San Francisco · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

The 15 Best Boat Trips in San Francisco

41 tours  ·  from $38 a head

The bay is the reason the city is here. The 15 below range from a one-hour run under the bridge to a full afternoon under sail, each priced and clear about how exposed the deck gets when the wind comes up.

San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise (1-hour) - North Beach, Aquatic Park, and Hyde Street Pier
1-Hour Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, San Francisco Bay Cruises, San Francisco Tours, Tour Reviews

San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise (1-hour)

1.Golden Gate Bay Cruise (1-hour)

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,071 reviews · from $38Our pick

Review the one-hour San Francisco Golden Gate Bay Cruise, with Alcatraz, waterfront views, multilingual audio, wildlife, and practical tips.

“I loved this cruise!! They shared so much great information that I was unaware of. Great views and friendly staff!! Jump aboard and enjoy this adventure!!”

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San Francisco City Lights Cruise (2-hours) - Leaving Pier 43 1/2 at Fisherman’s Wharf
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San Francisco City Lights Cruise (2-hours)

2.San Francisco City Lights Cruise (2-hours)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,879 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $58

Review of San Francisco’s 2-hour evening bay cruise, with Golden Gate and Bay Bridge views, Alcatraz, city lights, costs, and practical tips.

“Have jaket and maybe poncho. In the winter a hat is a must. We got cold and wet but it was worthwhile experience”

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San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise (60 Minutes) - Fort Mason and the Marina District
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San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise (60 Minutes)

3.Golden Gate Bay Cruise (60 Minutes)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,621 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $39

Cruise beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, pass Alcatraz and Sausalito, and enjoy San Francisco Bay views with flexible one-hour departures.

“it was nice cruise around the Bay, weather was chilly but had fun, timing was great except in our return at least 10mins before arriving the dock wanted to use the restroom and person in the boat place a sign not available where i asked if i can use the restroom she told me its 10mins left and another person came behind me and told me its non-negotiable. that was absurd to me and not customer focused , this is the 3rd time i have brought my family who have travelled from abroad and this kinda of mentality was not right”

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San Francisco: California Sunset Cruise (2-hours) - Heading past the waterfront and Bay Bridge
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San Francisco: California Sunset Cruise (2-hours)

4.California Sunset Cruise (2-hours)

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,606 reviews · from $58

Cruise San Francisco Bay at sunset for Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, skyline, and city lights views, with indoor seating and a cash bar.

“Overall experience was really good, easy to find and we were told that we might see a gray whale but we weren’t lucky enough on ride but regardless the staff were amazing they were all very nice and the boarding was so smooth. They checked everyone’s ticket in advance to have a better and faster boarding and so the boat can leave on time. Snacks and wine is also available inside if you don’t have time to take your dinner outside. Everything was also clean including the washroom. I would recommend this to my friends and who is reading this review. Price is a bit high but reasonable enough cuz…”

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San Francisco: Inside Alcatraz Tour with Bay Cruise - The ferry ride gives Alcatraz its setting
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San Francisco: Inside Alcatraz Tour with Bay Cruise

5.Inside Alcatraz Tour with Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,577 reviews · 4 hours · from $135

Explore Alcatraz with an audio tour, then cruise beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and past Pier 39 for a full San Francisco day.

“It was a good self guided tour. The shuttle boat was really crowded and lines long while waiting to come and go from the island”

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San Francisco: Skip-the-Line 1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat - Pier 39 sea lions and the first waterfront views
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San Francisco: Skip-the-Line 1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat

San Francisco: Skip-the-Line Escape from The Rock Bay Cruise - Meeting at Pier 39 without wasting your morning
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San Francisco: Skip-the-Line Escape from The Rock Bay Cruise

San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise - Leaving the city behind
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San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise

8.San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,342 reviews · 1 hour 35 minutes (approx.) · from $88Top rated

Review of San Francisco’s sunset catamaran cruise, with Golden Gate views, Alcatraz, one free drink, practical tips, and honest value advice.

“This was an amazing experience and an excellent way to see the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz! The captain and crew were also excellent. Definitely a must when you’re in San Francisco!”

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San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise by Luxury Catamaran - Starting at Pier 39 beside the sea lions
Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Luxury Tours in San Francisco, Sailing, San Francisco Bay Cruises, San Francisco Sunset Cruises, San Francisco Tours, Tour Reviews, VIP

San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise by Luxury Catamaran

San Francisco: Alcatraz with San Francisco Bay Cruise - Pier 33 and the ferry across San Francisco Bay
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San Francisco: Alcatraz with San Francisco Bay Cruise

10.Alcatraz with San Francisco Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,049 reviews · 4 hours · from $125

Visit Alcatraz, hear its award-winning audio tour, and cruise San Francisco Bay past the Golden Gate Bridge for $125.

“It was a great trip, and weird at the same time - considering, what had happened there for years. I would have loved to see a section, where it would have aded a little trivia regarding the movies that were shot there (like Escape from Alcatraz or The Rock).”

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Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise - The night tour adds atmosphere, not a private experience
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Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise

11.Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 969 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $139

Review of Alcatraz by day or night with a separate San Francisco Bay cruise, practical tips, prices, timing, access, and honest value advice.

“Loved the Alcatraz tour. The bay tour wasn’t as great. For one thing about 30 people crowd the view so everyone else can’t really see anything. I don’t know what the tour people could do to change it because it’s not them it’s the other customers who are just not courteous at all. But I would definitely recommend the Alcatraz tour, not so much the bay tour.”

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San Francisco: Bridge to Bridge Cruise (90-minutes) - Alcatraz from the water
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San Francisco: Bridge to Bridge Cruise (90-minutes)

12.Bridge to Bridge Cruise (90-minutes)

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 942 reviews · from $48

Cruise beneath San Francisco’s Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, pass Alcatraz, and enjoy skyline views with a multilingual audio tour.

“I don't know what it's like to go on a weekend but we went on a Wednesday afternoon and it was perfect. There was hardly anyone on board but the happy crew. There were ample seats on all levels. I can't wait to do it again!”

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San Francisco Bay Sailing Cruise - The skyline grows smaller behind you
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San Francisco Bay Sailing Cruise

13.San Francisco Bay Sailing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 629 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $72

Sail beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, circle Alcatraz, and view San Francisco from a 90-minute catamaran cruise with covered seating.

“Such a great experience. Easygoing ride. Great people. Great views. Recommend To dress warm, bring layers. They have beverages on sale on board.”

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San Francisco: Bridge to Bridge Cruise (90-minutes) - Alcatraz from the water
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San Francisco Bridge-to-Bridge Cruise (90 Minutes)

14.San Francisco Bridge-to-Bridge Cruise (90 Minutes)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 629 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48

See San Francisco from the water on a 90-minute cruise beneath the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, with Alcatraz, Treasure Island, and audio narration.

“Boat was nice. Speakers need to be updated. It was hard to hear. They have a bar but we did not get a drink. I would recommend this tour.”

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Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour Plus Bay Cruise - Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge from Union Square
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Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour Plus Bay Cruise

15.Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour Plus Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 514 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $133

See Muir Woods, Sausalito, the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and San Francisco Bay in one practical six-hour tour.

“You won’t regret going to Muir Woods. I’ve never been someplace so serene, and beautiful. The bay cruise was so incredible. We didn’t have time to go inside Alcatraz but we went around the island. You won’t regret this tour!”

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