The 15 Best San Francisco Bay Cruises

1.Golden Gate Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,644 reviews · 1 hour · from $38Our pick

From Fisherman’s Wharf, the Red and White Fleet carries you past North Beach, Alcatraz, and the Presidio, then under the Golden Gate Bridge. A recorded guide plays in 16 languages, while the onboard bar sells drinks and snacks. Choose the 5:30 departure for discounted beverages and sunset views.

“Great experience! It was a perfect afternoon. We got to the check in a little early & the gal at the counter, said that there was a boat leaving now, so we were happy to get on early!”

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2.Golden Gate Bay Cruise (60 Minutes)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,621 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $39

Spend one hour on Red and White Fleet’s narrated San Francisco Bay cruise, leaving from Pier 43 1/2. You’ll pass North Beach, Fort Mason, the Marina District, Sausalito, Angel Island, Alcatraz, and the Bay Bridge before returning to Fisherman’s Wharf. Choose indoor or outdoor seating, with audio in 16 languages and snacks available for purchase.

“Awesome experience. Captain and crew were alert and ready to assist if needed. The views and explantion of history was great! The upclose views of the bridge and alcatraz was worth every penny”

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3.Inside Alcatraz Tour with Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,577 reviews · 4 hours · from $135

Visit Alcatraz by round-trip ferry from Pier 33, follow the excellent 45-minute Cellhouse audio tour in your choice of 11 languages, and take a separate 60-minute Bay Cruise from Pier 39. The cruise can be used before or after Alcatraz, on the same day or another available day.

“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 to the island”

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4.Skip-the-Line 1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,483 reviews · 1 hour · from $38

Board Blue and Gold Fleet at Pier 39 for a one-hour narrated cruise past the sea lions, Alcatraz, Angel Island, and San Francisco’s waterfront. You’ll sail beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, choose indoor or outdoor seating, and hear commentary in eight languages. A snack bar and souvenir map are included.

“We booked this trip to see the GG Bridge. It was worth every cent.”

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5.Skip-the-Line Escape from The Rock Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,393 reviews · 1h 30m · from $47

Spend 90 minutes on a Blue and Gold Fleet boat circling Alcatraz Island and sailing beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Your mobile voucher takes you straight to the gate, while audio commentary covers prison escapes, bridges, earthquakes, and San Francisco history. Food and drinks are available to buy onboard, but the boat does not stop at Alcatraz.

“Amazing experience to be on the water and experience the sights in a quick 1+ hour experience, great views and nice history given over a recording!”

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6.Alcatraz with San Francisco Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,049 reviews · 4 hours · from $125

Visit Alcatraz from Pier 33 with roundtrip ferry travel, admission, and a multilingual audio tour featuring former wardens and prisoners. Add a one-hour Bay cruise from Pier 39 for views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39 sea lions, and San Francisco’s waterfront. The two outings can be taken on separate days.

“Alcatraz is a must if your visiting San Fransisco. Pleased I was only visiting for a day, unlike some! Educational and great experience. Don’t miss it.”

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7.Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 969 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $139

Visit Alcatraz by day or at night, ride the ferry from Pier 33, and follow a 45-minute audio tour featuring former inmates and guards. Add a flexible one-hour Bay Cruise from Pier 39 for skyline views, sea lions, and a ride beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Plan for steep hills, timed departures, and separate piers.

“It’s amazing experience and very interesting, beautiful views and lots of photo opportunities Highly recommended”

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8.Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour Plus Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 514 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $133

Travel by air-conditioned coach from San Francisco to Muir Woods, with a Golden Gate Bridge photo stop and 90 minutes among ancient redwoods. Add an hour in Sausalito, then take a narrated Bay Cruise past Alcatraz and under the bridge. Guides such as Danny, Joseph, and Michelle have earned praise for their local stories.

“Loved every moment of this lil hike. Chilled Vibes. Absolutely beautiful and peaceful. Breathtaking experience.”

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9.Alcatraz Island Prison Tour & Bay Cruise Combined Package

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 399 reviews · 4 hours · from $112

Visit Alcatraz Island by ferry, follow the 45-minute Doing Time audio program through the cell house, and explore at your own pace. Your package also includes a separate bay cruise past the Presidio, Crissy Field, Fort Mason, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Choose the cruise day and departure time that fit your plans.

“It was a great tour, nice and easy and super flexible with picking up our boat back from Alcatraz and the bay cruise”

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10.San Francisco Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 311 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $39

Cruise from the Pier 41 and Pier 39 waterfront for about an hour, passing the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Angel Island, and the city skyline. Choose indoor or outdoor seating, use your own Wi-Fi-enabled device for narration in nine languages, and buy drinks or snacks on board. Children ages 0 to 4 sail free.

“Hotel is within walking distance of the Pier! Staff is very polite and engaging. The sitting area in the lobby is small, but cozy. The Starbucks coffee on the second floor is essential. I loved my room.”

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11.Official Alcatraz Island Prison Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 308 reviews · 2 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $148

Start at Pier 33 for the ferry to Alcatraz, a ranger introduction, and a 45-minute audio tour through the prison. Later, walk to Pier 39 for a separate one-hour cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge. The experience is self-paced, offered in several audio-tour languages, and suited to visitors who can manage steep hills and plenty of walking.

“This is a self guided tour woth audio headset which was great. Really enjoyed the experience and that we could go at our own pace. It's worth noting the time you book is for alcatraz, not the cruiz which are 2 different trips and leave at 2 different pears, only a 10 minute walk away bit don't get them mixed up”

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12.Inside Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bridge Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 230 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $129

Start at Pier 33 with an official Alcatraz ferry ticket and a self-guided cell-house audio tour on your phone. Later, walk to Fisherman’s Wharf for a separate narrated boat ride under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz. Your Alcatraz time is assigned for you, not chosen at booking.

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13.Muir Woods, Sausalito and SF Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 140 reviews · 6 hours · from $133

Ride from San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods, where you have 90 minutes among old-growth redwoods. Then explore Sausalito before a one-hour cruise past Alcatraz and beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. English-speaking guides such as George, Joe, and Archie have earned especially warm praise.

“Excellent tour and guide. Love the scenic route and never realized Sanfranscico had woods.”

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14.Alcatraz Night Tour with SF Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 102 reviews · 4 hours · from $143

Take the evening ferry from Pier 33 to Alcatraz, with live narration and an around-the-island route before exploring the prison with a multilingual audio guide. Your package also includes a separate one-hour Bay cruise from Pier 39, usable before or after the Alcatraz visit.

“activité superbe et très intéressante....à faire absolument !!!!”

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15.San Francisco Bay Cruise & Double Decker Night Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 52 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $85

Start at Fisherman’s Wharf with a one-hour San Francisco Bay cruise, then board a double-decker bus for a 60 to 90 minute evening tour. Expect audio commentary in several languages, city lights, waterfront views, and open-air seating that can turn cold and windy. The tour is in English and ends where it begins.

“We really enjoyed this. The pass enabled us to visit heaps of places we wanted to go. Muir Woods and Sausalito, over the Golden Gate Bridge and other tourist sites. The drivers were very careful and great and the tour guides wonderful, excellent knowledge of the city. Can't remember all their names, Don, Maria, Faith, Doc, sorry, I have missed some names! Definitely recommend this!”

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