Cole Watkins Tours

10/22/2026

09/28/2026

Saturday 9/26 Kayak Tour to Stallings Island

It was a beautiful cool morning on the river. Water level was a little low but we saw several birds including white cranes and blue herons. Also there were several spoonbill cranes around the rocks near the dam and lots of turkey buzzards roosting in trees around the islands. We did have to go around the island twice before finding the donkeys in one of their favorite feeding locations. They must have been slow getting active after the cool weather start.

09/28/2026

Sunday 9/27 Kayak Tour to Stallings Island with the Jewish Community Center and Federation of Augusta was a blast. We had perfect weather. My kids, Cash 10 and Caylee 7, were tasked as Jr Guides to assist today (since mom is at a wedding) and they did great! We saw a variety of birds including heron, anhinga, egrets, osprey, and vultures. Many sunbathing turtles and zero snakes (some will like to hear that). We found the donkeys on the northside of the island and fed them carrots and celery. Would like to thank Saranne B. for putting this outing together!

09/28/2026

9/12 Stallings Island Kayak Tour

Sorry for the late post!

09/28/2026

My daughter, Caylee, trying to feed an island grown black walnut to the donkeys who are much more interested in the carrots. Reminiscent of our trip to Eudora Wildlife Safari Park!

09/25/2026

🚨 WE’RE HIRING! 🚨

CWT is looking for part-time kayak guides to join our team to wrap up the 2026 season and start of the 2027 season!

If you love being on the water and have river experience, we’d love to hear from you.

What we’re looking for:
+ River experience required
+ CPR/Lifeguard certification is a plus
+ Truck and ability to haul a trailer is a plus, but not required
+ Friendly, dependable, and comfortable working with customers

Come spend your days outside, on the water, and sharing the Augusta waterways with our guests!

Send your resume to: [email protected]

09/23/2026

We had a great tour out to Stallings Island on Sunday, Sept. 20. On our way out to visit the donkeys, we saw a large gathering of black vultures roosting, as well as a couple of juvenile black tip ibises, and a green heron. There were also two otters playing near one of the islands next to Stallings when we arrived, but they quickly headed into their den once they spotted us. We also saw a great blue heron and a little blue heron, as well as a couple of wood storks stopping in the area during their fall migration, though we didn't get a photo. After feeding the donkeys, we explored the Stevens Creek Dam and the hissing trees before heading back.

08/26/2026

We had another great tour on Sunday, August 23rd, even if it was a bit foggy to start. By the time we started up through the islands, the fog had burned off and revealed plenty of wildlife, including both a juvenile and adult white ibis. As we made our way up to one of the donkeys' favorite beaches, we also saw two deer on one of the islands on the Georgia side of Stallings, as well as an adult water moccasin that swam across the river well in front of us. After feeding the donkeys, we made our way along the dam where we saw a few more non-venomous brown water snakes and some turtles. We also saw a few snakes basking around the hissing trees before heading back to beat the heat.

08/25/2026

“GrapeNut” enjoyed his paddle out to meet the donkeys of Stallings Island dog 🐕🤝🫏

08/24/2026

Saturday's 8/15 Tour to Stallings Island was a great experience for our group full to visit the donkeys, including several folks from out of town and out of state. We saw several different birds along the way, including a few ibises, a juvenile great blue heron, some wood ducks, white egrets, and ospreys, and the donkeys were more than excited to come down and see us as the first group out on the water. It was so hot, even the snakes weren't out too much.