We had to book way in advance but gosh, was it worth it! Such a nice and informative tour and FOR FREE!! The boat is surprisingly clean, the staff is very friendly and they offer free refreshments water, soda, coffee. My kids loved it too.
This is a free tour of the Houston ship channel that most people don't know about. We were provided with coffee, water and soda on board. The whole tour is about 1 hour and there is narration for the whole duration. It was really enlightening getting to know the history of the ship channel and all the commercial activities that currently take place there. Take note that online reservations are required and they are usually filled up like a month in advance.
Wow... something fun and free in Houston, TX.. I've lived here my whole life and didn't know we had a free boat tour for the ship channel... Go give it a ride we had a blast... Well until next time signing off Two Peas
Today I did the free tour of the Port of Houston. It’s 90 minutes long aboard an air conditioned boat that holds 100 people. Half way through the tour, each person gets either a bottle of water or a coke. The tour boat turns around at the Washburn Tunnel. The tour boat goes under the Sidney Sherman Bridge610 bridge. We saw several ships, barges, tugboats, birds, and the site of Santa Anna’s Capture. The tour boat turns around at the Washburn Tunnel. Definitely worth it.
Great experience you see a lot and learn a lot as the captain gives the history of the channel. It's a nice long tour an hour and a half. Best of all it's free.
Great 45 min tour , well organized and well explained while on board. Boat is big enough so you can stay either inside or enjoy the scene outside. There is restroom and free coffee /beverages during the tour. Recommended
It's an excellent tour. It's incredible that it's free. Everything is very organized. From the captain to the crew, they are all very professional and attentive. The journey lasts longer than expected, and it's enjoyed at a relaxed pace. Plus, they offer free coffee and sodas on board! My family and I would definitely come back!
Excellent trip and free. We'll worth the effort to visit. Great crew.
I assume that not many people are aware of this free tour of the Port. I coincidentally learned about it through a Houston Public Media documentary on the history of the port. It's an enjoyable experience for anyone in the family. The tour takes an hour to navigate and viewers are allowed on the deck to catch a breeze and witness the daily operations that are instrumental to Houston's economic activity. From petroleum refineries to car imports, the port contains a wide variety of industrial services and consumer goods. With that being said, expect to experience various odors as you sail passed these companies. The boat accomodates what seemed to be approximately 30 people with the ability to seat about 20. The staff is very friendly, informative and welcoming. They even offer a free beverage while on the tour. There is a restroom on deck for those who may need one and they do allow photos and videos. Large bags are not allowed on the boat. Refer to the website for more details regarding restrictions. If planning to use public transportation to the site, just know that you will be required to have a vehicle escort you from the gate to the tour site. They don't allow visitors to freely walk the port.
Wow, what an experience to share with family and friends! Truly a hidden gem in the heart of this industrial city. You learn about the history of the Ship Channel while your offered refreshments and it’s ALL FREE My family and I loved it and will definitely be doing it again!
