San Francisco boat tours are a popular way for visitors to see the city’s iconic waterfront and famous landmarks from the water. There are several companies that offer boat tours in San Francisco, ranging from scenic harbor cruises to high-speed adventures across the bay.
One of the most popular San Francisco boat tours is the Alcatraz Island tour, which takes visitors to the famous former prison located on a small island in San Francisco Bay. Other popular boat tours include sunset cruises, whale watching tours, and sightseeing tours that pass by iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge.
There are also several types of boats available for tours, including large cruise ships, smaller boats, and even sailboats. Some companies offer private charters for a more personalized experience, while others offer group tours with live narration.
If you’re interested in taking a boat tour in San Francisco, it’s a good idea to research different companies and tour options to find the one that best fits your interests and budget. It’s also important to check for availability and book your tour in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons.
Best San Francisco Boat Tours
| San Francisco: Skip-the-Line Escape from The Rock Bay Cruise | San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge Catamaran Cruise | San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise | |
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| Duration | 1.5 hours | 1.5 hours | 1 hour |
| Starting Time | 12:30 PM | 1:30 PM , 4:00 PM | 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM |
| Meeting Point | Pier 41, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA | Pier 39, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA | 43 1/2, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA |
| Includes | 90-minute boat cruise tour, Views of San Francisco Bay, Full circle around Alcatraz Island | Catamaran cruise | Boat tour of Golden Gate Bay, Multi-lingual audio guide, Use of onboard bar |
| More Details & Tour Booking | More Details & Tour Booking | More Details & Tour Booking |
Quick Answer: The 7 Best San Francisco Boat Tours For [2025]
- San Francisco: Skip-the-Line Escape from The Rock Bay Cruise
- San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge Catamaran Cruise
- San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise
- San Francisco: Skip-the-Line 1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat
- San Francisco: California Sunset/Twilight Boat Cruise
- San Francisco: Waterfront Guided Tour and Alcatraz Ticket
- San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge Seaplane Tour
Best San Francisco Boat Tours Reviews
#1. San Francisco: Skip-the-Line Escape from The Rock Bay Cruise
The “Escape from the Rock” Bay Cruise is a popular boat tour in San Francisco that takes visitors on a scenic journey around the bay, passing by famous landmarks like Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Bay Bridge. The tour is operated by Blue & Gold Fleet, which has been offering boat tours in San Francisco for over 80 years.
The “Escape from the Rock” Bay Cruise is unique in that it focuses on the history of Alcatraz Island, which was once a federal prison that housed some of America’s most notorious criminals. The tour takes visitors around the island and provides a narrated history of the prison, including stories of famous inmates like Al Capone and the “Birdman” of Alcatraz.
One of the benefits of the “Escape from the Rock” Bay Cruise is the “skip-the-line” feature, which allows visitors to bypass the long lines and crowds that can form at the ticket booth for Alcatraz Island. Instead, visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the island from the comfort of a boat, without the hassle of waiting in line.
The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes and departs from Pier 39 in Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s recommended to book tickets in advance, as the tour can sell out quickly during peak tourist seasons. Overall, the “Escape from the Rock” Bay Cruise is a great way to experience the history and beauty of San Francisco from the water.
More Details & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours in advance of the experience
#2. San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge Catamaran Cruise
The Golden Gate Bridge Catamaran Cruise is a popular boat tour in San Francisco that offers visitors the opportunity to see the iconic Golden Gate Bridge from the water. The tour is operated by Adventure Cat Sailing Charters, which has been providing catamaran tours of the bay for over 30 years.
The catamaran used for the tour is a 55-foot vessel with indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a full bar and restrooms. The tour departs from Pier 39 in Fisherman’s Wharf and takes visitors on a 90-minute journey around the bay, passing by famous landmarks like Alcatraz Island, the Bay Bridge, and the San Francisco skyline.
The highlight of the tour is the opportunity to sail under the Golden Gate Bridge, which provides stunning views of the bridge from a unique perspective. The tour also includes live narration from the crew, who share interesting facts and stories about the history and architecture of the Golden Gate Bridge and other landmarks.
The Golden Gate Bridge Catamaran Cruise is a popular choice for visitors who want to see the bridge up close and from a different angle. It’s recommended to book tickets in advance, as the tour can sell out quickly during peak tourist seasons. Overall, the tour provides a memorable and scenic experience of San Francisco’s most famous landmark.
More Details & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours in advance of the experience
#3. San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise
The Golden Gate Bay Cruise is a popular boat tour in San Francisco that takes visitors on a scenic journey around the bay, passing by famous landmarks like Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Bay Bridge. The tour is operated by Red and White Fleet, which has been offering boat tours in San Francisco for over 125 years.
The tour departs from Fisherman’s Wharf and lasts approximately one hour. It offers indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a full bar and snacks available for purchase. The boat has large windows and an open-air deck, providing great views of the city’s skyline and waterfront.
During the tour, a live guide provides narration about the history and culture of San Francisco, as well as interesting facts about the landmarks along the route. The highlight of the tour is the opportunity to sail under the Golden Gate Bridge, which provides stunning views of the bridge from a unique perspective.
The Golden Gate Bay Cruise is a great way to experience the beauty of San Francisco from the water and get up close to its iconic landmarks. It’s recommended to book tickets in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, as the tour can sell out quickly. Overall, the tour provides a memorable and scenic experience of San Francisco’s most famous sights.
More Details & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours in advance of the experience
#4. San Francisco: Skip-the-Line 1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat
The Skip-the-Line 1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat is a popular tour option for visitors to San Francisco who want to experience the beauty of the city’s waterfront landmarks in a short amount of time. The tour is operated by Blue & Gold Fleet, which has been offering boat tours in San Francisco for over 80 years.
The tour departs from Pier 39 in Fisherman’s Wharf and takes visitors on a one-hour journey around the bay. It offers indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a full bar and snacks available for purchase. The boat has large windows and an open-air deck, providing great views of the city’s skyline and waterfront.
The highlight of the tour is the opportunity to see famous landmarks like Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Bay Bridge from the water. A live guide provides narration about the history and culture of San Francisco, as well as interesting facts about the landmarks along the route.
The Skip-the-Line feature allows visitors to bypass the long lines and crowds that can form at the ticket booth for boat tours, providing a more efficient and hassle-free experience.
The Skip-the-Line 1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat is a great option for visitors who are short on time or want to see the city’s landmarks from a different perspective. It’s recommended to book tickets in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, as the tour can sell out quickly. Overall, the tour provides a memorable and scenic experience of San Francisco’s waterfront.
More Details & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours in advance of the experience
#5. San Francisco: California Sunset/Twilight Boat Cruise
The California Sunset/Twilight Boat Cruise is a popular boat tour in San Francisco that takes visitors on a scenic journey around the bay during the beautiful sunset and twilight hours. The tour is operated by Red and White Fleet, which has been offering boat tours in San Francisco for over 125 years.
The tour departs from Fisherman’s Wharf and lasts approximately two hours. It offers indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a full bar and snacks available for purchase. The boat has large windows and an open-air deck, providing great views of the city’s skyline and waterfront as the sun sets and the city lights up.
During the tour, a live guide provides narration about the history and culture of San Francisco, as well as interesting facts about the landmarks along the route. The highlight of the tour is the opportunity to see famous landmarks like Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Bay Bridge bathed in the beautiful colors of the sunset and twilight hours.
The California Sunset/Twilight Boat Cruise is a great way to experience the beauty of San Francisco from the water during a magical time of day. It’s recommended to book tickets in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, as the tour can sell out quickly. Overall, the tour provides a memorable and romantic experience of San Francisco’s waterfront.
More Details & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours in advance of the experience
#6. San Francisco: Waterfront Guided Tour and Alcatraz Ticket
The Waterfront Guided Tour and Alcatraz Ticket is a popular package deal that provides visitors to San Francisco with a comprehensive experience of the city’s waterfront and its famous former prison, Alcatraz Island. The tour is operated by Alcatraz Cruises, the official concessioner for Alcatraz Island.
The tour begins with a guided walking tour of San Francisco’s waterfront, led by a knowledgeable guide who shares the history and culture of the area, including the Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, and Ghirardelli Square. The tour also provides views of famous landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, and Alcatraz Island.
After the waterfront tour, visitors take a ferry to Alcatraz Island, where they have the opportunity to explore the prison and its grounds at their own pace. The Alcatraz tour includes a self-guided audio tour, which provides an in-depth look at the history and stories of the prison and its most famous inmates.
The Waterfront Guided Tour and Alcatraz Ticket package is a great way to experience two of San Francisco’s most popular attractions in one convenient and affordable package. It’s recommended to book tickets well in advance, as the Alcatraz Island tours can sell out weeks or even months ahead of time, especially during peak tourist seasons. Overall, the package provides a memorable and comprehensive experience of San Francisco’s waterfront and its fascinating history.
More Details & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours in advance of the experience
#7. San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge Seaplane Tour
The Golden Gate Bridge Seaplane Tour is a unique and thrilling way to experience one of San Francisco’s most iconic landmarks, the Golden Gate Bridge. The tour is operated by Seaplane Adventures, which has been offering seaplane tours in San Francisco for over 75 years.
The tour begins with a safety briefing and orientation, followed by boarding a seaplane at Sausalito’s Richardson Bay. The seaplane takes off from the water and provides breathtaking views of San Francisco Bay, the city’s skyline, and the Golden Gate Bridge from a bird’s-eye perspective.
During the approximately 30-minute tour, visitors have the opportunity to see landmarks like the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and Angel Island, as well as the stunning natural scenery of the Marin Headlands and Mount Tamalpais.
The Golden Gate Bridge Seaplane Tour is a unique and unforgettable way to experience the beauty of San Francisco from the air. It’s recommended to book tickets well in advance, as the tour is very popular and can sell out quickly. The tour is also weather-dependent and may be canceled or rescheduled due to unfavorable weather conditions. Overall, the tour provides a memorable and thrilling experience of San Francisco’s most iconic landmark.
More Details & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours in advance of the experience
Francis Porter is a seasoned traveler and tour guide with over 15 years of experience in the industry. I have explored countless destinations around the world and have a deep passion for helping others discover new places and cultures.