
Sunset Cruise
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 18 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Sunset Cruise worth booking?
Sunset Cruise is a 1.5-hour experience in Wilmington, United States, from $38 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 18 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 64 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (18)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $38 per person
Embark on a breathtaking 1.5 hour Sunset Cruise on the Cape Fear River aboard "the Wilmington", a comfortable 49-passenger motor catamaran. Fully enclosed with adjustable windows for your pleasure. The Wilmington offers
What you get
About this experience
Embark on a breathtaking 1.5 hour Sunset Cruise on the Cape Fear River aboard "the Wilmington", a comfortable 49-passenger motor catamaran. Fully enclosed with adjustable windows for your pleasure. The Wilmington offers comfortable seating and 360-degree views of the stunning riverfront and natural beauty of Eagles Island. Enjoy a tasty cocktail or drink from our full service bar, featuring both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. Sit back and relax to the captains playlists as we cruise the downtown riverfront, then head west along Eagles Island, chasing the last rays of the setting sun. Finally, we sail back to downtown where you'll experience the lights, smells, and sounds of our quaint city by night. Boarding and disembarking are at our homeport. 212 South Water Street. We look forward to having you cruise with us!
What's included
Included
- On-board WiFi
- On-board restrooms
Not included
- Gratuity not included
What you'll see and do
Cape Fear River
Have you ever seen the magic of a Wilmington sunset? This is a relaxing cruise that calms your soul and lets your worries float away. Enjoy live music Friday and Saturday evenings during daylight savings time. Purchase a tasty drink from our bar, sit along side your family or friends and relish in the beauty of the colorful sky during your cruise.
90 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Wilmington
Located on the Riverwalk between Orange and Ann Street. Look fir the Pirate, Post Cards, and Kiosk outside out storefront.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Located on the Riverwalk between Orange and Ann Street. Look fir the Pirate, Post Cards, and Kiosk outside out storefront.
Options you can book
Sunset Cruise
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Sunset Cruise
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Wilmington Water Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Wheelchair accessible for single size non motorized wheelchair.
- infant seats not available
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 16 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
16 verified traveler reviews for Sunset Cruise. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Lovely evening
We joined on a hot August evening for a sunset cruise. Welcomed by the boat staff right from the start and made to feel comfortable. A lovely 1.5 hour cruise along the river at a very gentle pace with good views of the city and the sunset. Access to the boat is reasonably easy via a ramp and the step onto the boat fairly flat. The boat has a full service bar and a toilet. Prices at the bar were a little high but friendly service and chilled drinks. There was a minimal commentary. I think the sightseeing cruises would probably give you more information.
via Tripadvisor
A great way to see the city and ecology of the river!
We really enjoyed our sunset tour with Wilmington Water Tours LLC. All three staff members were friendly and knowledgeable about the river commerce, ecology, as well as the city. Thanks for the great experience!
via Tripadvisor
Family Cruise in Wilmington
Nice cruise down the Cape Fear river: not much to see on it other than the city of Wilmington and a battleship, and the drink/food options are limited. Operator/narrator was very good and we enjoyed the trip.
via Tripadvisor
Sunset cruise Cape Fear River
Lovely evening sunset cruise— friendly people, everything went smoothly and relaxing to sit back and watch along the river and shore. Sunset wasn’t spectacular but it was beautiful anyway!
via Viator
The cruise was somewhat...
The cruise was somewhat boring. As we were cruising and passing sights there was no commentary by the Captain. Strictly a cruise on the river.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 6
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 64
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Sunset Cruise: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Wilmington.
How much does Sunset Cruise cost?
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Prices start at $38 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Wilmington usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Sunset Cruise take?
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Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Wilmington is not rushed.
Is Sunset Cruise worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 18 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Wilmington, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Sunset Cruise?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Sunset Cruise suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Sunset Cruise?
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Around 6 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Wilmington can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Wilmington and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Sunset Cruise start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Wilmington within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Wilmington?
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Wilmington runs riverfront history and ghost walks, Battleship North Carolina visits, film-location tours, and boat trips out to Wrightsville Beach and Masonboro Island. On Outty we rank every Wilmington experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include History and Architecture Walking Tour, THE Wilmington History, Haunts & Breweries E-Bike Tour (4 hr), Sailing Charters in Wilmington. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Wilmington?
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April to June and September to October. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Wilmington?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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