San Francisco · SAN FRANCISCO BAY CRUISES

San Francisco Bay Cruises: 15 Ways onto the Water

83 tours  ·  from $15 a head

An hour under the bridge, a sunset catamaran, a brunch boat or a bridge-to-bridge run past the Bay Bridge lights. The 15 below differ on time on deck and what is poured, and every one leaves from the northern piers.

Muir Woods and Sausalito (Return by Bus or Ferry) - One hour in Sausalito
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Muir Woods and Sausalito (Return by Bus or Ferry)

1.Muir Woods and Sausalito (Return by Bus or Ferry)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,098 reviews · 5 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $91Our pick

From Union Square or Fisherman’s Wharf, ride across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods for 90 minutes among coastal redwoods, then spend an hour in Sausalito. Choose a bus or ferry return, or a guided bike ride to Sausalito before the woods. Guides such as Don and George have shared local stories along the way.

“It was really great, accurate timing by the operator but I didn’t like we waited for a person like 15min and at the end they didn’t showed up, (waste of time). Besides that incident, everything went as planned and amazing. I would definitely recommend. Pd. They ask for like a 20%tip at the end, watch out with that one.”

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San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise - The Golden Gate Bridge from below
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San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise

2.Golden Gate Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,644 reviews · 1 hour · from $38

From Fisherman’s Wharf, Red and White Fleet’s one-hour cruise follows San Francisco’s waterfront, passes Alcatraz and sails beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. An audio guide in 16 languages adds background on the sights, while an onboard bar sells drinks and snacks. Bring a camera and a warm layer: the bay can feel chilly, even in summer.

“Great hour to spend on the water and see all the sights”

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San Francisco: Alcatraz Ticket, Ferry, & Self-Guided App - The cell blocks bring the stories close
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San Francisco: Alcatraz Ticket, Ferry, & Self-Guided App

3.Alcatraz Ticket, Ferry, & Self-Guided App

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,460 reviews · 3 hours · from $79

From Pier 33, take the ferry to Alcatraz and explore at your own pace with a self-guided app tour and official island ticket. See the cell blocks associated with Al Capone and George Kelly, learn why escape was so difficult, and take in views of San Francisco. There is no live guide, and you can stay on the island as long as you wish.

“Superb attraction. A live parks department guide first gave us an historic perspective of the island and the facility - she was full of facts and enthusiasm. The prison itself - the cells, the common areas - was exhibited with great authenticity - and was richly described by a super audio tour. The book store was great too. Highly recommended, not to be missed. The only fly in the ointment were the flies - if you know you know.”

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San Francisco: California Sunset Cruise (2-hours) - Alcatraz and Angel Island from the water
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San Francisco: California Sunset Cruise (2-hours)

4.California Sunset Cruise (2-hours)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,949 reviews · from $58

Board Red and White Fleet at Fisherman’s Wharf for a two-hour San Francisco Bay cruise past Alcatraz, Angel Island, Sausalito, and the Marin Headlands, then under the Golden Gate Bridge. Watch the city lights come on from indoor or open-air seating. A bar and snack counter sell drinks and light bites; bring your own food if you prefer.

“Great trip ...we set off in this well appointed ferry ...bar snacks etc plenty of open areas and covered seating ...IN A THICK FOG !! but the skipper knew the bay well enough the know that if he went over to the Sausalito side then we should see some sunset.. boy oh boy what a sunset !! and then to go under GGB inthe murky mist after dark ..was really atmospheric !!”

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San Francisco City Lights Cruise (2-hours) - Alcatraz, Angel Island, and the bay route
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San Francisco City Lights Cruise (2-hours)

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

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

Board the Red and White Fleet at Pier 43 1/2 for an evening cruise past Alcatraz, the Marina District, and San Francisco’s illuminated skyline. The route passes beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge. Expect music, open-air decks, indoor areas, and a bar for drinks and snacks. This is a scenic cruise, not a fully narrated tour.

“Has variety of music which was nice- small amount of narration telling some high points about the buildings. Overall nice experience, Our 13 year old grandson enjoyed taking a lot of photos”

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San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise (60 Minutes) - Turning back past Sausalito and Angel Island
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San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise (60 Minutes)

6.Golden Gate Bay Cruise (60 Minutes)

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

Board Red and White Fleet’s one-hour cruise at Pier 43 1/2 in Fisherman’s Wharf. You’ll pass Alcatraz, Angel Island and Sausalito, then sail beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, with multilingual recorded narration and indoor and outdoor seating. The open ticket lets you choose a departure time, and the boat has restrooms and a seasonal snack bar.

“Got what I wanted seeing all of San Francisco bridges and Alcatraz island up close. I would have liked to hear the recorded tour a little better but maybe I was just sitting in the wrong place. Highly recommend”

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San Francisco: Inside Alcatraz Tour with Bay Cruise - Beyond the prison walls
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San Francisco: Inside Alcatraz Tour with Bay Cruise

7.Inside Alcatraz Tour with Bay Cruise

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

Take the ferry from Pier 33 to Alcatraz for a self-paced Cellhouse audio tour about prison life, including stories of Al Capone. Your package also includes a separate 60-minute San Francisco Bay cruise from Pier 39, with views of the waterfront, sea lions and Golden Gate Bridge. The cruise can be scheduled separately, subject to available departures.

“really good trip and easy to book got tickets in plenty of time 😀”

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San Francisco: Skip-the-Line 1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat - Seating, narration and the feel on board
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San Francisco: Skip-the-Line 1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat

8.Skip-the-Line 1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,483 reviews · 1 hour · from $38

Board a 60-minute Blue and Gold Fleet cruise at Pier 39 for a narrated loop past the sea lions, Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco’s waterfront. Choose indoor or outdoor seating, listen in one of eight languages and buy snacks or drinks on board. The cruise returns to its starting point and does not stop at the sights.

“It was both enjoyable and very informative. We have booked again with visitors for Memorial Day.”

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San Francisco: Skip-the-Line Escape from The Rock Bay Cruise - Boarding near Pier 39
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San Francisco: Skip-the-Line Escape from The Rock Bay Cruise

9.Skip-the-Line Escape from The Rock Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,393 reviews · 1h 30m · from $47

Blue and Gold Fleet’s 90-minute cruise circles Alcatraz and passes beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, with recorded commentary on the prison, escape attempts, and Bay Area landmarks. Your mobile ticket skips the box office line, but the boat does not stop on Alcatraz. Meet west of Pier 39, and bring a charged, WiFi-enabled phone for the audio guide.

“This boat ride was so informative and very interesting! Myself and my friend loved it. Would recommend!”

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San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise - Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the sailing route
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San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise

10.San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise

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

Board the 55- or 65-foot Adventure Cat at Pier 39 for a roughly 95-minute evening sail past Alcatraz and beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Choose a sheltered seat with 360-degree views or the open trampoline deck, and enjoy one included beer, wine, or non-alcoholic drink. Bring a warm jacket; bay weather can turn brisk.

“Gorgeous sunset! The hosts were so friendly and nice! One free drink of any kind. They even had hot chocolate, coffee and tea which were very much appreciated. It was windy and cold but they had big warm jackets available. We got some great sunset photos! It was a very enjoyable experience! Ty!”

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San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise by Luxury Catamaran - Alcatraz, Sausalito, and the bridge
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San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise by Luxury Catamaran

11.San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise by Luxury Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,097 reviews · 1h 30m · from $90

Depart from Pier 39 on a 90-minute sunset sail aboard a 55- or 65-foot catamaran. You’ll pass Alcatraz, Sausalito, and the Golden Gate Bridge, with open-air trampoline nets, a sheltered viewing area, and one complimentary drink. The crew can help with photos, and jackets are available to borrow on some sailings.

“such a cool experience sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge on a Catamaran. I was thankful that they had coats for us to use as I underestimated the cold and wet while on the boat. Highly recommend to anyone that wants some good ole fun and beautiful sight seeing”

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San Francisco: Alcatraz with San Francisco Bay Cruise - The cellhouse audio tour tells Alcatraz’s story
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San Francisco: Alcatraz with San Francisco Bay Cruise

12.Alcatraz with San Francisco Bay Cruise

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

Take the ferry from Pier 33 to Alcatraz, then explore the prison and island at your own pace with an audio guide in nine languages. Your package also includes a one-hour narrated Bay cruise from Pier 39, with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, waterfront, and city skyline. The two outings can happen on different days.

“Alcatraz is a must if your visiting San Fransisco. Pleased I was only visiting for a day, unlike some! Educational and great experience. Don’t miss it.”

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San Francisco: Bridge to Bridge Cruise (90-minutes) - Under the Golden Gate Bridge
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San Francisco: Bridge to Bridge Cruise (90-minutes)

13.Bridge to Bridge Cruise (90-minutes)

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,010 reviews · from $48

Leave Fisherman’s Wharf on a 90-minute Red and White Fleet cruise, sail beneath the Golden Gate and Bay bridges, and pass Alcatraz and Sausalito. An included headphone audio guide covers San Francisco’s landmarks and history in 16 languages. Bring a warm layer: the bay can be windy.

“The crew was very helpful getting my husband on and off the boat. He is in a wheelchair. I wish he could have give up too, more to set up there. We enjoyed the audio tour which was broadcast over the ship. I learned a lot about the bridges and the surrounding areas.”

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Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise - Daytime or Nighttime: Choose Your Island Mood
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Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise

14.Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise

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

Start at Pier 33 for the ferry to Alcatraz, where a self-guided audio tour brings the cellhouse and prison stories to life. Choose a daytime or nighttime visit, then take a separate narrated Bay Cruise from Pier 39, with views of the waterfront and a passage beneath the Golden Gate Bridge.

“My son and I booked the Night Alcatraz Tour and the 1-Hour Bay Cruise. Everything went very smooth, absolutely perfect!!”

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San Francisco Bay Sailing Cruise - Sausalito and the return across the bay
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San Francisco Bay Sailing Cruise

15.San Francisco Bay Sailing Cruise

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

Board Adventure Cat at Pier 39 for a 90-minute sail past Alcatraz and Sausalito, with a close pass beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Choose the covered cabin or the open trampoline nets, listen to the captain’s commentary, and watch for bay wildlife. Snacks and drinks are available to buy onboard. Dress warmly: wind and spray can make the trip cold and wet.

“Dress for cold weather but fun. Located at pier 39 enter near the sea lions. Large cabin available . Your invited to participate in the voyage.”

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Out the door in San Francisco

An island, a bridge, a valley or a plate of dim sum.