San Francisco

15 Best San Francisco 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 views were spectacular. The audio tape was OK - I think I would have liked to have learnt abit more about the area I was around. But the sunset was stunning - we were so lucky as the sun came out really late in…”

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3.San Francisco: California Sunset Cruise (2-hours)

Experience stunning San Francisco Bay on a 2-hour sunset cruise, passing iconic sights like the Golden Gate and Alcatraz while enjoying drinks and lively views.

★ 4.5

“Trip was well organised and instructions were very clear It wasn’t too busy, so had room to move about. Lovely trip, we luckily had nice weather and calm waters. Beautiful views. Only downside was the music on board. Would have preferred just peaceful background music…”

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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

“The experience was wonderful and I’d recommend for anyone looking for a sunset cruise. It was a beautiful sunny day, so an incredible sunset. Lots of space on the ship we were on and indoor heated spaces on the ground and first floor, for when…”

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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

“Great tour of San Francisco Bay going including going under the Golden Gate Bridge Alcatraz Tour is guided audio and very good - it was a prison of course so a little morbid but fascinating all the same You have to take a ferry across…”

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7.San Francisco: Skip-the-Line 1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat

Enjoy a 1-hour San Francisco bay cruise with skip-the-line access to see the Golden Gate, Alcatraz, and the skyline from the water, with expert narration.

★ 4.6

“This was well worth the money. It was the perfect length for this excursion (l hour). A lot of information was shared without being boring. I’d recommend doing this on day 1 of your trip because they give an overview of the SF area.”

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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

“It was really nice and you had a lot of opportunities to take beautiful pictures of both the golden gate bridge and Alcatraz. I highly recommend to be there as early as they tell you to be so that you are one of the first…”

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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

“In San Francisco with my wife son and his girlfriend- great time seeing the city on the bus and going to Alcatraz”

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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

“Super friendly guides, the weather was perfect. An experience I recommended for everyone who is on vacation in San Francisco. 5 Stars absolutely deserved”

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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.

“The Alcatraz Night Tour is an unforgettable experience. Arriving after dark adds an eerie, powerful atmosphere that completely changes how you experience the island. The audio tour is incredibly well done, with former inmates and guards bringing the history to life. Exploring the cellhouse at…”

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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

“Excellent way to see the City skyline and GG Bridge. Great crew, friendly and accommodating. The catamaran was in perfect condition.”

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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