Make more of your trip

Cruises and boat trips in San Francisco

See a destination from the water, whether you want a short sightseeing trip or a longer outing. A transport ticket, sightseeing cruise and dining cruise are different products, so compare their routes and inclusions.

Explore tickets and activities

Plan your San Francisco experience

San Francisco’s hills, waterfront and distinct neighbourhoods make a varied city break. Plan your sightseeing in clusters, with time to enjoy the streets between a booked attraction and your next stop.

Bay cruises, guided visits and outings beyond the city offer different perspectives. Check whether a boat trip includes a landing, and distinguish a city activity from an excursion that spends much of the day travelling.

Pack for changing conditions by the bay and check the departure pier. If you are combining an attraction with a meal or another tour, allow for hills and local transport rather than judging distance alone.

Compare experiences and ticket options

A selection of listed experiences. Starting prices may vary by date and ticket type. Check your chosen option for current availability and final pricing.

Golden Gate Bay Cruise

Golden Gate Bay Cruise

Golden Gate Bay Cruise

Listed duration: 60 minutes

About this experience and booking advice

Golden Gate Bay Cruise San Francisco The Golden Gate Bay Cruise offers you unbeatable views of San Francisco's most famous landmarks from the water. During this one-hour cruise, you'll pass directly under the Golden Gate Bridge, circle around Alcatraz Island, and enjoy panoramic views of the San Francisco skyline that you simply can't get from land. Starting from Pier 43½ at Fisherman's Wharf, this San Francisco bay cruise takes you close enough to the Golden Gate Bridge to capture stunning photographs from below its towering red arches. The cruise also circles Alcatraz Island, where audio commentary in 16 languages tells the fascinating stories of the infamous prison and its notorious inmates like Al Capone. Keep your eyes peeled for San Francisco's marine wildlife during your cruise. Sea lions are commonly spotted lounging on the docks, whilst dolphins occasionally swim alongside the boat. If you're lucky, you might even see migrating whales or pelicans overhead. What is Included Tickets to Golden Gate Bay Cruise Audio guide with 16 language options Onboard amenities for refreshments and merchandise (available for purchase) Good to Know The cruise lasts approximately one hour and departs from Pier 43½ at Fisherman's Wharf, behind the famous Crab sign. The vessel is fully accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, with ramps and elevators on board. The boat offers both indoor and outdoor seating options. Bring layers as it can be windy and cool on the water, even on sunny days. Drinks, snacks, and merchandise are available for purchase on board using cash or card. Children are welcome on the cruise and discounted tickets may be available. Audio commentary is provided in 16 languages to help international visitors make the most of their sightseeing experience. If you're planning to explore more of San Francisco's top attractions, consider pairing your bay cruise with Alcatraz Island tickets for a closer look at the infamous prison. You might also enjoy discovering the city's diverse neighbourhoods with a San Francisco city tour that covers areas like Chinatown, Union Square, and the painted ladies of Alamo Square.

Planning your visit to Golden Gate Bay Cruise

Choose your date and participant options for Golden Gate Bay Cruise before comparing the final price. Allow at least the listed 60 minutes for the experience, plus time for arrival and onward travel.

Listed venue address: Pier 43 1/2. Check your ticket for the exact entrance or meeting point.

Can I cancel Golden Gate Bay Cruise?

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience. Within 24 hours of the start, the booking cannot be cancelled.

What is included in my ticket?

Review the inclusions and exclusions for the exact Golden Gate Bay Cruise option you select. Do not assume that transport, meals or additional venue access are included unless stated.

San Francisco: Dinner Cruise

San Francisco: Dinner Cruise

Three courses, amazing San Francisco views and live jazz on the water

San Francisco Cruises

Listed duration: 150 minutes

About this experience and booking advice

This three-hour dinner cruise across one of the most spectacular bays in the world combines a three-course meal with live music and dancing on the water. Your host leads the evening aboard, serving a tasting of sparkling wines as part of the onboard dining experience, while the lights of San Francisco shimmer around you. Alcohol is not sold through this listing. Any tasting is served on site by the operator to guests of legal drinking age.

Planning your visit to San Francisco Cruises

Choose your date and participant options for San Francisco: Dinner Cruise before comparing the final price. Allow at least the listed 150 minutes for the experience, plus time for arrival and onward travel.

Can I cancel San Francisco: Dinner Cruise?

These tickets cannot be cancelled or rescheduled.

What is included in my ticket?

Review the inclusions and exclusions for the exact San Francisco: Dinner Cruise option you select. Do not assume that transport, meals or additional venue access are included unless stated.

San Francisco: Buffet Dinner Cruise

San Francisco: Buffet Dinner Cruise

Dine on a buffet dinner and cruise under the stars

San Francisco Cruises

Listed duration: 150 minutes

About this experience and booking advice

Add a unique dining experience to your day in San Francisco with a dinner on a yacht. Sit at your own table for a buffet dinner prepared on board. Chefs use fresh, local ingredients. Possible items include roasted salmon, Caesar salad, birria chicken, carved tri-tip, roasted vegetables, salads, and desserts. As the DJ plays music, sail under the stars. See San Francisco's key sights like the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.

Planning your visit to San Francisco Cruises

Choose your date and participant options for San Francisco: Buffet Dinner Cruise before comparing the final price. Allow at least the listed 150 minutes for the experience, plus time for arrival and onward travel.

Can I cancel San Francisco: Buffet Dinner Cruise?

These tickets cannot be cancelled or rescheduled.

What is included in my ticket?

Review the inclusions and exclusions for the exact San Francisco: Buffet Dinner Cruise option you select. Do not assume that transport, meals or additional venue access are included unless stated.

Alcatraz Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise

Alcatraz Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise

Alcatraz Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise

Alcatraz Landing Pier 33

About this experience and booking advice

Alcatraz Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise This combination tour gives you two San Francisco experiences in one ticket. Visit the notorious Alcatraz Island prison and take a scenic cruise across San Francisco Bay. The experience includes round-trip ferry transport to Alcatraz, a self-guided audio tour of the cellhouse, and a flexible one-hour bay cruise that you can take on the same day or later. Your Alcatraz visit starts with a ferry ride from Pier 33 across the bay to the island. Once there, you'll explore the preserved cellhouse at your own pace using the included audio guide. Walk through original cells, see solitary confinement areas, and hear stories from former inmates and guards about prison life and famous escape attempts. The island also offers views of native plant gardens and seabird nesting areas alongside the bay vistas. The bay cruise departs from Pier 39 and takes you under the Golden Gate Bridge and past the Bay Bridge. You'll see sea lions at the pier, the downtown skyline, and waterfront landmarks during the narrated journey. Since the cruise is flexible, you can use it before your Alcatraz visit, after, or on a completely different day. What is Included Round-trip ferry service to Alcatraz Island Alcatraz cellhouse admission Audio guide available in 10 languages (English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Mandarin, Portuguese and Korean) Flexible 1-hour San Francisco Bay cruise from Pier 39 Wheelchair accessible transport and facilities Good to Know Arrive at least 30 minutes before your ticketed ferry departure at both Pier 33 for Alcatraz and Pier 39 for the bay cruise. Bring valid photo identification for ticket validation. Only small bags are permitted as large luggage is not allowed on either experience. On Alcatraz Island, you can only eat and drink in designated areas. Follow wildlife protection rules and do not feed the birds or other animals. The tour is family-friendly and wheelchair accessible. A night tour option is available for those wanting to experience Alcatraz after dark with fewer crowds. If you're planning more San Francisco adventures, consider exploring the city's neighbourhoods with a San Francisco city tour or taking in the coastal scenery on a Golden Gate Bridge tour.

Planning your visit to Alcatraz Landing Pier 33

Choose your date and participant options for Alcatraz Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise before comparing the final price. Check the selected option for its duration and arrival instructions before planning your next activity.

Listed venue address: Pier 33 Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA. Check your ticket for the exact entrance or meeting point.

Can I cancel Alcatraz Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise?

Cannot be canceled or rescheduled

What is included in my ticket?

Review the inclusions and exclusions for the exact Alcatraz Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise option you select. Do not assume that transport, meals or additional venue access are included unless stated.

San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise

San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise

Sail San Francisco Bay at dusk from Pier 43 1/2, passing under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz Island, with music and a bar on board.

Pier 43 1/2, Fisherman's Wharf

Listed duration: 90 minutes

About this experience and booking advice

Book a San Francisco Bay sunset cruise and see the city from the shimmering waters of the bay as the light fades. Departing from Pier 43 1/2 at Fisherman's Wharf, the cruise is timed for dusk and glides beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, circles Alcatraz Island and takes in sweeping views of the skyline. With relaxed music, indoor and outdoor decks and a bar on board, it is an easy way to end a day of sightseeing. What you see on the San Francisco sunset cruise The 90-minute route covers the bay's big sights. Sail under the Golden Gate Bridge, loop around the former prison island of Alcatraz, and look across to Angel Island, Sausalito and Tiburon on the north side of the bay. On the way back, watch for the California sea lions that lounge around Pier 39. The open decks are the best place for photos of the bridge and the skyline, while the indoor seating keeps you warm when the wind picks up. Summer sunset or winter twilight? The experience changes with the seasons. On a summer cruise, you can toast the golden hour as the sky bursts into vivid orange. During the winter months, from December to March, the cruise departs after sunset and becomes a twilight cruise, when the city lights come on and the skyline glows over the water. Both are memorable, so pick the date that fits your trip. On board: seating, food and drinks Comfortable indoor and outdoor seating is available, and seating is open, so seats are not pre-assigned; arrive in good time if you want a spot by the rail. Light bites and drinks are available to buy from the bar, with background music setting a laid-back mood. Note that there is no guided commentary on this cruise, and you cannot bring your own drinks on board. Food, drinks, hotel transfers and gratuities are not included. Who the sunset cruise suits The cruise is a relaxed choice for couples looking for a romantic evening, friends celebrating a special occasion and families who want to see the bay's landmarks without a long tour. It also works well on your first night in the city, giving you a sense of how San Francisco fits together, from the bridge and the islands to the hills of the skyline. If you have already visited Alcatraz by day, seeing it again at dusk from the water offers a very different perspective. Before you go Your voucher arrives by email. Show it on your phone with a valid photo ID at Pier 43 1/2, San Francisco, CA 94133, and check the voucher for any specific instructions. Bay weather varies a lot, even in summer, so dress in layers and bring a warm jacket. Pets, bulky luggage and smoking are not allowed. The boat is wheelchair accessible. More to do in San Francisco Pair your evening on the water with a daytime trip to the island on Alcatraz ferry and entry tickets, a Golden Gate Bay cruise in daylight, or a visit to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. You can cancel for free up to 24 hours before your cruise and get a full refund.

Planning your visit to Pier 43 1/2, Fisherman's Wharf

Choose your date and participant options for San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise before comparing the final price. Allow at least the listed 90 minutes for the experience, plus time for arrival and onward travel.

Listed venue address: Pier 43 1/2, San Francisco, CA 94133. Check your ticket for the exact entrance or meeting point.

Can I cancel San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise?

Cancel for free up to 24 hours before your cruise and get a full refund. Within 24 hours, the booking cannot be cancelled.

What is included in my ticket?

Review the inclusions and exclusions for the exact San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise option you select. Do not assume that transport, meals or additional venue access are included unless stated.

San Francisco: 1.5-Hour Bridge Cruise

San Francisco: 1.5-Hour Bridge Cruise

Cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge in one great tour

San Francisco Cruises

Listed duration: 90 minutes

About this experience and booking advice

San Francisco just wouldn't be the same without the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge giving us those picture-postcard bay-spanning views. Glide under them both and see San Francisco’s stunning skyline, complete with audio commentary on this Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise.

Planning your visit to San Francisco Cruises

Choose your date and participant options for San Francisco: 1.5-Hour Bridge Cruise before comparing the final price. Allow at least the listed 90 minutes for the experience, plus time for arrival and onward travel.

Can I cancel San Francisco: 1.5-Hour Bridge Cruise?

These tickets cannot be cancelled or rescheduled.

What is included in my ticket?

Review the inclusions and exclusions for the exact San Francisco: 1.5-Hour Bridge Cruise option you select. Do not assume that transport, meals or additional venue access are included unless stated.

Escape from The Rock Cruise

Escape from The Rock Cruise

Escape from The Rock Cruise

Blue & Gold Fleet

Listed duration: 90 minutes

About this experience and booking advice

Escape from The Rock Cruise This 90-minute San Francisco Bay cruise takes you around the legendary Alcatraz Island without the crowds of a prison visit. You'll depart from Pier 41 and sail past the city's most famous landmarks while listening to fascinating stories about America's most notorious federal prison. The boat circles close enough to Alcatraz for excellent photos and views of the former penitentiary buildings. Your cruise route includes spectacular vantage points of the Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island, and the Bay Bridge. The multilingual audio guide reveals tales of daring escape attempts and infamous inmates, bringing the island's dark history to life as you see the fortress walls from the water. Both indoor and outdoor seating areas give you flexibility to stay comfortable while taking in San Francisco's stunning skyline. What is Included 90-minute San Francisco Bay cruise Multilingual audio guide in 9 languages (English, Spanish, Mandarin, Italian, French, Japanese, Korean, German, Taiwanese) Views of Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island, and Bay Bridge Indoor and outdoor seating areas Wheelchair accessibility (except upper decks) Onboard food and beverage service available for purchase Good to Know The cruise departs from Pier 41 and you should arrive at least 15 minutes early for boarding. Bring a government-issued photo ID for ticket collection. This tour operates rain or shine, so dress in layers for variable Bay weather and wind conditions. You do not disembark on Alcatraz Island or enter the prison buildings with this ticket. The audio guide works best with your own headphones and Wi-Fi enabled device. Food and beverages can be purchased onboard, but outside refreshments are not permitted. Service animals are welcome, and the vessel is wheelchair accessible except for the upper viewing decks. If you're planning to explore more of San Francisco's attractions, consider adding an Golden Gate Bridge tour to your itinerary. For those interested in the city's complete maritime history, a San Francisco Bay cruise offers additional perspectives of the waterfront landmarks you'll see from this Alcatraz cruise.

Planning your visit to Blue & Gold Fleet

Choose your date and participant options for Escape from The Rock Cruise before comparing the final price. Allow at least the listed 90 minutes for the experience, plus time for arrival and onward travel.

Listed venue address: Pier 41, San Francisco, CA 94133. Check your ticket for the exact entrance or meeting point.

Can I cancel Escape from The Rock Cruise?

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience. Within 24 hours of the start, the booking cannot be cancelled.

What is included in my ticket?

Review the inclusions and exclusions for the exact Escape from The Rock Cruise option you select. Do not assume that transport, meals or additional venue access are included unless stated.

Explore more destinations

Find practical city guides and browse experiences for the places on your itinerary.

52 destination guides

Africa
Asia
Europe
Europe and Asia
Middle East
North America
Oceania
South America

San Francisco booking questions

Is a boat ticket the same as a sightseeing cruise?

Not necessarily. Read the selected product details for the route, number of journeys, departure point, commentary and any included food or drinks.

How do I book an experience in San Francisco?

Choose a destination and browse the listed experiences. Open a product to review its details, select your date and ticket option, and check the final price before completing your booking.

What does the starting price include?

A starting price is a guide for the product, not a quote for every date or group. Inclusions, participant types and available options differ. The booking page confirms the price and terms for your selection.

Can I cancel or change my tickets?

Cancellation and amendment terms vary by product and ticket option. Read the specific policy before paying. Do not assume that a ticket is refundable or can be moved to another date.

How should I plan my day in San Francisco?

Pack for changing conditions by the bay and check the departure pier. If you are combining an attraction with a meal or another tour, allow for hills and local transport rather than judging distance alone.

Which language is the experience offered in?

Check the language of the specific tour, guide or audio option before booking. The language used on this guide does not guarantee that an experience is delivered in English. Confirm the selected option if you need another language.

Need help with a booking? Contact VervTrip with your booking reference.