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    Blue Heron River Tours

    371 Reviews
    #1 of 14 Tours in DeLand
    Features Animals
    Nature & Wildlife Tours, Outdoor Activities, Boat Tours & Water Sports, Tours
    2999 W State Road 44, DeLand, FL 32720-8844
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    All photos (293)
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    Certificate of Excellence
    Review Highlights
    “Best river eco-tour ”

    Josh is the owner/ operator of this 2-hour pontoon boat tour. The prices are very reasonable. Josh... read more

    Reviewed 1 week ago
    Keith P
    ,
    Piquot lakes
    via mobile
    “Great tour of river wildlife!!”

    Great tour of St John's river wildlife. Our captain, Josh, was very knowledgeable of the river and... read more

    Reviewed 3 weeks ago
    ldeeisme
    ,
    Florida
    Read all 371 reviews
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    We operate a 45 foot, 49 passenger Coast Guard licensed tour boat out of Hontoon Landing Resort and Marina in Deland, Florida.

    About Blue Heron River Tours

    We operate a 45 foot, 49 passenger Coast Guard licensed tour boat out of Hontoon Landing Resort and Marina in Deland, Florida.
    5.0
    371 reviews
    • Excellent95%
    • Very good3%
    • Average1%
    • Poor1%
    • Terrible0%
    Travellers talk about
    “captain josh” (31 reviews)
    “pontoon boat” (27 reviews)
    “real florida” (21 reviews)
    Open Now
    Hours
    Hours Today: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    LOCATION
    2999 W State Road 44, DeLand, FL 32720-8844
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    JPMiles / Payback Arrow
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    JPMiles / Payback Arrow
    Reviews (371)
    Traveller rating
    Traveller type
    Time of year
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    All reviews
    "captain josh"
    in 31 reviews
    "pontoon boat"
    in 27 reviews
    "real florida"
    in 21 reviews
    "great tour"
    in 29 reviews
    "flora and fauna"
    in 17 reviews
    "great eye"
    in 5 reviews
    "hour tour"
    in 22 reviews
    "plant life"
    in 12 reviews
    "two hours"
    in 18 reviews
    "florida wildlife"
    in 10 reviews
    "highly recommend this tour"
    in 12 reviews
    "eco tour"
    in 9 reviews
    "bird species"
    in 5 reviews
    "beautiful birds"
    in 7 reviews
    "hontoon landing resort"
    in 4 reviews
    "wonderful afternoon"
    in 4 reviews
    "wealth of knowledge"
    in 4 reviews
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    1 - 10 of 369 reviews

    Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile
    Best river eco-tour

    Josh is the owner/ operator of this 2-hour pontoon boat tour. The prices are very reasonable. Josh is super knowledgeable about the wildlife, ecology, and history of the St. John River. He is a US Coast Guard licensed captain. The tour is conducted on a...More

    Ask Keith P about Blue Heron River Tours
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    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 3 weeks ago
    Great tour of river wildlife!!

    Great tour of St John's river wildlife. Our captain, Josh, was very knowledgeable of the river and it's wildlife. He pointed out many animals that most would have missed and even gave background information about them. He also pointed out and described flora and fauna...More

    Ask ldeeisme about Blue Heron River Tours
    Thank ldeeisme
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 3 weeks ago
    Wonderful Tour

    The tour is on a big covered pontoon boat, so shaded from the sun, which makes it comfortable. The Captain was Josh. He was really entertaining and extremely knowledgeable.....like a walking encyclopedia!! We saw some rare birds, Limpkins, I believe. The trip is up the...More

    Ask Kone07 about Blue Heron River Tours
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    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    sailor1978, Guest Relations Manager at Blue Heron River Tours, responded to this reviewResponded 3 weeks ago

    We are happy to hear that you enjoyed your trip with Josh so much! We hope to see you again!

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    Reviewed 4 March 2018
    First class river tour

    I have been on this tour twice in the past two months and both times it has been fantastic! Josh our tour guide is so knowledgeable an on the history of the area, plants, trees, birds and animals. He explains everything in simple terms and...More

    Ask mccharles229 about Blue Heron River Tours
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    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    sailor1978, Front Office Manager at Blue Heron River Tours, responded to this reviewResponded 5 weeks ago

    We are so glad that you enjoyed your time aboard with Captain Josh! Thank you for your very kind review! We hope to tour with you again soon.

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    Reviewed 3 March 2018
    The Riverside of Florida

    Wonderful day on the reversing native Florida. The boat is comfortable and the guide was excellent, so full of information and river lore. He pointed out where we should look to see the wildlife.

    Ask iamsharonturk about Blue Heron River Tours
    Thank iamsharonturk
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    sailor1978, Front Office Manager at Blue Heron River Tours, responded to this reviewResponded 5 weeks ago

    We are happy to hear that you enjoyed your trip with us, we hope to get you out again soon!

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    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 24 February 2018
    A Must Do

    While experiencing the recent Daytona 500 race week, we took a day trip to Deland and went on the river cruise. It is only 24 miles from Daytona Beach and boy was it worth the ride. Jessie, was our captain and she was phenomenal. She...More

    Ask Sweetie_Hare about Blue Heron River Tours
    1  Thank Sweetie_Hare
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    sailor1978, Front Office Manager at Blue Heron River Tours, responded to this reviewResponded 27 February 2018

    Thank you! We are so glad that you enjoyed your trip with Captain Jessi! We hope to see you again soon.

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    Reviewed 1 February 2018 via mobile
    Beautiful day

    It was a cooler sunny day great for pictures. Captain Josh has an eagle eye and is very informative. We saw birds that are hard to see. Lucky day! Well worth the money in our opinion.

    Ask Landa M about Blue Heron River Tours
    Thank Landa M
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    sailor1978, Front Office Manager at Blue Heron River Tours, responded to this reviewResponded 7 February 2018

    Thank you for the kind words! We are so glad you enjoyed your trip with Captain Josh and hope to see you again!

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    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 22 December 2017
    See the real Florida!

    Had a wonderful time on this tour. Guide was very knowledgeable. Educational, fun way to spend some in Florida that isn't in a theme park

    Ask keltikmoon about Blue Heron River Tours
    Thank keltikmoon
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    sailor1978, Guest Relations Manager at Blue Heron River Tours, responded to this reviewResponded 26 December 2017

    Thank you for your review! We are pleased that you enjoyed your trip!

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    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 16 December 2017
    Very knowledgeable and a great tour!

    Have gone with this group before and it has always been great. This time was an Audubon charter nature tour with 19 people. The captain was knowledgeable and could spot a gator or bird from a great distance. Overall this was a great tour!

    Ask Roger F about Blue Heron River Tours
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    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    sailor1978, Guest Relations Manager at Blue Heron River Tours, responded to this reviewResponded 26 December 2017

    Thank you! We are so glad that you enjoyed your trip on 'Great Blue'.

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    Reviewed 15 December 2017 via mobile
    Great tour

    Spent two hours on the tour on December 14 2017. Josh is the owner, captain and encyclopedia of Flora and fauna knowledge. Unfortunately, the river is still very close to flood stage, so most of the ground animals are nowhere to be found. Josh did...More

    Ask chillman141 about Blue Heron River Tours
    Thank chillman141
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    sailor1978, Guest Relations Manager at Blue Heron River Tours, responded to this reviewResponded 26 December 2017

    We are happy to hear that you enjoyed your time aboard with Josh. Hopefully, we can get you back out on the river at another time when the water level is down to show you even more!

    Report response as inappropriate
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    123456…37
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    Ask a question
    Questions & Answers
    See all 6 questions
    Paula B
    9 February 2018|
    Answer
    Response from Paula B |
    Do I need to make a reservation
    0
    Votes
    Robert T
    30 January 2017|
    AnswerShow all 4 answers
    Response from sailor1978 | Property representative |
    Taking 95 South to I4 West to the exit for 44 West all the way through DeLand, Old NX Ave right before the bridge goes over the St. John's River follow that back to the marina and parking lot.
    0
    Votes
    PeggyA550
    6 March 2016|
    AnswerShow all 6 answers
    Response from NewYorkerInMaine | Reviewed this property |
    By far the best restaurant is the area is Blackwater Inn Restaurant in Astor. We live in Titusville, Florida and have been there on numerous occasion and have even brought two groups of senior adults. Highly recommended... More
    0
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    12