San Francisco is known for its iconic landmarks and scenic waterfront, making it an ideal location for boat tours.
The city offers a variety of boat tour experiences, allowing you to explore the San Francisco Bay, pass under the Golden Gate Bridge, and circle Alcatraz Island.
Boat tours in San Francisco are available throughout the year, with each season offering a unique experience.
Here are some of the best San Francisco boat tours you can’t miss if you’re looking to experience the city’s maritime charm!
San Francisco Boat Tours With Drinks
1. San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 hours | ✅ Book it!
This two-hour sunset cruise departs from Fisherman’s Wharf and accommodates up to 150 travelers. You’ll see Marina District, Fort Mason, Coit Tower, Salesforce Tower, and Yerba Buena Island.
Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with no dedicated seating or dress code and choose between indoor heated rooms or outdoor terraces with background music.
If you go on this tour during summer you’ll pass under the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset. In November, December, January and February the tour departs at 5:30pm and will not see the sunset.
Please note that there is no commentary on this cruise.
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2. Golden Gate Bay Cruise
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour | ✅ Book it!
This one-hour cruise by Red and White Fleet departs from Pier 43 at Fisherman’s Wharf and offers views of the San Francisco skyline, North Beach, and San Francisco Marine National Park.
You’ll pass Fort Mason and the Marina District before sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge.
The boat has indoor and outdoor seating and a full-service bar. It accommodates up to 400 travelers. And you can choose between multiple time slots during the day.
The audio guide is available in 16 languages.
The cruise ends at Fisherman’s Wharf at Pier 39.
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3. San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour 35 minutes | ✅ Book it!
You’ll pass Alcatraz Island and sail under the Golden Gate Bridge. The cruise includes one complimentary drink (beer, wine or soft drink) and additional drinks can be purchased from the on-board bar.
The catamaran has both indoor and outdoor seating.
The tour lasts 1.5 hours.
Audio guides are available in English, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish. Bring headphones if you plan to use the audio guide.
If you want to go on this tour during the day and not during sunset, check out the San Francisco Bay Sailing Cruise for more time slots (from the same company “Adventure Cat Sailing Charters”).
You’ll be aboard a 55-foot or 65-foot catamaran and sails across the bay, past sights such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and Sausalito. An audio guide is provided in several languages. Pets and strollers are allowed, the maximum capacity is 42 people.
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4. San Francisco Bridge-to-Bridge Cruise
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour 30 minutes | ✅ Book it!
This tour starts at Fisherman’s Wharf and goes under the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge. You’ll see landmarks like Alcatraz, Coit Tower, the Ferry Building, the Trans-American Pyramid, and the Palace of Fine Arts. The cruise includes recorded audio commentary available in multiple languages. On board you can buy food and drinks from the bar or bring your own snacks.
It will have maximum of 150 people on board.
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5. San Francisco Bay Cruise
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hours | ✅ Book it!
The cruise offers panoramic views of the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge. It floats along the city embankment. Food and drinks, including alcoholic beverages, can be purchased on board.
The cruise includes an audio tour accessible via Wi-Fi enabled devices. The narration includes information about the sights you pass, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and Angel Island. The multilingual audio tour is available in nine languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Italian, French, Japanese, Korean, German and Taiwanese. Bring your device with you to access the tour.
Children up to 4 years old are admitted free of charge. In case of bad weather, check the schedule at the ticket office on the day of sailing, as cruises may not operate in such conditions.
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6. San Francisco Premier Brunch Cruise
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 hours | ✅ Book it!
San Francisco’s Premier Brunch Cruise is a 2-hour tour that departs from Pier 3 on the Embarcadero. You will sail past the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Angel Island and the Bay Bridge.
The cruise also includes a brunch buffet with complimentary champagne and mimosas. The menu includes a variety of salads, scrambled eggs, French toast, and more. It has a cash bar where you can purchase additional drinks. Music on board adds to the experience.
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More San Francisco Boat Tours
7. San Francisco Bay Adventure Sightseeing Cruise
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hours | ✅ Book it!
The San Francisco Bay Adventure Sightseeing Cruise offers a 1.5-hour tour of the city’s main attractions from the water. Departing from Pier 39, you will board a rigid inflatable boat. The tour is limited to 12 people. Your captain will provide live commentary pointing out landmarks such as Alcatraz, Coit Tower, and the Presidio.
You will pass under the Golden Gate Bridge by speedboat, which offers a unique view of this iconic bridge. The tour includes protective gear so you can enjoy the views regardless of the weather.
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