Spending a Day With Blue Claw Boat Tours

If there’s a particular experience you’re looking for on Cape Cod, there’s a good chance you can find a tour operator offering it. That’s because excursion companies are everywhere on the Cape, allowing visitors to select one offering their preferred experience.

Boat tours are some of the most popular because they present the opportunity to observe parts of the Cape that the average person won’t see.

One such provider is Orleans’ Blue Claw Boat Tours, a company offering charter boat voyages from Meeting House Pond that explore Pleasant Bay, Chatham Harbor, and sections of the Cape Cod National Seashore.

Here’s a look at some of the tours available through Blue Claw Boat Tours that you can try out during your Cape Cod vacation.

Seal Watching Tours

Some of the more popular excursions through Blue Claw Boat Tours are its seal watching trips. There are a couple of different options so that you can choose the cruise the best suits your needs.

First, there’s an Orleans to Chatham trip that winds through Pleasant Bay, passing marshes and islands before finally taking you to the dunes of Nauset Beach. From there, the boat continues south past the Chatham Pier and North Beach Island and arrives at Chatham Harbor.

There’s a large seal colony living in the harbor, so you’re sure to see some of these animals eating, sunbathing, and swimming during your travels.

This excursion costs $495 for small groups of up to four people and an additional $60 per person for larger groups. You can also add a journey to Chatham Lighthouse for an additional $75 per group. The trip takes about an hour and 45 minutes round-trip.

The basic Orleans to Chatham cruise is only one way to do some seal watching through Blue Claw Boat Tours, as they also offer the popular Beachcombing Boat Tour.

This excursion takes a similar route between Orleans and Chatham on the way down but stops at Tern Island off the coast of Chatham on the way back. You’ll then have the opportunity to explore this uninhabited island for about an hour before returning to Orleans.

The tour costs $700 for groups of up to six and an additional $100 per person when traveling with more people.

Sunset Cruise

Another great way to get on the water with Blue Claw Boat Tours is through their Sunset Cruise into Little Pleasant Bay. This option doesn’t have a particular destination in mind, as it winds through a saltwater river before taking you to see the marshes, boathouses, and islands that line the area.

You can pack some drinks and snacks for your journey, too, as the cruise is a great way to share an evening with friends and family as you enjoy the scenery and interact with each other.

The Sunset Cruise is about 90 minutes long and costs the same as the Orleans to Chatham cruise.

River Life Cruise

Blue Claw Boat Tours’ River Life Cruise is similar to Sunset Cruise, except it starts in the afternoon instead of the evening. It also spends more time in the saltwater river between Meeting House Pond and Little Pleasant Bay, giving you time to observe the marshes and wildlife in that area.

This cruise costs the same as the Sunset Cruise, as it’s $450 for groups of up to four and $50 per additional passenger and allows you to pack your own drinks and food for the journey. Many visitors will take this cruise before heading to one of Orleans’ renowned restaurants for dinner.

Custom Charters

Even if you don’t find an official cruise that meets your needs through Blue Claw, you’ll still have options. That’s because they offer custom voyages where you can do whatever you want for as long as you want, space permitting.

Custom cruises are perfect for events like family reunions, bachelorette parties, birthdays, anniversaries, proposals, and weddings. You’ll have to contact Blue Claw Boat Tours to discuss your plans, but they’re usually pretty open to helping you make the most of your Cape Cod vacation.

What You Should Know

Blue Claw Boat Tours depart from Nauset Marine East, which sits on Main Street in East Orleans, or Orleans Town Landing on Barley Neck Road. Both departure points are on Meeting House Pond, and the operator will inform you where to meet when you book. There’s free parking available at both sites.

It’s recommended that you arrive at least 15 minutes before departure to ensure you’re loaded up in time. The captain will wait for you if you’re late, but there’s no guarantee you’ll have time for the entire experience if you’re running behind.

Keep in mind that the boat is relatively small and there aren’t any washrooms on board, so plan accordingly.

Overall, Blue Claw Boat Tours provides several outstanding ways to spend a few hours of your time during your Cape Cod vacation, so it’s worth looking into before your arrival.