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Boat Tour Guide Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Acute Ultrasound Technologist I

Page, AZ · On-site

Cruise the clear blue-green waters on a panoramic boat tour, or rent water skis, or kayaks. Visit ... Performs ultrasound guided procedures and works closely with radiologist or provider. 2. Educates ...

Banner Health

Acute Ultrasound Technologist I

Page, AZ · On-site

Cruise the clear blue-green waters on a panoramic boat tour, or rent water skis, or kayaks. Visit ... Performs ultrasound guided procedures and works closely with radiologist or provider. 2. Educates ...

Banner Health

Acute Ultrasound Technologist I

Page, AZ · On-site

Cruise the clear blue-green waters on a panoramic boat tour, or rent water skis, or kayaks. Visit ... Performs ultrasound guided procedures and works closely with radiologist or provider. 2. Educates ...

KurzSolutions

Family Medicine Physician

Norfolk, VA

If history is your thing, sign up for a boat or land tour of the world's largest Naval Base, stop ... Technically guide, perform, or assist in the instruction of other health care professionals seeing ...

MyFlorida

PARK RANGER - 37002038

Wakulla Springs, FL · On-site

$2.8K/mo

Conducts environmental education programs, interpretive programs, and services via boat tours, guided walks, evening programs, and other presentations. Complies with scheduled tour times and boat ...

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Boat Tour Guide information

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How much do boat tour guide jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for boat tour guide in the United States is $18.81, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $21.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Boat Tour Guide do?

A Boat Tour Guide leads groups of people on water-based tours, providing commentary about the sights, history, and local wildlife. They ensure passenger safety, answer questions, and often share interesting facts or stories to make the tour engaging. Boat Tour Guides may also assist with basic boat operations, enforce safety regulations, and handle emergencies if needed. Their main goal is to create an enjoyable and informative experience for everyone on board.

What is the difference between Boat Tour Guide vs Marine Naturalist?

AspectBoat Tour GuideMarine Naturalist
CertificationsCPR, First Aid, boating licensesMarine biology, environmental science certifications
Work EnvironmentOn boats, tourist settings, outdoorMarine habitats, research vessels, outdoor
Employer & IndustryTour companies, cruise linesResearch institutions, parks, eco-tours
Search & ComparisonTour guiding, customer serviceMarine education, conservation

While both roles involve working on or near water, a Boat Tour Guide primarily focuses on leading tourists and providing entertainment or information about the area. A Marine Naturalist emphasizes educating visitors about marine ecosystems and conservation, often requiring specialized biological knowledge. The roles overlap in outdoor work environments and some certifications but differ in focus and expertise.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Boat Tour Guide, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Boat Tour Guide, you need knowledge of local waterways, navigation skills, and often a boating license or certification in CPR and first aid. Familiarity with marine radios, GPS systems, and safety equipment is typically required. Outstanding communication, storytelling, and customer service skills help create engaging and enjoyable experiences for guests. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring passenger safety, delivering informative tours, and building positive customer relationships.

What are some common challenges faced by Boat Tour Guides during a typical tour?

Boat Tour Guides often encounter challenges such as adapting to changing weather conditions, ensuring passenger safety, and keeping tours engaging for diverse groups. They must be prepared to adjust their route or narration based on unexpected events, like wildlife sightings or waterway traffic. Managing a group with varying interests and comfort levels requires strong communication and customer service skills, as well as the ability to remain calm and resourceful in dynamic situations.
More about Boat Tour Guide jobs
What states have the most Boat Tour Guide jobs? States with the most job openings for Boat Tour Guide jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Boat Tour Guide jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Boat Tour Guide jobs are:
Boat Tour Guide jobs near you
Infographic showing various Boat Tour Guide job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 34% Full Time, 33% Part Time, and 33% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $39,124 per year, or $18.8 per hour.

Riverboat Discovery Summer 2026

Riverboat Discovery & Gold Dredge 8

Fairbanks, AK • On-site

$18/hr

Other

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Join the Family! The Riverboat Discovery offers a multitude of jobs in every department of the operation.

All our positions at the Riverboat Discovery have an element of customer service, some more so than others. They can be categorized into two groups, On Stage and Back Stage. On Stage positions have more interaction with our guests, while Back Stage positions have less interaction. We offer multiple levels of employment, opportunities to lead and manage a team.

Wages starting at $18/hour (this includes our $2/hour bonus paid in a lump sum at the end of our season). 

On Stage

Retail Sales Associate

  • Serve as a customer service representative for visitors to the Riverboat Discovery
  • Assist visitors with purchases
  • Prepare and stock merchandise for sale
  • Perform inventory control duties
  • Organize and distribute merchandise
  • Perform other duties related to the successful operation of a retail store including cleaning and moderate lifting

Dining Hall Associate

  • Provide dining service to guests and meet their needs to ensure a pleasurable dining experience
  • Set up/remove food service items
  • Greet and seat guests in a prompt and courteous manner
  • Reset tables according to service standards
  • Operating commercial dishwashers
  • Ensure cleanliness of dishes including some polishing of glass for water spot removal
  • Maintain sanitation and safety standards

Reservationist

  • Serve as customer service representatives for visitors to the Riverboat Discovery & Gold Dredge 8
  • Answer phones
  • Respond to emails
  • Give directions
  • Other administrative related tasks as directed

Tour Guide

  • Greet passengers and serve as ambassadors for Alaskan Native culture
  • Conduct the tour of the Chena Village
  • Serve coffee and donuts and assist Deckhands in the snack bar during busy times

Deckhand

  • Cast off at departure and secure the Riverboat Discovery on landing
  • Maintain the safety and cleanliness of the boat
  • Staff the snack bars when passengers are on board
  • Provide general passenger assistance and if necessary
  • Provide emergency first aid until trained EMTs arrive
  • Mandatory drug testing per the US Coast Guard

Village Hand

  • ‍Village Hands maintain the Chena Village
  • Set up and take down props, cabins, and displays used during the tour
  • Feed and monitor wellbeing of the reindeer living on site
  • Receive and cast lines during boat landing and departure, push and receive gang planks, greet passengers
  • Clean restrooms and porta potties
  • Monitor inventory of supplies


Back Stage

Accounting Clerk‍

  • ‍Count cash
  • Entering accounts receivable into an accounting program
  • Prepare daily receipts ledgers and deposits
  • Prepare invoices and journal entries
  • Reservation support duties

Kitchen Assistant‍

  • Work in the kitchen area with some duties performed in our dining hall
  • Duties include operating kitchen cooking equipment to prepare fixed menu food
  • Preparing all food for our gift shop café
  • Serve food in the dining hall
  • Maintaining the cleanliness standards required in the kitchen

Donut Maker‍

  • Operate and maintain the donut-making machine
  • Ensure that donuts are properly produced, boxed, and refrigerated

Grounds Crew (Full-time & Part-time)

  • ‍Full-time (11am - 7:30pm) and part-time (5pm - 7:30 pm)
  • Clean the Riverboat Discovery and premises twice a day (after the boat returns to the dock at 12:30pm and again at 5:30pm)
  • Dust, vacuum, empty trash, wash windows, clean restrooms
  • Grounds maintenance duties and off-site maintenance tasks to be performed as directed

The job descriptions and hours vary from position to position, but we do not require employees to join a department with a specific set of skills. As long as our employees bring excitement and energy, we can teach them everything they need to know to do the job.

Whether On Stage or Back Stage, it is essential that every employee provides the highest level of customer service. As a company, we are committed to creating a memorable, first-class experience for our guests.

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