I honestly think there’s nothing quite like messing about on the river, it is even better if it’s an organized trip where you can relax, let go and just soak up the incredible scenery. From stylish champagne brunches to something more high-octane, here are my favorite cruise and boat tours in Portland, Oregon…

- +1 503-224-3900
- 1010 SW Naito Pkwy
- 7 pm – 9:30 pm


- 224-435-4484
- 299 SW Portage Rd, Cascade Locks
- 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (May to October)
Columbia River Gorge Dinner Cruise
Columbia River Gorge Dinner Cruise is a 2-hour cruise along the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.
The tour starts from Cascade Locks and takes you across the Columbia River Gorge, allowing you to indulge in the picturesque landscapes of the river. I would personally recommend sitting on the expansive patio of the cruise ship, while you explore all corners of the Historic Scenic Area while eating a fine meal served up by their chef.
They offer an excellent selection of appetizers, entrees, and desserts prepared with local ingredients with vegan and gluten-free options. You can also enjoy a wide range of craft beers, wines, and cocktails, although you’ll be charged an add-on.
From live narration from the captain to a private candlelit table, the Columbia River Gorge Dinner Cruise offers everything to make your night special.
Pros
Live narration for an immersive experience
Fine dining experience on the water
Cruise under the Bridge of the Gods
Private candlelit tables are available
Cons
Additional charge for drinks
Limited to a 2-hour experience
Must Do Things
Upgrade to a private candlelit table for a romantic evening
Take in the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge landscapes
Facilities
Allows service dogs and infants
Souvenir photos are available for purchase
Champagne Brunch Cruise Through Downtown Portland
Champagne Brunch Cruise is a 2-hour brunch cruise that takes you along a major tributary of the Columbia River, the Willamette River. Portland Spirit Cruises and Events offer it.
Starting from Salmon Springs in downtown Portland, the Champagne Brunch Cruise takes you across the Willamette River watershed.
The 2-hour cruise offers a delicious brunch featuring authentic Northwest cuisine. They have a curated selection of beverages, including champagne, mimosas, and sparkling ciders.
From historical narration on outer patios to live piano and entertainment, the Champagne Brunch Cruise has a wide range of features to offer you a wonderful brunch experience. The timing of the cruise varies depending on the season.
Pros
A variety of champagne and mimosa selection
Scenic views of the Willamette River
Experience live piano and entertainment
Savor authentic Northwest cuisine
Cons
Timing varies by the season
Pricing may be relatively high for some
Must Do Things
Enjoy riverfront views of Portland's skyline while savoring a gourmet brunch
Sip on champagne or mimosas as you cruise the scenic Willamette River
Facilities
Live piano music during the cruise
Gluten-free and vegan options are available
Dinner Cruise Through Downtown Portland
Dinner Cruise by Portland Spirit Cruises and Events offers a sunset dinner along the beautiful landscapes of the Willamette River.
As you cruise down the Willamette River, you get to revel in the mesmerizing views of Portland’s skyline and major landmarks.
Dinner Cruise by Portland Spirit Cruises and Events continues for two and a half hours. You are served a freshly cooked Pacific Northwest meal prepared with local ingredients. The cruise also comes with live music and entertainment and narration of the sights by the captain on outdoor patios.
The cruise takes you through many iconic landmarks of Portland, including Hawthorne Bridge, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Oaks Amusement Park, Tom McCall Waterfront Park, and Portland Oregon Sign.
Pros
Scenic sunset views of Portland
Enjoy live entertainment while you dine
Iconic Portland landmarks are visited
Cons
The cruise follows a predetermined route
It may cause motion discomfort for some
Must Do Things
Savor a Pacific Northwest meal with live entertainment
Learn history from historical narration available on outer decks
Facilities
Appetizers and beverages are available for purchase
Also offers private reserved table
Heart of Portland Sightseeing Cruise
Heart of Portland Sightseeing Cruise by Portland Spirit Cruises and Events is a sightseeing tour along the Willamette River that takes you through the major sites of Portland.
They have two departure points, Caruthers Landing in SE Portland and Salmon Springs in downtown Portland.
As you travel northward between the Oregon Coast Range and the Cascade Range, you enjoy the captain’s picturesque cityscape and historical narration. You learn about the historical significance of every landmark that you pass by.
Indoor seating is not guaranteed on this sightseeing tour, although you can enjoy a broad array of food and beverages on the vessel’s patios. They have an onboard cafe specializing in diverse cuisine. However, food and beverages are not complimentary.
Pros
Onboard bistro with diverse cuisine
Dual departure locations for convenience
Various landmarks and scenic beauty
Remarkable photo opportunities
Cons
Food and beverages are not included in the ticket
Limited indoor seating availability
Must Do Things
Take in the picturesque cityscape from the cruise
Facilities
Snacks and drinks are available for purchase
Columbia Gorge Jet-Boat Adventure
Columbia Gorge Jet-Boat Adventure offers two cruises, a full-day trip and a half-day trip. Full-day cruise starts from downtown Portland and ends at Cascade Locks.
Half-day cruise starts from downtown Portland and ends at Multnomah Falls. Both cruises take you through countless landmarks and over 12 bridges.
As you travel along the Columbia River, you see Beacon Rock, Vista House, Bonneville Locks and Dam, and Bridge of the Gods, among many other iconic landmarks.
Pros
A chance to witness iconic landmarks
Diverse cruise options to choose from
Breathtaking Columbia River Exploration
Cons
The full-day cruise is 7 hours long
Not recommended for heart patients
Must Do Things
Marvel at the beauty of Multnomah Falls during the half-day trip
Discover the history of Bonneville Locks and Dam on your journey.
Facilities
Bench seating with comfortable cushions
Noise-canceling headphones or complimentary earplugs are available
Year-Round Sightseeing
Year-Round Sightseeing is a sightseeing cruise along the Willamette River by Portland Spirit Cruises and Events, one of the best boat tour agencies in Portland. The cruise takes you through all major tributaries of the Willamette River, including the Willamette Valley.
If you want to explore Sauvie Island, you must have this sightseeing cruise in summer. The captain ferries you under some of the famous bridges of Portland, including Fremont Bridge, Broadway Bridge, and Hawthorne Bridge.
As it is a sightseeing-specific cruise, it does not offer complimentary food. However, the vessel has a full-service bar with food available for purchase.
You can take this cruise both in bright daylight and after sunset.
Pros
Memorable passages under iconic bridges
Flexibility with daytime and evening cruises
Onboard full-service bar for refreshments
Breathtaking scenic river views
Cons
Seasonal exploration of Sauvie Island
Doesn't include complimentary food
Must Do Things
Explore Willamette River tributaries and Sauvie Island in the summer
Choose the nighttime cruise and see Portland’s night beauty
Facilities
Food options are available for purchase
The cruise is wheelchair-accessible
Gorgeous Brunch Cruise
Gorgeous Brunch Cruise is a 2-hour cruise that takes you across the exquisite canyon stretches of the Columbia River.
As you sit on the outer deck of the sternwheeler, you get to revel in the spectacular views of the Columbia Gorge while eating a fine meal and listening to the captain’s narration of the river’s rich history.
The sternwheeler takes you westward through the Cascade Range, from where you can enjoy a few glimpses of the state of Washington.
The cruise comes with a delicious plated northwestern brunch prepared with local ingredients. You can take the cruise on any Sunday between May and October.
Pros
Views of the Milwaukie Waterfront and Downtown Portland
2-hour cruise on the Willamette River
Beautiful views of the Columbia Gorge
A diverse selection of beverages
Cons
Only sails on Sundays
Souvenir photos are not available
Must Do Things
Listen to the captain's river history narration as you cruise
Savor a delectable Northwestern brunch while admiring the views
Facilities
Live piano music for entertainment
Assorted miniature desserts are available
BrewBarge Cruise
BrewBarge Cruise by Brew Group is an adult-only cruise along the Willamette River. As you cruise across the major tributaries of the river, you get to see the leaves of the recent ice age. You are only allowed on board if you are over 21.
While you can bring your beer on board, the vessel has a classy beer shop offering a great selection of craft beers. You can take BrewBarge Cruise only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
They have a small seating capacity, with only 14 people allowed on board. The timing of the cruise varies depending on the season.
Pros
Scenic views of Ice Age remnants
A unique adult-only river cruise
Bring your beer option is available
A classy craft beer shop onboard
Cons
The seating is limited ( only 14 )
Timing varies with the seasons
The cruise is not family-friendly
Must Do Things
Enjoy local craft beers while cruising the river
Admire ice age landmarks on this adult-only adventure
Facilities
Various timings are available
House a craft beer shop onboard
Lunch Cruise by Willamette Jetboat Excursions
Lunch Cruise by Willamette Jetboat Excursions is a 3-hour cruise across the Columbia River. It is a 40-mile journey that starts on the Willamette River and takes you to the north of the Columbia River.
You get a perfect lunch at The Deck, a casual floating restaurant specializing in American seafood and seasonal cuisine.
From St. John Bridge to Mt. St. Helens to Mt. Hood, you enjoy striking views of many iconic landmarks near Portland. The cruise ship takes you so close to big cargo ships that you can almost touch them. You can take this cruise on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Pros
Breathtaking views of St. John’s Bridge
Savor delicious American seafood cuisine at The Deck
Remarkable close encounters with cargo ships
Leisurely 3-hour lunch cruise experience
Cons
Availability is limited to Tuesday and Wednesday
Cruise may be weather-dependent
Must Do Things
Enjoy a scenic river journey with close-up views of cargo ships
Savor a delicious lunch at The Deck featuring American seafood
Facilities
Meal and non-alcoholic beverages are included
Alcoholic beverages available for purchase
1-Hour Shipyards
1-Hour Shipyards by Willamette Jetboat Excursions is a boat tour that takes you to Swan Island. It is a 14-mile journey that takes you through shipyards and beautiful bridges of Portland, including Hawthorne Bridge, Steel Bridge, Tilikum Crossing Bridge, and Marquam Bridge.
You can see many landmarks from iconic bridges to historical monuments to shipyards during this one-hour tour. It is a kid-friendly tour that does not charge any fare for children aged 3 or below.
The timing of the tour varies every year. The tour is only available between June and September.
Pros
Scenic boat tour offers picturesque views
Explore the historical shipyards of Swan Island
Enjoy Portland's waterfront and landmarks
Must Do Things
Take your family for a kid-friendly tour during the summer
Enjoy the scenic views of Portland's iconic bridges
Facilities
No charge for children under the age of three
Portland Christmas Ship Parade
Portland Christmas Ship Parade is an annual boat tour along the Willamette River during the Christmas holidays. The tour starts in the first week of December and runs through the third week.
Traveling around Lake Washington and the Puget Sound, you see more than 65 waterfront communities.
It is the only boat tour in Portland that takes you around a complex estuarine network of marine waterways and basins.
Pros
Two fleets offer beautiful views
Long-standing holiday tradition since 1954
Unique and memorable Christmas celebration
Exclusive access to marine waterways
Cons
The viewing areas are limited
Limited availability in December
Must Do Things
Enjoy the festive atmosphere along the riverbanks
Join a riverfront gathering for festive holiday cheer
Facilities
Various riverfront gatherings for a community feel
Opportunity to join with your boat
Kayak on the Willamette River
Kayak on Willamette River is a kayaking tour by Salem Kayak Rentals. The tour is available from late Spring to mid-October. It involves about 30 minutes of paddling.
The tour starts from the West Linn and ends at the Willamette Narrows.
As you kayak across the Willamette River, you get to explore the unique geology of its tributaries. Children below the age of 13 cannot take this tour.
Pros
Provides opportunities for wildlife observation
Willamette River allows for extended kayak trips
The trail provides access to beautiful parks and rest areas
Convenient starting and ending points
Cons
Limited services in remote areas
Not suitable for young children
Must Do Things
Discover the river's geology on a guided kayaking tour
Enjoy a picnic in one of the riverfront parks
Facilities
Various kayak rentals are available
Diverse guided and self-guided tours are available
Portland Skyline & Bridges Night Photo Tour
Portland Skyline & Bridges Night Photo Tour is a 2-hour night tour along the Willamette River at night. This is the ultimate tour for shutterbugs that allows passengers to capture the dramatic night lights of the cityscape.
This photo tour takes you to many major bridges and landmarks of Portland, including the Eastbank Esplanade, Hawthorne Bridge, OMSI, and Tilikum Crossing.
Pros
Stunning night cityscape photography opportunities
Expert-guided tour for photography enthusiasts
2-hour duration for in-depth exploration
The tour covers major Portland bridges and landmarks
Cons
Nighttime tours may have limited visibility
Small groups may not suit all
Must Do Things
Capture the shimmering city lights on the Hawthorne Bridge
Photograph the reflection of Portland's skyline in the Willamette River
Facilities
Professional Guide to help you in your photography
Various other photo tours are also available
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Gaby Maia – writer and photographer
Born and raised in Brazil, Gaby has always had a taste for the intriguing, the off-beat and the far flung. After traveling around most of South America, living in Spain and Italy and then moving to England, her feet have stayed continually twitchy. Studying for a degree in Spanish translation and then learning five more languages only poured more fuel onto her traveling ardor. Gaby likes nothing better than discovering new destinations in her spare time and meeting the locals, tasting the cuisine and then writing about her favourite places. Her other indulgences include French cinema, boxing, photography, colourful manicures and soaking up the rays on a sun-infused beach. The places she loves the most include Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Turkey, Barcelona, Lisbon and Cornwall. Find Gaby on Linkedin or Twitter.
Hotel Reviewing Experience –Asked by many tourist boards and many high-profile travel brands to formally review hotels including South America Tourist Board, Turismo Torino and Faville Tours. Also travelled around the world scouting out and reviewing all the most unique hotels in the world, check out our Instagram page for photos. Listed as a top UK travel journalist.
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