A group of people enjoying a social gathering on a boat during sunset on a calm river, with lush trees along the banks and a colorful sky with clouds.

Sunset

Cruise

Our cruises merge history and community to create unforgettable experiences.

  • Duration: 2 Hours

  • Price: $120 + 6% Online Booking Fee

  • Ages: 8+

  • Max Capacity: 12 people

  • Meet: 249 E Main St., Scottsville

  • What’s Included: Historical Storytelling, Live Music, Charcuterie, Beverage Accessories

  • What to Bring: Shoes, Beverages, Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Hat.

What’s included

A group of people on a boat on a river, with a man standing and talking to them. The surrounding area is lush with trees, and the sky is partly cloudy.

The Experience

Prior to dusk we travel upriver offering tales from the bygone era of batteaux. At the halfway point we anchor to begin food and music, celebrating a time honored river tradition. As the last of the daylight fades we begin our return float to Scottsville.

Food

Enjoy our signature charcuterie boards featuring premium dried meats, assorted cheeses, complete with a variety of seasonal accompaniments.

A wooden platter with an assortment of cheeses, cured meats, grapes, blueberries, green olives, cherry tomatoes, carrots, celery, hummus, and crackers, arranged for a charcuterie board.

Live music

Our in-house musician takes the stage at our anchor point and will perform light acoustic music to serve as an ambient background. blending in with the sounds of night falling on the river.

A man with long hair, beard, wearing a black wide-brimmed hat, beige long-sleeve shirt, and shorts, sitting on a wooden boat with a paddle, playing an acoustic guitar on a calm river with green trees on both banks under a clear sky.

Ice Buckets & Cups

You are welcome to bring your own tasty beverages onboard. We will provide ice buckets at your table and cups to enjoy them out of.

Group of people enjoying a boat trip on a lake surrounded by trees, with some sitting at a picnic table and others standing and chatting, sunlight casting warm glow.

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Group of people enjoying a sunset cruise on a boat on a river, surrounded by trees, with some seated and others standing, raising their hands, and a person playing guitar.
Two people sitting on a boat by the water with trees in the background, smiling at the camera, with food and drink items on the table.
A man standing on a boat by a river, wearing a white shirt, shorts, sunglasses, and a hat, with lush green trees and blue sky in the background.
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Looking for a place to stay?

Skip the drive home by staying at Belle Meade on the James, a guesthouse where thoughtful hosts and a peaceful setting make it easy to extend your time along the river.

Reserve Your Stay

FAQs

  • We offer various ways to book our cruises based on your preferences.

    Public Cruises

    Small Party - If you are a small party we welcome you to join one of our ‘public cruises’. In this setting you will be seated with other passengers. Our public cruises often promote discussion and community, the social atmosphere might leave you with new friends after the experience concludes.

    Large Party - If you have a party that would prefer to book your own boat you are welcome to do so. We have two batteaux that can accommodate up to 6 people per boat (per US Coast Guard regulations) for a maximum 12 passengers per trip. If your group size is larger than 6 people, we will board you on two different batteaux. We often float as a flotilla, which means you’ll be in close proximity to the other boat and you will absolutely be able to converse and share in the experience together.

    Private Cruises

    If you have a large party and would like ensure an intimate experience with only your group or family we recommend booking a ‘private cruise’. This option works great for special occasions and can be upgraded to include a private chef for a “Farm to Batteau” style meal cooked over the fire onboard. (Call for Availability)

    Our Private Cruise includes availability for up to 12 people. Per US Coast Guard regulations we can accommodate up to 6 people per boat. This experience always floats as a flotilla, which means you’ll be in close proximity to the other boat and you will absolutely be able to converse and share in the experience together.

  • Per US Coast Guard regulations, our batteaux can comfortably accommodate up to 6 people. We have two batteaux and can accommodate up to 12 people on two boats.

    If your group size is larger than 6 the group will be boarded on two boats, but don’t worry. The batteaux will remain very close to each other and allow for conversation between boats. Multi-batteaux flotillas are a festive experience on the James River!

  • Our cancellation/rescheduling policy is that outside of 7 days before the scheduled tour, guests can cancel for a full refund, no questions asked. Within 7 days, cancellations/rescheduling are only triggered by the operators due to hazardous conditions. In that case, you can be rescheduled or refunded.

    We are a small, seasonal business that specializes in intimate experiences. Our business model cannot handle last minute rescheduling which has led us to this policy.

  • Yes! You are welcome to book a full boat for just your group. On public tours there may be another boat close by, we often travel in flotillas which is unique experience on the James River!

    Private cruises are also available if you want to be the only group on our batteaux. These are booked separately from our public cruises and can accommodate up to 12 people as of May 2023.

  • The tour meets at Canal Basin Square, in Scottsville, a public park. This is located across the street from the Scottsville United Methodist Church and the Scottsville Museum.

    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.

  • Our tours are rain or shine! Being on the river during a rainy day can be a magical experience. During inclement weather 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.

  • Shoes: Shoes are required at all times during the tour. Water appropriate footwear is highly recommended and required if you wish to swim.

    Hat: Keeps the sun off your face

    Sunglasses: Reduces glare from the water

    Sunscreen: The Virginia sun can be brutal

    Water bottle: Refill your reusable water bottle from our cooler

    Rain gear: Bring a rain jacket or a poncho to guard against surprise showers

  • We welcome children 8 and over. Due to our insurance policy we unfortunately can’t accept children under the age of 8.

  • 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.

  • 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 ice buckets and cups. You are welcome to bring a small personal cooler.

  • 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.

  • Our river tour is very safe. The section of river we float is mostly flat, nothing to be concerned about. We do provide life jackets, wearing them is optional.

  • 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.

Why book with us?

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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 apart 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.