live historical tours of Washington DC

a private tour guide… on a private boat, to see the historical sites and sights in washington, virginia, and maryland.
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why is a private tour of DC 4x better on a chartered boat?

We admit to a slight bias, but here’s our math:
Twice as good — because of the reflection.
Twice as good — because there are no crowds.
2 x 2 = 4

Commonly asked questions about our live historical tours of washington DC, with a personal tour guide on a private boat or yacht:

Q: How long is the typical live historical tour of Washington DC?

A: Our private captained cruises, with a tour guide versed in Washington DC area history, are a minimum of 90 minutes from all nearby Washington DC docks. See more information on our locations page. But, remember, this is your boat tour, so it can be as long as you like!

Q: What will I see and learn with a private boat and live tour guide?

A: Plenty! Your boat tour will in part be a DC monument boat tour. You’ll typically see the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Kennedy Center, and plenty of other important and historically interesting buildings and places! See our sights page for a partial list, but there’s so much more.

Q: Is this truly an historical tour of Washington, DC?

A: Yes, it certainly can be, especially if you make it clear when you book that that’s your focus. Let us know that you’re interested in history, specifically, and we will do our best to tailor your boat cruise to your interests in history. Of course, the focus is on the history of Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland as it relates to sights viewable from the Potomac River, Washington Channel, and Anacostia River. Again, please let us know your hopes and dreams in advance. Here’s a longer list of common sights.

Q: How many people can I bring on my private historical tour of Washington DC (via the Potomac River and tributaries)?

A: The USCG maximum is 6 passengers total, plus our crew. If you need more people, contact us to reserve one or more additional boats.

Q: Where can you pick me up for your DC history tours?

A: We are the only private operator with official permission at 10 area docks and marinas. View locations, or contact us for advice on the best embarkation location for your needs.

Q: Am I seeing the very best of DC history on a private boat tour—DC isn’t all on the water, right?

A: That’s subjective, of course, but you’ll see plenty of iconic sights from the unique perspective of a private boat. Boat and yacht charters are different from land-based tours, but you’ll see more than you may expect and have a memorable experience. See our gallery to get a better sense for the boat and yacht tour experiences.

Q: What kinds of historical subjects or topics may come up on the tour?

A: Well, it’s an eclectic historical collection: Again, you’ll see the major national monuments in DC, and learn a bit about their respective histories. Some recent history on where generals lived along the water. Then jump to the The Titanic Memorial—that’s an outlier. Of course, some history about dead presidents, including Lincoln’s assassination, the conspirators, and the site of the trial and aftermath. Of course, the impact of the Civil War on Washington DC will come up, as will the impact of the War of 1812. Often we’ll run down to George Washington’s Mt. Vernon home, on the Virginia shoreline, just south of Washington DC. Overall, we’ll touch on historical information from 1750 through today.

Q: Is my Washington DC private tour guide also the captain?

A: It depends on the boat you select. Typically, with our open boats, your private historical tour guide is also the captain. On larger yachts (example here), with multiple levels, you would choose to have the historical tour narrative from an additional crew member in the climate controlled salon, while the captain runs the yacht from the bridge level above. Again, it’s your tour of DC history, so we will do it your way (of course, we will need advanced notice to ensure we can accommodate your needs).

Have more questions about our boat-based, private, historical tours of Washington DC? Visit our full FAQ page, or call 1-888-634-3335!