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Bald Eagle Tours

 

The James River runs through it ... through the City of Richmond. And just minutes downriver is an incredible opportunity to see resident bald eagles, who live on the river all year long, in their natural habitat. This 2-hour, tidal river pontoon boat tour takes you into the midst of an ecosystem rich with wildlife, abundant in history and beautiful scenery. Discover the James' Bald Eagle Tour travels a five-mile stretch of the James River known as Jefferson's Reach, through five territories of resident bald eagles.

The tour focuses on the resident bald eagles of Jefferson's Reach, who live here all year long. During the year, two additional populations of bald eagles migrate into, then back out of the area. From May through August, a population of summer migratory bald eagles from the south are here, and the population of winter migratory eagles, from the north, arrive in November and stay through February. 

Discover the conservation success story of bald eagles on the James River, where less than forty years ago there were none. Today, in 2016, over 260 pair of resident bald eagles call the James River watershed home making our river the site of the greatest comeback of the bald eagle in the entire North American continent.    

Ride aboard the Discovery Barge II, a comfortable 24-foot covered pontoon boat and experience majestic bald eagles closer than you may have ever seen them.  This 2-hour tour has been called one of the most unique bald eagle tours on the East Coast!  

 

Bald Eagle Tour:  $50 per person
 
2-Hour Tour.
Binoculars and water provided.
Departs from Deep Bottom Park unless otherwise noted.
 
 

Current Schedule:   (Only dates with openings are listed)                   

August 6, Sunday, 9:30-11:30am

August 10, Thursday, 7:00-9:00am 

August 12, Saturday, 7:00-9:00am & 9:30-11:30am

September 2, Saturday, 7:00-9:00am (one spot left)  & 9:30-11:30am

September 9, Saturday, 7:00-9:00am & 9:30-11:30am

September 10, Sunday, 7:00-9:00am & 9:30-11:30am

September 12, Tuesday, 7:00-9:00am

September 19, Tuesday, 7:00-9:00am

October 1, Sunday, 7:00-9:00am & 9:30-11:30am

October 14, Saturday, 7:30-9:30am & 10:00am-Noon

October 19, Thursday, 7:30-9:30am

October 21, Saturday, 7:30-9:30am & 10:00am-Noon

For future dates, Click Here.

 

 

 
Private Bald Eagle Tours Available ... click here

 

 
For more information or to book an Eagle Tour:

Contact Capt. Mike at 804-938-2350 or Mike@DiscovertheJames.com

 
 
Scroll to the bottom of the page to read or add a review on
 
 
Discover the James Facebook Page ...
See more bald eagle images taken on the Eagle Tour
Click here or the facebook logo!

 

 

 

Top header image:  A few years ago, Marlene Frazier captured this great image of Bandit perched on a limb. Recently another images of Bandit was taken with her in this same position and same branch. You can see how she has aged as well as how the branch has deteriorated over time.  In this image, Bandit is about six years old. She is now about ten and a half years old. Bald eagles live to be about 25-30 years in the wild.
--Photo by Marlene Frazier
 
Lower center:  'Bandit' is undoubtedly one of my favorite bald eagles.  Bandit's nest has fallen five times since November 2009.  The most recent, during a powerful storm in the fall of 2011.  Here, Bandit is working her territor flying around looking for fish.  Often times when they land after flying around the river they will call out, loudly. It's an amazing sound, and don't get fooled by the commercials you see when the image of a bald eagle is paired with the call of a red tailed hawk. To hear what a bald eagle sounds like, click here.
-- Photo by Bob Jones Jr.
 
 
What do people have to say about our Eagle Tours?
From a fellow who had taken the Eagle Tour a couple of days previous ... 
"I want to say thank you for a great time Sunday morning.  Myself, my wife and my daughter had the pleasure of taking your Bald Eagle Tour Sunday morning. It far exceeded my expectations.  We've lived in the Richmond area for 20+ years and the Bald Eagle Tour is easily in the Top 5 things to do around town. I haven't stopped telling people about it."
--Brian T.