SPANISH FORT — The popularity of boat tours into the Tensaw-Mobile River Delta prompted state park officials to schedule more excursions into the picturesque area this spring.

Blakeley State Park director Jo Ann Flirt added extra tours last fall and those quickly sold out. So Flirt scheduled five weekend trips for this spring. Only a couple of those remain, so make plans now.

The spring quarter ecotourism trips will take one more two-hour trip from the park into the Delta and back, aboard the park’s own Delta Explorer. The season's final two-hour Delta trip will take place on April 13. On April 27, the boat will take a longer, three-hour trip that includes cruising to the state docks and the Port of Mobile.

All trips are aboard Blakeley Park’s 50-passenger tour boat leaving from the park dock on the Tensaw River. Tours begin at 9:30 a.m.  Since the dock is on the far side of the park, people need to arrive early.

“We recommend that people get to the park gates by 9 that morning,” said Flirt. “Folks don’t realize how long it takes to get from the park gates to the dock.”

Tickets for the Delta cruises are $25 for adults, $15 for children 6-12 and free to kids under 6. Docks tour tickets are $35 for adults, $17 for children 6-12.

Tickets are on a first come-first serve basis but seating can be reserved by calling 251-626-5581 and paying advance using major credit cards. All proceeds go toward operation of Blakeley State Park.

Boat trips are also available by charter. For more information on charters call 251-626-0798.

Blakeley State Park is located on State Highway 225, about 4.5 miles north of its intersection with U.S. 31 at Spanish Fort. The park is open daily and holidays to day use, RV and tent camping, biking and horseback riding. Sites and facilities inside the park are available for group events ranging from weddings to family reunions. For more information about the park, go to www.blakeleypark.com or e-mail blakeleypark@aol.com.