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A Tradition Open to All: The Daytona Christmas Boat Parade

UPDATE: The unnamed subtropical storm that swept through Florida last weekend may have postponed the Daytona Boat Parade, but it didn’t dampen Halifax River Yacht Club’s holiday spirit! The parade is now taking place this FRIDAY, December 22!

Daytona Beach, Florida 12/15/2023 The Christmas Boat Parade (originally scheduled for this Saturday December 16) has been postponed. Due to the imminent weather conditions for this weekend. 

The Daytona Boat Parade will now be on the evening of Friday, Dec. 22 

The parade route will be from Sea-breeze Bridge South to the Chart House. It will start as usual around 6 pm and make it’s way south. 

The Parade is viewable anywhere along the river from start to end points. 

Key viewing areas are always the city parks along the waterway, as well as a few restaurants and behind the City of Daytona Library and Court House. 

We look forward to you joining us along the riverfront on Dec. 22! 

Daytona Christmas Boat Parade Hosted By Halifax River Yacht Club

In 1982, a group of visionary individuals from the Marina Point Yacht Club set in motion what would become a beloved Daytona tradition. This iconic event, the Daytona Christmas Boat Parade, has since blossomed into a community favorite, captivating the hearts of residents and visitors alike. Its legacy is a testament to the power of unity and festive spirit that has ignited the waters of Daytona for over four decades.

The inspiration for this nautical celebration struck the Marina Point Yacht Club members after they witnessed the beauty of the Fort Lauderdale Christmas Boat Parade. Enchanted by the idea, they embarked on a journey to bring this magical experience to the shores of Daytona Beach. Under the leadership of Commodore Jeff Schulz, their combined endeavors led to the birth of a cherished tradition, one that found a warm embrace from both the community and yacht club members.

As time passed, the sail loft where it all began started to deteriorate. The yacht club recognized the need for change to ensure its survival. They took a daring step by acquiring a houseboat, meticulously refurbishing it to embody the elegance of a yacht club’s interior. This distinctive vessel found its home at City Marina, now known as the Halifax River Marina, and later, at English Jim’s Marina, today Caribbean Jack’s.

The parade faced a brief hiatus in its journey, but in 1995 and 1996, the Halifax Harbor Marina, supported by the Power Squadron, stepped up to the plate, breathing new life into the event. Twenty-five boats adorned the waterways, each hoping to claim prizes generously provided by local vendors. However, it was still in search of a permanent home.

In the year 2000, the Halifax River Yacht Club recognized the enduring significance of the Christmas Boat Parade and embarked on a mission to ensure its continuity. A dedicated committee was formed to take on the responsibilities required to orchestrate this beloved event.

Today, the Daytona Christmas Boat Parade stands as a highly anticipated community highlight during the holiday season. Captains of both sailboats and powerboats craft enchanting themes for their vessels, competing for prizes donated by generous local merchants. The competition has become fiercer each year, challenging the judges to assess boats based on each captain’s selected theme, originality, quality of execution, and overall visual impact. With each passing year, captains strive to surpass their previous entries, resulting in an evermore spectacular spectacle.

The Halifax River Yacht Club’s Christmas Boat Parade has seen remarkable growth over the years, with more participants and spectators lining the bridges and riverbanks to marvel at the creativity displayed on the decorated boats.

The parade route takes the boats from their assembly point north of the Seabreeze Bridge, guiding them southward towards the Halifax River Yacht Club before moving further south to the Halifax Harbor Marina, where judging takes place.

While the Halifax River Yacht Club is a private club with membership granted by the Board of Directors’ approval, it’s important to note that participating in the parade doesn’t require membership. This inclusive approach allows all boat owners to partake in the festivities, a cherished aspect of this event.

Mark your calendars for an unforgettable evening on Saturday, December 16, starting at 6:30 p.m. The boats will set sail from the Seabreeze Bridge in Daytona, creating a dazzling nighttime display of lights as they cruise down the Halifax River.

For this year’s parade, the Halifax River Yacht Club is actively seeking boat participants, sponsors, and contributions for swag bags for the participating captains. First-year captains who register their boats will enjoy the privilege of FREE entry. All the necessary information and registration details can be found on the Halifax River Yacht Club’s website at HRYC.com . If you prefer to speak to someone, feel free to reach out to the club at (386) 585-2994 to sign up, sponsor, or contribute to the swag bags for the captains.

Join us in keeping this cherished tradition alive, and be a part of the enchantment that is the Daytona Christmas Boat Parade. Your boat, your sponsorship, and your support are all invaluable pieces of the puzzle that make this festive celebration a resounding success year after year.

Scan the QR code for more information on the Halifax River Yacht Club.

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Halifax River Yacht Club to host annual Christmas boat parade this weekend

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• By Jarleene Almenas
• | 6:00 p.m. November 30, 2021
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• Ormond Beach Observer

The Halifax River Yacht Club's annual Daytona Beach Christmas Boat Parade is taking place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4, and entries are still being accepted.

Come out and watch boats travel south along the Halifax River starting at the Seabreeze Bridge. If you want to lend your support, sponsorships are available, though HRYC is also accepting monetary donations or other contributions to award to the parade prize winners. Funds raised are used exclusively for the event and do not support the club, according to the HRYC webpage.

The parade is free to watch. To register or learn more, visit https://hryc.com/christmas-boat-parade

Home for the Holidays Parade

Ormond Beach's annual Christmas parade is back.

The 30th-annual Home for the Holidays Parade will take place at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, and this year's theme is "Holiday Broadcasts." Parade participants are encouraged to portray their favorite scenes from movies, TV shows and more, according to the parade flyer. There will also be live bands, performances and a tree lighting at City Hall at 6 p.m. 

The parade was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Winners will be chosen from the three categories of parade entries (walkers, vehicles and floats), and will receive cash award and prizes at a future City Commission meeting. In partnership with Ormond MainStreet, the city will also award The Presidents Cup to the best decorated float from a business. 

The parade is about 1.5 miles long and will begin at Division Avenue and Ridgewood Avenue before turning north on Granada Boulevard. It will proceed east until Beach Street, where the parade will turn south to end in front of City Hall. This year's parade is sponsored in part by The Mower Depot and Realty Pros Assured.

Toys for Tots

The Casements, located at 25 Riverside Drive, is a drop-off location for Toys for Tots.

Bring new, unwrapped children's toys anytime between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and between 8 a.m. and noon on Saturdays. The last day to drop-off toys is Dec. 11.

Join a softball league

The Volusia County Senior Softball league will be playing at the Derbyshire Park and Sports Complex, located at 849 Derbyshire Road, beginning January.

The league has been running continuously for about 30 years, according to a press release, and is a 50 and older men's slow pitch, arc softball league. The cost to play is $55 per player, which covers the games, some award shirts and a picnic on the final night of the season ending playoffs. The league plays two nights a week — Tuesdays and Thursdays — with one set of games starting at 6:45 p.m. and another at 8 p.m. The season schedule runs for about 20 games, the press release states, with a league playoff and tournament at the end. Though the league takes a few weeks off between seasons, they do play year-round.

The league drafts new teams every season. Players are rated with a skill rating and then distributed across teams to keep drafts even and far. 

"I've personally been involved with the league for 20 years as a player and a manager and as a league officer and it's really an outstanding group of people," said Tom Coriale, vice president of the Volusia County Senior Softball League, in the press release. "It's become a community of friends as well as athletes. To be able to hit a single or home run again and catch a fly ball or grounder keeps all of us at least feeling much younger than we look. It's definitely recreation, but everyone is out there to compete and win, just like little league."

Call League President Joe Daly at 954-732-0992 for more information.

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Christmas Boat Parade

Event Description

The holiday season will cruise into Daytona Beach with the Halifax River Yacht Club’s Christmas Boat Parade. Each boat will be decked out for the holidays with a dazzling display of lights. Riverfront Park provides an ideal venue to view this local holiday tradition.  

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Daytona Beach Blog

Don’t miss the daytona beach christmas boat parade.

Holiday cheer gets a nautical twist at the Daytona Beach Boat Parade, a favorite local tradition that’s back for another year on Saturday, December 5. 

Take the whole family to watch as a festive fleet of boats passes by along the Halifax River. People line the bridges, causeways, and river shorelines in the area, and the parade culminates at the Halifax River Yacht Club. Boats will be extravagantly decked out with twinkling lights and holiday décor — a truly magical experience, completely free of charge for viewers. 

Prizes are awarded for best power, sail, sound, first entry, and vessels under 25 feet.

Check out pictures and video footage from past celebrations.  But be warned: images aren’t nearly as magnificent as experiencing the lighted boats for yourself. Come soak in the spectacle and spread cheer in true Daytona Beach fashion — surrounded by water! 

And with other Florida holiday experiences, such as Nights of Lights in St. Augustine and the fun spectacle of Surfing Santas in Cocoa Beach, so close (less than an hour drive) there’s even more reason to head to Daytona Beach for the holidays.

AT A GLANCE What: Daytona Beach Boat Parade When: Saturday, December 5, at 6 p.m. Where: Halifax River Yacht Club, 331 South Beach Street, Daytona Beach Admission: FREE  

Daytona Beach Area CVB

Halifax River Yacht Club celebrates successful Boat Parade

DAYTONA BEACH – The Halifax River Yacht Club celebrated a successful Boat Parade during the club’s Christmas party by presenting a check for $7,850 to the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation (FCSF), a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance for non-medical living expenses to qualified patients undergoing treatment for cancer.

All of the donations received by FCSF go directly to patient grants. Florida Caner Specialist offices are in Ormond Beach and Port Orange.

The 2018 Boat Parade featured 24 vessels from both Volusia and Flagler counties. Helping to judge the boats included Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood and Dr. Kathleen Doughney, an oncologist from Florida Cancer Specialists. The prizes were the biggest ever totaling more than $3,500.

Winners were:

First place: Gingerbread House – John Garrett

Second place (tied) - Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Dr. Sanford Kinne;Christmas Under the Sea – Chris and Julie Brown

Best First Time Entry: Tow Mater – Joe Johnson

Best Sailboat: Star of David – Norm Church

Best Sound: Jingle Bell Rock – Jerry Janaro

Best under 25’: Shark – Justin Biss.

Daytona Beach Christmas Boat Parade 2023

Date & time.

Sat Dec 16 2023 at 06:00 pm

Halifax River Yacht Club | Daytona Beach, FL

The annual Daytona Beach Christmas Boat Parade will take place the evening of Saturday, Dec. 16 . Come view this beloved annual tradition along the riverfront in historic Downtown Daytona Beach!

About the Event

The Annual Christmas Boat Parade remains one of this area’s great traditions, bringing together family and friends to celebrate the Holiday Season.  It is the pleasure of the Halifax River Yacht Club to organize and promote this event on behalf of the Daytona Beach community.

The success of the parade is dependent upon sponsorships and donations from the local community businesses and individuals.  

We are seeking parade sponsors, monetary donations and/or other contributions that can be part of the Captains bags or awarded as part of the prizes. Parade sponsors and donors are recognized in all online promotions. All sponsorship money and donated prizes are used exclusively for the event and do not support the Halifax River Yacht Club. 

You do not need to be a HRYC member to take part in the parade!  

All are welcome to participate. The entry fee is only $20 and, if this is your first time entering, the registration fee is waived. Boats will assemble north of the Seabreeze Bridge at 5:45 p.m. for 6 p.m. start. Parade route and other details will be posted as they become available.  

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Halifax River Yacht Club To Host Annual Christmas Boat Parade

Photos courtesy HRYC.

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15 Fabulous Holiday Boat Parades To Experience In Florida

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A popular activity for travelers to Florida during the Christmas season is to see and enjoy a holiday boat parade. Now, due to COVID restrictions, many of the state’s coastal communities have canceled or postponed their parades, but not all. Here’s a roundup of boat parades all across Florida that are still on, listed by date.

The Jacksonville Light Boat Parade, Jacksonville

November 28 at 6 p.m..

For three decades, the Jacksonville Light Boat Parade has thrilled and entertained locals and visitors alike, with ships of all kinds decorated with holiday spirit as they sail the St. Johns River. Visitors are recommended to gather along the north and south banks. The Riverfront Plaza will also be a good place to see the parade. After the parade, be sure to stay for the fireworks.

The Tarpon Springs Illuminated Boat Parade, Tarpon Springs

December 4 at 8 p.m..

This small town along the Gulf of Mexico is known as the Sponge Capital of the World, but they know how to throw a boat parade as well. The Tarpon Springs Illuminated Boat Parade runs along the Anclote River and into the neighboring bayous. Locals will tell you that the best spots for viewing are in Craig Park, and Spring Bayou.

The Tomoka River Christmas Boat Parade, Daytona Beach

December 4 at 6:30 p.m..

Located along the river waterway, not too far from Daytona and Ormond Beach, the annual Tomoka River Christmas Boat Parade is one for smaller boats and was created to help others. Each year, they collect donations of unwrapped gifts for Toys For Tots. The parade passes by the RiverGrille Restaurant which is where organizers are asking that gifts be dropped off.

Daytona Beach Christmas Boat Parade, Daytona Beach

December 5 at 6 p.m..

The Daytona Beach Christmas Boat Parade is scheduled for December 5 at 6 p.m. and will benefit the Veterans Support Fund this year. The parade floats along the Halifax River and is sponsored by the Halifax River Yacht Club. Organizers recommend arriving early, and the following locations for best viewing; the Chart House Restaurant, Daytona Marina and Boat Works, City Island, Manatee Island, and Halifax Harbor Marina.

The Annual Palm Valley Boat Parade, Palm Valley

For more than two decades, The Annual Palm Valley Boat Parade has become a popular North Florida event and is known as the “Mardi Gras” of Florida boat parades. The route begins one mile south of the Palm Valley Bridge and heads north for about 7 miles along Palm Valley’s intercoastal waterway.

Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade, Fort Myers Beach

This will be the 32nd year for the Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade . If awards mean anything, it may be the best Christmas parade in Florida, as it was voted the 5th Best Holiday Parade by USA Today, and that included street parades. According to the city’s website, the best viewing can be found at the many restaurants along Salty Sam’s Marina.

The Venice Christmas Boat Parade of Lights, Venice

Venice is located just south of Sarasota. Organizers say The Venice Christmas Boat Parade is one of the most viewed parades in the state, thanks to multiple viewing options along the miles of intercoastal waters. They say all spectators get closer to the boats than other parades.

9th Annual Lake Weir Christmas Boat Parade, Lake Weir

December 5 at 5:30 p.m..

One of the few boat parades that we can find that actually takes place on a lake, and not an intercoastal waterway or river. Hosted by one of the oldest yacht clubs in the state, the proceeds raised from the Lake Weir Christmas Boat Parade will benefit a local food pantry.

26th Annual Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade, Palm Beach County

The renowned city of Palm Beach is located on the Atlantic side of the state, north of Miami . The Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County has been hosting the Annual Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade since 1994. The parade will be led by a traveling fireworks display, followed by the parade of boats that will travel from North Palm Beach up to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. Crowds are expected to be sizable, and it’s recommended you arrive early to find your viewing spot.

58th Annual Pompano Beach Holiday Parade, Pompano Beach

December 11 at 7 p.m..

Pompano Beach is located on the Atlantic side of the state, just south of Boca Raton. The Annual Pompano Beach Holiday Beach Parade is known as the oldest parade in the state. 50 to 75 boats are expected to participate. This year’s parade is themed as a “Salute” to first responders and essential workers.

Apollo Beach Lighted Boat Parade, Tampa

December 12 at 6 p.m..

Located just south of Tampa, the annual Apollo Beach Lighted Boat Parade is put on by the members of the Tampa Sailing Squadron. The fun starts from the TSS Deck and Pavilion located at 1250 Apollo Beach Blvd.

Boot Key Harbor 24th Annual Lighted Boat Parade, Marathon

Marathon is located near Key West , and has hosted the Annual Lighted Boat Parade since 1996. This parade will begin on the west side of Boot Key Harbor, near mile marker 7, and float east towards the harbor. Florida Rambler lists the following locations for best viewing: Marathon Marina, Lazy Days South, Panchos Fuel Dock, Burdines Waterfront, and Sombrero Marina Dockside.

Key Largo Holiday Boat Parade, Key Largo

December 12 at 7:30 p.m..

Known as “Pirates Of The Keys,” the Key Largo Holiday Boat Parade takes place in the famed Blackwater Sound, at mile marker 104. Known for its varying entries, this parade will feature yachts as large as 55 feet, kayaks, paddle boarders, and sailboats. Keys Weekly says the best viewing options are the Marriott Resort Hotel and Jimmy Johnson’s restaurant. The parade is a fundraiser for the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club Foundation.

The Christmas Boat Parade On Naples Bay, Naples

December 12 at 6:15 p.m..

The beautiful city of Naples provides a beautiful backdrop for The Christmas Boat Parade on Naples Bay. There are plenty of local eateries to choose your viewing spot, but one local website recommends best viewing at the Naples City Dock, Pinchers Tin City, Riverwalk Restaurant, Naples Landing, Kelly’s Fish House, The Boat House on Naples Bay, and Bayview Park.

Tacy Briggs-Troncoso

Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Tampa

December 19 at 6:30 p.m..

The atmosphere around downtown Tampa will be electric just days before Christmas as the city’s famed Riverwalk hosts the annual Holiday Lighted Boat Parade . For this parade, the boats will complete a loop route, thus allowing even better viewing from both sides of the river.

Jordan worked at KSDK from 1995 to 2020 and has produced every show from news to specials during his tenure, including creating Show Me St. Louis, The Cardinal Nation Show, and the Rams Tailgate Show. Jordan has won four regional Emmy awards and two Edward R. Murrow awards for journalistic excellence. Additionally, Jordan runs a local blog focusing on the responsible drinking community of St. Louis, called Drink314 .

Jordan has been married for 23 years and is the father of two children. He is an avid biker and snowboarder. He collects baseball cards, old toys, and tacky salt n’ pepper shakers. He has an incredible and vast knowledge of useless information and is the grandson of a former Cleveland bootlegger.

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3rd Transport Ring (TTK)
• District Central (TsAO)
• Garden Ring
• District Northern (SAO)
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Couples
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Adventurous
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Flotilla Radisson Royal

2. Moscow River Boat Tours

3. Sup-Club

4. Akvanavt Diving Centre

5. Diving Center Crocus City Oceanarium

6. CheapRussia Tours

7. Kite School Kiteclass

8. SUP Center

9. Erwin. Reka

11. Easy Russia Tour Guide

12. Lovely Russia Tours

13. Capital River Boat Tours - Moscow Centre

14. Alfa Centr

15. Diving Club Divers

16. Sup Outdoor

17. MORE MOSCOW

19. Soho Sailing Style

20. Mosparokhodstvo

21. Diving Center Crocodile

22. Dive-Project

24. Kosinskiy Children Marine Club

25. Kayak Moscow

26. DIVECLUB CHE

27. FLOW Moscow

28. Moswake

29. Morskiye Volki

30. S-cruises

What travelers are saying

• CheapRussia Tours
• Easy Russia Tour Guide
• Lovely Russia Tours
• MORE MOSCOW
• Insider Moscow Tours
• Flotilla Radisson Royal
• Moscow River Boat Tours
• Capital River Boat Tours - Moscow Centre
• Diving Center Crocus City Oceanarium