Batteau River Tour
What to Expect
Price $70
Our Tour
Our Batteau River Tour is a 2-hour flat water float along the beautiful James River. You will travel on an authentic James River Batteau where you will be immersed in the river scene, folded into it’s history and surrounded by it’s wildlife.
Float
Traveling the James by Batteau is floating the river in style. Stay dry if you want to, go for a swim if you’d like to cool off. What’s important is you’ll be outside exploring this under utilized resource with your friends and family.
History
The James River is the most important river in American History. Aboard our batteau you become part of it. Whether you’re looking for a simple overview or a detailed accounting of the batteau era, we can match the information to your interest.
Wildlife
The James River ecosystem is filled with some of Virginia’s most iconic wildlife. Whether it’s bald eagles or river otters, ospreys or gar, you’re unlikely to leave our tour without catching a glimpse of some of our riverine life.
Why book with us?
Batteauing on the James River has forever been a part of our lives. Born in central Virginia, our founders have been lucky enough to spend countless hours navigating these boats along the James. It was inevitable as the days wore on that conversation would move towards our privilege of being a part of a tiny group of people able to experience this.
James River Batteau Company was founded with the idea to spread the joy that we experience on the boats and along this river with the public. You can rest easy knowing that you are riding with batteaumen who have been navigating this river for over 25 years and have over a decade’s worth of experience in hospitality and tourism.
We take enormous pride in welcoming you aboard.
FAQs
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The tour meets at Canal Basin Square, in Scottsville.
249 Main St, Scottsville, VA 24590
There is parking on Main Street or on the righthand side of the parking lot next to the square. Please do not park next to the Scottsville Pharmacy.
Our company vehicle will drive you to where the tour will begin.
When the tour finishes at the Scottsville boat ramp you will have a short 3 minute walk back to your vehicle.
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We welcome children 12 and over. Due to our insurance policy we unfortunately can’t accept children under the age of 12.
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Yes! Taking a refreshing dip in the James can be a highlight of the tour. Just make sure you bring appropriate shoes for getting in the river.
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Yes! Our batteaumen know how a refreshing beverage pairs well with a day on the river. It’s important though to keep things family friendly, drunkenness will not be tolerated.
We provide a cooler and ice. You are welcome to bring a small personal cooler.
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We make a bathroom stop at the beginning of every tour and encourage all of our guests to use the facilities. Once on board there are no formal bathroom stops along the river.
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Our tours are rain or shine! Being on the river during a rainy day can be a magical experience. We do have a large canopy that provides good shelter from the elements. That said, we are still outside so we suggest you bring your own raincoat.
When severe weather is anticipated and we determine our guests safety is in question, the tour will be postponed, rescheduled, or refunded.
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Each group will be provided a dry bag that will keep your possessions safe. Anything you bring aboard needs to fit into the provided dry bag.
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Our batteaux can comfortably accommodate up to 6 people.
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Our river tour is very safe. The section of river we float is mostly flat with occasional class 1-2 rapids, nothing to be concerned about. We do provide life jackets, wearing them is optional.
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If you feel at the end of the tour the service you received was exceptional, a personal “thank you” in the form of gratuity is greatly appreciated.
