As Georgia's second oldest city, Augusta has its fair share of Southern charm with antebellum-style homes lining the streets. A variety of cruises and boat tours offered along the Savannah River provide tourists with views of Augusta's landscape, along with historical facts and lively musical entertainment.
From March through November, Patriot Riverboat Tours offers scenic cruises along the Savannah River. Hour-long cruises are available Wednesday through Sunday and travel alongside historic homes, cypress trees, the local marina and Augusta's downtown area. The two-hour sunset cruises depart every Saturday and feature an on-board guide who provides a historical narrative of the Augusta area. Sightings of alligators, slider turtles and river otters are common. The cruises depart from the 10th Street dock. Reservations are recommended. Passengers can bring snacks and refreshments, as well as binoculars and cameras.
The Augusta Canal Authority offers two one-hour cruises that depart daily from the Enterprise Mill Dock. The Canal Heritage boat tour travels about 3.5 miles up the Augusta Canal with a tour guide providing a narrative pointing out 18th century riverfront homes and various species of wildlife, including heron, otter, turtles and alligators. The Civil War Sesquicentennial boat tour cruises by the Confederate Powder Works plant and 19th century textile mills. A guide describes how these sites played a role in the Civil War. Both cruises run year-round, except for the month of January.
The Augusta Canal Authority also offers Moonlight Music Cruises every Friday from April to June and September to October. Departing from the Enterprise Mill Dock, the two-hour moonlight cruises feature live music acts and travel along the scenic Augusta Canal with views of downtown, antiquated homes on the riverfront and historic buildings. Passengers are encouraged to bring refreshments and reservations are recommended as the 36 seats frequently sell out.
Sunset cruises are also offered on the Augusta Canal. This cruise only departs on the third Saturday of the month during April, May and June and then again in September, October and November. Three hours long, the cruise travels the full 7 miles of the canal, to the gates at Savannah Rapids Park where it stops to enjoy views of the whitewater rapids. The cruise then returns by twilight to the Enterprise Mill Dock. During the tour, keep an eye out for river otters and slider turtles swimming along the river banks. Passengers can bring snacks and refreshments along for the ride.
