Anacostia River Explorers Boat Tours

Anacostia River Explorers Tours discuss all things Anacostia River. Our experienced captains will discuss topics like: the history of the Anacostia and its surrounding communities, environmental threats, river wildlife, infrastructure along the river, and anything else you’d want to know!

If you are booking a private tour and would like our captains to focus on a specific subject, please let us know in your booking form.

We offer both private and public boat tours from April through October. 

Private tours can be booked Monday through Saturday from sunrise to sunset. Public tour schedule to-be-announced.

Anyone under 18 can attend with a parent or guardian. Children 12 and under are required to wear life jackets. Adult life jackets are available upon request. 

All tour launch locations are ADA accessible. Our boat can accommodate non-motorized wheelchairs. Staff members can lift your chair from the dock to the boat. 

If you need accessibility accommodations, or if  you have any other questions or concerns about accessibility, please email [email protected]. 

Tours are totally free! All Anacostia River Explorers Boat Tours are offered free and paid for by the District Department of Energy and Environment through funds from the Anacostia River Cleanup and Protection Fund. A portion of these funds come from the Districts five cent disposable bag fee.

Public tours launch from either Anacostia Park or Yards Marina.

Private tours launch from Yards Park Marina, Anacostia Park, or Kingman Island.

Our 27′ Carolina Skiff can accommodate 20 passengers.

For private tours we ask that you have a minimum group size of 15 participants. 

Public tours are 1-hour long. 

Private tours can be 1-hour or 2-hours long.

No problem! We’ve also made our Anacostia River Explorers Tours virtual. Check the section below for more information regarding our virtual boat tours.