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Rudee Tours

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Boat charters

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“ This was our second time on the Rudee Rocket and it was just as thrilling and fun the second time around! ” in 22 reviews

“ L We have done dolphin tours multiple times (seriously ever time we come to VB) and today did 2 whale trips!! ” in 13 reviews

“ Whale watching has been number one on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. ” in 5 reviews

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200 Winston Salem Ave

Virginia Beach, VA 23451

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About the Business

Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Thrill Ride, Speed Boat, Sightseeing …

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Trying to decide between the 1/2 day fishing during the day or the night fishing. Anyone have a preference or suggestion?

Night fishing is usually better. Cooler waters usually mean more fish.

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164 reviews

This is an annual event, where Rudy Tours provides a day on the water fishing for veterans wounded warriors, combat wounded veterans, and their families or accompanying caregivers to fish and create lasting memories. They do more than say that they support veterans, they actually take a day to provide this memorable experience every year, if you want to support a business that actively tries to support Veterans and their families and wounded warriors, please consider them next time you are booking a tour to watch dolphins or take a day out fishing with family and friends. This event is sponsored and hosted by the Coast Guard exchange and the Armed Services YMCA.

Fort Story and Cape Henry Lighthouse from the water

ASYMCA Heart for Our Hero's boat trip

Great times on the water. Thank you guys for an awesome experience This place is a ten out of ten highly recommend !!

Amazon experience here at Rudee inlet jet ski. Super fast skis and super great service. 5 stars for sure!!

I couldn't believe the amount of dolphins that were out there, and just seeing them in the wild was well worth the trip. I would suggest wearing a light jacket when going out there, because that wind on the ocean was a bit chilly. The only issue was that near the end of the tour and on the website, they started pushing for tips. It seems everyone wants a tip these days and it's downright annoying! I'm glad that at least they didn't harass me for not tipping.

We did the Rudee Flipper tour to see the dolphins. They had drinks and restrooms on board, which was nice. They go to a specific spot where the dolphins hang out, you see them in the water, and that's great for tourists who don't get to see these beautiful mammals in their environment. I think they could easily cut 30 mins off the tour - we were just sitting out there after passing the little dolphin spot, and didn't see another dolphin the rest of the time. With that being said, I'm a local who is spoiled by water access year round, so maybe it wouldn't be an issue for someone who really just wanted to be out on the water.

My boyfriend bought whale watching tickets for me for my birthday last September. He scheduled our our tour for February 14th for Valentine's Day. Unfortunately 2 days before our tour was supposed to take place a rep from the business called and explained that the weather wasn't cooperating. The man was very polite and nice. So we rescheduled to 2/22/24. We arrived early as suggested. Wore and carried extra warm and water resistant clothing. We were greeted by a nice young woman at the ticket window and another as we boarded the boat. There was a group of physically challenged people in front of us. The staff was very good at helping them aboard. The trip out was great. It was too cold and we had a nice seat. We saw some great birds and we did get some humpback whale sightings. It was pretty exciting. As with any excursion or thing of this nature some of the others who booked the trip were rather rude. The Capt was very good making sure groups on each side of the boat had a good view of a tail, back, and blow hole spouting. The ride back, although a little rough and chillier, was still nice. We felt safe the whole trip and the staff on the boat was great. I highly recommend taking a tour with Rudee Tours. We will probably do a dolphin tour this summer.

Unfortunately I don't recall the name of this bird. But it was cool to watch.

I've been on two Rudee tours. The first time was a dolphin tour. This time I decided to try out their whale watching tours. I have used another local company to do whale watching tours prior. I feel like Rudee's boats are bigger than the other company because there's a second level/top deck you can view the whales so you can switch up the angles. They also seem to have more seating on their boats (I didn't use them). There's an inside cabin if you aren't able to brave the cold or the elements. A snack bar is located inside the cabin. The two bathrooms are located at the stern. There are even some standing tables at the stern & a couple on the top deck. They have multiple vessels for the whale tours contingent upon the numbers. Tickets can be purchased online. If there are available spots left, tickets can be purchased at the office at the pier off Winston Salem Ave. Parking is free if you purchased a tour. Tours can be canceled due to strong/high winds, but will be rescheduled for another day. Those who are unable to attend the new date can request a full refund. However, if it's just raining & no strong winds are present the tours still continue. This company actually guarantees whale sightings or you you ride for free next time. The boat itself is very clean & well maintained. Bathrooms were very clean & fully stocked with supplies. When attending the whale tours arrive 30 minutes PRIOR to tour time, go straight to the box office to acquire your physical ticket to board. You must check in first. Temperature on the water is typically 10 degrees cooler so dress accordingly, especially in the winter. Think hats, scarves, gloves. They offer various tours from fishing, wildlife tours to pure entertainment of going fast if riding the Rudee rocket. Make sure to check out when the various seasons for the whale tours & other wildlife are as they are seasonal contingent upon what you wish to see or do.

See all photos from Janice T. for Rudee Tours

This was our second time on the Rudee Rocket and it was just as thrilling and fun the second time around! Perfect way to see dolphins, have the thrill of being on a giant jet ski so to speak and cool down on a hot day by being DRENCHED!! The crew was great and the dolphins did their thing!! This is a must if you're in VA Beach!! So much fun!! To add for anyone wondering-I am not a huge fan of boats or deep water or thrill rides. I was fine on this and felt safe and had a blast!!

See all photos from Renee S. for Rudee Tours

We had a nice smooth ride, helped by great weather and an expert captain/helmsman. We saw lots of dolphins on the 4pm tour. The sun was bright and hot but there is shade on the boat if you go downstairs or move with it. There are also slushies and other refreshments to help you cool off They maneuvered the boat to give all sides a chance to get some views and pictures/video. I would definitely do it again

Great guy trip for the hubbs, our brothers and some of their friends. It was my brother's 40th birthday and he loves to fish. Everyone had a great time and everyone they associated with at Rudee Tours was great!!

Amazing experience from visiting their website to leaving their parking lot. Spent a beautiful Saturday morning dolphin watching up to the Cape and got great view of both Lighthouses. Many sightings too! Folks in office were very helpful and had great tips! Boat crew was funnie, informative, and gave us a great ride. All brave soldiers should sit first couple rows and enjoy the great views with rockin tunes

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Rudee Tours has been entertaining locals and tourists with Dolphin Cruises, Fishing Trips, and Speed Boat Rides forever in Virginia Beach!  Experience the "Only Way To See The Sea" on the largest and finest fleet of head boats!  Our team of owners, captains, and crew have over 40 years of experience operating boats in the ocean.  Our knowledge of the local waters and how to navigate them in unparalleled.  

We pride ourselves on the family atmosphere we have created within our team, and consider our guests part of our family as well.  We look forward to many memorable monents experiencing the diversity that our coastal habitat has to offer.  Whether you are cruising, fishing, or Rocket riding, we promist to make your experience with us fun-filled and memorable.  

10 Best Virginia Beach Boat Tours: Cruises, Charters & Dolphins

(The post Virginia Beach Boat Tours may contain affiliate links that I may earn a small commission when you click on or purchase from the links. This is at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own. You can learn more about this in my  Disclosures & Disclaimers .)

What’s the best time to see dolphins in Virginia Beach?

The best time to see dolphins in Virginia Beach is generally from May to October when the water is warmer.

Dolphins are present year-round, but they are most frequently seen during the warmer months.

Are there private boat tours in Virginia Beach?

Yes , there are private boat tours available in Virginia Beach.

You can book private boat tours for dolphin watching, sunset cruises, and other customized experiences.

Is there a dinner boat cruise in Virginia Beach?

There are dinner boat cruises available in Virginia Beach , offering a unique dining experience on the water.

For example, Rudee Tours provides a dinner cruise experience aboard the Rudee Flipper, as detailed on their  website .

Which Virginia Beach boat tours are best for families?

Several Virginia Beach boat tours are suitable for families, providing enjoyable and educational experiences for all ages.

Options such as the Rudee Rocket from Rudee Tours and the boat tours offered by the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center are popular choices for families seeking dolphin watching and marine wildlife experiences.

Alexis is a travel blogger and author with lifelong travel experience visiting unique destinations around the US as well as a decade of experience in theme park entertainment and circus arts.

Carousel of Chaos is a collection of travel guides, trip planning resources, historical archives, recipes and other lifestyle content based on amusement attractions and unique US travel destinations.

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'I went under': Passengers recall terrifying moments when tour boat capsized in Lockport, NY

Survivors of a boat that capsized in a cave in Lockport, New York, are recalling the harrowing moments when the vessel overturned.

"I went under the water when it fully capsized, but I was on my way back up from being under the water and the boat literally landed on my head," Elizabeth Morrissette, one of the passengers, told ABC affiliate WKBW .

Morrissette and spouse Daniel Morrissette were two of the 29 people on board a flat-bottom tour boat in the cave on Monday, 20 miles northeast of Niagara Falls, when the vessel became unbalanced and capsized, killing a man who was trapped underneath.

Eleven people, including the wife of the man killed, were taken to hospitals for mostly minor injuries. All on board were flung into the water toward the end of the ride in a tunnel, officials said.

Here's what we know:

What happened to the tour boat?

Officials said the boat became unbalanced and overturned during the underground tour of a dimly lit cave at about 11:30 a.m. Monday.

Elizabeth Morrissette told WKBW the tour had reached a point where it would go back the way it had come and the tour guide told passengers they could turn around and face the other direction, but Morrissette said passengers didn't feel comfortable with making that much movement.

"This boat is not fit to be turning around on," Morrissette said.

Morrissette said the boat became unbalanced more than once during the tour, but tipped harder than before when it capsized. Morrissette jumped off the boat at that point and said that there was not much space between the boat and the wall of the cave.

"People are climbing on top of the boat to get out of the water because as soon as you hit that water with your chest your air is gone. It knocks the breath right out of you, you have nothing left," Elizabeth Morrissette said.

Daniel Morrisette recalled a similar experience.

“By the time I realized what happened, the boat was on top of me and I couldn’t find any air pockets or anything. And I’m just trying to, like, breathe because I’m underwater,” Morrissette told "Good Morning America" in an interview that aired Tuesday.

Lockport Fire Chief Luca Quagliano said at a news conference that the passengers were flung into water that was 5 to 6 feet deep.

"The boat did a 180-degree turn, so the bottom of the boat was upright in the water,” Quagliano said. “A number of victims were on top of that boat initially when rescuers got to them.”

The Lockport mayor's office said there were no new updates on Tuesday morning. The Lockport Police Department and Fire Department did not immediately respond to questions about the investigation.

Who was on board the tour boat?

One tour employee and 28 hospitality employees from across Niagara County were on board the boat, according to Destination Niagara USA CEO Andrea Czopp.

Authorities have not released the names of the man who died or the other passengers. The person who died was "immediately trapped underneath the boat during the capsize and was deceased upon extrication," according to a news release from the City of Lockport Fire Department.

Seven people were treated at the Eastern Niagara Hospital emergency room, spokesperson Patricia Kingston-Brandt said, adding later that six were discharged and the other one would be released in the evening.

The fire department said in the release that a police officer who entered the water to help with the rescue was taken to an emergency room for hypothermia. A firefighter was also injured but remained on duty.

How were the passengers rescued?

The Lockport fire department said a team launched an inflatable rescue boat and paddled about 300 feet to reach the passengers. Rescuers also used sledgehammers and crowbars to break through a wall of the cave from the outside to reach the boat.

Quagliano said 16 passengers were rescued by crews, while others reached safety on their own by walking through the water back to the dock area.

Nearby streets were closed to make room for rescue vehicles and crews.

Boat that capsized was giving a tour along the Erie Canal

A website advertising a " Lockport Cave & Underground Boat Ride " describes the experience as a 75-minute historic guided walking tour along the Erie Canal, located a 30-minute drive from Niagara Falls or Buffalo. Images of the tour show a small engine-powered boat in a dimly lit underground cave.

The tunnel system was blasted out in the 19th century to transport extra water from the Erie Canal to power nearby businesses

Contributing: Grace Hauck and Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

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Equipped with ice-breaking technology, these huge fancy yachts are the only river cruisers running all year around. The round trip journey takes two and a half hours and floats past all the big sights like the White House, Novodevichy monastery and the Kremlin. There’s a large open air observation deck up top, while the main body of the ship houses a restaurant with a dance floor for a romantic post dinner dance. For a particularly romantic experience take one of the evening boats and admire the bright lights of the city skyline at night.

The most relaxing and picturesque tour that Moscow can offer: a great way to see the city center and its main attractions. This is a perfect alternative to exploring the city by car, if you only have time to do sightseeing during weekday rush hours.

Your English-speaking guide is eager to share every bit of their knowledge about the surrounding landscape, the architecture and historical details.

We conduct Moscow river tour on Radisson Flotilla boats all year around!  It’s warm inside during winter months, while there’s air conditioning during hot summer days. You may also treat yourself to drinks, lunch or dinner on board (drinks and food are not included in tour price).

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

Quay at Radisson Collection Hotel

Government Headquarters ("the White House")

Kievsky Railway Central

Novodevichy Convent

Luzhniki Stadium

Academy of Sciences

Monument to Peter I

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Moscow Kremlin

St.Basil's Cathedral

Novospassky Monastery

U-turn and back to Quay at Radisson Royal Hotel

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Sailing and boat tours in Greenport, Oyster Bay, Oakdale and Montauk

Passengers take in the views on the Waterfront Center’s oyster sloop Christeen sunset cruise in Oyster Bay. Credit: Marisol Diaz

On sailboat cruises from Oyster Bay to Montauk, you can relax on deck, cooled by sea spray and a glass of wine. Or you can get up off your cushion and join the hands on deck in Oakdale. 

Here's how to get a taste of cruising on Long Island's waters, whether destined for a swimming hole or merely a photo-worthy sunset.

Travel aboard the sailboat Layla, of Layla Sailing in Greenport. Credit: Randee Daddona

SAIL NEAR SHELTER ISLAND

ABOARD Layla, a 45-foot sailboat docked in Greenport

WHEN  May 27 to Sept. 2

INFO 631-319-0161, laylasailing.com

From the East End and NYC day trips to weekend road trips and beyond, get ideas on how to plan your travels.

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Capt. Liz Gillooly leads private sails from Greenport that explore the waters around Shelter Island. Options include shorter morning and sunset sails (from $750 for a private charter up to six passengers) and traditional half-day charters. Guests may bring their own snacks and drinks, catering options available.

The sloop Christeen is available for cruises at the Waterfront Center on West End Avenue in Oyster Bay. Credit: Jeff Bachner

SAIL WITH A SUNSET

ABOARD Christeen, a restored oyster sloop from The WaterFront Center in Oyster Bay

WHEN | WHERE  6 p.m. most days through Labor Day ($75 a person) from 1 West End Ave., Oyster Bay, reserve online. The center offers other sailing experiences, including a two-hour harbor tour ($55 a person), marine ecology cruises ($50 a person). Private charters available (starting at $1,275).

INFO 516-922-7245, sailchristeen.org

The view includes Gold Coast mansions lining tony Centre Island on cruises aboard the 40-foot sailboat. A U.S. Coast Guard-certified captain helms the ride through Oyster Bay Harbor and Cold Spring Harbor. You’ll learn about the history of Christeen, built in 1883 in Glenwood Landing and a National Historic Landmark since 1992.

Explore the seas of the East End on a sailing trip with Montauk's Catamaran Mon Tiki. Credit: Sailing MTK

SAIL WITH A SWIM

ABOARD  The Mon Tiki fleet of catamarans in Montauk 

INFO 631-668-2826, sailingmontauk.com  

The 65-foot Mon Tiki Largo, the 40-foot Mon Tiki and the 26-foot Mon Tiki Mini — all catamarans — are playfully named after explorer Thor Heyerdahl's Kon-Tiki. Amelia Ryan, who owns and operates the line with her husband, Capt. David Ryan, says the cruises explore a world beyond the chic resort community. “All of that falls away when you are out on the water with the sounds of the wind, the waves and the natural beauty,” which occasionally includes dolphin sightings, Ryan says. Passengers can bring their own lunch and beverages on a two- to three-hour private sail (starting $250) through early October, and there's plenty of time to take a plunge into the water from the vessel's swim ramp and paddleboards (life jackets provided).

The Priscilla oyster sloop, sailed by Capt. Robert Campbell in the Great South Bay. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin

SAIL AND SIGHTSEE

ABOARD Priscilla, a restored 1888 oyster sloop from the Long Island Maritime Museum in West Sayville

WHEN | WHERE 4 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, $45 ($20 kids) or dinner sail 4 p.m. Fridays, 1 and 4 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays ($75 includes $30 food voucher), reserve online. Arrive 30 minutes before sail time at the dock behind The Snapper Inn restaurant, 500 Shore Dr., Oakdale .

INFO 631-854-4974,  sailpriscilla.org

The Long Island Maritime Museum's historic oyster sloop Priscilla hosts two-hour cruises on the Great South Bay. Some sails have included options for lunch or dinner at The Snapper Inn restaurant in Oakdale. Sails include plenty of narration that covers the ship's history among a 500-boat fleet that plied the South Shore bays for oysters. The vessel was retired in the 1960s and restored in 2002. It became a National Historic Landmark in 2006.

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Watch CBS News

Killer whales sink yacht after 45-minute attack, Polish tour company says

By Emily Mae Czachor

November 6, 2023 / 9:58 AM EST / CBS News

A group of orcas managed to sink a yacht off the coast of Morocco last week, after its 45-minute attack on the vessel caused irreparable damage, a Polish tour company said.

The incident happened Tuesday, Oct. 31, as a crew with the boat touring group sailed through the Strait of Gibraltar. The narrow waterway bridges the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, which separates the southern tip of Europe from northern Africa. 

A pod of orcas, colloquially called killer whales, approached the yacht and "hit the steering fin for 45 minutes, causing major damage and leakage," the tour agency Morskie Mile, which is based in Warsaw and operated the yacht, wrote on  Facebook in a translated post.

Although its captain and crew were assisted by a search-and-rescue team as well as the Moroccan Navy, the yacht could not be salvaged. It sank near the entrance to the port of Tanger-Med, a major complex of ports some 30 miles northeast of Tangier along the Strait of Gibraltar. None of the crew members were harmed, said the Polish tour agency, adding that those on board the sunken yacht were already safe and in Spain by the time their Facebook post went live. 

"This yacht was the most wonderful thing in maritime sailing for all of us. Longtime friendships formed on board," wrote Morskie Mile. The company said it was involved in other upcoming cruises in the Canary Islands and would work to make sure those boat trips went ahead as planned.

Last week's incident in the Strait of Gibraltar was not the first of its kind. Reported attacks by killer whales that seem to be trying deliberately to capsize boats off the coast of Spain and Portugal have more than tripled over the last two years, according to data  released in the spring by the research group GTOA, which studies orcas around Gibraltar.

"Nobody knows why this is happening," Andrew W. Trites, professor and director of Marine Mammal Research at the University of British Columbia, told CBS News in May. "My idea, or what anyone would give you, is informed speculation. It is a total mystery, unprecedented." 

GTOA recorded 52 maritime interactions with orcas between the Strait of Gibraltar and Galicia, a coastal province in northwestern Spain, between July and November 2020. The incidents picked up in the years that followed, with 197 interactions recorded in 2021 and 207 recorded in 2022, GTOA said, noting that the interactions mainly affected sailboats. 

Then, in June of this year, one of two sailing teams involved in an international race around the world reported a frightening confrontation involving multiple orcas as they traveled through the Atlantic Ocean to the west of Gibraltar. The teams, which were competing in The Ocean Race, said the orcas did not damage their boats or harm crews, but recalled the sea creatures pushing up against and, in one instance, ramming into one of the boats. The orcas also nudged and bit the rudders, one crew member said.

Caitlin O'Kane and Kerry Breen contributed to this report.

Emily Mae Czachor is a reporter and news editor at CBSNews.com. She covers breaking news, often focusing on crime and extreme weather. Emily Mae has previously written for outlets including the Los Angeles Times, BuzzFeed and Newsweek.

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