Connecting You with Nature
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Guided Eco Tours in the Coastal Virginia area – offering customizable nature experiences for private-groups & Saturday Escapes tours (on most weekends) that are open to everyone. Say YES to NEW Adventures! Hop on board for memorable experiences with the natural world.
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Our Mission:
To be a vehicle for transformative, shared nature experiences.
To nurture peoples’ affinity for the natural world.
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Our Tours
If you’re new to our site, the descriptions below will help you navigate this menu:
FOR PRIVATE-GROUPS OF 10-16 PEOPLE
Available as half day, full day, and two day tours: You pick the date(s), and choose one of our private group packages listed in the next 3 tabs… or let us create a custom trip for your group! *Scheduled tours can be found in “Upcoming Events & Registration” tab.
We require a minimum of several weeks’ notice for planning purposes to secure our guides. Please contact us immediately (text 757-288-9595 or email info@thenaturebus.com) to start planning your memorable experience.
* We can accommodate larger groups (of up to 50 people) upon request. See our FAQs page for more info.
FOR INDIVIDUALS: SATURDAY ESCAPES
These Saturday trips are open to everybody at an affordable price. We depart from REI most Saturdays. Check our registration portal and/or Facebook often. The seats fill up fast so stay connected with us!
REGISTRATION PORTAL
Private tours that have been scheduled are listed here, along with Saturday Escapes. Selecting the “Upcoming Events & Registration” tab will take you to a new page with specific tour details and instructions, and a way to purchase your tickets. (Private tour pages are password protected)
For Private Groups of 10-16 People
Bathe Your Senses
Unwind and re-connect on a peaceful forest walk, with guided Shinrin-yoku (‘forest bathing’) of the beautiful sights to see at First Landing State Park.
Available Spring, Summer and Fall – Starting at $30.00 per person
Painting in Nature
Tap into your creative side and bring nature onto a canvas. On this nature experience, a local artist will guide you step-by-step through the process.
All Seasons – Starting at $30.00 per person
Tour of Virginia Beach
An intimate tour of sights to see in Virginia Beach, interpreted by a Historian. This experience also includes visits to natural areas.
All Seasons – Starting at $30 per person
Green Places
Explore Virginia’s largest Botanical Garden with a naturalist as your guide and interpreter of the many sights to see.
Spring, Summer & Fall – Starting at $30.00 per person
Yoga on the Beach
Salut to the Sun with the sand under your toes. We can take your group of 10-16 to a peaceful beach for guided yoga either for the sunrise or sunset. These guided eco tours are a perfect way to reconnect with your peers and nature.
Available in the Spring, Summer and Fall, Starting at $30 per person
Naturalist-guided Forest Walk
Participants will enter a magically beautiful forest where Spanish moss hangs overhead. A naturalist will point out interesting nature facts, many sights to see, and the history of the location.
Spring & Fall – Starting at $30.00 per person
Puppy Party with The Nature Bus
This one is for the PUPS! Bring your best friend on a special nature experience designed for you and your dog.
All Seasons – Starting at $30 for 1 person & 1 dog
Early Birds
On these fascinating nature experiences, we’ll travel to a scenic location for birding with an inspiring ornithologist as your guide. Learn fascinating facts, how to observe and identify, and listen to their songs at a time when they are most active.
All Seasons – Starting at $30 per person
Virginia’s Animal & Plant Life
Let us take you to a living museum of Virginia’s indigenous species. Explore and be inspired by the diversity of life on display in aquariums, aviary, botanical preserve, science center, planetarium and more!
All Seasons – Starting at $30 per person
The Night Sky
Visit Back Bay Wildlife Refuge and look through a telescope at starry skies with a local astronomer.
All Seasons – Starting at $25 per person
Light Up Your Holiday
Enjoy sipping wine while painting ornaments with your friends and co-workers, then view over 20 blocks of holiday light displays from on-board The Nature Bus.
Available Nov 22nd – Dec 31st, Starting at $30 per person
My Nature Birthday Party!
We create magical birthday parties for the birthday child. Select from the many nature-themed experiences we offer.
All Seasons – Starting at $15 per child
Nature Journaling
Travel to a scenic location and under the direction of a guide, learn techniques in how to create your own nature journal.
Available in the Spring and Fall, Starting at $40 per person
Amazing Pollinators
Hop on board for a tour of wildflower gardens and pollinator meadows.
Available in the Spring & Summer – Starting at $20 per person
For Private Groups of 10-16 People
Riding Rapids
Ride the bus to Richmond, VA and brave the white-water rapids with rafting on the James River. Then make a stop at a local brewery for food and beers. Different classes of rapids available to choose from: easy or difficult.
Summer and Fall – Starting at $85 per person
Escape to the Eastern Shore
Travel across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel to the Eastern Shore. Explore the bay and unique ship ruins on kayaks, take a guided walk or bicycle through natural areas on the Eastern Shore, and get to know the town of Cape Charles.
Spring, Summer & Fall – Starting at $50 per person
Tour of Virginia Beach
An intimate sightseeing tour of Virginia Beach, interpreted by a Historian. This experience also includes visits to natural areas.
All Seasons – Starting at $50 per person
The Stars Have Aligned
Head to a planetarium for an astonishing cinematic experience, followed by dinner and drinks at a brewery. Then look through a telescope at starry skies with a local astronomer.
All Seasons – Starting at $50 per person
The Williamsburg Experience
We let you choose from all Williamsburg has to offer. On this full day tour, your group can visit Colonial Williamsburg, wineries, gardens, spas and even stand up paddle boarding. Customizable for your group’s particular needs.
All Seasons – Starting at $70 per person
Virginia’s Animal & Plant Life
Let us take you to a living museum of Virginia’s indigenous species. Explore and be inspired by the diversity of life on display in aquariums, aviary, botanical preserve, science center, planetarium and more!
All Seasons – Starting at $50 per person
Tour of Portsmouth
An intimate sightseeing tour of Portsmouth, Virginia. Includes guided tours of historic and natural areas.
Available in the Spring & Fall – Starting at $40 per person
Chincoteague & Assateague
Take a peaceful getaway to the Chincoteague & Assateague islands with a naturalist as your guide.
Available in the Spring & Fall – Starting at $55 per person
Paddle On The Eastern Shore
Travel across the Chesapeake Bay bridge-tunnel to the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and spend the day exploring the bay waters, estuaries, and around ship ruins.
Available in the Summer – Starting at $70 per person
For Private Groups of 10-16 People
Autumn is in the Air
A two day scenic excursion that will take you apple picking, to explore downtown Charlottesville, hike in Shenandoah National Park, and visit three beautiful vineyards! If you fall for autumn, let us pick you up!
Available in the Fall, Starting at $140 per person
Gardener’s Tour
Private group tour, for two day excursion to Richmond and Charlottesville to visit several of Virginia’s most breathtaking gardens; including Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, Maymont Park, and more.
Available Spring, Summer & Fall, Starting at $140 per person
Two-Day Beach Retreat
Do you live inland? Want a day at the beach? Let us pick you up in your hometown and customize your weekend beach package!
Available in the Summer & Fall, Starting at $140 per person
Gal’s Getaway
Take a two-day trip with your friends to Charlottesville, VA, to visit wineries, the downtown area, have a guided painting lesson in the mountains, hike beautiful trails, and much more!
Available in the Summer, Spring & Fall, Starting at $140 per person
Say YES to new adventures!
4 Tips for keeping up-to-date on our tours:
1. Sign up for our quarterly newsletter to keep up to date on our offerings (scroll to bottom of the page) 2. Follow us on Facebook 3. Follow us on Instagram; you will love our photos 4. Watch the virtual tours. Here are the helpful links: Facebook, Instagram, Virtual Tours, Photo Gallery, Superb Reviews
COVID SAFETY MEASURES: We care about the health and safety of those participating in our nature experiences. The Nature Bus has been outfitted with dividers between rows of seats. The bus is sanitized between each tour. We have a hand sanitizing station at the door of the bus; you will be asked to sanitize your hands before boarding. Please stay home if you are not feeling well or have a fever. Masks are suggested when social distancing of 6 feet is not possible. We ride with the windows partially open (weather permitting) for optimal air flow.
Keep informed about upcoming nature experiences that you won’t want to miss by signing up for our quarterly newsletter:
