Halifax River Coastal Cruise: 3-Hour Sightseeing Tour

Cruise south to the Atlantic and spot dolphins, manatees and working lighthouses along the way

A 3-hour sightseeing cruise on the Halifax River heading south toward Ponce Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean, with a captain serving as guide and commentary on the waterfront mansions, bridges and sea life along the route. The boat departs from Loggerhead Marina and includes bottled water and snacks. The captain rewards the first passenger to spot a dolphin.

Step-by-step itinerary

3-hour coastal sightseeing cruise

• Depart from Loggerhead Marina
• Head south towards Ponce Inlet
• Watch for dolphins, stingrays, manatees
• View seafront mansions and bridges
• View Ponce de Leon Lighthouse
• Pass Disappearing Island sand bar
• Enter Atlantic Ocean at Inlet mouth
• Explore New Smyrna Beach scenery
• Continue to Edgewater, spot manatees
• Optional dip or tubing in calm waters
• Return via route with tropical landscape
• Pass Bird Island sea bird colony
• Look out for dolphins and manatees

The experience

The boat leaves Loggerhead Marina and heads south along the Intracoastal Waterways toward Ponce Inlet, passing waterfront mansions, the Main Street drawbridge and Memorial Bridge. Your captain provides running commentary on what you're seeing and keeps watch for dolphins, stingrays, manatees and other wildlife. The route is built around spotting: be the first to see a dolphin and the captain gives you a reward.

At Ponce Inlet, you'll see the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse, one of Florida's few remaining working lighthouses, and Disappearing Island, a sandbar that shifts with the tides and hosts over 100 boats on weekends. The boat ventures into the mouth of the inlet to reach the Atlantic Ocean, where you get unobstructed views of the horizon to the east. On the way back, the route shifts to quieter waters lined with tropical landscape, passing Bird Island (home to more than 10,000 sea birds in season) with another chance to spot dolphins and manatees.

The southern leg explores New Smyrna Beach and Edgewater, where manatees often surface. Depending on conditions, you can swim in the calm waters or go tubing before heading back. Bottled water and snacks are provided throughout the cruise.

What’s included

• Bottled water.
• snacks.
• captain's commentary and guide services in English or French.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday, Friday and SundayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Child (under 3)

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Florida Boat Vacations

Is this one for you?The 3-hour duration fits a half-day outing if you're based nearby or want a break from land activities without committing a full day. The route's focus on wildlife spotting and the captain's reward for the first dolphin sighting work best for travelers who enjoy being on the water and watching for animals rather than visiting specific landmarks on shore.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What wildlife might I see on the Halifax River cruise?

Dolphins, manatees, stingrays and sea birds are common sightings. Bird Island alone hosts more than 10,000 sea birds in season, and the captain watches for dolphins and manatees throughout the route. Be the first to spot a dolphin and the captain gives you a reward.

Does the cruise go all the way to the Atlantic Ocean?

Yes. The boat ventures into the mouth of Ponce Inlet and spends time on the Atlantic Ocean itself, giving you unobstructed views of the horizon to the east before returning via the Intracoastal Waterways.

Can I swim during the 3-hour cruise?

Swimming or tubing is possible depending on conditions when the boat reaches the calm waters near New Smyrna Beach and Edgewater on the southern leg of the route.

What is Disappearing Island?

Disappearing Island is a sandbar at Ponce Inlet that shifts with the tides, sometimes visible and sometimes submerged. On weekends it hosts over 100 boats and visitors, and you'll see it as the cruise passes through the inlet.

What's included in the cruise price?

Bottled water and snacks are included. The captain's commentary and guide services are part of the experience. The captain speaks English and French.