Wilmington Water Tours

Wilmington Water Tours Presents!

In addition to our sold out Wilmington Film History Cruises, Wilmington Water Tours is adding a new Horror Film-themed Cruise just in time for the Fall Halloween Season. This cruise will delve into the stories behind the movies and will take a closer look at projects like “Firestarter”, “Silver Bullet”, “Scream”, “Halloween Kills”, “Sleepy Hollow”, “I Know What You Did Last Summer”, and “The Night Flier”.  

Hunter Ingram, former film reporter for the Star-News, will bring some scary insights into these films shot locally in and around Wilmington. For more than four decades Wilmington and the Cape Fear Region have been seen around the world in hundreds of locally produced film an TV projects, each one a little time capsule of an every-changing community. There is no better place to tell the fascinating stories of those projects than on the Cape Fear River, which has flowed through this Hollywood history. On this lively cruise we may even surprise you with things you never even knew were shot in town. “

If you are a film buff, don’t miss this interesting and exciting cruise with two dates to choose from–Septeember 13 and October 25.

This morning, two-hour cruise goes up the Northeast Cape Fear River to the upper reaches of the black water system of this storied river. Captain Doug Springer will share his extensive knowledge of the history of the area while you take in the flora and fauna along the river banks. We will cruise through the Castle Hayne Aquifer and by the bluffs of the Rose Hill Plantation. Visit our full bar for a freshly brewed cup of coffee or the best Bloody Mary on the river.

This is a great cruise for photographers, birders and nature buffs. Bring your camera to capture the untouched beauty of this early morning adventure.

This Cape Fear river cruise is like no other. Dr.Fonvielle lives & breathes the history of the Cape Fear area, and makes sure he tells you some folk lore. Join us on Wilmington Water Tours for this fascinating History Cruise.

On our August 24th cruise, Dr. Chris will discuss that in 1864 how Wilmington was the most important city in the Confederacy. He will also tell fascinating stories of Cape Fear locals during the troublesome time like the great escape of William B. Gould and other enslaved African Americans during the horrific yellow fever epidemic in 1862 and much more.

“The Day of Blood: Race and Revolt in 1898”  Sept. 21 10:00-12:00 $45

In the post-Civil War years and up to the end of the nineteenth century, Wilmington experienced turmoil as a result of the U.S. Army occupation and unexpected arrival of thousands of released Union POWs and homeless refugees. As conditions deteriorated, citizens and displaced persons alike suffered. African Americans, however, relocated to Wilmington in droves as they came to see the city as a Mecca for economic and political opportunities. But growing racial tensions led to confrontations and eventually the Riot of 1898, which dramatically affected race relations for decades to come. Wilmington remained the most populated city in NC and busiest seaport in the second half of the nineteenth century.