SPANISH FORT, Ala. — The next walk-on, narrated tour of the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta aboard the Delta Explorer is set for Wednesday, July 30 by Blakeley State Park, which operates the 50-passenger eco-tour boat.

Leaving the Blakeley park dock at 9:30 a.m., the two-hour tour explores plant and animal wildlife in remote areas of the delta. The tour goes north on the Tensaw River from the Blakeley park dock, into bayous and rivers nearby, down to the Mobile Bay Causeway and loops back to the park.

For the first time in its five years operating tours, Blakeley State Park has  increased the ticket price. Tickets are $22 for adults and $12 for children, a $2 increase over the 2003 prices.

Passengers may guarantee seating in advance on the walk-on tour July 30 by purchasing tickets by telephone using their credit cards. The boat is also available for charter to private groups. For individual tickets, call 626-5581. For information on charters call 626-0798. Daytime and late afternoon charters are available seven days a week. The next open walk-on tour following the July 30 trip is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 16.

Blakeley State Park is located on Alabama Highway 225 about 4.5 miles north of where it intersects with U.S. 31 at Spanish Fort. The park is open seven days a week year-round. In addition to the boat tours, it offers day use for hiking and picnicking, fishing on the riverfront boardwalk, modern RV camping, primitive camping, biking and horseback trails as well as meetings and other indoor activities at the Gatra Wehle Nature Center at the park. 

For more information go to www.blakeleypark.com.