On the water · HARBOUR AND BAY CRUISES IN THE USA

The 15 Best Harbour and Bay Cruises in the USA

22 tours  ·  from $31 a head

The 15 best harbour and bay cruises in the USA you can book today, with the per-person price, how long you are aboard and who each one suits. Start at the top and work down.

NYC: Circle Line 2h Harbor Lights Cruise Skip-The-Box-Office - Starting at Circle Line and choosing your seat
2-Hour Experiences, Boat Tours, Harbour and Bay Cruises, Harbour and Bay Cruises in the USA, New York City Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, USA Boat Tours

NYC: Circle Line 2h Harbor Lights Cruise Skip-The-Box-Office

1.NYC: Circle Line 2h Harbor Lights Cruise Skip-The-Box-Office

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 8,222 reviews · 2 hours · from $45Our pick

Sail from Circle Line’s Manhattan pier past the High Line, One World Trade Center, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, the Manhattan Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge, and Chrysler Building. English-speaking guides such as Alexis, George, David, and Andy bring the city to life. You get indoor seating, an outdoor deck, Wi-Fi, restrooms, and drinks for purchase.

“Brilliant views of NYC along with the bridges and Statue of Liberty, highlight of our trip”

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San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise - Going under the Golden Gate Bridge
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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 Pier 43 1/2, Red and White Fleet’s one-hour cruise takes you past the waterfront, under the Golden Gate Bridge, around Alcatraz, and by Sausalito. A recorded audio guide is available in 16 languages. You can sit inside or outside, buy drinks and snacks onboard, and watch for sea lions and pelicans.

“I was really fun my family and I really enjoyed this beautiful adventure.”

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Circle Line: 2hr - New York City Harbor Lights Cruise - The first skyline views along the Hudson
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Circle Line: 2hr – New York City Harbor Lights Cruise

3.Circle Line: 2hr – New York City Harbor Lights Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,859 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $45

Board at Pier 83 for a 2-hour evening cruise past Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty. A live English guide provides commentary, while the Circle Line app offers recorded narration in eight additional languages. Arrive early for the best seats, since seating is first come, first served.

“This was my favorite tourist attraction. My first trip to NYC. It was so beautiful. The night lights were so beautiful. The MC gave us a history of what we were viewing. There is food and drink that can be ordered. The upper outside was awesome.”

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Charleston Harbor History Day-Time or Sunset Boat Cruise - Boarding at the Charleston Maritime Center
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Charleston Harbor History Day-Time or Sunset Boat Cruise

4.Charleston Harbor History Day-Time or Sunset Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,788 reviews · from $44

Spend 90 minutes aboard the Carolina Belle, an 80-foot sightseeing boat leaving from Charleston’s French Quarter. A licensed captain narrates Fort Sumter, USS Yorktown, historic forts, the Battery, St. Michael’s steeple, and the Ravenel Bridge. Choose a morning, afternoon, or sunset departure, with drinks and snacks available to buy onboard.

“Had a great time! Learned about Charleston, saw a beautiful sunset. Great crew, friendly and informative. A great deal too!”

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Miami Combo: City Tour, Biscayne Bay Cruise and Everglades Airboat Ride - Starting at Lincoln Road in Miami Beach
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Miami Combo: City Tour, Biscayne Bay Cruise and Everglades Airboat Ride

5.Miami Combo: City Tour, Biscayne Bay Cruise and Everglades Airboat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 2,487 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $69

This 9-hour Miami combo begins at 305 Lincoln Road with a narrated city bus tour, then moves to Bayside Marketplace and a 90-minute Biscayne Bay cruise before an Everglades airboat ride. You’ll see South Beach, Little Havana, Wynwood, Millionaire’s Row, and Florida wildlife. Captain Jack is one guide praised for his Everglades narration.

“Tour covered everything but tour operators were bad, some didnt knew english and were non courteous so didnt find them good”

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Miami: Half-Day Open-Top Bus Tour Plus Biscayne Bay Cruise - Starting at Bayside Marketplace
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Miami: Half-Day Open-Top Bus Tour Plus Biscayne Bay Cruise

6.Half-Day Open-Top Bus Tour Plus Biscayne Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 2,420 reviews · 4 hours · from $51

Start at Bayside Marketplace for a flexible Big Bus loop through Miami’s key districts, then board a narrated 90-minute Island Queen cruise. You’ll see South Beach, Wynwood, Little Havana, the Design District, and celebrity homes along Millionaire’s Row. English and Spanish commentary, Wi-Fi, and a full bar on the boat are included.

“We enjoyed the entire experience! We have come before, and this boat ride was much better than the other. Thanks for a good time!”

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Miami: Everglades Experience, Bay Cruise & Open-Top Bus Tour - Starting at Soundscape Park or Bayside Marketplace
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Miami: Everglades Experience, Bay Cruise & Open-Top Bus Tour

7.Everglades Experience, Bay Cruise & Open-Top Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,918 reviews · from $80

See Miami from three angles: ride an airboat through the Everglades, watch an alligator show, cruise Biscayne Bay past Millionaire’s Row, and tour Wynwood, Little Havana, Miami Beach, and the Art Deco District by open-top bus. Guides speak English or Spanish, and you can spread the package across several days.

“Our guide on the bus to the Everglades had zero enthusiasm and minimal nuggets of tour content…our airboat driver and cruise boat guide both had awesome energy and provided lots of info! We ended up skipping the open-air bus tour.”

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San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise (60 Minutes) - Fort Mason and the Marina District
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San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise (60 Minutes)

8.Golden Gate Bay Cruise (60 Minutes)

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

Spend one hour on San Francisco Bay with the Red and White Fleet, sailing from Pier 43 1/2 beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and past Alcatraz, Sausalito, Angel Island, and the Bay Bridge. Choose indoor or outdoor seating, listen to narration in 16 languages, and buy snacks or drinks on board.

“Dress warmly - windy out there. Staff is very nice, boat was clean, tour was informative, bar/snacks were good. And the Bay is gorgeous. Kids LOVED it!!”

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San Francisco: Skip-the-Line Escape from The Rock Bay Cruise - Starting at Pier 39 with a mobile ticket
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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

Take a 90-minute Blue and Gold Fleet cruise from Pier 39 around Alcatraz Island and beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Your mobile voucher takes you past the box office line to the gate. Audio commentary comes in eight languages, with views of Fisherman’s Wharf, the Ferry Building, Angel Island, and the bay. Alcatraz is viewed from the water only.

“We had a great time, inspite of the shy Golden Gate brides (it hid in the fog.) We enjoyed the recorded tour. Really fun.”

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City Cruises Boston Historic Sightseeing Harbor Cruise - Fort Independence and Boston’s military waterfront
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City Cruises Boston Historic Sightseeing Harbor Cruise

10.City Cruises Boston Historic Sightseeing Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,388 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $46

Set out from 1 Long Wharf for a 60-minute narrated cruise through Boston’s inner and outer harbor. You’ll see USS Constitution, Boston Light, the Tea Party ships, Fort Independence, and the skyline. Guides such as Kevin, Holly, Mike, and Jeff have been praised for lively storytelling. Indoor seating helps in cold or wet weather.

“We enjoyed the history and even learned a few new things, didnt take into account the blinding sunset at we did the 4pm cruise the sun was at building level🤣”

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San Diego: Harbor Cruise - Choosing the one-hour route
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San Diego: Harbor Cruise

11.Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,378 reviews · 1 - 2 hours · from $37

Cruise San Diego Bay aboard a modern Flagship yacht for one or two hours. Choose a north, south, or combined harbor route, with live English narration from guides such as Rusty, JJ, Max, and Jen. Expect naval ships, sea lions, the Coronado Bridge, waterfront landmarks, indoor and outdoor seating, and a snack bar.

“What a great, exciting experience to be a part of! The price was spot on. It happened to be a beautiful day. Unforgettable. Than you!”

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Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise - Charleston Harbor opens the story
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Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise

12.Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,352 reviews · 1h 30m · from $49

Spend 90 minutes aboard a replica 1920s Bay Steamer, cruising 20 miles around Charleston Harbor with live English narration. You’ll pass Fort Sumter, The Battery, the Ravenel Bridge, Civil and Revolutionary War sites, and more than 75 landmarks. Choose daytime or sunset, indoor or outdoor seating, and buy snacks or drinks onboard.

“The Captain of the ship was our guide, and his narrative was interesting and informative. The one-and-one-half-hour tour was well worth the cost. Further, this cruise provided my wife and me with ideas for follow-up visits to the sights we saw and heard about on the cruise. We sat at the front of the open top deck of the ship, which offered a great vantage point for photo opportunities.”

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San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise - Dinner in the enclosed cabin
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San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise

13.San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,234 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $125

Board Flagship Cruises’ Spirit of San Diego near the USS Midway for a 2.5 to 3-hour evening on San Diego Bay. You’ll receive sparkling wine, dinner, skyline and Coronado views, live entertainment, and optional unlimited drinks for $40. Smart-casual dress, early boarding, and warm layers matter.

“Great experience food was excellent service on point loved the view drinks delicious our waitress was perfect”

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Savannah: Riverboat Narrated Harbor Sightseeing Cruise - Boarding at 9 East River Street
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Savannah: Riverboat Narrated Harbor Sightseeing Cruise

14.Riverboat Narrated Harbor Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,206 reviews · 1h 30m · from $41

Spend 90 minutes aboard a Savannah Riverboat Cruises vessel, hearing an English-speaking captain or guide explain the river, port, ships, and Civil War-era landmarks. You’ll pass the historic riverfront, head toward Old Fort Jackson, and have indoor and outdoor seating, with food and drinks available to buy.

“Enjoyable cruise down the river, great staff and knowledgeable narration”

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Ma'alaea Harbor: Whale Watching Tour Aboard Power Catamaran - Boarding at Maalaea Harbor
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Ma’alaea Harbor: Whale Watching Tour Aboard Power Catamaran

15.Ma’alaea Harbor: Whale Watching Tour Aboard Power Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 979 reviews · 2 hours · from $49

Cruise Maalaea Bay aboard Quicksilver’s double-deck power catamaran during Maui’s December to April whale season. Captain Kiwi, Captain Carlos, and other crew members provide lively narration, while onboard hydrophones let you hear whale songs. Expect open and shaded seating, drinks, restrooms, and a good chance of seeing calves, breaches, tail slaps, and spy-hops.

“Everything was great!! We seen whales! The sun was shining it was a good day. The captain was very friendly and knowledgeable about the whales. The staff were polite and friendly served drinks . We would highly recommend this whale tour!!!”

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New in Harbour and Bay Cruises in the USA

★ 4.8Harbor Champagne Sunset Sail from Rowes WharfFrom $82299 reviews

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