Hal Newsom’s Airboat Tours

Most disgusting company ever. The farther you get into a transaction, the more they keep increasing the price. Owner seems to have mood swings. Will never have anything to do with them again.

An environmental travesty. The noise can be heard for miles. He advertises and shows pictures of birds but that is while the are flying away in fright. Come to Texas where one guy making a few bucks can wreck havoc on the birds which support a larger economy of bird watchers and naturalist.

The airboat fits six people plus a driver which is great because we had five adults.
First, you pay as soon as you get in the boat and yes, he takes credit cards. I’d leave anything valuable in the car. Just take yourself, a way to pay, and your camera. Also you might want a light jacket if its only 70 degrees because the speed of the boat will make it feel more like 50.
The airboat goes slow out past the fancy houses until you pass a certain marker and then you can go fast. Capt. Hal makes you wear ear muffs. the sound reduction kind, to protect your hearing. A good thing. The motor is so loud you can’t hear anyone talk anyways.
When you get out to the marshy areas there’s all kinds of birds. Crazy pink birds, white herons, plovers, pelicans, ibises, other birds I don’t know. LOTS of birds. Its very cool. We also saw sting rays in their natural habitat in the shallow water.
Cost is 35 per adult and money well spent. I wasn’t sure how my 60 something parents would enjoy the air boat but my mom and dad were totally grinning. They LOVED it. So if you need something cool to do in Galveston, make reservations a week in advance and go try to the air boat. You’ll have a great time!