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

“Great to see the bridge from all angles including from under it... and it was nice to see the other Islands up close. Loved to way the city lighted up as we were returning from the trip.”

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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

“It was wonderful. I went with my teenage daughters and it was a perfect way to see the San Fran bay on a relaxing boat ride!”

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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

“Loved it. The tour was informative. The bay was beautiful. Check in was a very easy process. I would recommend this tour to anyone who would like to get a close view of the Golden Gate Bridge.”

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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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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

“Fantastic sunset cruise in San Francisco! I enjoyed stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, and the boat crew was incredibly friendly and charming.”

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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

“The sunset wasn’t present at the rendezvous, so I definitely consider taking this cruise again because the experience was all worth it and the crew was super nice. We left on time from pier 39 and circumnavigated one tower of the Golden Gate bridge (very…”

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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 weren't aware that the walking included steep hills. But it was manageable . Inside was slightly confusing with people going different ways.”

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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 delightful hour and a half cruise on catamaran. Plenty of room to stretch out on the deck of the boat. It was not crowded. Went out to the Golden Gate Bridge, and then boat turned around and came back near the Oakland…”

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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