Relax on the river!

New 2025 Rates

• Private Charter: $550
• Non-Profit Charter: $450

Duration

2 hours

If you wish to extend the hours of your charter, contact the BTA Office prior to your reservation. For charters over 2 hours, there will be an additional charge of $100 per hour for every hour over 2 hours.

About

The Ivory Bill is a U.S. Coast Guard inspected 45-ft. covered pontoon boat operated by the Big Thicket Association. Excursions are typically two hours. Your excursion will take you on the open waters of the Neches River and into the Big Thicket National Preserve. Visit a bald cypress - water tupelo swamp and travel farther down river to experience the Port of Beaumont and learn about local commerce and regional water management of our local community.

The Ivory Bill is a unique setting for your next business meeting, social gathering, or special event. Our trips have included celebrations for birthdays, wedding receptions, holiday parties, retirements, retreats, club outings, and reunions.

Each charter can be customized to your needs, from a relaxing boat ride on the river to an interpretive tour of local ecology, natural history, conservation, history, commerce, and water management.

2 hours (a longer trip time can be scheduled for an additional cost - contact our office). Passengers must arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled charter departure time. If the charter is unable to depart at the scheduled time, the total tour time may be reduced.

Food and Beverages

There are no concessions on the boat or at the departure locations. Guests are welcome to bring snacks/food and beverages. Alcoholic beverages are allowed on Charter trips at the sole discretion of the captain.

Restroom Facilities

There are public restrooms located at each departure location. The Ivory Bill vessel is equipped with a restroom as well.

Smoking, Pets, Service Animals

Smoking is prohibited on the vessel. Pets are prohibited on the vessel. Service animals are allowed on the vessel.

Additional Accommodations

For hearing impaired guests, please contact our office prior to making your reservation. We utilize the services of local individuals for sign language interpretative tours and have provided descriptive tours for the visually impaired. The Ivory Bill can accommodate 2-3 wheelchairs/scooters on deck. Please contact our office/boat phone prior to making your reservation. We can provide measurements of the access ramp, boat doors, and spacing between seats, and discuss options for group trips that have multiple wheelchairs/scooters.

What to Bring

• Binoculars, cameras for wildlife observation and photography.
• Typically, the air temperature is ten degrees cooler on the water. Guests may want to bring a sweater or jacket for the trip. Blankets are available on the boat if needed.
• The boat is covered but you may wish to have a hat, scarf, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
• Generally biting insects are not an issue, but you may want to bring insect repellent.