Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bull River Cruises?
Bull River Cruises (BRC) is an excursion company that specializes in tours and education on the water in the coastal Georgia area. BRC was founded by Michael Neal at Bull River Marina.

What type of cruises do you offer?
We offer an endless variety of eco-education, historical, party related and sightseeing trips. Since we are a private charter company we can work with each group and make every trip unique to your group.

What size of groups do you work with?
We work with a few as several individuals to groups in the hundreds. We do this in a variety of ways, we can try to combine small groups together or divide large groups into several trips.

What size of boats do you have?
Our primary vessel is the “Island Explorer” a 45’ 49 passenger excursion vessel. We also work with a variety of other vessels for example; the “Adventurer” a 41 ft Motor Yacht that can host overnight trips in luxury.

What type of boat is the “Island Explorer”?
The “Island Explorer” is a US Coast Guard inspected trihull pontoon boat. This vessel was custom built to explore the coastal Georgia area in comfort. The flat and dock height deck make it easy to board, we even have a “handicap ramp” that really makes it easy.

What can I expect if I booked an Eco-Exploration Cruise?
Expect the unexpected…This area is filled with varieties of wildlife, from dolphin to wood storks. We never know what we will see but we can be assured the beauty of this pristine area will shine brightly. Our staff has been trained to bring you an understanding of this coastal ecosystem. From the tides to the pods of dolphins seen on 97% of the cruises, we will share with you the knowledge we have gained over the years of this area.

Do you do Dolphin Tours?
No…Okay, lets explain that a bit… There are several companies that do dolphin tours and if you just want to see dolphin I’d look at going out with them. We believe that there is so much more then just dolphin in this area…when we do a “dolphin cruise” we will be talking about the tides, the marshes, the history and of course about the dolphin. If you want to learn about the big picture, give us a call.

Do you do trips with Scouts and school groups?
YES…We hosted over 4,000 students and Scouts this past year. Our trips for these groups ranged from 1.5 hours to all day on the barrier islands. One of our primary missions is to help educate today’s children in coastal Georgia’s environs. We will work with teachers to align our cruise with the QQC’s they are working on.

What about adult groups?
We offer trips to all ages and fit each cruise to the desires and needs of that trip. Whether it’s a Historical Savannah River Plantation Cruise or a day trip to Wassaw Island we can find a trip for your interests.

Can we plan our own trip?
Of course…if you want to do your own event, birthday party, beach party, or cocktail cruise, we will provide the boat and the crew, you provide the event.

What is the cost of a cruise?
Since every trip is different and every group has different needs we quote each trip individually. Scouts and school groups have a special pricing structure. The “Island Explorer” charter rate is $200/hour with discounts on multiple hour charters.

Can we bring food and drinks on the boat?
Yes, you can bring snacks or lunch on the boat. We can arrange to have lunch or dinner catered if you don’t want to do it yourself. We usually provide water and soft drinks for our cruises. If you want to bring a cooler of your own refreshments; no problem.

What part of the year do you operate?
Year round…We charter 12 months out of the year. The “Island Explorer” can be two thirds enclosed, creating a warm dry area no matter what time of the year.

Where are some of the areas you visit on cruises?
We have done trips to Wassaw Island, Hilton Head Island, Ossabaw Island, the Ogeechee River, Savannah River, the Savannah Wildlife Refuge, Ebenezer Creek, Skidaway River, Little Tybee and more.

Do we have to leave from Bull River Yacht Club?
No, We leave from Bull River Yacht Club for a number of cruises but also use a variety of departure points including downtown and Skidaway Island.

Can I see the boat before booking?
Sure, you can either come down to the marina or if that is not convenient you can see pictures of the boat on this site.

What other services do you offer?
We can arrange for catering, bus transportation, housing, ect. We know a lot about the area and the resources found here in the Savannah area. If you have questions, ask us. We will assist you in either giving you the answer or pointing you in the right direction to get that answer.

How far in advance do I need to book?  
That just depends on the time of year and how flexible you are with your times. We book some Girl Scout and school groups 8 months in advance. If you have specific dates and times desired I would advise as much lead time as possible.