The 13 Best Boston Bay Cruises

1.City Cruises Boston Historic Sightseeing Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,388 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $46Our pick

Spend one hour cruising Boston Harbor with a live narrator, passing the USS Constitution, Boston Light, Fort Independence, the Tea Party ships, and Old North Church. Guides such as Kevin, Holly, Mike, and Jeff have been praised for clear facts and humor, though lower-deck sound and seating can vary.

“Sit on the upper deck on the left side for best views. Tour guide gave a good overview of the harbor. He did have a bit of an attitude. The woman lining everybody up to board was excellent - gave us great tips to enjoy the cruise. She should have given the tour.”

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2.Tall Ship Harbor Sail

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 261 reviews · 1h 30m · from $35

Set sail from Fan Pier Marina aboard a classic schooner for 90 minutes of Boston Harbor views. Help raise the sails if invited, watch ferries and planes move through the harbor, and buy Boston-brewed beer, wine, or cocktails onboard. There is no formal narration, but the crew answers questions.

“The overall experience was amazing. We often come to Boston with the family and are always looking forward for new fun things to do. This was so much fun that it will now become one of our standard activities. Amazing do yourself a favor and reserve a cruise.”

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3.Downtown Harbor Sailing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 227 reviews · 90 minutes - 2 hours · from $66

Board Adirondack III or IV for a 90-minute or 2-hour sailing from downtown Boston. The crew raises the sails, points out Castle Island, the Navy Yard, the aquarium, and other harbor sights, and answers questions while you enjoy complimentary water and soda. Drinks and picnics are welcome.

“Great boat, crew, weather, sights and beverages so what’s not to like?!. Great experience”

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4.New England Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 223 reviews · 1 hour - 90 minutes · from $45

Set out from Rowes Wharf on a classic 1920s-style motor yacht for a 90-minute Boston Harbor cruise. The captain points out major sights including the USS Constitution, Bunker Hill Monument, Fort Independence, and the Seaport District. Choose a climate-controlled cabin or open deck, with drinks and snacks available by credit card.

“The boat was comfortable and clean. The weather was perfect and the boat was not full, this allowed us to walk around for the best views. My only suggestion would be for the captain to give a better, more clear narration. In my opinion he could have pointed out more of the sights The one complaint was with the bar tender, she was extremely rude.”

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5.Boston Harbor Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 186 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $45

Board Northern Lights at Rowes Wharf for a roughly 90-minute Boston Harbor cruise. You’ll pass the Seaport District, Spectacle Island, USS Constitution, and Charlestown while the captain points out major sights. Choose the climate-controlled cabin, covered upper deck, or open bow.

“It's a relaxing way to see the highlights of the Boston Harbor, including a view of the USS Constitution and Bunker Hill. Our boat captain did a fantastic job of briefly describing the various sites on the tour in a clear, interesting manner.”

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6.Sunset Tall Ship Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 115 reviews · 2 hours · from $68

Spend two hours aboard Liberty Fleet’s classic tall ship, sailing from Fan Pier Marina around Boston Harbor at sunset. You can help raise the sails, try the wheel with crew approval, and buy Boston-brewed beer, wine, spirits, soda, juice, or water onboard. Captain Freido, Jess, Max, and Captain Jonathan have all been part of warmly praised sailings.

“Beautiful evening spent on the water. Incredible crew, incredible experience and most importantly incredible memories and views.”

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7.City Cruises Boston: Premier Brunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 74 reviews · 2 hours · from $104

Spend two hours aboard the Odyssey, departing from Rowes Wharf for a brunch or dinner cruise past the USS Constitution, Zakim Bridge, Old North Church, and Castle Island. You get a private table, panoramic decks, onboard music, and one hour to board and explore before sailing.

“Play more music through out the cruise. My son and I did the dinner cruise and the chicken was soooo dry (OMG) wish there were at least two more choices with seafood for that price.”

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8.Scenic Moonlight Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.4 · 27 reviews · from $33

Spend 90 minutes on Boston Harbor after dinner, passing the Seaport District, Logan Airport, East Boston, the Charlestown Navy Yard, and U.S.S. Constitution. You’ll check in at Rowes Wharf, board at Gate C, and enjoy city lights, sea air, background radio, and a cash bar.

“The ship was run down and very uncomfortable. We were bored for 90 minutes. The ship that you show in the picture is going with a party company. So we booked Mississippi Romance but got junk barge.”

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9.Scenic Harbor Cruise (Dog-Friendly)

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 21 reviews · 1h 30m · from $31

Join an English-speaking guide aboard a dog-friendly Boston Harbor cruise from Rowes Wharf. You’ll pass the Seaport District, USS Constitution, Bunker Hill Monument, Logan Airport, and working piers, with open-deck views, onboard drinks and snacks for purchase, and wheelchair access.

“Great event! We had lots of fun, our dog loved it, and the crew were very friendly.”

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10.Best of Boston Combo: Harbor Cruise & VIP Freedom Trail

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 15 reviews · from $99

Follow Boston’s revolutionary story from Beacon Hill to the North End with an English-speaking guide, enter Old North Church and its bell chamber, then take a one-hour harbor cruise. Groups are capped at 15, and guides such as Alex, Jessica, Will, and Cameron have drawn praise for lively storytelling.

“Our guide Will was amazing. Extremely knowledgeable and accurate. Answered any and all questions. He was a delightful.”

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11.Best Of Boston: Harvard, MIT, Harbor Cruise Small Group Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 10 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $149

Spend 6 to 7 hours visiting Harvard, seeing MIT, eating at Quincy Market, and enjoying a seasonal extra: a Boston Harbor cruise from May to October or a lobster lunch from November to April. Hotel pickup is available, with guides such as Jeffrey, Jeffery, Leo, and Ivana reported on recent departures.

“The tour was supposed to be for a small group of 12 with a guide. There was only me and my family, so 4 total. Not sure if that was why the tour felt off. We got to Harvard, and the tour was pretty simple with some interesting tidbits. For the MIT tour, we were dropped off and told to walk around to discover MIT on our own, so this part of the tour was pretty useless. Same thing happened for the rest of the itinerary. The boat tour was pretty cool. Basically, it was like a glorified chaffeur experience with stuff I could've looked up online about the spots.…”

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12.Dog Day of Summer Harbor Cruise in Boston

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $28Best value

Meet at Rowes Wharf for a 90-minute dog-friendly cruise around Boston Harbor. You’ll see Fish Pier, Logan Airport, the USS Constitution, and city views from the water, with onboard commentary, a restroom, snacks for sale, and a cash bar.

“We had a ton of fun with our dog! Beautiful views, easy ride. It is an older boat, just a heads up! Worth it though!!”

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13.Boston Premium Night Tour with View Boston Observation Deck

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 6 reviews · 2 hours · from $129

Ride through downtown Boston with a local guide, visit View Boston for 360-degree city views, then walk the North End with stops at Old North Church, Paul Revere’s sites, and the Skinny House. Hotel pickup, transport, admission, and a bakery-made Boston Cream Pie are included.

“There was not a sunset cruise as part of this deal. Still waiting for a refund from either this booking company or See Dight Tours. I was overcharged $80.”

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