jet boat tours deception pass

Deception Pass Tour

Minor island marine mammal tour.

• Super Awesome Deals
• Season Passes
• Gift Certificates
• Private Charter & Memorial Services
• Summer Whale Watching
• Spring Whale Watching – Oak Harbor
• Directions/Tour Map

Click to Call Us

Get Directions

Book a Tour

Notifications

Share the Moment... Savor the Memories!

Take a unique ride on a seated open deck boat and enjoy a 360° unobstructed view as we pass through the waters of Deception Pass.

Take In The Beauty & History of Deception Pass!

Captain Brett is a U.S. Coast Guard certified captain and would like to share this exciting and picturesque setting with you, while exploring the shores and waters of the surrounding area.

LEARN MORE BOOK A TOUR

See Orca, Humpback, & Minke Whales On Your Tour!

Join us Saturday mornings and evenings from June-September for a Deception Pass Whale Watching tour!

Discover Minor Island Aquatic Reserve!

Join us Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from June - September for a tour of Deception Pass and Minor Island Aquatic Reserve.

2024 Spring Whale Watching!

Weekends in april  just $74.95.

DON'T FORGET TO BRING YOUR CAMERA

On the tour we see quite a bit of Northwest wildlife and some beautiful scenery.

VIEW OUR MEDIA GALLERY

FOLLOW US ON

Subscribe to our newsletter.

Keep up to date on all the latest happenings, special events, and promotions.

" * " indicates required fields

Take a unique ride on a seated open deck boat and enjoy a 360° unobstructed view as we pass through the waters of Deception Pass on a one-hour tour.

Quick Links

• Tour Info & Rates
• Photos & Videos

5596 SR 20 Anacortes, WA 98221 Get Directions 888-909-TOURS (8687) Send Us an Email

• THINGS TO DO
• Getting Here
• Electric Vehicle Charge Stations

Deception Pass Boat Tours

by Rakan AlDuaij

Learn about Deception Pass, the Bridge and surrounding area on this amazing Deception Pass Tour aboard the “Island Whaler.” Enjoy the thrill of the fast jet boat through Deception Pass and the knowledge and history you will learn!

Hop aboard and have a seat!  The skipper will greet you and the knowledgeable tour guide will begin….

When leaving the dock out in front of you just over the hill you can see Mt. Erie. Mt. Erie is the tallest point on Fidalgo Island and you can drive right to the top where the two towers are. On a clear day you can see all the San Juans, up Saratoga Passage and into Canada.  Once you clear Houpis point you can see Mt. Baker.  Mt. Baker is the third tallest mountain in Washington just over 10,000 feet.  It has snow on it year round and is an active volcano, a Strata volcano. Every once in a while you can see plumes of steam venting from the back side.

Then as you round the corner you can start to see the bridge and Ben Ure Island.  A man named Ben Ure (you guessed it) lived here in the late 1800s and he was a smuggler/slash pirate. He used to smuggle goods through Deception Pass and stash them on Ben Ure. But there were these people like boarder patrol back in the day they were known as regulators. They would obviously try to prevent you from bringing goods in to the United States illegally, so to combat this, his wife who was a native American would sit on the west end of Strawberry Island (just to the right of Ben Ure Island).  From the west end of Strawberry Island, you have a direct line of sight through Deception Pass out into the south end of Rosario Strait. So if these regulators were not around Ben Ure’s wife would start a fire, but if they were around she would snuff it out and Ben Ure would know that it is not safe to pass through and he would throw all his goods overboard. Now he would not just smuggle in goods he could plunder off of other ships. He would also smuggle in rum, opium, and illegal immigrants to work on the railroads. He would keep them in burlap sacks so they could not get away, and he’d throw them overboard too. Due to the currents in Deception Pass, they would all get pushed 14 miles west all the way to San Juan Island where they would all congregate into one specific cove that has now been deemed Dead Mans Cove. That is not all that would wash up on the shores. There was a fruit farmer that lived on Whidbey Island back in Ben Urs’s day, and he was walking down West Beach and found a bunch of cans of what he assumed was mineral paint. Well, he ended up painting his house with the substance and some years later found out that it was $4,000 worth of opium.

Deception Pass bridge was constructed in 1935, took about a year to build at a cost of only $315,000, it actually cost more to repaint the bridge in 1983 than it did to build it. She sits 186 feet above the water and is more than a quarter mile long. More than 6,000 people showed up to opening day and 700 cars crossed it in the first hour. Today, we get about 20,000 cars across daily.

Soon after the tour begins you will see a large bald eagles nest high up in an evergreen tree. It is kind of hard to tell how big Bald Eagles are when they are sitting way up there , but perched they sit 21” tall and have a wingspan of eight feet. The female, who is slightly larger than the male, can weigh as much at 12 pounds. Eagles have extraordinary vision and if they could read, they could read newsprint from the treetops— about 150 feet up!  When an eagle decides to clamp onto something such as a fish with his talons, he can push down with about 1,000 pounds per square inch of force. Once he has latched onto it, he lacks the muscles to release it again until he lands. Some times you see them hit the water and try to pick up a fish that is too heavy for them. They flap and flap and end up having to sit down in the water, but they don’t really float like a duck would. They sink up to their necks and have to swim back to shore.  Bald eagles are kind of funny creatures. They mate for life and they come back to these same nests year after year. They repair the damage that happened while they were gone and build them larger each time they come back. They will build them so big that the branches below can’t support the weight and will just shear right off the tree. The largest nest ever recorded is down in Florida and it is nine feet wide and 20 feet deep.

Now better than Eagles, Deception Pass is home to a nesting pair of Paragon Falcons. Falcons don’t make nests they lay their eggs right on the ledge of these cliffs. They are medium sized Falcons, having a wingspan of about a foot and a half, but more interesting than that, they are the fastest animals in the world. They have been clocked at over 280mph. They were used in World War II to take down pigeon carriers, and are being introduced into large cities to help take care of their pigeon problems.

The tour boat will get very close to the cliff and shut down momentarily so you can see a cave. The cave actually used to be a prison mining camp back in 1910 and ran until 1914. It housed 40 prisoners, and as you can imagine, it only took one guard to keep everyone here, due that it was kind of take your chances in the drink or hike up this cliff pretty quick. The prison was run by the state and was said that they were looking for gold and magnesium, they never found any but what they did have was a large byproduct of rock, obviously  You will be able to see the foundation and a bunch of rebar sticking out where a rock crusher used to be.  It is about 100 feet deep all the way up to the cliff.  They would roll barges up to this cliff and load all this crushed rock on to the barges and ship it down to Seattle. If you have ever heard that Seattle was built on sawdust, this is where some of the rock came from to rebuild the waterfront. It closed down in 1914, and all the wood was salvaged in the mid 20’s to help build that park.

The madronas trees are beautiful from the water.  These are the Pacific Madrone or Madrona. Native pretty much up and down the Pacific coast of North America, and have a big tap root that is good for digging in to the cliffs around here—they are actually an evergreen tree oddly enough. Up in Canada they call them Arbutus and the Native Americans called them people trees, due to how soft the bark is and how it can be peeled away reveling a fleshy tone underneath. Down in Mexico they call them tourist trees because they peel just like the tourists do.

The next part of the tour takes you through Canoe Pass  Canoe Pass was named by the Coastal Salish People because it was a easier to come through Canoe Pass rather than Deception Pass, fewer whirl pools and less turbulent. The water can flush through Canoe Pass extremely quickly at about nine and a half knots (1.15mph). On a really big tide, it works out to be about 900 million gallons of water passing through in a minute. We get lots of extreme kayakers that come to test their talents in the quick moving water of Canoe Pass. Every once in a while you can catch scuba divers out here. They dive down on one side, get shot through, and picked up on the other. Over in Deception Pass there are these large caves where octopus live. We do have the largest octopus in the world here in the San Juans—The Great Pacific Octopus. The largest one ever recorded was caught off the coast of Vancouver Island. He actually lived in an old vintage VW Bus down there and he was 34 feet across and weighed more than 600 Pounds. You can actually go visit him. He is up in the Vancouver aquarium and his name is Oscar.

Back in 1866 about 1,000 acres around Deception Pass was bought up by the federal government. They thought that it would be of key military importance due that it is kind of the ‘back door’ into Puget Sound. The only part that they ended up fortifying was just before World War I and that was West Point. They placed a large search light out there and a big piece of the foundation still remands today.  Directly off to the left of West Point is a big rock that you see on West Beach. That is Gun Point. They placed a cannon out there. It was never fired and was all taken down after WWI concluded. All the land was sold to the state in the mid 20’s and was made into a state park about five years later. It now boasts over 4,000 acres in Island and Skagit County.

Skagit Valley Blog

• Search for:

Skagit Valley

Visit Skagit Valley

Search the Website

Home » The Complete Deception Pass State Park Guide

The Complete Deception Pass State Park Guide

Experience the stunning natural beauty of Washington’s most-visited state park.

From exploring tide pools and hiking to camping, here’s how to experience this popular park.

Under two hours from Seattle, Deception Pass State Park boasts 14.6 miles of saltwater shoreline and three lakes, giving visitors a wealth of things to do. Search for sea stars and neon anemones in tidal pools, hike through coastal old-growth forests, fish for salmon, kayak the calm bays and lakes, or marvel at the rugged coastline views. It’s easy to see why this is Washington’s most-visited state park.

At around 4,000 acres, this massive park spans parts of two neighboring islands, Fidalgo Island and Whidbey Island . The parklands are connected by Canoe Pass Bridge and Deception Pass Bridge, an architectural gem that was completed in 1935. Standing 180 feet above the swirling waters, the bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and is an attraction in itself.

Getting to Deception Pass State Park

Highway 20 runs through the park, and visitors can choose to arrive either from the north or south. From the south, you can take the Mukilteo Ferry to Clinton on Whidbey Island, then head north via Highway 525 and Highway 20. If you’d rather avoid taking a ferry or are coming from the north, you can connect to Highway 20 from Interstate 5 near Burlington.

The main entrance to the park is on Whidbey Island, turning onto Cornet Bay Road. On the Whidbey side, you can explore Cranberry Lake, West and North Beaches, Goose Rock, and Cornet Bay. Coming from the north on Fidalgo Island, visitors can access Rosario Beach, Pass Lake, Bowman Bay, and Lighthouse Point.

When to Visit Deception Pass State Park

Summer is peak season, with campgrounds usually fully booked every day from Father’s Day through Labor Day, plus weekends booked as early as April. To avoid crowds, consider visiting mid-week or during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall. Mid-September to October and April to May can be great times to explore outside of the colder winter months.

Travel Tip: For day visits, park rangers suggest arriving before 11 a.m. to secure parking (the park opens at 6:30 a.m. in the summer and 8 a.m. in the winter.) While the park is open year-round, some facilities, parking lots, and trails close late fall through winter.

Things to Do at Deception Pass

The diversity of landscape – dramatic cliffs rising from the sea, freshwater lakes, beaches, forests, marshes, and wetlands – means there are plenty of recreational activities in Deception Pass State Park. For some history, stop into the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Interpretive Center , a repurposed bathhouse that pays homage to the impact of the organization’s initiatives in Washington – including infrastructure for the Deception Pass Bridge.

Beaches and Tide Pools

With thousands of miles of shoreline, it’s no surprise that exploring the tide pools and learning about the area’s sea life is one of the park’s biggest draws. During the summer, visitors can register for guided tide pool tours to discover the magic of low tide. Or explore the Rosario Tide Pools at your own pace (just be sure to follow the yellow rope trail and not remove any critters).

Within the park, 38 miles of hiking trails (1.2 miles of ADA trails) cover incredibly varied terrain, from evergreen forests to lake basins and rocky shorelines. The Sand Dunes Interpretive Trail at West Beach is a highlight. Along the easy 0.8-mile trail, enjoy an observation deck, views of Rosario Strait, and interpretive signs that explain seaside vegetation.

For a summit hike, head up Goose Rock (4.3 miles), the highest point on Whidbey Island. Along the way, take in views of the Cascade and Olympic mountains as well as the Deception Pass Bridge. Possibly the most iconic hike in the park is Lighthouse Point via Bowman Bay and Rosario Beach Trail. During the 5-mile hike, edge along the dramatic coastline cliffs of Rosario Head, explore forests of hemlock and Pacific madrone, and check out the trusses of the Deception Pass Bridge from Lighthouse Point. For an under-the-radar hike, consider Hoypus Hill on Whidbey Island.

Kayaking and Paddle Boarding

To the north of the Deception Pass Bridge, the protected waters of Bowman Bay offer a great spot to launch. From there, paddlers can avoid the strong currents in the narrows of Deception Pass, opting to explore sea cliffs to the north, tiny Deception Island, and the handsome coastline of Rosario Beach. Watch for harbor seals, porpoises, and whales as well as an abundance of bird species. Before heading out, make a plan to avoid areas with dangerous currents. Alternatively, check out Cranberry Lake, a calm, freshwater option rich in wildlife. Rentals are available at both Bowman Bay and Cranberry Lake. Please note the park has a $7 launch fee per watercraft.

Related: Best Places for Kayaking in Washington

Saltwater anglers flock to Deception Pass from mid-summer through early autumn in pursuit of salmon. Along the coastline, the most popular areas to fish are North Beach and West Beach. While West Beach has easy access, it’s also more crowded and exposed to the westerly winds. Accessing North Beach requires a short hike, but that doesn’t stop salmon enthusiasts from lining the shore from the North Beach Amphitheater to the Deception Pass Bridge during peak season. Coho salmon are the main annual draw, but lingcod, shrimp, smelt, herring, and crab also are abundant in these waters. The inland lakes such as Pass and Cranberry also offer great freshwater fishing. Fishing licenses are required.

Related: Explore Washington’s Best Fishing Spots

Guided tours

Whether you’re looking for a water adventure or an educational experience, there are ample guided tour options to choose from. Deception Pass State Park runs a robust ranger-led program . Their summer hike series features Marine Mammal Mondays, Trail Tuesdays, Wednesday Summits, and Throwback Thursdays. Plus, there’s a new Tide Pool Tour. They also have a Junior Ranger program, a Family in Nature program from January to May, and evening events like concerts or educational talks. Check out their calendar for up-to-date programming.

On the water, you can learn about the history and wildlife of Deception Pass from the seat of a high-speed, catamaran-style jet boat with Deception Pass Tours. From June through September, they also offer whale-watching tours that glimpse humpbacks, minke, and gray whales as well as orcas.

In the early fall, anglers can hop aboard fishing charters during peak coho season with Highliner Charters, while paddlers can explore the tranquil waters with Anacortes Kayak Tours. These are just some of the tour options you can find at Deception Pass State Park.

Related: Discover Washington’s Islands Region

Places to Stay

Visitors can choose to base themselves inside the park at one of the campgrounds or stay in one of the nearby communities such as Oak Harbor, La Conner, or Anacortes, which are all less than 20 minutes by car from the park. For large groups, Cornet Bay Retreat Center inside the park has group facilities and bunk accommodations for up to 55 people.

Camping at Deception Pass State Park

The park offers three campgrounds: Quarry Pond (open year-round), Bowman Bay, and Cranberry Lake. Bowman Bay Campground is located near a favored kayak launch site on Fidalgo Island and is the smallest and most secluded with 18 tent sites and two utility sites. The most popular and largest is Cranberry Lake Campground, which sits on a narrow piece of land between the lake and North Beach.

Travel Tip: All of these campgrounds stay busy and book out far in advance, especially during summer. To snag a site, go to Washington State Pa r ks reservations page ideally nine months in advance (when reservations open) to get preferred dates.

Related: Where to Camp Throughout Washington

Lodging near Deception Pass

Swinomish casino & lodge.

This lodge boasts expansive views of the San Juan Islands, Swinomish Channel, and Mount Baker. To celebrate the Swinomish Tribe, each room is decorated with Native American touches and local artwork. The adjoining casino has entertainment and plenty of gaming, from slots to table games.

Captain Whidbey Inn

Located a stone’s throw from the calm waters of Penn Cove on Whidbey Island, Captain Whidbey Inn is a historic 1907 lodge tucked away in an old-growth forest. Stroll the grounds, lounge in a hammock, or enjoy a local wine on the deck of its waterfront restaurant.

La Conner Channel Lodge

On the banks of the Swinomish Channel in La Conner, this lodge has a sunset-perfect outdoor patio on the water. The suites embrace a Northwest aesthetic and have channel-view balconies. Room service is provided by Oyster and Thistle, which serves Northwest cuisine.

Majestic Inn & Spa

This historic boutique hotel looks out over Guemes Channel in the heart of downtown Anacortes. The seasonal Rooftop Lounge serves farm-to-table cuisine, while the Apothecary Spa offers indulgent relaxation with a eucalyptus steam room and services like hot-stone massages.

Coachman Inn

The Coachman Inn in Oak Harbor is a Whidbey Island institution. The local couple who opened it in 1977 still runs it today. Under 15 minutes from Deception Pass, this hotel has a seasonal pool, sundeck, and covered hot tub.

Deception Pass Parking

All parking within the park requires a Discover Pass , which you can purchase online or at one of the automated pay stations within the park. Pay stations can be found in the parking lots of West Beach, Cornet Bay Boat Ramp, and the lot south of the Deception Pass Bridge and allow you to purchase a one-day or annual pass. You can also self-register with cash, using envelopes and slot boxes at 27 spots throughout the park.

Travel Tip: If you are camping in the park, there is no need to buy a Discover Pass to park your vehicle at your site, as the parking is included in the campground fee.

Deception Pass State Park FAQ

What is the best time of year to visit deception pass state park.

While summer is the most popular time to visit due to warm weather, it’s also the most crowded, with parking and camping often filling up. Don’t underestimate the beauty of spring and fall. It’s also easier to find parking outside of the summer months and on weekdays.

Are there picnic areas at Deception Pass State Park?

There are 37 bathrooms and 300 day-use picnic tables scattered throughout the park, many off of North Beach. Visitors can reserve covered picnic shelters as well.

Is Deception Pass State Park pet-friendly?

Pets are welcome at Deception Pass State Park. However, they are required to be on leash, even on the beaches. To protect the environment, pets are not allowed at Rosario Tide Pools.

Is camping available at Deception Pass State Park?

There are three campgrounds within the park, one on Fidalgo Island and two on Whidbey Island. Quarry Pond Campground on Fidalgo is open all year. Go to Washington State Parks reservations page to reserve a site. Reservations open nine months in advance, and it’s recommended to make your reservation as early as possible.

What are the park entrance fees and operating hours?

There are no entrance fees for the park, but a Discover Pass is required to park. Parking is included in the campground fee for those staying overnight. In the summer, the park is open from 6:30 a.m. to dusk and in the winter from 8 a.m. to dusk.

What wildlife can I expect to see at Deception Pass State Park?

Tons of wildlife inhabit the varied environments and seascapes within the park. In the ocean, people spot seals, orcas, and a variety of whales. Inland, expect to see many bird species and possibly deer, coyotes, and otters.

Are guided tours available at Deception Pass State Park?

There are many options for guided tours in the park. The rangers plan and lead a robust program that includes everything from interpretive hikes to tide pool exploration. Private businesses also offer guided kayaking , fishing , whaling watching, and jet boating in the park.

How did Deception Pass get its name?

In the late 1700s, British Royal Navy officer and expedition leader George Vancouver was on a mission to map the region. He named the pass “Deception” because the geography led him to believe that Whidbey Island was a peninsula, not an island.

About the Author

Ellee Thalheimer is a freelance writer and guidebook author based in the Pacific Northwest who has contributed to publications like Lonely Planet Guidebooks,  Alaska Airlines Magazine , and  Adventure Cyclist Magazine . When she can’t get outside, she writes fiction, drinks local IPAs, and perfects her handstands.

Featured image: Photo by Jared Thompson

3 Scenic Day Trips from Seattle by Ferry

Escape to one of Washington's charming islands with one of these Seattle ferry trips.

Salish Sea Oyster Road Trip

Slurp your way through local farms and restaurants during this Salish Sea oyster road trip.

1 Day on Whidbey Island

Explore charming towns, winding roads, and idyllic beaches during one day on Whidbey Island.

Sponsored Content

Moscow Boat Tour

• Page active

Description

See all the gems of historical and cultural center of the capital in short time and without traffic jams or tiresome walking.

Depending on the itinerary and duration of the Moscow River boat trip, the tour can be 3 or 5 hours.

Highlights of the tour

• St Basil’s Cathedral;
• Stalin skyscraper on Kotelnicheskaya (Tinkers) embankment;
• The Kremlin;
• “House on the Embankment” Stalin skyscraper;
• Monument to Peter I;
• The Central House of Artists;
• Christ the Savior Cathedral;
• Gorky Park;
• Moscow State University;
• Russian Academy of Sciences;
• Luzhniki stadium;
• Novodevichy Monastery;
• Kiev railway station;
• Europe Square;
• Moscow City Hall;
• Government House;
• Expocentre Exhibition Complex;
• and other famous sights.

You will learn about the different epochs of the city from the foundation in 1147 till Soviet times of 20 th  century.

Moscow River

Moskva river has the form of a snake and is the main waterway of Moscow, consisting of a cascade of reservoirs. Within the city, Moskva river is 80 km long, 120 m - 200 m wide and up to 14 m deep. The narrowest part of the river is the Kremlin area in the city center, and the most extensive is around the Luzhniki Stadium in the south. 

Bridges in Moscow

Undoubtedly, bridges and embankments are among the most scenic spots and main attractions of Moscow. Plus, they are so romantic.

• Bolshoy Kamenny Bridge –  Great Stone Bridge –  is the main bridge of Moscow . The first stone bridge was constructed here in the 17th century.
• Patriarshy Bridge  is one of the youngest pedestrian bridges, built in 2004. The bridge connects the iconic Christ the Saviour Cathedral with funky Bersenevskaya embankment, extremely popular place among locals for its trendy art galleries, cafes and panoramic views. Patriarshy Bridge used to be a shooting location for ex-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's New Year speech to the nation.
• Borodinsky Bridge,  erected in honor of the 100th anniversary of the glorious victory in the Battle of Borodino (which every Russian kid knows about), a fierce legendary battle during the Russo-French war of 1812.
• Bagration Bridge  one of the  pedestrian bridges with most picturesque views of the Moskva River with its numerous upper-level observation platforms. The bridge was erected to celebrate the 850th anniversary of Moscow city in 1997.
• Krymsky Bridge  used to be in Top 5 Europe’s longest bridges some 100 years ago. The bridge got its name after the ancient Krymsky ford which Crimean Tartars used to invade Moscow in the 16 th  century.

Embankments of Moscow

Moscow river boats 37 embankments, the most popular being Kremlevskaya, Sofiyskaya, Pushkinskaya, Vorobyovskaya and Kolomenskaya.

You can get the most spectacular views of the Kremlin from  Kremlevskaya and Sofiyskaya embankments.

• Pushkinkaya embankment  is the most romantic in Moscow. It meanders along Gorky Park and Neskuchnyi garden and is rich for all kinds of entertainment as well as cozy nooks, including Olivkovy beach, the famous Zeleny theater as well as a pier for river cruisers.
• Vorobyevskaya embankment  is part of Sparrow Hills nature reserve. This place opens a beautiful panorama of the river and city from the observation deck and is considered to be the place for taking serious decisions in life.
• Embankment in Kolomenskoye  Museum-Reserve has a special charm due to its peculiar geographical relief. The boat trip around Kolomenskoye would be the most peaceful in your life.
• Taras Shevchenko embankment  is popular among photographers for its modern Moscow City skyscrapers. Highly recommended for your night boat trip.
• Embankments of Moscow are the pride of the capital. A distinctive feature of each of the promenades is its architecture and beautiful views. In addition, almost all the embankments of Moscow have a rich history and a lot of notable buildings.

Different epochs

Taking a walk along the Moskva River by boat, you will witness the architecture of Moscow from different eras and styles. Archaeological studies indicate that already in the XI century there stood a fortified settlement on Borovitsky hill, which is now called the Kremlin. Little fortress could not accommodate all the residents of the rapidly growing city, and the Grand Duke ordered the construction of a new Kremlin, larger than the former.

Boat trip around Kolomenskoe Park

Moscow river boat trip starts from the pier Klenovy (Maple) Boulevard and provides reat views of Nicholas Perervinsky monastery.

Nicholas Perervinsky monastery was founded at the time of the Battle of Kulikov (1380). The monastery, got its name from the surrounding area – “Pererva”, which can be translated like “tear off” and because of the location –  here it abruptly changed its course, turning to Kolomna, standing on the opposite bank.

Nowadays Kolomenskoye is State Art, Historical, Architectural and Natural Landscape Museum-Reserve, which doors are open to everyone who wants to get in touch with the ancient history of Russia.

Take a break from the big city hustle in the shady parks and gardens of the Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve. Don’t miss a wonderful Church of the Ascension and Tsar Alexey’s Palace in Kolomenskoye!

Monasteries and temples

• Novospassky Monastery
• Founded in the 13th century on the site where now is located the Danilovsky monastery. After a few decades, in 1330, Ivan Kalita moved the monastery onto the Borovitskii hill of the Kremlin. However, in the 15th century, Spassky Monastery again moved, this time to a more spacious place on Krasnoholmskaya waterfront.
• Church of St. Nicholas in Zayaitskom
• Erected in the middle of the XVIII century in baroque style. The building survived after the 1812 fire, but the utensils were destoyed. Parishioners collected donations and restored the temple on their own. In Soviet times, it was closed and re-opened only in 1992.
• Cathedral of Christ the Savior
• The church was originally erected in honor of the victory over Napoleon and was being under construction for long 44 years. Notoriously demolished in 1937 to be a giant swimming pool under open sky. The current building was constructed in 1990s. It is the tallest and one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world.
• The temple was built in 1679-82, during the reign of Tsar Fedor Alekseevich, in late Muscovite Baroque style and can be characterized as bonfire temple. Each gable is a symbol of a heavenly fire.
• Novodevichy Convent
• The most famous concent and monastery in Moscow, presumably founded in 1524. Novodevichy’s status has always been high among other monasteries, it was in this monastery where the women of the royal blood, the wives of Tsars and local rulers of Moscow were kept in prison as nuns.
• St. Andrew’s church  (male acts as Compound Patriarch of Moscow)
• St. Andrew’s church stands right on the slopes of the Sparrow Hills, on the way down to the Moskva River, on the territory of the Nature Reserve “Sparrow Hills”. The monastery is small in size but is very cozy. It’s situated in a quiet courtyard surrounded by temples, fruit trees and flowers.

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow river cruise.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

Write your review

• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Average Tourist Trap - Moscow River Boat Tours

• Europe    
• Russia    
• Central Russia    
• Moscow    
• Moscow - Things to Do    
• Moscow River Boat Tours

I got a nice luxury boat. It has good restaurant inside too. Boat tour is around 1.5 hours. The... read more

I would recommend the Moscow Sightseeing River Cruise. Definitely great value for a two hour... read more

Average Tourist Trap

Like other couples we paid 700 RUB to be on a creaky boat with no muffler. We would of much preferred to take in the sights of the river silently without being pestered by the onboard photographer and the one man band. Really annoying when you say no thanks and the guy takes a shot when your not looking and then tries to get business. The music was loud and mostly unbearable. Recommendation to choose your boat carefully.

when we visited Gorky park the river boats stopped beside the park it cost 700 rubbles for a round trip or 900 roubles for an all day hop on hop of ticket we used the hop on hop off one well worth the money so many wonderful sight from an different angle plus food and drink available on board at good prices.

We did the cruise on 31st July,late evening. The weather was lovely . As the evening progressed, and the lights started to come after the sunset, the character of the city appeared to change. All the monuments, historic sights, art galleries presented a beautiful picture from the boat in the river. Will recommend to the travellers going to Moscow.

There are so many boat tours available. Radisson Blu is one of the best one to go for. Splendid view of Moscow on both sides. Soviet Era buildings, Red square, University, parks etc are on the sides of river. Boats are served with good food and drinks. A complete enjoyment package.

We had a tour ride on 13/9/16 @1500hrs. This female waitress show her unhappiness face when she was force to go table to table to find out where to deliver an order. A male waiter drop a little leftover food on my friends pants and didn't say sorry.bMaybe just because we are Asian, well you had the 5🌟 boat but -1🌟staff.

We simply followed the guidebook that said we could get on a river boat at Gorky Park -- it's true. Boats stop on both sides of the river. I don't remember the name of our boat, but it was not sponsored by Radisson or Lay's -- two of the brand names we frequently saw on river boats. It might be a good idea to ask your hotel for a recommendation -- getting on just any boat that comes along could be fine, but it may not be all you had hoped it would be. It cost about $15 per person for a two hour cruise, which is plenty of time. Truthfully, there's not much to see. You'll pass by Gorky Park -- it's pretty -- and you'll pass by the Kremlin -- spectacular! However, you need to keep a watch out yourself because on some boats -- such as ours -- there's no one to tell you what to look for. We did, however, have a songstress on the boat -- could have done without her. Our boat included a restaurant and bar. The best part of our cruise -- it got dark about 40 minutes after we boarded and that gave us a spectacular view of the Kremlin buildings.