Founded in 2014, Embark DC emerged from Captain Denny’s passion for showcasing Washington, D.C., from a unique perspective. Inspired by his love for taking friends and family on outings along the Potomac River, Denny saw firsthand how guests were captivated by the city’s rich history and iconic landmarks. As the demand for such exclusive experiences grew, it became evident that this was more than just a boat ride—it was a chance to experience the nation’s capital like never before.

What sets Embark DC apart is its exclusive access to nearly every dock and marina in the Washington, D.C. area, including locations in nearby Maryland and Virginia. From Georgetown to Mount Vernon, a distance of 20 miles to the south, Embark DC is the only private boat tour operator authorized to dock at all these sites. This unparalleled access allows Embark DC to offer private, customized boat cruises for small groups, accommodating up to six guests per vessel.

Embark DC provides more than just a boat ride; it offers an immersive local experience. Guests can choose from a range of vessels, including open sport boats or multi-level cruisers equipped with climate control. Each cruise can be tailored to the interests of the guests, with the flexibility to change course and focus on specific sights of interest.

For those interested in a more in-depth exploration, Embark DC's tours include full narration covering the city’s history, key landmarks, and the stories of the founding fathers. This personal touch enhances the cruise experience, making it both educational and enjoyable.

For a truly luxurious experience, Embark DC offers larger boats designed to provide a “yacht tour” of Washington, D.C. These spacious vessels come equipped with all the comforts of home, including a salon (living room), a galley (kitchen), a dining area, a stand-up head (bathroom), and various seating areas located at the forward, aft, and bridge sections of the boat. This level of comfort and amenities ensures that guests can relax and enjoy their time on the water in style.

Comparing Boat Types

All cruises are private, firstly. They have a six passenger maximum, per boat. All cruises include a USCG-licensed captain, who can provide a live tour narrative, unless you’d like to just enjoy the views in silence. Beyond that, the experience is up to you, and has a variety of options to choose from. Most guests choose a tour in Washington, DC to visit local attractions including historic monuments (Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, etc.), important buildings (Kennedy Center, Pentagon, The White House, and more) and the cherry blossoms (early spring); some head further south to George Washington’s Mt. Vernon or beyond; some relax on anchor for the sunset, propose to their best friend, and then disembark in time for a nice dinner in the city; some use it as a water taxi to travel to baseball or soccer games or concerts; some book sightseeing cruises to see historical Washington, DC landmarks from a unique perspective.

Embark DC currently offers two boat types.

Open-Bow Boats: Their open-bow boats are an ideal platform for seeing DC from the water. It is small enough to get everywhere; big enough to comfortably accommodate your whole group. The open bow, instead of a forward cabin, provides extra seating. They can idle quietly past the sights, or accelerate to thrill-ride speeds (they also call them “sport boats”). Versatile, comfortable, and fully open, they do have partial overhead shade. They are best suitable for sightseeing, outdoor experiences, escaping screens, marriage proposals, celebrations, light meal cruises, casual hanging out, fireworks shows, BBQ meals, fishing, and rides to special events or stadiums.

Fully open air with partial or full shade available depending on time of day. Offer windshield protection from wind. Temperatures are typically cooler on the water than in the city. Dress as you would for the outdoors. Layers, hats, and sunglasses are advised. You can book online or contact us by phone to make your booking. They can chat about what you would like to see, your schedule, your preferred meet-up location, any special needs, etc. The process is flexible, but it’s usually helpful to chat early on.

Sedan Bridge Cruiser: Their larger, multi-level yacht is a completely different experience. Typically, these cruises are slow and steady. The climate-controlled interior on the main level provides a much more home-like feel, with many of the amenities you’d expect, including a full, standing-height bathroom. But, the aft deck, bow, and upper level provide a fresh-air experience for those perfect weather days. They have indoor, weather-protected events, better options for less able-bodied guests, additional privacy from the public, private. It is fully weather-protected and climate-controlled indoor salon, dinette & bathroom. (You can be warm & cozy on a breezy, cold day or cool & dry on a hot, humid day.) Rear deck is outdoors with partial shade. Bridge is open air, and mostly shaded. Bow loungers are fully open. However, they still recommend layers, hats & sunglasses so you can choose where you prefer to be. Professional meetings or executive retreats (including computer charging and broadband Wi-Fi), guests with conditions requiring stable temperatures, bigger meals aboard, etc.

Many go for the classic sunset tour for a couple hours. To see the full impact of the city lights and monuments at night, Embark recommends planning your cruise to last 30 to 60 minutes after sunset. To minimize the probability of thunderstorms in the summer, mid-morning is usually a better time. Washington has a long, warm, boating season, so spring and autumn cruises are usually wonderful, and they have blankets on board if needed.

Captain Denny Clifford | President and Founder

Captain Denny Clifford has an extensive experience in finance, accounting, sales, marketing, and operations in both Fortune 150 companies as well as entrepreneurial enterprises, including founder of own company. Denny has a strong background in both aviation and boating industries and additional expertise in government and Department of Defense contracting worldwide.

"Embark DC transforms a simple boat tour into a memorable, personalized journey through the heart of the nation's capital, offering an unmatched level of access and comfort on the Potomac River."