Cole Watkins Tours

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.

08/11/2026

BACK-TO-SCHOOL SPECIAL 🤓📓✏️

Summer break may have come to an end, but we are still in full-swing at Cole Watkins Tours! We know back to school clothes/supplies can add up. That is why we are pleased to announce our Back-To-School Special 🤓📓✏️

Book a NEW reservation by August 13 to save $20 off the Group Total for a Guided Tour or Kayak Rental (self-guided) outing. Minimum of 3 people.

CODE: “B2SS” when booking at www.ColeWatkinsTours.com

Upcoming Schedule:
Stallings Island Kayak Tour - Saturday, August 15 at 9am
Stallings Island Kayak Tour - Sunday, August 23 at 9am
Stallings Island Kayak Tour - Saturday, August 29 at 10am
Stallings Island Kayak Tour - Saturday, September 12 at 9am
Stallings Island Kayak Tour - Sunday, September 20 at 9am
Stallings Island Kayak Tour - Saturday, September 26 at 9am

Offering guided kayak tours and kayak rentals for the CSRA's most popular waterways including Stallings Island, Betty's Branch, the Augusta Canal, and more!

08/08/2026

The sunset photos hit different!

08/08/2026

We enjoyed a sunset tour last night! Perfect weather and a beautiful sunset. The otters and muskrats were more active like we tend to see at this time of day. The donkeys were happy to receive a veggie dinner. Also saw a congregation of egrets, osprey, indigo heron, turtles and banded water snakes.

08/08/2026

This was a really cool find from last night’s sunset tour! A congregation of egrets hunkering down together to sleep.

Egrets often sleep on the same trees and in the same general areas night after night. They are social birds that form communal roosts and rookeries, meaning large groups gather together in specific tall trees or groves near water to spend the night safely.

08/08/2026

Love when the donkeys come running!

08/05/2026

Behind the scenes…

08/02/2026

We had our largest tour of 2026 yesterday and it was a blast! All the groups were a joy to have join us. We fed the 4 resident donkeys of Stallings Island on the southwest side of the island and took many pics and selfies! We also spotted a beautiful indigo heron a few different times on the tour. Other wildlife sightings included a friendly young otter, turtles, osprey, heron, and 5 banded water snakes (nonvenomous).

There is still time to paddle Stallings Island in 2026 with Cole Watkins Tours! Visit www.ColeWatkinsTours.com to see our August and September tour dates.