San Francisco

15 Best San Francisco Bay Cruises

The bay cruises: out under the Golden Gate, around Alcatraz and back past the city front. Bring a real jacket; the bay manufactures its own weather.

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

Experience San Francisco's iconic sights on a 2-hour City Lights cruise, with stunning views of the Golden Gate, Alcatraz, and the skyline at night.

★ 4.5

“The cruise was a great chance to see some sites around San Francisco. Informative information provided along the way. The only thing I would say is there was no sunset or mention of sun set”

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4.California Sunset Cruise (2-hours)

Experience stunning San Francisco views on a 2-hour sunset cruise, sailing under the Golden Gate and Bay Bridge, with options for city lights or sunset viewing.

★ 4.5

“A great evening tour to see both the city and Golden Gate Bridge in daylight and then the skyline light up after the sun went down. Going under the bridge and seeing it from all angles was spectacular. Getting close to Alcatraz Island was cool…”

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

Experience San Francisco from the water with this 1-hour Golden Gate Bay Cruise, offering iconic views of the Golden Gate, Alcatraz, and Marin.

★ 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…”

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6.San Francisco: Inside Alcatraz Tour with Bay Cruise

Discover San Francisco with this combined tour of Alcatraz and a scenic Bay Cruise. Enjoy an audio-guided inside look at the prison and stunning waterfront views.

★ 4.5

“Inside Alcatraz tour was great! With a short ferry ride over to the island, you are then greeted and briefed on the island and key areas then left to wonder and explore. The audio guide gives a great insight into life at Alcatraz”

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

Experience the stunning sights of San Francisco Bay with a 90-minute skip-the-line cruise around Alcatraz and under the Golden Gate Bridge, narrated in multiple languages.

★ 4.4

“Great narrating about the history of San Francisco, Alcatraz and the bridge. Crew members were all friendly and smiling. Great price for all you get to see!!”

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9.San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise

Experience San Francisco’s iconic skyline and Golden Gate Bridge from a relaxed catamaran cruise at sunset, with stunning views and friendly crew.

★ 5.0

“Must do while visit San Francisco. 5:30 pm perfect time for departure. Crew was amazing. Jackets and drink great touch.”

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13.Alcatraz San Francisco Bay Cruise with Night Option

Explore Alcatraz with round-trip ferry tickets, an award-winning audio tour, and a scenic Bay cruise—fantastic for history buffs and picture takers alike.

“Loved the Alcatraz tour. The bay tour wasn’t as great. For one thing about 30 people crowd the view so everyone else can’t really see anything. I don’t know what the tour people could do to change it because it’s not them it’s the other…”

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14.San Francisco Bay Sailing Cruise

Experience stunning San Francisco views from the water on a 1.5-hour sailing cruise past Alcatraz, Golden Gate, and Sausalito aboard a stable catamaran.

★ 5.0

“We loved the entire experience including my daughter getting to sail the Catamaran. Looking to re-book. The captain and staff were amazing!”

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

Discover San Francisco from the water on a 90-minute bridge-to-bridge cruise, offering close-up views of the Golden Gate, Bay Bridge, and iconic city sights.

★ 4.5

“This was an amazing tour. Tour guide was great and kept it interesting while driving. Had some great stops to see the different sights. Never felt rushed.”

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More San Francisco Bay Cruises

4.0Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour Plus Bay Cruise6 hours (approx.)$133.00 4.9San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge Catamaran Cruise1.5 hours$65 4.6San Francisco: Alcatraz Island Prison Tour with Bay Cruise4 hours$112 5.01.5-Hour San Francisco Bay Sailing Tour1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)$99.00 5.0San Francisco Premier Brunch Cruise2 hours (approx.)$104.13 4.5San Francisco Bay Cruise1 hour (approx.)$39.00 4.5Official Alcatraz Island Prison Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise2 to 5 hours (approx.)$148.00 4.0Inside Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bridge Bay Cruise3 hours (approx.)$129.99 4.5Alcatraz & Fishermans Wharf Tour + Cruise & Skystar Options1 to 7 hours (approx.)$99.00 4.4San Francisco: City Cruises Premier Brunch or Dinner Cruise2 hours - 150 minutes$104 4.6San Francisco: Bay Sailing Tour with Drinks2 hours$129 4.0Escape from the Rock! Cruise around Alcatraz$46.00 4.6San Francisco: Muir Woods, Sausalito and SF Bay Cruise6 hours$133 4.5Official Inside Alcatraz Cruise2 to 4 hours (approx.)$89.00 4.5San Francisco: Alcatraz Night Tour with SF Bay Cruise4 hours$143 5.0America’s Cup Day Sailing Adventure on San Francisco Bay$99 4.4SF: Golden Gate Cruise & Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour (Save 15%)1 day$99 5.02hr. INTERACTIVE Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay2 hours (approx.)$149.00 4.0City Cruises San Francisco: Signature Dinner Cruise3 hours (approx.)$109.49 3.5San Francisco Bay Cruise & Double Decker Night Tour2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)$85.99 4.6San Francisco Ultimate City Tour with Bay Cruise Option270 minutes - 5 hours$69 5.0Golden Gate Bridge Sailing Tour2 hours (approx.)$129.00 4.5Alcatraz Prison Tour and Golden Gate Bridge Bay Cruise4 to 5 hours (approx.)$133.20 4.1San Francisco: Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bay Cruise3 hours$134