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

“Fantastic views of the skyline of San Francisco at night and the Golden Gate Bridge. It can get chilly and windy, so wrap up warm. We thoroughly enjoyed it.”

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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

“This is the second time we have been on the Sunset Cruise. Facilities on board are great. Instructions where to meet are clear. Staff are very helpful. And…the bay view is just gorgeous! San Fran has a piece of our hearts.”

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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 views were very cool, especially by Alcatraz and the Golden Gate bridge. One of the reasons we chose this cruise is because it said there was an indoor heated area and it was cold and rainy the day we went. Maybe the heat is…”

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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

“Despite the fog, so worth it! Captivating views of the Golden Gate Bridge. It was so neat to go underneath the bridge. We sat up top. And learned some neat facts from the audio guide that was playing through the speakers. The only thing that…”

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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

“Boat trips old times ..nice offer with this website ..not inexpensive ..nicer boat delightful memory last year”

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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

“If you do nothing else while you’re in San Fransisco - DO THIS. Thanks to Chad and the lovely ladies who make you feel so welcome. You will never see the Golden Gate Bridge like you will on this trip! It is absolutely awesome!”

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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

“Wonderful! We didn’t get to see any whales the day we went but the crew made the excursion fun and educational all at the same time. You could also tell they had a true passion for their work and wanted us to see the whales…”

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12.San Francisco: Bridge to Bridge Cruise (90-minutes)

Enjoy a 90-minute boat cruise under the Golden Gate and Oakland Bay Bridge, with stunning views of Alcatraz and San Francisco skyline—perfect for sightseeing lovers.

★ 4.7

“They could have let us get on sooner. They did not actually let us on until the start time of the cruise even though they told us to come 30 mins early. It was a bit cold and windy while we waited. But the cruise…”

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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.

“I have always wanted to visit the iconic Alcatraz. Booking was easy, the ferry well organised and the audio tour excellent. Views of the bay were beautiful, we even saw a passing whale.”

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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

“Dress for cold weather but fun. Located at pier 39 enter near the sea lions. Large cabin available . Your invited to participate in the voyage.”

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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

“Boat was nice. Speakers need to be updated. It was hard to hear. They have a bar but we did not get a drink. I would recommend this tour.”

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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