Ride The Waves: The 5 Best Boat Rides in Houston
1.) Sam Houston Boat Tour
Website: Sam Houston Boat Tour
Address: 111 East Loop North Houston, TX 77029
Contact info: 713-670-2400
Tour route: Houston Ship Channel
| Google Reviews Score | 4.6/5 |
| Tripadvisor Reviews Score | 4/5 |
| Facebook Reviews Score | N/A |
| Total Reviews | 2/5 |
| Score Consistency | 4.3/5 |
Pros
- Historical tour route
- Quick reservation process
- Spacious boat
- Handicap-accessible
Cons
- Route is not very scenic
If you’ve ever wanted to take a tour on the iconic Houston Ship Channel, then we suggest trying out the Sam Houston Boat Tour.
What we like the most about Sam Houston Boat Tour is their educational tour, since you can request a professional speaker who can teach you about the Houston Ship Channel’s prominence over the years.
The reservation for their boats and requesting a speaker for your tour is relatively easy, and the boat that they use, the M/V Sam Houston, is really spacious since it can fit at least 93 people.
However, if you’re looking for a picturesque, scenic tour, then you’re better off looking somewhere else. Port Houston isn’t exactly the most beautiful sight out there. But the sheer amount of history in their route is their main selling point.
There are some Instagram-worthy spots in the tour though, and both the boat and the route is a relic that has stood the test of time. That, plus the fact that the boat is also handicap-accessible makes the tour worth it for us.
2.) Houston Pedal Barge
Website: Houston Pedal Barge
Address: 2515 East Nasa Parkway Seabrook, TX 77586
Contact info: 832-974-0365
Operating hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
| Google Reviews Score | 5/5 |
| Yelp Reviews Score | 4.9/5 |
| Facebook Reviews Score | 4.9/5 |
| Total Reviews | 4.9/5 |
| Score Consistency | 4.9/5 |
Pros
- Plenty of activities to try out
- The party boat cruise is lots of fun
- Public and private tours are available
- Historical and ecological tour
Cons
- Tours only last for 2 hours
If you’re on the lookout for a good boat ride service in Houston that offers more than just a typical boat ride, then Houston Pedal Barge is for you! From boat or kayak rentals to even historical and ecological tours, the possibilities with their service are limitless!
Clear Lake is already a pretty sight, and we like how Houston Pedal Barge’s Clear Lake Party Barge Cruise can help you discover and enjoy its natural beauty with your friends for $60. The boat even comes with Bluetooth speakers and party lights to boot!
But if you don’t like to party and just want to soak in the views while exercising, Houston Pedal Barge also has a kayak you can rent! You can even get a historical and ecological tour of Kemah with a professional guide, which is a nice gesture.
The only criticism we have with Houston Pedal Barge is that their tours only last for two hours. And while that might seem like a long time, it’s nowhere near enough to enjoy the tour fully.
In the greater scheme of things though, the tour duration is just a nitpick. Houston Pedal Barge is top-notch, and both kids (above the age of 8, by the way!) and adults alike will enjoy it – especially when you consider that you can rent their kayaks for $15!
3.) Just Ride Watercrafts
Website: Just Ride Watercrafts
Area served: Lake Conroe, Houston, TX
Contact info: (281) 371-6568
Operating hours: Monday – Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
| Google Reviews Score | 5/5 |
| Yelp Reviews Score | 5/5 |
| Facebook Reviews Score | N/A |
| Total Reviews | 4/5 |
| Score Consistency | 5/5 |
Pros
- Tours around Lake Conroe
- Private charter available
- Activities change per day
- Add-ons available
Cons
- Hourly charter starts at $380
If you’ve always wanted to see what Lake Conroe has to offer, then we suggest trying out Just Ride Watercrafts and experiencing a party in one of Houston’s famous tourist destinations with your friends and family in tow!
Where Just Ride Watercrafts stands out from other boat rides in Houston is the fact that your experience will change depending on the day you book them. And yes, unlike what’s said on their website, you can get them for Lake Conroe, too.
For us? Both events are good and have a certain charm to it, and it will depend on you if you want to sing your hearts out on Thursdays or enjoy some good wine with a couple of friends on Wednesdays.
Just Ride Watercrafts also has a private chartering service around Lake Conroe as well, but it will set you at least $350 for 12 people – and you have to make sure that your party will not weigh over 2115 lbs (around 960 KG).
But if you ask us, it’s worth it since Just Ride Watercrafts lets you add some extras to your experience! They have both a Birthday AND a Bridal Package which can change the overall vibe and experience of the tour!
4.) Waugh Drive Bat Colony
Website: Waugh Drive Bat Colony
Address: Buffalo Bayou Park, Waugh Dr, Houston, TX 77002
Contact info: (832) 395-7000
Operating hours: Open 24/7,
Tour time: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
| Google Reviews Score | 4.6/5 |
| Tripadvisor Reviews Score | 4.5/5 |
| Facebook Reviews Score | N//A |
| Total Reviews | 4/5 |
| Score Consistency | 4.5/5 |
Pros
- A different kind of boat tour
- Open all year round
- Cheap tickets
- No reservations needed
Cons
- Kids must be 4+ years old
Probably one of the most unique boat rides in Houston you can partake in, Waugh Drive Bat Colony takes you on a tour of Houston’s most unique tourist spot. You’ll see a different kind of Houston you never thought was there in the first place!
The tour itself only lasts for 90 minutes, and the staff takes you from Houston’s downtown to the Waugh Drive Bridge almost an hour before sunset, where you will see more than 250,000 Mexican Free-Tailed Bats that live under the bridge.
The best thing about the Waugh Drive Bat Colony boat tour though is that the ticket price only comes in at $20, and it’s open all year round – which makes it perfect for the busybodies who only have a limited amount of time on their hands!
The kids’ tickets are cheaper though since it’s only $24, but they won’t let your kids on if they’re under 4 years old for liability reasons. The tour also has no stops, so you will need to take notes of where the bathrooms are ahead of time!
But Waugh Drive Bat Colony also doesn’t take reservations, which means easier access for anyone who would want to try out this unique boat ride experience in Houston!
5.) Cruises By Toni
Website: Cruises By Toni
Address: 7702 Ashmole Ln, Houston, TX 77088
Contact info: 281-406-8778
Operating hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday: Closed
| Google Reviews Score | 4.8/5 |
| Yelp Reviews Score | N/A |
| Facebook Reviews Score | N/A |
| Total Reviews | 1/5 |
| Score Consistency | 4.8/A |
Pros
- All-inclusive, individual or group cruise
- Group events available
- Can help with the entirety of your vacations
- Mobile itineraries available
Cons
- Lack of social media presence
The thing that we like the most about Cruises By Toni is the fact that they’re not just the stereotypical boat rides in Houston – they’re a cruise trip that can help you with every single one of your vacation needs!
If you did pay Cruises By Toni for their boat rides, then you’re in great hands, since they can provide both individual and group cruises available! Everything’s all-inclusive too, so you’ll be paying a lot more for your money’s worth!
They can also help provide almost everything that you might need for your vacation. They can suggest itineraries and offer budget-friendly prices for your trip!
The only criticism we have is that they don’t have a big social media presence compared to other boat rides in Houston. This makes them sound a bit shady, but their service more than makes up for it.
Their service is so good, in fact, that they can even provide you with a mobile itinerary that you can download to your phone for convenience’s sake. This includes a digital newsletter that can help you prepare for your trip beforehand!
