Early Bird Wildlife River Cruise

Climb aboard our pontoon boat and enjoy Hiawatha Island's vibrant cast of wild characters as they feed, bathe, and go about their morning routines along the banks of the Susquehanna River! Boat Pilot Steve Brigode will help spot wildlife and tell their unique stories against the backdrop of historic Hiawatha Island while expertly navigating the river. The cruise will last approximately 1 hour, depending on wildlife activity, river conditions, and interest level but please allow up to two hours. Wildlife tends to be most active in the early morning. This is a great time to learn more about the many species that frequent the river with our naturalists. Don't forget to bring your camera!

Our boat is a 24-foot pontoon boat with a capacity of ten guests and two crew. Life preservers are stored under each seat and may be worn during the cruise if desired.

Unfortunately, our boat landing is not accessible from the perspective of those with limited mobility.  There is a concrete walkway that leads down to the riverbank and some traction aids across the muddy bank, ending in a boarding platform.  There is still a bit of a step up onto the boat, but there are handrails to help gain purchase.  We recommend dressing for the weather, bringing water, sunscreen/insect repellent (depending on the day), and comfortable shoes to negotiate the riverbank's incline. If needed water will be available for purchase on the boat.

The landing is on the western end of Marshland Road.  Our property's entrance is the next driveway on the left after the Town of Owego boat launch and has a "Waterman Center Hiawatha Island and River Front Park" signpost.  It can be easy to miss, so often the easiest way to get there is to copy these coordinates into your GPS choice: 42.083484, -76.202858 or search "Waterman Conservation Education Center Boat Launch" in google maps.