13 Incredible Cruise and Boat Tours in Portland OR

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.