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.

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

Experience San Francisco's stunning waterfront, Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz on a 1-hour boat cruise with expert narration, wildlife sightings, and iconic views.

Most Popular★ 4.7

“super fun! you get to see the city skyline, golden gate bridge, and alcatraz all in one the tour comes with a pre-recorded history of the city and sights though it is a bit loud overall a great experience though me and my friend loved…”

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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

“Such a fun thing to do if you’re visiting San Francisco! I’ve done this 2x and loved it both times!! Definitely worth the money !! And bonus if you do it in the summer cause the sunsets are gorgeous!!”

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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

“Loved it. You do have to wait a while to get on one of the boats to get to Alcatraz, but once you’re on it’s so great, inside and outside options. Alcatraz itself was incredible. Lots of walking and up hills, but they have something…”

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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

“The captain was sure and steady in a strong wind on the nose. Crew was super friendly and engaging with all of us. We went under the Golden Gate Bridge and watched the fog roll in which was beautiful. The boat was new and had…”

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10.San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise by Luxury Catamaran

Experience stunning San Francisco Bay sunsets on a luxury catamaran cruise past Golden Gate, Alcatraz, and Sausalito with inclusive drinks and panoramic views.

★ 4.8

“Cannot say enough about my experience! First, customer service is on point: from office staff to on board - everyone seems like they love what they do. So accommodating to guests, from volunteering to take photos, showing us the ropes, general hosting. The cruise itself…”

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11.San Francisco: Alcatraz with San Francisco Bay Cruise

Discover Alcatraz and San Francisco Bay with this 4-hour tour. Enjoy the prison tour, narrated ferry ride, and scenic waterfront views for a memorable experience.

★ 4.5

“I could not find the ticket to visit Alcatraz inside as the tickets were sold for the day with the original provider named Alcatraz city cruises. Apparently they have an exclusive service agreement and the only company who can take tourists to the Alcatraz. this…”

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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.

“We had a great time at the night tour! I broke my leg the month before and I was able to take the trany up to Alcatraz and was also taken back down!!”

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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

“It was a windy, cold and splashy journey to Golden Gate Bridge and back. Despite the warm sunshine on a Tuesday afternoon, my windbreaker got quite wet in the midst of the cruise... It was a rocky, bumpy and windy cruise, as many of the…”

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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