March 27, 2022

BETSY ANN RIVERBOAT CRUISE

173 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39530

“Betsy Ann Riverboat – Mississippi Gulf Coast is a stern wheel paddleboat with upper deck and closed cabin offering 2 our trip in the Mississippi Sound and Back Bay Biloxi with a focus on history, wildlife, and ecology.  Enjoy beautiful scenery including dolphins, pelicans, and herons.  Colorful narration by captain or guide.” – gulfcoast.org

I had a free day and decided to see if there were any cruises available.  I found the Betsy Ann Riverboat company online offering a Sunset Eco-Tour for Sunday at 6 p.m., which sounded just what I wanted, so I purchased a ticket online.  Sunday morning around 10 a.m. I received an email saying because of the issuance of a small craft warning for that evening the sunset cruise had to be cancelled, but I they could transfer me to the 2 p.m. Historical and Ecological Tour if I wanted to do that.  I agreed.

The tour delivered on everything advertised.  After leaving the pier, the captain (and owner of the boat) spent the first 40 minutes of the trip telling us about the history, wildlife, and measures being taken to protect the area.  The captain slowed a couple of times as dolphins were seen swimming in the area and pointed out brown pelicans and cormorants along the way.  We cruised for 60 minutes out into the Mississippi Sound (about 10 miles from the Gulf of Mexico), and then turned around for the 60-minute trip back.   I did learn some interesting facts, nothing earth-shattering, but interesting just as well.

The captain and his two-man crew were very friendly and did a good job of trying to accommodate everyone.  This trip will not be on my highlight reel of things I’ve done, but it was a delightful way to spend a Sunday afternoon.