Top 15 Boat Tours in Boston

1.Boston Duck Boat Sightseeing City Tour with Cruise Along Charles River

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9,378 reviews · from $59Our pick

Board a restored World War II amphibious duck boat from the Museum of Science, New England Aquarium, or Prudential Center. A lively ConDUCKtor covers Boston landmarks, sports, and history before a 20-minute Charles River cruise. Bring headphones for the multilingual GPS app.

“Mike was our narrator and he was fantastic! Not only was he full of fun facts but he has us laughing the whole time! Would highly recommend!”

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2.City Cruises Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,710 reviews · 3h 30m · from $85

Join Boston Harbor City Cruises at Long Wharf for a 3.5 to 4 hour trip to Stellwagen Bank. New England Aquarium naturalists, including guides such as Amanda and Andrew, explain whale behavior while you watch from outdoor decks or large-window cabins.

“We were very lucky to have a fine day for this activity and although I do suffer from motion sickness I felt absolutely fine for the whole trip. We were given an interesting dialogue on the way out to the whale watching area and it was wonderful to manage to see three magnificent whales.”

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3.City Cruises Boston Whale Watching Cruise by High-Speed Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,115 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $85

Leave Boston’s Long Wharf by high-speed catamaran for Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. A naturalist, sometimes including guides such as Colin, explains whale behavior and conservation while you watch for humpbacks, finbacks, minkes, dolphins, and seabirds.

“Was cold and windy on the water, definitely bring a jacket. Thought it was going to be disappointing after 3 hours passed without seeing anything. Luckily we found 2 humpbacks together and saw some incredible things. Full breach, flipper slapping, and general swimming about. Ended up being an absolute stunner of a day.”

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4.City Cruises Historical Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,771 reviews · 1 hour · from $46

Cruise from Long Wharf around Boston Harbor for one hour with live English narration. You will pass the USS Constitution, Bunker Hill Monument, Old North Church, Castle Island, and the harbor islands, with open-air decks, large-window seating, and snacks for sale.

“We had a wonderful time and our caption was funny and easy to listen to during the tour.”

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5.City Cruises Boston Historic Sightseeing Harbor Cruise

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

Cruise Boston Harbor for an hour with live narration about the Revolutionary War, Boston Light, Old Ironsides, and the working port. Guides such as Kevin, Holly, and Mike have been praised for lively storytelling. You get indoor and outdoor seating, skyline views, and snacks for purchase.

“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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6.Boston Harbor Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 888 reviews · 1h 30m · from $31

Set out from Rowes Wharf on a 90-minute English-language cruise with harbor commentary, skyline views, and a close look at the USS Constitution. Choose indoor or outdoor seating, then buy snacks, soft drinks, or a drink from the onboard bar as Boston changes from sunset to city lights.

“Boat does have a bar but it's cash only, there is a atm on the boat however it's best to get cash from your bank cause the atm fees might break your bank, other than that it was a really fun experience and the views are amazing.”

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7.Boston Harbor Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 632 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $54

Set out from Rowes Wharf for a roughly two-hour Boston Harbor sunset cruise. The captain offers light commentary as you pass Old North Church, Charlestown Navy Yard, USS Cassin Young, the USS Constitution, and a waterfront bridge. Choose the open deck or heated cabin, with drinks and snacks sold aboard.

“Unfortunately for us, we had a rainy sunset cruise. However, still had a wonderful time, through some mist and rain, we were still able to see the city and learn some key features. We enjoyed a light bite and enjoyed the seasonal drink menu as well.”

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8.Classic Tall Ship Cruise in Boston Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 615 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $35

Join Liberty Fleet of Tall Ships for a 90-minute Boston Harbor sail aboard the Liberty Star. Captain Fredo and crew members Jess and Max may invite you to help raise the sails, while the boat offers skyline views, light commentary, drinks, and space for a bagged lunch.

“It was a great trip, plenty of wind for a good sail. The crew was informative, attentive and lots of fun!”

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9.Harbor Sunset Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 570 reviews · 2 hours · from $54

Spend two hours aboard the classic Northern Lights, a 115-foot yacht styled after a 1920s New England steamship. Cruise past Castle Island, the USS Constitution, and Boston’s inner harbor as daylight fades. Enjoy light commentary, music, open-air decks, climate-controlled seating, and a credit-card bar.

“Very beautiful! We saw a double rainbow completely over the water! Sunset was pretty too. Was cool to see airplanes flying over us when we cruised by the airport. Very picturesque with the Boston skyline. Highly recommended! The meeting point was a little difficult to find though”

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10.Sightseeing Day Sail around Boston Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 541 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $66Top rated

Step aboard the Adirondack III or IV at Rowes Wharf for a hands-on Boston Harbor sail. You’ll see the Seaport, Fan Pier, Fort Independence, Spectacle Island, and Long Island. The crew answers questions, drinks are sold by card, and you can bring a snack.

“The boat is so nice. The staff is great. The captain kept the boat as smooth as possible. Watching the planes come in was so cool as well.”

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11.Narrated Sunset Cruise of Boston Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 532 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $29Best value

Cruise Boston Harbor for 90 minutes with live English narration, passing Fish Pier, Logan Airport, East Boston, Charlestown, the USS Constitution, Bunker Hill Monument, and Old North Church. Arrive early for an upper-deck seat, and bring a jacket for the cool evening air.

“After having experienced multiple city’s harbor cruise tours, my husband and I have determined that this one will probably be our last. The architecture in the harbor leans towards soulless behemoth buildings and industrial outcroppings—neither of which are particularly sightly. Although… the city skyline was pretty, and the occasional sail boat against the sunset was nice. On this Boston harbor tour, the guide narrator was fine enough, but we’ve had overall better harbor tours with smart jokes and good humor that made you laugh along the way. This one was just straightforward and a bit dry.”

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12.City Cruises Boston Codzilla High-Speed Thrill Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 424 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $56

Board Codzilla at Boston’s Long Wharf for a 45-minute narrated thrill ride through Boston Harbor. Two turbo-charged diesel engines push the boat up to 40 mph as music plays, the crew tells Codzilla’s story, and spray hits the boat. Bring a poncho, tie back your hair, and arrive early.

“Very fun boat ride. Bring a hairbrush or have your hair tied back. Everyone will get wet but it seems the back of the boat was sprayed much more than the front.”

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13.Sunset Sailing Cruise on a Tall Ship in Boston Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 414 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $68

Spend about two hours aboard Liberty Fleet’s classic tall ship, sailing from Fan Pier Marina around Boston Harbor at sunset. Expect skyline and island views, a relaxed crew, drinks and snacks for purchase, and sometimes a chance to help with the sails. Capt. Fredo, Jess, and Max have earned special praise for their warm service.

“There was no narrator and no music. The captain said that he did not know any of the surrounding sites.”

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14.City Cruises Boston 90-Minute Harbor Sunset Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 411 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $56

Spend 90 minutes cruising Boston’s inner and outer harbors with live narration, skyline views, and a chance to see the USS Constitution’s sunset cannon ceremony. Guides such as Liz, Holly, David, and Kevin have brought humor and energy to the commentary. Drinks and snacks are sold onboard, and the cruise runs May through October.

“Needed more information to find the gate number and directions to the gate, otherwise, at nice trip. Liz, our tour guide was very knowledgeable.”

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15.City Cruises Sunset Skyline Cruise with Commentary

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 381 reviews · 1h 30m · from $55

Board at Long Wharf for a 90-minute English-narrated cruise past Boston’s waterfront, Castle Island, Logan Airport, East Boston, and the USS Constitution. Guides such as Kevin and David Coffin bring humor to the history, while the sunset and cannon salute provide the evening’s best moments.

“Wanted to surprise my girlfriend for her 25th birthday. She loved it so I guess it was a success myself would definitely do Boston Harbor Cruises again in the future.”

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