1. What days of the week do you run the Jet Boat Tours?
Answer: We operate seven days a week from June 16th to September 30th but alternate between going east or west from Portland. On Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday we operate the Route of the Explorers tour to Astoria. On Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday we operate the Heart of the Gorge tour to Cascade Locks.
2. What time do the tours begin each day?
Answer: The tours actually begin at 8:30 am but we load the coach and the jet boat at 8:15 am at the Portland Spirit Ticket Booth at Tom McCall Park, next to Salmon Springs fountain at the corner of SW Naito Parkway and SW Salmon.
3. The tour has both a jet boat trip and a motor coach trip. How does that work?
Answer: The tours operate in both directions with guests either riding the cruise first and the motor coach second or the motor coach first and the cruise second. We do not reserve or guarantee a specific direction of travel initially as the tours are identical irrespective of the order in which they are done. Of course we do respect individuals and groups travelling together and will assign travel arrangements accordingly. On light occupancy days we typically will board the boat first if going to Astoria and the motor coach first if going to Cascade Locks. This arrangement minimizes our use of fuel, a resource we try not to waste.
4. How much does it cost?
Answer: The price is the same for both of the tours; Adults $99, Children (4-12) $75. If you are taking the Heart of the Gorge Tour this price includes a $10 voucher for lunch at the Locks Waterfront Café in Cascade Locks. If you are taking the longer Route of the Explorer tour there is ample time in Astoria for you to explore the city and try out one of many restaurants in town.
5. Where do I buy my ticket and get on the tour?
Answer: The pink Gray Line/Big Pink Sightseeing ticket booth is located on the Pioneer Courthouse Square at SW Broadway and SW Yamhill Street (approximate street address being 780 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205). Tickets are also available at the Portland Spirit Ticket Booth at Tom McCall Park, next to Salmon Springs fountain at the corner of SW Naito Parkway and SW Salmon.
6. Is this a narrated tour?
Answer: Yes, in the best of the Gray Line tradition the driver guide and the vessel crew will be giving a narrated tour as you travel.
7. How long is the tour?
Answer: The Heart of the Gorge tour to Cascade Locks is scheduled for 7 hours long. Sometimes traffic congestion, a drawbridge or vessel traffic at the Bonneville Dam Locks may add up to 60 minutes or more to that schedule. The Route of the Explorers tour to Astoria is scheduled for 9.5 hours long. Sometimes traffic congestion may add up to 30 minutes or more to that schedule.
8. Is the boat covered, will I get wet, what about rain?
Answer: The boat is covered with a full fabric top that is water proof but does have minor seams and openings that will allow drips in if it is raining heavily outside. The sides are covered with roll up clear plastic windows that will be partially or fully rolled up in good weather. The Columbia River is a broad smooth flowing river so you should not be getting wet from river water. With the boats weather protection we travel rain or shine.
9. The river cruise is on a jet boat, how is the ride quality? Is it rough?
Answer: The jet boat is XX feet long and carries 35 guests so this is not a small boat. The Columbia River is broad and wide and usually very smooth. Wind can create choppy waves on the river that will cause the vessel to pound slightly upon impact but it is not rough in the sense of being out to sea or on a rapids filled river. The vessel does slow for the wake from other boats but such motion is rolling and slow. Only once in the last ten years has a trip been shortened due to rough river conditions that were caused by very high winds.
10. What are the seating arrangements on the vessel?
Answer: Most of the seats on the vessel are perimeter seating but there are a limited number of forward facing seats. The view out of the left and right sides is different but one side is generally not preferred by guests over the other.
11. What should I wear?
Answer: The weather in the Portland area can change quickly so be prepared for sunny or cool weather and maybe even a little rain. Although covered and with side curtains you will be in a boat on the river at speed so it can be cool and somewhat breezy onboard. The weather in Astoria and in Cascade Locks can and probably will be different than what it is in Portland, sometimes better, sometimes worse. Be prepared, dress in layers and be ready to add or shed layers as needed. Remember this is the Pacific Northwest.
12. Where does the tour stop and for how long?
Answer: Both tours include driver guide and vessel crew narration. The stops are as follows:
Heart of the Gorge – Cascade Locks
On the vessel: The vessel generally does not stop on the river. It will slow for better views of some of the attractions such as Multnomah Falls. The locks at Bonneville Dam are a feature in the tour and the trip through the locks involves at least one stop in the lock chamber itself.
Vessel to Coach at Cascade Locks: The stop at the town of Cascade Locks is 60 minutes long allowing for time to eat in the Locks Waterfront Café and for brief exploration around the large park where the vessel docks.
On the coach (stop order depends on the direction of travel):
Stop 1: Cape Horn or Beacon Rock (depending on traffic) – At Cape Horn a panoramic view to the east of the Gorge – At Beacon Rock, world’s second largest monolith – approximately 10 minutes.
Stop 2: Fort Vancouver – a drive through the grounds and time to explore the fort and learn about the early history of the area – approximately 60 minutes.
Route of the Explorers – Astoria
On the vessel: The vessel generally does not stop on the river. It will slow for better views of some of the attractions and wildlife.
Vessel to Coach at Astoria: The stop in the town of Astoria is 2.5 hours long. This allows you enough time to explore the downtown shops, visit the Maritime Museum and enjoy some lunch from one of several good restaurants.
On the coach (stop order depends on the direction of travel):
Stop 1: Astor Column – View the milestones in history depicted on this 125 foot column built in 1926 – approximately 20 minutes.
Stop 2: Fort Clatsop – on this visit to the Lewis & Clark National Historic Park you will see the recreated encampment from the winter of 1806 – approximately 40 minutes.
13. Are there restrooms at the stops and on board the coach or the vessel?
Answer: Yes there are restrooms on both the motor coach and the jet boat. There are nice public restrooms at many of the stops as well.
14. Is the tour handicap accessible?
Answer: No, although the coach is equipped with a wheelchair lift the vessel is not able to accommodate anyone confined to a wheelchair.
15. Are tours ever cancelled because of inclement weather or for any other reason?
Answer: Tours will not be cancelled due to rain but only if there are no reservations by 9 PM the evening before. Only once in the last ten years has a trip been shortened due to rough river conditions that were caused by very high winds.
16. I am staying near the Convention Center, how do I get to and from the tour departure point?
Answer: The MAX Light Rail Line provides free transportation from four Eastside Stations to near the Salmon Spring Fountain. Two different lines serve the stations to the SW Morrison and SW 3rd station so board the Blue or Rid Lines and disembark at the fourth stop after crossing the river. From there it is a six block walk to the departure point at SW Salmon and SW Naito Parkway.
The trains run approximately every 10 to 15 minutes on weekdays and every15 to 20 minutes on weekends and holidays, but because you can use any one of the two lines servicing the Convention Center Station, the wait is rarely longer than 10 minutes.
The stations starting from the furthest East, their addresses, the transit times and number of stops to the SW Morrison and SW 3rd Station are as follows:
- Lloyd Center/NE11th Ave – NE Holladay & NE 11th – 15 minutes – 7 stops
- NE 7th Ave – NE Holladay & NE 7th – 13 minutes – 6 stops
- Convention Center Station – NE Holladay and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd – 12 minutes – 5 stops
- Rose Quarter Transit Center Station – 47 NW Holladay – 10 minutes – 4 stops
17. I am driving to Portland, how do I get to where I can buy tickets?
Answer: If you are driving to Portland and want to come to the Portland Spirit ticket booth at SW Salmon and SW Naito Parkway, MapQuest or Google Map the address of 1000 SW Naito Parkway, Portland, OR and follow the directions. Check in with the Portland Spirit Ticket booth for boarding instructions. Below are also directions:
From the North:
- Take I-5 South to Exit 300B toward US 26/Oregon City/OMSI.
- Keep right and take the ramp toward Morrison St./City Center.
- Turn slight right on to Morrison Bridge.
- Take the ramp toward Naito Parkway/I5 South/Salem.
- Keep right to take the Front Ave ramp toward /I5 South/Salem.
- Turn slightly right on to Naito Parkway.
- Travel approximately 6 blocks on Naito Parkway
- Parking is available downtown, see below.
From the South
- Take I-5 North to I-405 via Exit 299B, on the left toward US-26/City Center/Beaverton.
- Take Exit 1A on the left toward Naito Parkway.
- Stay straight to go onto SW Harbor Drive.
- Turn right onto SW Naito Parkway.
- Travel approximately 5 blocks on Naito Parkway
- Parking is available downtown, see below.
From the West
- Take US-26 East.
- Once you near downtown Portland take the exit on the left marked Market Street/City Center.
- Turn left on Naito Parkway
- Travel approximately 6 blocks on Naito Parkway
- Parking is available downtown, see below.
From the East:
- Take I-84 West to I-5.
- Take the I5 Exit on the left toward Beaverton/Salem/City Center.
- Take the exit toward City Center.
- Take the ramp toward Morrison Street/City Center.
- Turn slightly right on to the Morrison Bridge.
- Take the ramp toward Naito Parkway/I5 South/Salem.
- Keep right to take the Front Ave ramp toward /I5 South/Salem.
- Turn slightly right on to Naito Parkway.
- Travel approximately 6 blocks on Naito Parkway
- Parking is available downtown, see below.
18. Where do I park in downtown Portland?
Answer: We recommend the Smart Park lots operated by the City of Portland. There are three lots convenient to SW Salmon and SW Naito Parkway. The closest is at SW 1st and SW Jefferson (125 SWJefferson). Other lots are at SW 4th and SW Yamhill (850 SW 4th) and SW 3rd and SW Alder (650 SW 4th or 651 SW 3rd). Rates are the lowest at the 3rd and Alder garage at $1.50 per hour for the first 4 hours, $3.00 per hour after that with a daily weekday maximum of $12 per day. The weekend maximum is $5.00 per day. The other lots are slightly higher with the 1st and Jefferson lot being the highest.