Holiday Lights River Cruise

This morning, hour and three quarters long cruise goes up the Northeast Cape Fear River to the upper reaches of the black water system of this storied river. Captain Doug Springer will share his extensive knowledge of the history of the area while you take in the flora and fauna along the river banks. We will cruise through the Castle Hayne Aquifer and by the bluffs of the Rose Hill Plantation. Visit our full bar for a freshly brewed cup of coffee or the best Bloody Mary on the river.

This is a great cruise for photographers, birders and nature buffs. Bring your camera to capture the untouched beauty of this early morning adventure.

Local Film History Cruise aboard Wilmington Water Tours

There’s nothing quite like the Wilmington film industry, and its story is one made for the big screen. Join Wilmington Water Tours and film/TV writer Hunter Ingram for a cinematic river cruise through the history of local film, with behind-the-scenes insight into local projects like “Firestarter,” “Dawson’s Creek,” “One Tree Hill,” “Sleepy Hollow,” “Iron Man 3,” “The Conjuring,” “Scream,” “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” and the newest addition to ILM’s Hollywood legacy, Netflix’s “The Waterfront.” This is our most popular cruise yet!

Whether you’re a lifelong history buff or just curious about the forces that shaped this region, this is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn while enjoying a relaxing, scenic cruise. Topics rotate monthly, so every trip offers a new perspective on Wilmington’s place in American history.

Our September cruise will present “All You Need Is Love” The Beatles and Their Times

Join Dr. Chris E. Fonvielle Jr., Professor Emeritus in the Dept. of History at UNC Wilmington for a conversation about The Beatles, the greatest musical and cultural phenomenon of the 20^th century. How did four young lads–John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Star—from Liverpool, England become the most revered and loved rock and roll band ever? Dr. Fonvielle will discuss the world in which John, Paul, George, and Ringo grew up, how they discovered each other and their mutual love for music, worked and worked to hone their talents for playing and songwriting, conquered England, then America, and then the world. “A splendid time is guaranteed for all!”

Our boat, the “Wilmington” is a 49 passenger enclosed motor catamaran with comfortable seating and a restroom on board. Our full bar has refreshments and snacks for all ages. This is an hour and 45 minutes long cruise, $45, children $25. Boarding is 15 minutes prior to departure.

Cape Fear Legends & Lore

Get to know the Cape Fear’s most enduring legends with this special cruise charting the stories that don’t always get told. From the tunnels underneath the city to the colonial imposter who tempted fate by claiming to be royal, this cruise will traverse the last 250 years of local history to get at the heart of what’s fact and what’s fiction. Were rum runners captured on the river during Prohibition? Did Lord Cornwallis during his Revolutionary War visit to town occupy a downtown house and let his soldiers crash on the property while keeping Patriot prisoners in the basement? And the time Yellow Fever turned the city into a ghost town, and the rebellious age of Prohibition. Hunter Ingram, historian at Burgwin-Wright House, will share these stories and more.

Birding cruises on August 28 and October 30.

Join Wilmington Water Tours and Jill Peleuses from Wild Bird & Garden, for a peaceful morning birding excursion on the Cape Fear River. As we cruise down the river we will point out the birds we see and discuss their habitats and habits. The Cape Fear area is a perfect spot for our feathered friends. This birding trip will give you a look at the birds that make the Cape Fear River their home. Along with the expertise of Jill Peleuses, we have three bird guides and binoculars aboard to help you spot and identify the bird species on this one-of-a-kind Cape Fear River tour!

Whether you’re a novice or a long-time nature lover, you are sure to appreciate the birdlife our area has to offer.  Get out on the Cape Fear River with Wilmington Water Tours for this Specialty Cruise. Bring your camera to capture nature at its finest.

This is a 90 min. cruise from 10am to 11:30am.

October 30 –  6 PM
December 5 – 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm

This is one Wilmington’s most authentic ghost story that takes place on the Cape Fear river during the Revolutionary War era.  The story takes place aboard the Steamer Wilmington and draws from an encounter with the ghosts of two Scottish Highlanders with ties to the Revolutionary war. The story was written in 1898 by James Sprunt. Don’t miss this holiday event like no other. Wilmington Water Tours and Burgwin-Wright House have partnered to offer a river cruise based on this story.