SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Historic Blakeley State Park’s “Delta Explorer” will offer patrons a glimpse into the inner workings of the Alabama State Docks July 14.

Blakeley Director Jo Ann Flirt said the three-hour excursion, offered several times to the public throughout the year, has increased in popularity recently as word-of-mouth buzz spreads through the community.

Flirt said the tour is typically reserved for charter excursions only, but interest has increased substantially since the most recent tour private tour in late May, prompting park officials to add another public tour to the schedule.

“It really is surprising how many people live in and around this area and never take advantage of this amazing opportunity,” she said.

Flirt said the tour, which departs Blakeley’s Tensaw River dock at 9:30 a.m., turns north “up into the wilds of the Delta,” detours slightly into Bayou Canot—the site of the 1993 Amtrak disaster—and then crosses over the Mobile River.

The tour also cruises past the site of the sunken slave ship, “Clotilde,” before entering the busy Port of Mobile and looping back to the starting point by about 12:30 p.m.

“Along the way passengers are thrilled at the sights of working vessels from small, powerful tugboats to huge cargo ships and waterfront activity as ships are built and repaired in shipyards along the Mobile River and cargo from foreign ships is transferred on and off ocean-going vessels,” Flirt said.

Of course, the myriad wildlife dotting the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta provide the biggest treat for passengers as a park ranger narrates the trip, and Flirt said the ecological tours have increased in popularity steadily over the past five years.

Indeed, the Duke University department of biology estimates that nature tourism generates 7 percent of all international travel expenditures and those figures are increasing between 10 and 30 percent depending on location.

Flirt said the roofed boat is equipped with restroom facilities adding to the “comfort and convenience of passengers,” and while water bottles are permitted, food and coolers are prohibited for space concerns.

Flirt also noted that Blakeley admission is included in the ticket price and invited passengers to enjoy the nature park and picnic facilities when the tour concludes.

The “Delta Explorer” is also available for charter by private groups and arrangements can be made by calling (251) 626-0798.