Bay Cruises


SAN FRANCISCO

15 Best Bay Cruises In San Francisco

San Francisco’s best, in one place.

San Francisco’s 15 most-booked bay cruises, side by side. Each one with its price, its run time and the operator, plus a straight read on what you actually get for the money.

15 Best Bay Cruises In San Francisco

San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise (1-hour) - Getting on the Red and White Fleet at Pier 43 1/2
1-Hour Experiences, Bay Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, San Francisco, Tour Reviews

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

/

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

A 1-hour Golden Gate Bay cruise from Pier 43 1/2 with audio in 16 languages, up-close Golden Gate Bridge views, and passes by Alcatraz.

Most Popular★ 4.7

“The golden gate bay cruise is a must enjoyable trip. It is for 1 hour and most of the costal neighborhoods are introduced during the journey. Rare views of the Golden Gate Bridge are possible to see. It is worth to combine the visits of Fisherman wharf and the bay cruise as the departure pier…”

3,071 reviewsFrom $38by Red and White Fleet

Check Availability →Read the review →

San Francisco City Lights Cruise (2-hours) - Sunset Bay vs Twilight City Lights: pick the season, pick the mood
Bay Cruises, City Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, San Francisco, Tour Reviews

San Francisco City Lights Cruise (2-hours)

/

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

Ride San Francisco’s Bay at night for skyline glow, bridge views, and close passes by Alcatraz, with a comfy heated boat.

★ 4.5

“The experience was wonderful and I’d recommend for anyone looking for a sunset cruise. It was a beautiful sunny day, so an incredible sunset. Lots of space on the ship we were on and indoor heated spaces on the ground and first floor, for when it got a bit too cold on the top floor.…”

1,879 reviews2 hours (approx.)From $58.00by Red and White Fleet

Check Availability →Read the review →

San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise (60 Minutes) - Marin Headlands, Sausalito, and Angel Island: the Bay side you don’t rush past
1-Hour Experiences, Bay Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, San Francisco, Tour Reviews

San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise (60 Minutes)

/

3.San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise (60 Minutes)

One hour on San Francisco Bay with close views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Angel Island, and Sausalito, narrated in 16 languages.

★ 4.5

“I have not taken this boat tour before but I liked it more than others. it has much better narratory very engaging. it comes very close to Alkatraz and slowly pass through with really good story. it didn't feel rushed or commercial as others to me”

1,621 reviews1 hour (approx.)From $39.00by Red and White Fleet

Check Availability →Read the review →

San Francisco: California Sunset Cruise (2-hours) - The First Leg: Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Bay Scenery at a Relaxed Pace
Bay Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, San Francisco, Tour Reviews

San Francisco: California Sunset Cruise (2-hours)

/

4.San Francisco: California Sunset Cruise (2-hours)

2-hour San Francisco sunset cruise with close Golden Gate Bridge views, plus city lights, Alcatraz, Angel Island, Sausalito, and the bay bridges.

★ 4.6

“We really enjoyed seeing Golden Gate Bridge just before sunset, we got some amazing photos. It’s a unique way to see it. We even saw 3 grey whales, what a great bonus. We thought seeing the San Francisco skyline at night was truly magical. The boat was comfy and you could move around freely. The…”

1,606 reviewsFrom $58by Red and White Fleet

Check Availability →Read the review →

San Francisco: Inside Alcatraz Tour with Bay Cruise - Inside Alcatraz: the Doing Time audio tour for real pacing
Alcatraz Tours, Bay Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, San Francisco, Tour Reviews, Tours

San Francisco: Inside Alcatraz Tour with Bay Cruise

/

5.San Francisco: Inside Alcatraz Tour with Bay Cruise

Alcatraz inside audio plus a 60-minute SF Bay Cruise with round-trip ferry from Pier 33. Easy, flexible, and great value.

★ 4.5

“The Alcatraz tour was excellent. The boat ride was enjoyable and short, capturing great views of the city. I loved the audio guided tour of Alcatraz and we even got to enjoy some live informative talks from the national park guides at Alcatraz! Please allow yourself more time though for both tours. 4 hours is…”

1,577 reviews4 hoursFrom $135by Fog Tours

Check Availability →Read the review →

San Francisco: Skip-the-Line 1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat - Pier 39 and the Sea Lions: The Start That Feels Like SF
1-Hour Experiences, Bay Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, San Francisco, Skip the Line, Tour Reviews

San Francisco: Skip-the-Line 1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat

/

6.San Francisco: Skip-the-Line 1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat

1-hour narrated Bay cruise from Pier 39 with sea lions, Golden Gate Bridge underpass, and Alcatraz views plus a souvenir map.

★ 4.6

“This was well worth the money. It was the perfect length for this excursion (l hour). A lot of information was shared without being boring. I’d recommend doing this on day 1 of your trip because they give an overview of the SF area.”

1,483 reviews1 hourFrom $38by Blue and Gold Fleet

Check Availability →Read the review →

San Francisco: Skip-the-Line Escape from The Rock Bay Cruise - Alcatraz From Every Angle: What the Full Circle Means
Alcatraz Tours, Bay Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, San Francisco, Skip the Line, Tour Reviews

San Francisco: Skip-the-Line Escape from The Rock Bay Cruise

/
San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise - Cruising the Bay: getting Alcatraz and city skyline together
Bay Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Sailing, San Francisco, Tour Reviews

San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise

/

8.San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise

Sail past Alcatraz and under the Golden Gate at sunset on a San Francisco Bay catamaran cruise with one free drink.

★ 5.0

“You have to do this if you are in San Fran! It made our trip! Truly once in a lifetime experience to sail under the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset! The ultimate date night! The crew were fabulous and made the whole trip fun!”

1,342 reviews1 hour 35 minutes (approx.)From $88.00by Adventure Cat Sailing Charters

Check Availability →Read the review →

San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise by Luxury Catamaran - Pier 39 sea lions: your easiest “first wow” in San Francisco
Bay Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Sailing, San Francisco, Tour Reviews, VIP

San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise by Luxury Catamaran

/
San Francisco: Alcatraz with San Francisco Bay Cruise - Getting to the Alcatraz ferry: Pier 33 timing matters
Alcatraz Tours, Bay Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, San Francisco, Tour Reviews

San Francisco: Alcatraz with San Francisco Bay Cruise

/
Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise - Day vs night Alcatraz: what changes after dark
Alcatraz Tours, Bay Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, San Francisco, Tour Reviews

Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise

/

11.Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise

Alcatraz by included ferry with a 45-minute audio tour, plus a choice of day or night Alcatraz and a narrated Golden Gate Bay cruise.

★ 4.0

“There is zero need to pay this exorbitant fee to go to Alcatraz at night. There is no Bay cruise just a ferry. Weak.”

969 reviews2 to 4 hours (approx.)From $139.00by Must See - Alcatraz tours / Muir Woods and Sausalito tours

Check Availability →Read the review →

San Francisco: Bridge to Bridge Cruise (90-minutes) - Getting oriented at Red and White Fleet (Pier 43 1/2)
Bay Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, San Francisco, Tour Reviews

San Francisco: Bridge to Bridge Cruise (90-minutes)

/

12.San Francisco: Bridge to Bridge Cruise (90-minutes)

1.5-hour San Francisco Bay cruise from Fisherman’s Wharf, sailing under the Golden Gate and Bay bridges with close views of Alcatraz.

★ 4.7

“We were royally treated. Excellent hosts and guides and very informative. My wife gave me a great compliment over my choice of tour. She really enjoyed it and learned lots and even regurgitated some facts in the days following as if she knew them for years! Thanks.”

942 reviewsFrom $48by Red and White Fleet

Check Availability →Read the review →

San Francisco Bay Sailing Cruise - The 90-Minute Bay Route: Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and Sausalito
Bay Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Sailing, San Francisco, Tour Reviews

San Francisco Bay Sailing Cruise

/

13.San Francisco Bay Sailing Cruise

Sail under the Golden Gate, pass Alcatraz, and enjoy Sausalito views on a catamaran from Pier 39. 90 minutes for $72.

★ 5.0

“Great Experience!!! The Captain and Crew were so nice and helpful. They shared their local knowledge and took great photos for us. It was very windy and cold when we went out. They had coats on the boat for us and the Captain did a great job handling the wind issues. I think the trip…”

629 reviews1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)From $72.00by Adventure Cat Sailing Charters

Check Availability →Read the review →

San Francisco: Bridge to Bridge Cruise (90-minutes) - Getting oriented at Red and White Fleet (Pier 43 1/2)
Bay Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, San Francisco, Tour Reviews

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

/
Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour Plus Bay Cruise - Muir Woods: 90 Minutes in the Coastal Redwoods
Bay Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Muir Woods & Sausalito Tours, San Francisco, Tour Reviews, Tours

Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour Plus Bay Cruise

/

15.Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour Plus Bay Cruise

Walk Muir Woods redwoods, browse Sausalito, then enjoy a narrated Golden Gate Bay cruise with skyline and Alcatraz views.

★ 4.0

“The driver was entertaining and very well versed. Also very good driver. We had a great time in the woods. We were too hungry to make the Bus back from Sausalito but we enjoyed ourselves immensely. Thank you.”

514 reviews6 hours (approx.)From $133.00by Gray Line San Francisco

Check Availability →Read the review →

More Bay Cruises In San Francisco

Scroll to Top

Explore San Francisco

From Alcatraz and the Golden Gate to the redwoods, wine country and the coast. Every way to spend a day in and around the city.

The City

On the Bay

Day Trips

Wine Country