Seahorse Tours

Discover the best Scenery in the Southeast

If a private, guided boat tour of the spectacular Tennessee River Gorge’s stunning scenic beauty piques your interest, you’re in the right place!

Take in the breathtaking spectacle of the “Grand Canyon of Tennessee” while soaking up the fresh river air amongst forested canyon walls aboard one of Seahorse Tours’ two 30-foot tour boats. Experience picturesque scenery and enjoy time with loved ones in an uncrowded environment.

Seahorse Tours offers daytime tours, seven days a week. Climb aboard the Ed Hayward or the Jerry Clark, Seahorse Tours two tour boats, and find a seat on one of the comfortable couches under a 17-foot Bimini top for sun and rain protection. The boats have a pontoon design which features flat floors and ample space for moving about.

Each boat can accommodate up to six passengers and is available for only one tour at a time, giving couples, families and friends plenty of space to bring a cooler and snacks aboard for their private tour. Tours are $125 an hour with a 4-hour minimum tour required.

Tours depart from the Suck Creek boat ramp on Suck Creek Road in Chattanooga You will travel swiftly downstream into the magnificent, panoramic scene of the Tennessee River Gorge where you will be able to take in miles of secluded beauty and learn about the River Gorge’s storied history.

Meet your Captain

Captain Mike Card is one of Chattanooga’s most respected and seasoned riverboat captains, with a career that spans decades on the Tennessee River. Beginning his journey at the helm of the Chattanooga Star, Captain Card built a reputation for his skill, leadership, and deep respect for the river’s history and challenges. He later captained the River Gorge Explorer, guiding thousands of guests through the dramatic canyons of the Tennessee River Gorge while sharing his unmatched knowledge of the region’s natural and cultural heritage.

For the past 25 years, Captain Card has proudly served as the Head Captain of the Southern Belle, Chattanooga’s iconic riverboat. Under his command, the Southern Belle has become synonymous with safe, memorable, and authentic Tennessee River experiences. His tenure has made him not only a trusted navigator but also a local legend, known for his steady hand, warm personality, and dedication to delivering unforgettable journeys for residents and visitors alike.

From historic sightseeing vessels to modern passenger cruisers, Captain Mike Card’s career reflects a lifelong devotion to the Tennessee River and to sharing its beauty with generations of passengers. His leadership has helped preserve Chattanooga’s rich riverboat tradition while ensuring it thrives in the modern era.

500,000+

25+

Years of experience

Happy clients

Our Services

Our Specialty is Private Charters with family and friends. We offer tours of The Tennessee River Gorge as well as other navigable waters throughout the Tennessee Valley.

Sightseeing Tours

Experience the beauty of nature and local history on our guided tours with Capt. Mike.

Private Charters

Customize your adventure with our exclusive private charter options for groups. Call us today to discuss where you'd like to explore.

Join us for an unforgettable journey through stunning landscapes, dramatic high wall canyons, some of Tennessee's best leaf viewing, and historical sites.

Nature Cruises

Favorite Cruising Areas

About the River Gorge

Created over the course of thousand of years, the Gorge is the fourth largest river gorge in the eastern United States, traveling 26 miles through Walden Ridge from Tennessee into Alabama. Before Tennessee Valley Authority entered the picture with its water level-controlling dams, those traveling by boat through the River Gorge would have to navigate the treacherous Suck, an area of rapids whose danger increased during the dry season when the river was low, exposing more of its rocky bottom. At other times, when the water level in the river was high, an area called The Pot became dangerous as the river waters backed up behind rocky banks, only 175 feet apart, and then cascaded down with a fury like boiling water. Tour goers will travel through The Pot, and also through The Pan and The Skillet, areas of the river that created navigational hazards to past travelers of the River Gorge.

Notably, Pot Point Cabin, located at The Pot, was originally constructed in 1835 from hand-hewn logs, and planks taken from the wreckage of a flat boat that succumbed to the rapids of “The Boiling Pot”. The cabin and surrounding land was purchased by the Tennessee River Gorge Trust in 1991 and renovations to the cabin were underway by 1993 to preserve the historic structure.

The Pan is the name for a section of the river and the gap in Raccoon Mountain, known for its perilous whirlpool and as a major river crossing point. The Skillet was a particularly dangerous section of the river, known for its whirlpools and strong currents, similar to The Suck and The Pot.

The precarious conditions of these areas of the river were created by the river’s natural course and rock formations that existed prior to the building of dams along the Tennessee River. The colorful names given to these hazardous areas of the river, by early settlers, reflect the difficulty and danger experienced by those attempting to navigate the river in that area.

With its proximity to beautiful Chattanooga, the Tennessee River Gorge has the distinction of being the only large river canyon bordering a mid-size city east of the Mississippi River. The average depth of that part of the river is approximately 70-80 feet. It winds 26 river miles to Hales Bar Marina, near Nickajack Dam.

Most of the Tennessee River Gorge maintains its pristine, scenic beauty due to the efforts of the Tennessee River Gorge Trust. The Trust was founded in 1981 by a group of citizens who wished to preserve the mountainous area bordering Chattanooga. It was incorporated in 1986, and to date has protected and preserved more than 17,000 acres of the total 27,000-acre River Gorge.

Contact us about your adventure today!

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Capt. Mike Card

423-593-8441