Plan Your Visit

All cruises depart from Tulcea, at the Ibis Tours boarding point inside Incinta Tulco — at the far end of the Tulcea riverside promenade (Str. Independenței nr. 1). Boarding time varies by tour — check the specific tour page for your exact departure time. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early; the boat departs on time and will not wait.

By car: 270 km via the A2 motorway to Constanța, then DN22 to Tulcea — approximately 3.5 hours.
By bus: Direct services from Bucharest Filaret bus station — journey 4–5 hours.
By train: Overnight sleeper services available. Tulcea train station is ~7–8 minutes by taxi (approx. 15 lei) from the Ibis boarding point.
By air: Tulcea has a regional airport with flights via Bucharest.

Guarded parking is available inside Incinta Tulco, right at the boarding point — 25 lei per car per day (not included in the tour price). Free street parking is also available on nearby streets.

Yes — the Danube Delta is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a border zone. All visitors require an entry permit issued by the ARBDD (Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Administration). Ibis Tours handles this for you: we collect your personal details before the trip and purchase the permits on your behalf. You do not need to do anything separately. More details at ddbra.ro.

Romanian citizens: national ID card. Foreign nationals: valid passport. As the Delta is a border zone with Ukraine, all guests are required to carry identification at all times during the cruise.

Speedboat (barcă rapidă): 30–60 km/h, mainly used for fast transfers. Not recommended for wildlife observation — the high speed disturbs birds and damages the delta ecosystem.

Motorboat / șalupă: 8–12 metres long, max 16 km/h, covered terrace, toilet on board. Ibis Tours uses these for all daily excursions — slow, quiet, ideal for spotting birds and wildlife up close.

Floating hotel: Large vessel towed by a tugboat. 10 en-suite double cabins, restaurant, sun deck and lounge. Moves slowly through the main delta channels and anchors overnight in remote areas — far from tourist traffic, in the silence of the reserve.

Children aged 6 and over are welcome on the cruise. Children aged 6–12 pay 70% of the adult price; children 12+ pay full price. Children under 6 are not recommended for this programme. Life jackets must be worn at all times during boat excursions, regardless of swimming ability. Parents are fully responsible for supervising their children throughout the trip.

Fishing is not permitted during the cruise programme. Please do not bring fishing equipment. This is a nature observation tour — fishing activity conflicts with the wildlife-watching experience and may disturb nesting birds.

The guide adjusts the daily route based on wind, water levels and weather. Routes can change day to day — this is normal in the delta. In the event of extreme weather conditions (red alert) before the programme starts, Ibis Tours will offer a comparable alternative or a full refund.

Essential:

• Binoculars — 8×42 or 10×42 recommended (we also provide binoculars on board)
• Sun protection: hat, sunscreen SPF 30+, sunglasses
• Light waterproof jacket / rain layer
• Comfortable, non-slip shoes (boat decks can be wet)
• Waterproof bag or dry bag for your phone and camera
• Sufficient cash for personal expenses (drinks, Letea entry fee ≈ €10/person)

We provide: bird checklists, field guide reference, life jackets, binoculars on board, all meals and excursions.

Leave behind: fishing equipment (not permitted during the programme).

Full board is included — breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the cruise. The menu is rooted in Danube Delta tradition: fish dishes are the centrepiece (fish soup, grilled catfish, carp, caviar), combined with fresh vegetables, eggs, dairy and meat alternatives.

Dietary requirements are fully accommodated if declared in advance. The kitchen can prepare vegetarian, pescatarian (fish only), fish-free, vegan menus, and meals suited to common allergies. Simply let us know when booking or before departure — the more notice, the better.

Note: drinks are not included in the price (water included). You can purchase drinks on board.

Mosquitoes exist in the delta and can be more noticeable in certain periods (mainly July–August in still water areas). That said, during the day — when you're on the water moving — they are generally not a problem. They tend to appear more in the evening near anchored areas.

What to bring: a good insect repellent. Products like Autan or Antibrum are effective and widely available in Romanian pharmacies before your trip. Long sleeves and trousers for the evenings are also a good idea in peak summer.

Signal: Reasonable in delta villages (~7/10) — you can make calls, browse and post on social media. Signal often disappears on open lakes during excursions. In border zones near Ukraine you may receive roaming SMS alerts from Ukrainian networks (informational only).

ATMs: There is only one ATM in the entire Biosphere Reserve, in Sulina — frequently out of service during peak season. Bring enough cash from Tulcea for your personal expenses during the trip. Card payment via POS is unreliable due to poor signal.

April–June — Peak birdwatching season. Breeding colonies at full display: Great White Pelican, Pygmy Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, herons. Wildflowers, lush green delta, long days. Best overall experience.

July–August — Summer. Excellent pelican and waterbird concentrations. Warm, sunny weather with up to 15 hours of daylight. Can be hot on the open water.

September–October — Autumn migration. Spectacular movements of raptors, wildfowl and waders. Cooler temperatures. Less crowded.

March — Early spring. First arrivals of migratory species. Still cool but the delta wakes up. Good for photography in clear light.

Reservations are confirmed with a 30% deposit, payable by bank transfer, credit card or online. The balance is due on arrival or via the same methods. By booking you accept the full terms and conditions — please read them before reserving.

Yes — we accept holiday vouchers (Vouchere de Vacanță), including Sodexo, Up, Edenred and similar. You can use them towards the deposit or full balance. Please mention this at the time of booking so we can arrange payment correctly.

Yes — cabins on the floating hotel are double occupancy. Solo travellers who wish to have a cabin to themselves are subject to a single supplement. The exact amount depends on availability and the tour you select — contact us for details. If you're happy to share a cabin with another solo traveller of the same gender, we can try to match you, subject to availability.

Our cruises operate as small groups of 9–20 people. Everyone follows the daily schedule set by the guide. The boat will not wait for late arrivals — please be punctual. If you miss a departure you will miss that stage of the itinerary. If you prefer a private schedule, ask us about private charter options.