Aboard · SAN FRANCISCO BOAT TOURS
Good san francisco boat tours fill up weeks ahead in season and the great ones go first. Below: the 12 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Board the Red and White Fleet at Pier 43 1/2 for a one-hour cruise past North Beach, Hyde Street Pier, the Presidio, Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, and Alcatraz. A recorded audio guide plays in 16 languages, with indoor seating, outdoor decks, restrooms, and a bar onboard.
“Very nice and informative tour especially the last cruise time sunset and night. Perfect”
Board the Red and White Fleet at Pier 43 1/2 for a relaxed two-hour cruise past Alcatraz, Angel Island, Sausalito, and under the Golden Gate Bridge. Enjoy indoor or outdoor seating, a cash bar, light snacks, and seasonal extras such as Frida Kahlo themed music and printmaking in September.
“Was nice trip see the bay boat was clean well layed out”
From Pier 43 1/2, Red and White Fleet takes you on a relaxed, two-hour San Francisco Bay cruise with no assigned seats. Expect Golden Gate and Bay Bridge views, Alcatraz, Coit Tower, city lights, indoor spaces, outdoor decks, restrooms, music, and a bar for drinks and snacks.
“We had a delightful time despite the rain. The city lights were amazing and we took fantastic pictures. Thr crew were polite and made the trip enjoyable.”
Spend one hour on Red and White Fleet’s narrated San Francisco Bay cruise. From Pier 43 1/2, you’ll pass North Beach, Fort Mason, Alcatraz, Angel Island, Sausalito, and the Bay Bridge before sailing beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Choose an open departure time, with narration in 16 languages.
“Fun tour around the San Francisco Bay. Good information and history is also presented. I like that they have snacks on board too.”
Visit Alcatraz by ferry from Pier 33, then follow the 45-minute Cellhouse audio tour in your choice of 11 languages. A separate 60-minute Blue and Gold Fleet cruise leaves from Pier 39, with views of the skyline, sea lions, waterfront, and Golden Gate Bridge.
“Loved it. You do have to wait a while to get on one of the boats to get to Alcatraz, but once you’re on it’s so great, inside and outside options. Alcatraz itself was incredible. Lots of walking and up hills, but they have something for people who cannot do that to get you to the top. Highly suggest the audio tour of the cells and to go outside into the “yard”. Bay Cruise was about a 10 min walking distance from pier to pier. It offers snacks and some adults beverages, and indoor and outdoor options for seating. Going toward the Golden Gate Bridge was such an experiences and…”
Join Blue and Gold Fleet at Pier 39 for a one-hour narrated cruise past the sea lions, Alcatraz, Angel Island, the waterfront, and the Golden Gate Bridge. You can sit indoors or outside, use the multilingual audio guide, and buy snacks or drinks on board.
“Really enjoyable and well narrated cruise on a good clean boat”
You’ll circle Alcatraz Island by boat, pass Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf, and sail under the Golden Gate Bridge while listening to narration in eight languages. The cruise does not land on Alcatraz, but it offers broad photo views, onboard food and drinks, and mobile-ticket access past the box office line.
“It was a cold but good cruise out to the Golden Gate Bridge and an informative cruise around Alcatraz island. We enjoyed!”
Spend 90 minutes sailing from Pier 39 on a 55 or 65-foot catamaran. You will pass Alcatraz, Sausalito, and the Golden Gate Bridge, with a chance to spot sea lions and wildlife. A drink, panoramic viewing areas, borrowed jackets, and a friendly English-speaking crew are included.
“This was literally the coolest thing I’ve done in a long time! I live in the bay and always wanted to experience this vantage point. The sunset was gorgeous. I highly recommend this experience 10/10”
You’ll visit Alcatraz with roundtrip ferry service, an award-winning audio tour in nine languages, and time to explore the island at your own pace. A separate one-hour Bay Cruise from Pier 39 adds views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39 sea lions, and San Francisco’s skyline.
“As almost all tickets for Alcatraz were sold out, I was super happy being able to go these this way on relatively short notice. The trip was really worthwhile and the audio tour in our own language (Dutch) adding value for the kids. Transportation was smooth and well-arranged. Great experience for us!”
From Pier 43 1/2, sail beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, pass Alcatraz, and continue under the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. The 90-minute Red and White Fleet cruise includes headphone audio in 16 languages, open-air photo views, indoor seating, restrooms, and a bar.
“Amazing great trip best 1.5 hours on a boat tour of San Francisco bay. 100% would book and take this trip again”
Join Adventure Cat at Pier 39 for a 90-minute catamaran sail past Alcatraz, beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, and along San Francisco’s waterfront. You can choose a sheltered seat or the trampoline nets, steer with the captain, and buy drinks and snacks on board.
“Awesome experience- best view right under the bridge/near the mountains. Hosts were so friendly and polite. We had a great time. Very chilly/windy-dress accordingly.”
You’ll ferry from Pier 33 to Alcatraz, follow the 45-minute Doing Time audio tour, then explore the island at your own pace. A separate bay cruise takes you past Fort Mason, the Presidio, Crissy Field, Alcatraz, and beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Cruise timing is flexible.
“Nice tour, loved the local perspective from the lady who lived on island.”
Pick a river, a coast or a harbour.
