Episode 1: Wilmington Water Tours

In this very first installment of Retiring on the Cape Fear, we speak with Doug Springer, owner of Wilmington Water Tours. Doug and his wife founded Wilmington Water Tours, so they could share the rich history and beauty of this region. Once a bustling harbor, did you know our port city used to be the main economic engine in the state of North Carolina? Possible, in no small part, because of the Cape Fear River, the largest navigable river in the state. During colonial times, goods, produce, and naval supplies, including turpentine, rosin, tar and pitch were sent down river to be exported, while manufactured goods were imported and sent north. And that’s just the beginning!

Their passion for sharing stories such as these lead to acquiring “The Wilmington,” a state-of-the-art, fully enclosed and handicapped accessible motorized catamaran. This delightful watercraft can accommodate up to 49 passengers. Now in their 10th year of operation, they offer a wide range of daily tours, kids activities, sunset trips with live music, private events and much more! They even have a water taxi called the Bizzy Bee that takes passengers to four major stops along the Cape Fear River, including the Battleship North Carolina.

Whether you’re looking for a quiet getaway, eco-tours and water excursions, or exciting nightlife, the Greater Wilmington area offers it all and you can experience it from the water on Wilmington Water Tours! Check them out at https://wilmingtonwatertours.net/. In the meantime, enjoy the podcast! Doug shares the story of how he started all those years ago by leaving the corporate world behind and putting his 6 passenger vacation boat to work. We also talk about the special history of the river including one of the oldest shipwrecks on the east coast, the rich ecology, and how a historical themed riverwalk on Eagle’s Island from the Battleship to Cape Fear Memorial Bridge could bring in a ton of tourism and a resurgence to that area.