in the water that you dump money into.” Few can argue that. But, there is an alternative to owning a boat — Tip Sea Charters based in Lancaster County at Windmill Point Marina, and in Tappahannock at June Parker Marina.

Dan Kurdziel “Captain Bull” is a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed charter boat captain. His boat can zip to a fishing spot, idle for sightseeing and looking for dolphins, or just float so clients can take in a sunset. In fact, Capt. Bull encourages clients to customize their cruise. “If you can think of a cruise, I’m on board,” he said. “I’m the Northern Neck’s do-all charter service.”

Capt. Bull, 42, brings decades of experience to the helm of his 25-foot long Parker boat, which is approved to carry six passengers. He’s been boating the Rappahannock River for 24 years. He got his first boat when he was a teen, so he knows the waters well. 

Cruises start at $300 and Capt. Bull said he’s flexible when it comes to rough weather and knows when to stay in port. “I want everyone to be comfortable and have a good time,” he said.

For those living on the waterfront or staying at a waterfront short-term rental, Tip Sea Charters will pick clients up at their dock. They can bring their own refreshments. “Think of me as your buddy going out on the water.”

His boat “Lil Tip Sea” has been outfitted with non-slip floors, cushioned deck chairs and fishing rods. No fishing license is needed, since the boat has a license that covers occupants, and Capt. Bull brings the bait. He offers full and half day fishing charters.

Going on a charter is a way to see if you like boating and get a feel for what it’s like, said Capt. Bull, who added the cost of a charter is oftentimes less than the boat maintenance costs. Chartering a boat takes away some of the responsibilities of owning a boat.

Capt. Bull enjoys history and gives water history tours at Tappahannock. His boat is outfitted with side-scan radar that can see underwater and produces a vivid image of a sunken ship in the Rappahannock River near the Downing Bridge. “Caponka” was built as a 200-foot long cargo ship during World War I and ended up as a grain storage boat in Tappahannock before breaking free from this mooring and going aground in the 1930s.

It burned to the waterline in 1949.

Tip Sea Charters also gives tours to Fones Cliffs on the Rappahannock River, a habitat for bald eagles.

For information, call Capt. Bull at 761-0975.

Smith gave river, village Native American names

In 1608 Captain John Smith sailed up the Rappahannock River, 33 miles from Chesapeake Bay, where he found a Native American village. According to the Town of Tappahannock website, Capt. Smith gave the river and the village Native American names.

Rappahannock, means “rise and fall” of water. The village became Tappahannock, which means “town on the rise and fall of water.”

About 50 years later in the early 1660s, ship’s captain Richard Hobbs patented 800 acres at Tappahannock and the area became known as “Hobbs His Hole.” The term “hole” refers to deep water and a good anchorage.

In 1680 the English Crown decreed that there were to be 20 towns established that would be official ports so that all trade, both import and export, could be monitored by the agents of the English. By act of the Virginia General Assembly, Tappahannock was established as a port town, so was Urbanna.

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• Life & Culture

What’s it like to dine on Tampa’s new riverboat cruise Craft? We took a ride.

• Helen Freund Times staff

TAMPA — We almost didn’t make the boat.

Traffic snarled through downtown Tampa and stretched onto the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, delaying what would have been a 45-minute drive from St. Petersburg to nearly an hour and a half in stop-and-go congestion.

We had reservations for Craft, Tampa’s brand-new riverboat dinner cruise set to depart at 7:30 p.m. — and a friendly confirmation email reminding us that our purchase was nonrefundable. We’d been encouraged to arrive 45 minutes early, when we would have presumably been able to commence a leisurely boarding, river breeze in our hair, Champagne flute in hand.

Life had other plans. At 7:25 p.m., my dinner date and I swung our car into the Garrison Street parking lot, narrowly avoiding getting struck by an oncoming streetcar.

Following a quick security wand-down (the boat adheres to U.S. Coast Guard rules) and a $30 event-fueled parking fee (Tim McGraw was playing a show at nearby Amalie Arena), crew members greeted us with a quick photograph and a glass of bubbly before sending us on our way.

“Welcome to our maiden voyage!” they exclaimed as we rushed aboard.

Shortly after 7:30 p.m., we were off, out of the Ybor Turning Basin and into the sunset.

Described as a “culinary and cocktail river journey,” Craft debuted its inaugural dinner cruise on March 15. The multimillion-dollar project is the latest endeavor from Jill and Troy Manthey, who also run several other entertainment-on-the-water concepts, including Yacht StarShip, Pirate Water Taxi and the Bay Rocket.

Designed with European riverboats in mind, the 130-foot-long vessel boasts a sleek, white silhouette with less than 11 feet of vertical clearance — meaning it can comfortably drift beneath many of Tampa’s low-lying bridges. But this ship’s real appeal lies in the coupling of an elevated culinary program, contemporary aesthetic and craft cocktails.

A trip aboard Craft includes a two-hour cruise up and down the Hillsborough River and a three-course prix-fixe meal. To start, there are lunch, brunch and dinner trips on deck, but a happy hour option may soon be in the works.

Running any kind of marine operation comes with steep operating costs — including fuel, dock rental fees and staffing — and the experience here is priced accordingly. But it still comes with a good deal of sticker shock. For two people on a Friday evening, we paid $392.59 for the boat ride and the three-course dinner — not including gratuity or drinks.

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I love a fancy boat ride as much as the next person, but the pricing gave me pause.

Would the experience be worth it?

Things were a lot smoother once we got on board.

We entered through the front of the boat, or bow, and were shown to our seats inside a narrow dining room, flanked by windows overlooking the water. Wood paneling combined with slight nautical touches lent the space a warm, industrial-chic vibe.

Servers clad in white collared shirts and gray aprons whisked back and forth between the tables, balancing martini coupes and taking orders. In an attempt to let the crew develop their sea legs, the boat wasn’t fully booked that evening, but the dining room still felt abuzz with excitement and curiosity.

Clutching our Champagne, we glided through Sparkman Channel at dusk, glitzy Harbour Island homes glowing in the evening light as a Maggie Rogers track played softly in the background. We let out a collective exhale as the chaos of the day faded away.

Over the course of the roughly two-hour cruise, the boat steered up the Hillsborough River, passing Riverwalk landmarks including the Tampa Convention Center, Armature Works and Rick’s on the River, before turning around and heading back.

Guests were encouraged to explore the boat. The Bow and Stern bar, beautifully designed and fashioned out of a vintage 1914 cruiser, provided additional seating in the rear for those looking for more of an al fresco experience.

Throughout the evening, the crew moved back and forth between the dining room, the bar and the kitchen, sometimes stepping out on the deck to alert passengers when their meals had been delivered. Guests roamed the boat taking photographs, while patrons inside chatted up their neighbors, much of the voyage illuminated by the lights of downtown Tampa.

Craft’s strongest selling point is its culinary program, and the menu here is a far cry from the goblets of white wine and dry chicken associated with most dinner cruises.

Designed by chef Allison Beasman (formerly of Edison: Food + Drink Lab), the list of contemporary New American dishes runs the gamut from a black grouper served with Little Neck clams and Pernod cream to a Wagyu coulotte with kabocha caramel and a Korean barbecue octopus. As part of the prix-fixe deal, guests are able to pick an appetizer, entree and dessert from a menu of roughly 13 different dishes.

Part of what makes the vessel stand out is the addition of an open kitchen with gas stoves, and the concept’s design allows guests to get a peek of the action if they’re on their way to the bathroom or the bar.

When it came time to order dinner, our server patiently guided us through the menu, pointing out the additional dishes we could choose if we wished to add a little something extra onto our prepaid meal. We opted for the olive oil-marinated sheep and goat’s milk cheese ($18), which was just as tasty as our server touted. It arrived in a rich red pepper-packed pisto, drizzled with a healthy glug of olive oil and served with crusty bread for dipping.

Dishes are made to order and don’t necessarily arrive at the same time as other passengers’ meals. Our appetizers showed up roughly 45 minutes into the trip, a delightful baby kale salad lightly dressed in a white balsamic vinaigrette that was toothsome with chicory and shaved carrots and plumped up with fried baby potatoes and a healthy shaving of ricotta salata. Also good was the hearty tomato bisque with roasted bone marrow and blackened cipollini onions.

For our entrees, a seared duck breast arrived fanned out over silky whipped potatoes and a creamy goat cheese fondue, framed by Brussels sprouts and fat wedges of roasted golden beets. Though the duck was cooked a little past the requested temperature, it was still delicious. A plate of sweet and sour braised short ribs packed powerhouse flavors that paired beautifully together, all served over a sweet and sticky coconut rice sidling bok choy and juicy tangerine segments.

For dessert, we paired a perfect few scoops of pistachio ice cream with a chocolate espresso dacquoise, an intensely rich and sweet layer cake featuring a tart blackberry curd and creamy dark chocolate ganache.

The fine print

The water was calm that night and the entire service appeared well-rehearsed — absent of any major hiccups and even graceful at moments. As far as I could tell, there were no seasick passengers or man-overboard scenarios, which felt like some kind of success, though I did wonder what type of balance or physical dexterity would be required to maneuver trays of wobbling martini glasses over stormier seas.

Though tiered pricing exists for Craft — for different seats, times of day or days of the week — there’s no overlooking that a trip aboard the vessel isn’t cheap.

With neither drinks nor gratuity included in the booking price, if you’re looking to enjoy the evening with a couple of libations, it’s going to cost you. The add-ons can feel excessive, from a $50 king crab leg tray to the preboarding photograph crew members try to sell you at the end of the night. A suggested gratuity is presented on your bill, based on the total sales tallied for the table that evening, including the cost of the original reservation.

Some changes are bound to be expected as the company assesses guest interest and feedback. Even after the first week, it appears some prices have been slightly adjusted. Dinner for two people seated in the dining room with window seats now comes to $369.89 after taxes and marine fees, while weekend brunches for the same seats start at $89.95 per person.

It’s hard to imagine making dining here a regular occurrence, but for a special occasion, an evening aboard Craft can be a real delight.

Next time, though, I’ll remember to leave myself plenty of time to get there.

For Craft reservations and information, go to crafttampa.com/ . The riverboat departs from the dock at 603 Channelside Drive, Tampa.

Helen Freund is the food and dining critic, reporting on and reviewing restaurants throughout Tampa Bay. Reach her at [email protected].

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• Guided tour

River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat

• Description
• Choose date

Equipped with ice-breaking technology, these huge fancy yachts are the only river cruisers running all year around. The round trip journey takes two and a half hours and floats past all the big sights like the White House, Novodevichy monastery and the Kremlin. There’s a large open air observation deck up top, while the main body of the ship houses a restaurant with a dance floor for a romantic post dinner dance. For a particularly romantic experience take one of the evening boats and admire the bright lights of the city skyline at night.

The most relaxing and picturesque tour that Moscow can offer: a great way to see the city center and its main attractions. This is a perfect alternative to exploring the city by car, if you only have time to do sightseeing during weekday rush hours.

Your English-speaking guide is eager to share every bit of their knowledge about the surrounding landscape, the architecture and historical details.

We conduct Moscow river tour on Radisson Flotilla boats all year around!  It’s warm inside during winter months, while there’s air conditioning during hot summer days. You may also treat yourself to drinks, lunch or dinner on board (drinks and food are not included in tour price).

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

Quay at Radisson Collection Hotel

Government Headquarters ("the White House")

Kievsky Railway Central

Novodevichy Convent

Luzhniki Stadium

Academy of Sciences

Monument to Peter I

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Moscow Kremlin

St.Basil's Cathedral

Novospassky Monastery

U-turn and back to Quay at Radisson Royal Hotel

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Who's going.

• Excursion River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat
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• Who's going:

See photo of the meeting point

THE 10 BEST Moscow Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in moscow.

• Boat Rentals
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Water Sports
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing
• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Waterskiing & Jetskiing
• Parasailing & Paragliding
• River Rafting & Tubing
• Dolphin & Whale Watching
• Speed Boats Tours
• Submarine Tours
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3rd Transport Ring (TTK)
• District Central (TsAO)
• Garden Ring
• District Northern (SAO)
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Couples
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Adventurous
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Flotilla Radisson Royal

2. Moscow River Boat Tours

3. Sup-Club

4. Akvanavt Diving Centre

5. Diving Center Crocus City Oceanarium

6. CheapRussia Tours

7. Kite School Kiteclass

8. SUP Center

9. Erwin. Reka

11. Easy Russia Tour Guide

12. Lovely Russia Tours

13. Capital River Boat Tours - Moscow Centre

14. Alfa Centr

15. Diving Club Divers

16. Sup Outdoor

17. MORE MOSCOW

19. Soho Sailing Style

20. Diving Center Crocodile

21. Mosparokhodstvo

22. Dive-Project

24. Kosinskiy Children Marine Club

25. Kayak Moscow

26. DIVECLUB CHE

27. FLOW Moscow

28. Moswake

29. Morskiye Volki

30. S-cruises

What travelers are saying

• CheapRussia Tours
• Easy Russia Tour Guide
• Lovely Russia Tours
• MORE MOSCOW
• Insider Moscow Tours
• Flotilla Radisson Royal
• Moscow River Boat Tours
• Capital River Boat Tours - Moscow Centre
• Diving Center Crocus City Oceanarium

• Bahasa Indonesia
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• Russian Kitchen

Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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