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5 Ways to Ride a Boat in New Jersey with the Tuckerton Seaport

 

There’s nothing like being on the water.

 

Last summer, the Tuckerton Seaport tested a new idea. They wanted to see if visitors would be interested in opportunities to ride a boat in New Jersey from their creek and if it would be feasible to host boat tours from their location. To test the kidea they offered a limited number of free boat rides from Tuckerton to LBI.

 

The boat rides were fabulous!

 

Tuckerton Seaport Boat tour saw an egret

 

The boat left the Tuckerton Seaport dock and headed to LBI. It was a glorious one hour boat ride. Our hair flew back in the wind. The sun gazed upon as. And we looked out at the Jersey Shore, wildlife, and other boats. We even saw dolphins.

 

When our Tuckerton Seaport boat cruise was over there was no doubt. We knew we wanted these boat tours to be a regular part of our visit to the Tuckerton Seaport. 

 

Great news!

 

These test cruises and demand were so great that the Tuckerton Seaport is now offering regular boat tours. In fact, thanks to a grant from OceanFirst Foundation, the Tuckerton Seaport is able to offer guests 5 ways to ride a boat in New Jersey. As an advertiser with the Tuckerton Seaport, we had a chance to experience one of the new boat tours earlier this week and it was phenomenal.

 

Tuckerton Seaport LBI Ferry to Beach Haven

 

Ride a Boat in New Jersey at the Tuckerton Seaport

There will be 5 different Tuckerton Seaport boat tours running this July and August. Each one is at least an hour and most are free. Keep reading for more details.

 

Watch our video about Tuckerton Seaport boat rides in New Jersey.

 

Free Boat Rides at the Tuckerton Seaport

Creek Boat Tours

The Creek Boat Tours are a scenic, one hour tour of Tuckerton Creek. Captain Dan Woods and a Seaport Summer Education Intern will lead an exploration of our local area and points of interest along the creek. The kids and you will learn about coastal culture while also keeping your eyes open for otters, egrets, swans, ospreys, eagles and more. While we didn’t see any otters or egrets, we did see plenty of egrets, different gulls, and ospreys.

 

Tuckerton Seaport Boat Tours

 

Tuckerton Creek boat tours run Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoon. Get the complete schedule for the Tuckerton Seaport Creek Boat Tours by clicking on the Calendar of Events listing below.

 

LBI Ferry

Enjoy scenic one-hour tours across the Little Egg Harbor Bay. The Tuckerton Seaport / Beach Haven Water Ferry will begin operations July 4th weekend and will run throughout the summer and fall of 2019.

While the ferry is free to ride, guests who wish to guarantee their seat by reserving in advance can do so by visiting www.LBIFerry.com. There is a $5 fee each way to reserve a specific time.

 

Tuckerton Seaport boat tour leaving the dock

 

Get the complete schedule for the Tuckerton Seaport LBI Ferry by clicking on the LBI Ferry Website.

 

Spend the Day Working the Bay Cruises

Climb aboard the Tuckerton Seaport Floating Classroom, the Pohatchong II for a day of learning how baymen have made a living working the bay. Each Tuesday is a different experience as a bayman shares his/her experience and personal story working on the water. From aquafarming to duck decoy creating learn how the locals have sustained their livelihood and adapted with modern technology.

 

 

Get the complete schedule for the Tuckerton Seaport Spend the Day Working the Bay Boat Tours by clicking on the Calendar of Events listing below.

 

More ways to ride at boat at the Tuckerton Seaport

Breakfast on the Bay Boat Tour

Climb aboard the Tuckerton Seaport’s Floating Classroom for Breakfast on the Bay! Start the day off right and “taste what you have been missing” at the Dockside Café. Grab the Shipmate’s Breakfast, made with fresh ingredients and “plenty of local love.” Enjoy this relaxing start to the day while a Seaport guide delivers an immersive tour of the art, history, and environment on Tuckerton Creek and lower Barnegat Bay.

 

Tickets for the Tuckerton Seaport Breakfast on the Bay Cruises are $20, $15 for Seaport Members.

Get the complete schedule for the Tuckerton Seaport Breakfast on the Bay Boat Tours and what’s on the breakfast menu by clicking on the Calendar of Events listing below.

 

 

Tuckerton Seaport Boat Cruises at Sunset

This Tuckerton Seaport boat cruise is a two hour tour of Tuckerton Creek featuring a picturesque sunset on the Tuckerton Creek. Captain Dan Woods and a Seaport Summer Education Intern will lead an exploration of our local area and points of interest along the creek. Learn about coastal culture. Enjoy a relaxing evening out on the water. The tours will leave at 7 pm from the lighthouse dock and return around 9 pm. Reservations are strongly encouraged: 609-296-8868.

 

Tickets for the Sunset Sail Cruises are $20. $15 for Seaport Members.

Get the complete schedule for the Tuckerton Seaport Boat Tours at Sunset by clicking on the Calendar of Events listing below.

 

What you should know before riding the Tuckerton Seaport boat

  • Boat tours take place on the Pohatchong II. The boat can seat 28 people. If you need a specific boat tour time, call the Seaport to make a reservation. While many of the boat rides may be free. There may be a charge to reserve a specific time.
  • Guests can register for the boat tours in the Tuckerton Seaport Visitor Center.
  • The boats leave from the Lighthouse Dock.
  • Guests hoping to board the ferry should plan on arriving and being at the Lighthouse Dock 15 minutes before departure.
  • There is a bathroom available on the boat.
  • Guests must be 2 years old or older in order to go on a Tuckerton Seaport boat ride.

 

little boy in life jacket on boat during Tuckerton Seaport Boat Tours to ride a boat in New Jersey

All ready for a boat ride down the river at Tuckerton Seaport. |Photo credit Jersey Family Fun

 

  • Children 12 and under will be required to wear a lifejacket. There are lifejackets available on the boat at no additional charge.
  • Food and drinks are allowed on the boat.
  • Except for the LBI Ferry that stops in LBI or Tuckerton Seaport the boat tours are nonstop. The Pohatcong II does not stop to let guests off during the tours.
  • The Tuckerton Seaport boat is handicap accessible. There is a ramp from the dock to the boat and a wide door on the boat to allow wheelchair access.

 

Another way to experience the water with your kids at the Tuckerton Seaport

Kayaking is one of my absolute favorite ways to experience the water. It’s such a great way to get up close and personal with our natural environment. Plus you can ride tandem with one of your kids or take your own kayak. At the Seaport everyone rides with a buddy and in a group.

 

Enjoy a different view of the Seaport! Join Seaport Guides as they lead an eco-tour of the Tuckerton Creek by kayak. Kayaks and flotation devices will be provided at no additonal charge. It’s included with Tuckerton Seaport admission or memberships. Kayak tours will take place on select Saturdays through the summer at 10:30 am. Guests must arrive and check in at the Visitor Center by 10:15 am.

 

 

Boys kayaking at Tuckerton Seaport 2

 

Get the complete schedule for kayaking at the Tuckerton Seaport and the requirements to participate by clicking on the Calendar of Events listing below.

 

Which Tuckerton Seaport boat tour will you take to ride a boat in New Jersey?

 

Want to learn more about visiting the Tuckerton Seaport? 

Head on over to these stories.

 

Scary and Non Scary Things to do at The Haunted Seaport at the Tuckerton Seaport

 

10 Things to do in the Life on the Edge Exhibit at the Tuckerton Seaport

 

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M. Fridie

Wednesday 4th of September 2019

This post was dated July 17. I received it on September 4. All the events were over!

Jennifer A.

Thursday 5th of September 2019

Thanks for letting us know. It looks like you received the link to our article in the Tuckerton Seaport newsletter. We have no control over when their newsletter goes out, but the boat tours are still running this September.

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