Celebrating more than 35 years on Rhode Island’s waterways, Providence River Boat Company lets you discover the capital from the gentle vantage of its rivers. Lifelong mariner Captain Tom McGinn and his welcoming crew pilot intima...
Providence's riverboat tours have built a loyal following, and it's easy to see why. Captains like Tom and Bob bring genuine knowledge and personality to every cruise, weaving city history, local lore, and humor into tours that even longtime Providence residents find rewarding. The Haunted Boat Tour is a standout, with storyteller Kelly earning repeated praise for her theatrical, engaging style. The lineup goes well beyond ghost stories, with mimosa cruises, scenic evening rides, and more rounding out the calendar. Last-minute bookings have worked smoothly for some guests, and the check-in area includes a small cafe and snacks to get you settled before departure. A note worth mentioning: at least one visitor found communication around private cruise inquiries slow and frustrating, so if you're planning something custom, build in extra lead time. Overall, the vibe is relaxed, fun, and genuinely informative. Guides are consistently called out for making people feel welcome and engaged, whether they're visitors or locals who thought they already knew the city.
We booked a private charter for our staff party and couldn't have been happier. It rained during our tour but Captain Tom was awesome and parked us under a bridge so we could eat our lunch without the food getting soaked. He also had a great playlist that kept the party moving and our spirits up. It stopped raining before the tour was over and there was a great rainbow over the city. A magical way to end things. We all had so much fun. Highly recommend.
Corinne Kelly
July 3, 2026
We booked a private charter for our staff party and couldn't have been happier. It rained during our tour but Captain Tom was awesome and parked us under a bridge so we could eat our lunch without the food getting soaked. He also had a great playlist that kept the party moving and our spirits up. It stopped raining before the tour was over and there was a great rainbow over the city. A magical way to end things. We all had so much fun. Highly recommend.
Corinne Kelly
July 3, 2026