BOSTON · BOSTON HARBOR CRUISES

Boston Harbor Cruises: The 15 Best Sailings

25 tours  ·  from $30

The skyline reads properly from the water and almost every boat leaves from Long Wharf. These 15 are compared on how long you are out, whether the narration is live, and what the food adds to the fare.

City Cruises Boston Historic Sightseeing Harbor Cruise - Starting at 1 Long Wharf
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City Cruises Boston Historic Sightseeing Harbor Cruise

1.City Cruises Boston Historic Sightseeing Harbor Cruise

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

Set out from 1 Long Wharf on a one-hour narrated cruise past the USS Constitution, Boston Tea Party ships, Fort Independence, Old North Church, and Boston Light. Guides such as Kevin and Holly bring Boston’s past to life. Choose the upper deck for the clearest views, or stay inside in cold weather.

“We sailed on a beautiful day and our narrator Kevin was excellent. We learned so much about Boston. So glad we went. Thanks”

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Boston: Boston Harbor Sunset Cruise - Meeting at Rowes Wharf without missing the boat
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Boston: Boston Harbor Sunset Cruise

2.Boston Harbor Sunset Cruise

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

Meet at Rowes Wharf for a 90-minute Boston Harbor cruise with English commentary, skyline views, and a close look at USS Constitution. Choose indoor or outdoor seating, watch for the ship’s sunset cannon salute, and buy snacks or drinks from the onboard bar.

“Great time with my kids on the water. Beautiful night. The tour guides and bartenders were very nice.”

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Boston Harbor Sunset Cruise - Old North Church from the harbor
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Boston Harbor Sunset Cruise

3.Boston Harbor Sunset Cruise

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

Board Classic Harbor Line at Rowes Wharf for a two-hour Boston Harbor sunset cruise. Expect skyline views, Old North Church, Charlestown Navy Yard, USS Constitution, and light captain’s commentary. Choose the open-air deck or heated cabin, with cocktails, snacks, and seasonal treats sold onboard.

“It afforded us great views of the harbor, sun-set, and night-time sky line but was too long. 1.5 hours would have been perfect.”

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Classic Tall Ship Cruise in Boston Harbor - Raising the sails adds a little adventure
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Classic Tall Ship Cruise in Boston Harbor

4.Classic Tall Ship Cruise in Boston Harbor

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

Spend about 90 minutes aboard the Liberty Star with Captain Fredo and crew members Jess and Max. Expect open-air harbor views, light commentary, drinks for purchase, and possibly a chance to help raise the sails. The route depends on wind and weather.

“Amazing! Perfect ship, perfect crew. We had a great time! Captain Freddo was great! And they serve alcohol so that's a plus!”

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Boston: Harbor Sunset Yacht Cruise - The Northern Lights feels more like a small ship than a tour boat
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Boston: Harbor Sunset Yacht Cruise

5.Harbor Sunset Yacht Cruise

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

Spend two hours aboard the classic Northern Lights, a 115-foot yacht with indoor seating, open decks, a bar, and six bathrooms. See Castle Island, the inner harbor, Boston’s skyline, and the USS Constitution’s sunset cannon fire while the captain provides light commentary.

“Food was good, bit pricey and limited options but alright. The viewing deck was spacious and clean. Good customer service.”

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Sightseeing Day Sail around Boston Harbor - Fan Pier and the modern waterfront
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Sightseeing Day Sail around Boston Harbor

6.Sightseeing Day Sail around Boston Harbor

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

Set sail from Rowes Wharf aboard Schooner Adirondack III or IV for 1.5 or 2 hours. Expect a relaxed harbor trip past the Seaport, Fan Pier, Fort Independence, Spectacle Island, and Long Island. Crew members answer questions, while a card-only bar serves drinks.

“Erick the captain was great and you can see he has lots of experience. Claire and Adam were very kind.”

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Narrated Sunset Cruise of Boston Harbor - Fish Pier and the working harbor
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Narrated Sunset Cruise of Boston Harbor

7.Narrated Sunset Cruise of Boston Harbor

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

Board at Rowes Wharf for a 90-minute English-narrated cruise past Fish Pier, Logan Airport, East Boston, Charlestown, the USS Constitution, and the North End. You’ll see Boston shift from daylight to city lights, with outdoor seating, a full bar, snacks, and drinks available to buy.

“The trip was awesome, very little noise from the engine, the narration was a nice touch, drinks were good. No music or dancing, a bit quite.”

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Sunset Sailing Cruise on a Tall Ship in Boston Harbor - Sunset views of Boston from the water
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Sunset Sailing Cruise on a Tall Ship in Boston Harbor

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

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

Join Liberty Fleet of Tall Ships at Fan Pier Marina for a two-hour sunset sail aboard a traditional Boston tall ship. Expect skyline and harbor views, a relaxed crew, drinks from the galley bar, and occasional chances to help with the sails. Captains Fredo and the deck crew have earned special praise for their warm, playful service.

“Really nice cruise around Boston Harbor. The crew was awesome and the skyline views were incredible!”

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Boston: City Cruises Harbor Codzilla High Speed Thrill Boat - Why the Boat’s Design Matters
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Boston: City Cruises Harbor Codzilla High Speed Thrill Boat

9.City Cruises Harbor Codzilla High Speed Thrill Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 318 reviews · from $40

Codzilla is a 45-minute Boston Harbor speedboat ride with 2,800 horsepower, speeds up to 40 mph, loud music, narration, sharp turns, and 360-degree spins. Depart from One Long Wharf near the New England Aquarium. Crew members such as Ethan may add humor and local facts. Expect spray, noise, and serious motion.

“We did the Godzilla and all the stuff was simply sweet and amazing and fun super fun one thing that I have to say is that I enjoy so much”

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City Cruises Boston: Harbor Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise - Spirit of Boston and the first hour aboard
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City Cruises Boston: Harbor Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise

10.City Cruises Boston: Harbor Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 306 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $77

Board Spirit of Boston at Commonwealth Pier for a two to three hour lunch or dinner cruise. You’ll have a private table, chef-prepared buffet, server, live DJ, dancing, and outdoor decks with views of the Seaport, North End, USS Constitution, Zakim Bridge, and Castle Island.

“It was awesome! Games all over, dancing, great music”

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Boston: Harbor Champagne Sunset Sail from Rowes Wharf - The first views: Fish Pier, Fan Pier, and the modern waterfront
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Boston: Harbor Champagne Sunset Sail from Rowes Wharf

11.Harbor Champagne Sunset Sail from Rowes Wharf

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 299 reviews · 2 hours · from $82

Sail Boston Harbor aboard the classic Schooner Adirondack III or IV for two hours at sunset. From Rowes Wharf, you’ll pass the Fish Pier, Castle Island, Fan Pier, the Charleston Navy Yard, and Inner Harbor Islands while the crew shares local history. Drinks are available for purchase, but not included.

“Very enjoyable and the captain and crew were wonderful.”

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Boston: Tall Ship Harbor Sail - What the 90-minute route gives you
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Boston: Tall Ship Harbor Sail

12.Tall Ship Harbor Sail

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

Board a classic schooner at Fan Pier Marina for a 90-minute Boston Harbor sail. The crew raises the sails, answers questions, and may invite you to help with the lines or wheel. Bring snacks, buy a local beer or cocktail, and enjoy skyline, island, airport, and harbor views.

“Well worth the price. Great boat. Excellent, friendly and skilled crew. Would definitely recommend and would do it again.”

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Boston: Downtown Harbor Sailing Cruise - Boston Fish Pier and the Working Waterfront
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Boston: Downtown Harbor Sailing Cruise

13.Downtown Harbor Sailing Cruise

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

Join the crew of the Adirondack III or IV for a 90-minute or two-hour Boston Harbor sail. You’ll pass the Aquarium, Fish Pier, Castle Island, Navy Yard, and Inner Harbor Islands while the crew answers questions. Bring a picnic, a photo ID, and a light jacket.

“It was a very relaxing sailing experience. It wasn’t real windy, the boats movements were a gentle swaying motion most of the time. Only occasionally did it move up and down but it wasn’t very long. Some passengers were worried about motion sickness but they were all fine. No one got sick.”

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Boston: New England Harbor Cruise - A comfortable boat with room to move
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Boston: New England Harbor Cruise

14.New England Harbor Cruise

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

Cruise Boston Harbor aboard a 115-foot motor yacht styled after 1920s New England steamships. You’ll see the USS Constitution, Bunker Hill Monument, Fort Independence, Spectacle Island, and the Seaport District, with moderate narration from the captain and drinks available by credit card.

“Excellent tour on a clean and comfortable vessel. All crew friendly and commentary informative. Whether you stay in the lounge or go on deck you get clear views. The duration is about right and you do get to appreciate Boston from a different perspective”

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Boston Harbor Sightseeing Cruise - What the 90-minute cruise actually shows you
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Boston Harbor Sightseeing Cruise

15.Boston Harbor Sightseeing Cruise

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

Cruise Boston Harbor aboard Northern Lights for about 90 minutes, with light commentary from the captain, views of the Seaport District, Spectacle Island, USS Constitution, Charlestown, and the skyline. You’ll find indoor seating, a covered upper deck, an open bow, and drinks or snacks for purchase.

“Boston Harbor tour; Beautiful sights and smooth very comfortable ride. Staff very accommodating and professional.”

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