Chicago's Navy Pier Seadog Speedboats

Walking along Navy Pier with my husband the subject of taking a tour on one of the Seadog speed boats came up. We both agreed it looked like fun so we decided to check out our touring options. They were offering a "River and Lake Architectural Tour" that promised to show off Chicago from Lake Michigan and along the Chicago River. The next option was the 30-minute "Extreme Thrill Ride," powered by two 1400 HP engines boasting splash down stops, 180 degree turns, slalom runs and more!

Since we'd done a river boat tour a few years ago, and not quite up for the extreme ride we decided to go for our third option called the "Lakefront Speedboat Tour." This 30-minute tour offered speed but no heart pumping turns and great views of the Chicago shoreline. So tickets in hand for the eleven o'clock launch we lined up for the tour.

NATO summit meetings and protests were going on in Chicago May 18th - 21st so security was very high. While waiting for our tour three white and black K-9 Unit vans parked next to boats along Navy Pier to inspect them. Large groups of Chicago police patrolled the pier making it very evident they were watching everything. Two security guards checked out our Seadog boat and stayed on board during our speedboat ride.

Leaving Navy Pier was slow going so as not to create huge wakes thereby damaging the already fragile shoreline. Once we cleared the weathered white and red light house it was engines full speed ahead. Music was playing and our guide was singing along. He was a great guide and very funny always cracking jokes. His singing was not to bad either.

We were glad we sat in the front row which gave us a clear view for taking photographs of the sky line. They'd stop and turn the boat so you could shoot the shoreline from different angles which was really nice. They warned us that we might get a little wet, but we never did. Not sure if the riders in the back did or not.

The views of the Chicago skyline from the Seadog were great. Of course the eighty degree, blue sky, cloudless day helped show it off too. Thankfully the temperature on the water was about ten degrees cooler than on the pier so being on a boat in the sun turned out to be fine. When the boat got going really fast it felt as though we were floating in our seats. Very fun.

As we got closer to the shore to get a better view of the shore a coast guard boat came up along side of us with a man holding what appeared to be a machine gun. They hung around for a few minutes and then moved on. This was interesting to watch, and the good thing was we were all safe.

The speedboat Seadog ride was a great time. The crew was wonderful and our guide a nice guy who made our tour fun and educational. During my next visit to Navy Pier I'd like to try out the EXTREME THRILL RIDE. I think I'll like it.