Cruises from the piers
The best San Francisco boat tours
One-hour bay cruises, sunset and city-lights cruises, catamaran sails and bridge-to-bridge trips: here is how to pick a boat tour, with honest advice on cold and seasickness, value for money and whether you can hear the commentary.
See our 8 picks
The best San Francisco boat tour for most people is the one-hour Golden Gate Bay Cruise. It sails under the bridge and past Alcatraz, from €35. For the evening, pick a sunset cruise or the 2-hour City Lights cruise.
Our 8 picks for a San Francisco boat tour
All eight leave from the piers at Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39, and all have free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.
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from €35 per person Our top pick 1 hour 4.7 (4,085) reviews on GetYourGuide
Golden Gate Bay Cruise
One hour under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz, from Pier 43½. Narration: a personal audio guide device in 16 languages.
Best for First-timers and families
Check availability: Golden Gate Bay Cruise on GetYourGuide -
from €35 per person 1 hour 4.6 (1,572) reviews on GetYourGuide
Bay sightseeing cruise with narration
One hour from Pier 39, past the sea lions and under the bridge. Narration in 10 languages, plus a free souvenir map.
Best for Visitors who want commentary in their language
Check availability: Bay sightseeing cruise with narration on GetYourGuide -
from €43 per person 1.5 hours 4.7 (1,126) reviews on GetYourGuide
Bridge to Bridge cruise
90 minutes under both the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge. Narration: a headphone audio tour in 16 languages.
Best for Visitors who want both bridges
Check availability: Bridge to Bridge cruise on GetYourGuide -
from €35 per person 1–1.5 hours 4.4 (1,410) reviews on GetYourGuide
Escape from the Rock cruise
Up to 90 minutes from Pier 41, with a full circle around Alcatraz. It does not stop on the island. Narration: audio stories in 10 languages through an app.
Best for Alcatraz fans while the island is closed
Check availability: Escape from the Rock cruise on GetYourGuide -
from €35 per person 1–1.5 hours 4.5 (262) reviews on GetYourGuide
Sunset and skyline bay cruise
Up to 90 minutes from Pier 39 at dusk, from the golden hour to the city lights. Music plays, but there is no narration.
Best for Couples on a budget
Check availability: Sunset and skyline bay cruise on GetYourGuide -
from €80 per person 1.5 hours 4.8 (1,178) reviews on GetYourGuide
Sunset cruise by catamaran
A 90-minute sunset sail from Pier 39, past Alcatraz, Sausalito and the bridge. One drink is included. Narration: an audio guide in 7 languages.
Best for Couples and celebrations
Check availability: Sunset cruise by catamaran on GetYourGuide -
from €52 per person 2 hours 4.6 (2,674) reviews on GetYourGuide
City Lights cruise
A 2-hour evening cruise to see the skyline lit up, with Coit Tower and the Transamerica Pyramid. Food and drink are not included.
Best for Night owls who want the skyline
Check availability: City Lights cruise on GetYourGuide -
from €58 per person 1.5 hours 4.9 (542) reviews on GetYourGuide
Golden Gate Bridge catamaran sail
A 90-minute daytime sail from Pier 39 under the bridge and past Alcatraz. No narration is listed. Not for wheelchair users.
Best for Photo fans who want to be close to the water
Check availability: Golden Gate Bridge catamaran sail on GetYourGuide
San Francisco boat tours compared
| Tour | From | Duration | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Gate Bay Cruise | €35 per person | 1 hour | First-timers and families | The most-reviewed cruise: 4.7 from 4,085 reviews. |
| Bay sightseeing cruise with narration | €35 per person | 1 hour | Visitors who want commentary in their language | The same price as the Golden Gate cruise, with 4.6 from 1,572 reviews. |
| Bridge to Bridge cruise | €43 per person | 1.5 hours | Visitors who want both bridges | More time on the water for little more, at 4.7 from 1,126 reviews. |
| Escape from the Rock cruise | €35 per person | 1–1.5 hours | Alcatraz fans while the island is closed | The closest look at Alcatraz from the water, with 4.4 from 1,410 reviews. |
| Sunset and skyline bay cruise | €35 per person | 1–1.5 hours | Couples on a budget | The cheapest sunset cruise, from €35. |
| Sunset cruise by catamaran | €80 per person | 1.5 hours | Couples and celebrations | The best-rated sunset trip: 4.8 from 1,178 reviews. |
| City Lights cruise | €52 per person | 2 hours | Night owls who want the skyline | The longest cruise here, with 4.6 from 2,674 reviews. |
| Golden Gate Bridge catamaran sail | €58 per person | 1.5 hours | Photo fans who want to be close to the water | The best-rated boat here: 4.9 from 542 reviews. |
€35 per person1 hour 4.7 (4,085)
More details
- Who it suits
- First-timers and families
- Why we picked it
- The most-reviewed cruise: 4.7 from 4,085 reviews.
Bay sightseeing cruise with narration
€35 per person1 hour 4.6 (1,572)
More details
- Who it suits
- Visitors who want commentary in their language
- Why we picked it
- The same price as the Golden Gate cruise, with 4.6 from 1,572 reviews.
€43 per person1.5 hours 4.7 (1,126)
More details
- Who it suits
- Visitors who want both bridges
- Why we picked it
- More time on the water for little more, at 4.7 from 1,126 reviews.
€35 per person1–1.5 hours 4.4 (1,410)
More details
- Who it suits
- Alcatraz fans while the island is closed
- Why we picked it
- The closest look at Alcatraz from the water, with 4.4 from 1,410 reviews.
€35 per person1–1.5 hours 4.5 (262)
More details
- Who it suits
- Couples on a budget
- Why we picked it
- The cheapest sunset cruise, from €35.
€80 per person1.5 hours 4.8 (1,178)
More details
- Who it suits
- Couples and celebrations
- Why we picked it
- The best-rated sunset trip: 4.8 from 1,178 reviews.
€52 per person2 hours 4.6 (2,674)
More details
- Who it suits
- Night owls who want the skyline
- Why we picked it
- The longest cruise here, with 4.6 from 2,674 reviews.
Golden Gate Bridge catamaran sail
€58 per person1.5 hours 4.9 (542)
More details
- Who it suits
- Photo fans who want to be close to the water
- Why we picked it
- The best-rated boat here: 4.9 from 542 reviews.
Group size is stated for 4 tours only: Bridge to Bridge cruise, up to 100; Escape from the Rock cruise, up to 100; Sunset and skyline bay cruise, up to 100; City Lights cruise, up to 100. None of the 8 includes hotel pickup: you meet on site. All 8 offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 22 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
Bay cruise or bay tour: which San Francisco boat trip?
For a first trip, pick a one-hour bay cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge. For more time, the 90-minute Bridge to Bridge cruise adds the Bay Bridge.
The one-hour cruises start from €35. The Bridge to Bridge cruise gives you 90 minutes from €43.
The cheapest way onto the bay is a public ferry. The Sausalito ferry leaves from the San Francisco ferry terminal at the Ferry Building.
Golden Gate Bridge boat tours
Five of our eight picks sail under the Golden Gate Bridge. The Golden Gate Bay Cruise does it in one hour. The catamaran does it under sail in 90 minutes.
To see the bridge on foot or by bike as well, read our Golden Gate Bridge guide.
San Francisco sunset cruises
The best sunset cruise is the catamaran from Pier 39, with one drink included. The cheaper choice is the sunset and skyline cruise, from €35, which has music but no narration.
None of our picks is a dinner cruise. For a longer evening on the water, take the 2-hour City Lights cruise. Eat before or after in Fisherman's Wharf.
Tips for a San Francisco boat tour
Dress for wind
Fog and gusty wind can make the bay cold, even on a sunny day. Bring a warm jacket, and sit inside if you get cold.
If you get seasick
Pick a one-hour cruise, and take a seasickness remedy before you board if you need one.
Check the narration
Most cruises have an audio guide in many languages. The sunset and skyline cruise has music only, with no narration.
Free cancellation
All eight picks let you cancel for free up to 24 hours ahead. Check the line on the booking page before you pay.
Bay cruises: questions and answers
Will I get cold or seasick on a San Francisco Bay cruise?
Can I cancel a bay cruise for free?
Where do bay cruises leave from?
Is a bay cruise a good alternative while Alcatraz is closed?
More San Francisco boat tours, live
More options with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.
Live prices and availability from GetYourGuide load here.
More on the bay
Facts checked on 23 October 2026 against: NPS: Alcatraz Island · NPS: Alcatraz weather · NPS: Alcatraz to close for dock repairs.
Written by the Things to Do in San Francisco editorial team.