San Francisco Guide

San Francisco Bay Tours

Cruise under Golden Gate, around Alcatraz, and see SF skyline from water!

78+ tours
From $35
1-3 hours
San Francisco Bay Tours

Experience San Francisco Bay from water - best city views! Bay tours cruise under Golden Gate Bridge, circle Alcatraz Island, pass Angel Island, see SF skyline, and explore bay's maritime heritage. Tours range from 1-hour basic cruises to sunset champagne sails, whale watching excursions (winter!), and full-day Sausalito combinations. Experience narrated history, photograph iconic landmarks from unique perspectives, possibly spot sea lions and dolphins, and understand bay's geographic significance. Tours include indoor/outdoor seating, bar service, and audio commentary. It's San Francisco from best vantage point!

Featured Bay Tours Tours

Discover our top picks for bay tours in San Francisco

San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise (60 Minutes)
From $39
Free Cancellation

One hour scenic voyage - Ferry between Pier 43.5 and Fisherman’s Wharf while transiting along San Francisco’s breathtaking waterfront, passing under the Golden Gate and around Alcatraz! Learn the history of San Francisco Bay in an open-air museum setting and observe local marine life such as sea lions, pelicans, whales and more. Don't worry about the unpredictable San Francisco weather! This is an open ticket which is valid for use on any day up until the end of the year.

4.7(1,611)
1h
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San Francisco Bay Cruise
From $39
Free Cancellation

You haven’t fully experienced San Francisco until you’ve taken a Bay Cruise. This popular 1-hour excursion heads underneath the Golden Gate Bridge, around Alcatraz Island, past Angel Island State Park, and alongside the city's waterfront. Take advantage of fantastic photo ops and panoramic views. An audio tour is available on your smartphone, tablet or other WiFi-enabled device and includes a slideshow of historical photos. This ticket allows you to skip the box office line and go straight to the gate.

4.4(310)
1h
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Aquarium of the Bay General Admission Ticket
From $28.25
Free Cancellation

Visit Aquarium of the Bay for an interactive introduction to the fish and other marine life that live in San Francisco Bay and its surrounding Pacific waters. This general admission ticket includes access to the Aquarium’s main exhibit areas, which feature more than 20,000 animals. You can observe creatures like sharks, rays, sea stars and river otters. With its location at the foot of PIER 39 between Fisherman’s Wharf and the Alcatraz ferry landing, Aquarium of the Bay is easy to fit into your San Francisco sightseeing schedule.

3.5(298)
2h
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Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise
From $139

Choose between a day tour or a special night tour of Alcatraz. The night tour includes a narrated cruise at sunset, cell door demonstrations, and talks from expert historians. Both tours include an audio guide available in multiple languages to delve into the prison's history and infamous escape attempts. Additionally, enjoy a narrated 1-hour cruise with views of landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, the Bay Bridge, and Pier 39 sea lions, all from the comfort of a boat with indoor and outdoor seating. The time you select will be your Alcatraz ferry departure. The Alcatraz ferry departs from Pier 33. You may take the Bay cruise on any day at any available departure time. These are 2 separate tours. Children 4 years and younger are free and do not need tickets. For the Alcatraz Night tour, If you plan to take both tours on the same day, you must take the Bay Cruise before your Alcatraz tour. The night tour is not available on Sundays and Mondays.

4.2(968)
2h
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San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise
From $88
Free Cancellation🔥Likely to Sell Out

Enjoy the serene San Francisco Bay at sunset on this evening with the Sunset Cruise aboard a luxurious catamaran. Sail by Alcatraz Island, under the Golden Gate Bridge and look for sea lions, then cruise down the city skyline. Both the Adventure Cat 55' or 65' catamaran are complete with a 360-degree, protected viewing area for those who don't like the wind in their faces as well as canvas trampoline nets where you can experience the ocean and sights in the open sea air. Just a note on capacity, we are considered an outdoor business by category, so we are not officially restricted currently, but we do self-limit to have enough room for all to feel safe. Our 47-passenger vessel is limited to about 40 per trip, and the 90-passenger is limited to 76 for comfort of all.

4.8(1,342)
1h 35m
View Details
Inside Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bridge Bay Cruise
From $129.99

Enjoy two Classic Same Day San Francisco experiences in one day — a visit inside Alcatraz Island and an additional same day sightseeing Golden Gate Bridge Boat Cruise. Guests are assigned an Alcatraz boat and on the SAME DAY a Golden Gate Bridge sightseeing boat. Guests will be allotted enough time to experience both attractions. Our tour is designed to be an easy package to experience two of the most popular attractions in one day. Relax as we pass along San Francisco’s breathtaking waterfront, passing under the Golden Gate and around Alcatraz! Learn the history of San Francisco Bay with open-air viewpoints and observe local marine life such as sea lions and more. Audio narration is provided. Guests will be assigned an Alcatraz time slot by us somewhere between 8:45am and 4pm. We will assign your time slots and guests do not pick their slot.

4.0(230)
3h
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2-Hour Sunset Sail on the San Francisco Bay
From $129
Free Cancellation

Whether you want to kick off a fabulous date night or wrap up an enjoyable afternoon, this two-hour sunset sail is just the ticket. Step aboard the gorgeous traditional vessel to take in the sights at the most bewitching time of day. You'll sail past Alcatraz, hug the coast at Sausalito and experience the full grandeur of the Golden Gate Bridge. Sip two servings of your choice of included beer, wine, soda or water as Privateer cruises along the spectacular San Francisco cityscape, while the sun sets and the lights of the city come to twinkling life.

4.7(390)
2h
View Details
Official Alcatraz Island Prison Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise
From $148

This is a unique tour package to visit both the Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge! For the Alcatraz tour, you will first take a short ferry ride from Pier 33 to the Alcatraz Island, where you can walk around the Island freely at your own pace and follow a 45-minutes award-winning audio tour in multiple languages of the Alcatraz Prison Cellhouse. You can hop on to any returning ferry when you are finish touring the Alcatraz Island. For the San Francisco Bay Cruise Tour, it will start near Pier 39 where just a short walk from Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing. During this 60-minute Bay Cruise Tour, you will tour around the Alcatraz Island and under the famous Golden Gate Bridge, where you will enjoy breathtaking views of San Francisco and its bay! Tips: You can do the Bay Cruise Tour before the Alcatraz Tour, or on a different date! There are multiple departures daily and your Bay Cruise voucher is valid for any date, any departure time

4.3(307)
2h
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San Francisco Bay Sailing Cruise
From $72
Free Cancellation🔥Likely to Sell Out

Experience the beauty of San Francisco during a 1.5-hour catamaran cruise over San Francisco Bay. Sail away from bustling city and enjoy photo ops from the vantage point of the water. You’ll coast past the city skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and Sausalito. Enjoy panoramic views from inside or take a seat on the trampoline nets to heighten your adventure.

4.9(629)
1h 30m
View Details
1.5-Hour San Francisco Bay Sailing Tour
From $99
Free Cancellation

For a relaxing afternoon on the water, hop aboard the Privateer, a truly traditional sailboat, for a semi-private 90-minute cruise of the bay, complete with beer and wine. This double-masted, teak-decked, bronze-fitted beauty holds more than 28 passengers but is limited to just 16 during the pandemic so you'll get plenty of personal attention from the skilled and friendly crew as the Privateer glides over to Alcatraz and Angel Island, passes by charming and picturesque Sausalito, parallels the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge and sails past the famous San Francisco skyline on its way back to Pier 39.

4.8(392)
1h 30m
View Details
Alcatraz Prison Tour and Golden Gate Bridge Bay Cruise
💸Special Offer
$148From $133.2
Skip The Line

This is a unique tour package to visit both the Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge! For the Alcatraz tour, you will first take a short ferry ride from Pier 33 to the Alcatraz Island, where you can walk around the Island freely at your own pace and follow a 45-minutes award-winning audio tour in multiple languages of the Alcatraz Prison Cellhouse. You can hop on to any returning ferry when you are finish touring the Alcatraz Island. For the San Francisco Bay Cruise Tour, it will start near Pier 39 where just a short walk from Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing. During this 60-minute Bay Cruise Tour, you will tour around the Alcatraz Island and under the famous Golden Gate Bridge, where you will enjoy breathtaking views of San Francisco and its bay! Tips: You can do the Bay Cruise Tour before the Alcatraz Tour, or on a different date! There are multiple departures daily and your Bay Cruise voucher is valid for any date, any departure time.

4.5(33)
4h
View Details
Alcatraz Day Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise
From $139

To make your stay complete in San Francisco, this package includes two essential activities in a single pack. A visit of the most famous prison in the world, discovering its history and walking into the footsteps of Al Capone. Don’t miss the 45-minute audio tour that will immerse you in the atmosphere of the federal penitentiary which brought together the most dangerous criminals of the time. You can then enjoy a one-hour boat cruise in San Francisco Bay which will offer you an exceptional view of the city and its hills, but also other sightseeings such as going underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Please note, free for children 4 years old and younger and don't need to have a ticket.

3.9(27)
2h
View Details
Fisherman’s Wharf Highlights Tour + Golden Gate Bay Voyage
From $34
Free Cancellation

Visit iconic landmarks with a local guide as you discover hidden gems along the waterfront. Hear captivating stories about San Francisco's dramatic boom and bust history. Learn about the Gold Rush and how Cable Cars were invented. See our playful colony of sea lions and famous rolling fog. Along the way you'll sample delicious treats like Ghirardelli Chocolate and Boudin's Sourdough, all while your guide shares fascinating tales of the city's colorful past. You can enjoy this walking tour on its own, or choose to upgrade with a Golden Gate Bay Cruise for even more adventure! Our Golden Gate Bay Cruise is truly like none other. Let Captain Sal Alioto regale you with stories only a 3rd-generation local could share as you take in stunning views of the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges on his historic Monterey Clipper. Bay Cruise only available for ages 7 and older. Walking tour is open to all ages. Come join us!

5.0(11)
2h
View Details
2hr. INTERACTIVE Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay
From $149
Free Cancellation🔥Likely to Sell Out

This is an Interactive Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay with a maximum 6 passengers on a private yacht with a USCG licensed captain and crew where you'll sail beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, across the San Francisco waterfront, get a close-up look at Alcatraz and Angel Islands. This Sailing Experience is "interactive" which means we want you to get the full experience of sailing so you'll have an opportunity to take the wheel and sail your course.. It's all part of an unforgettable sailing experience you wont get anywhere else.. You will see and be able to photograph beautiful scenery and may also experience a close encounter with some of the local wildlife that calls the bay home. Sailing SF Bay Experiences are aimed at creating lifelong memories for you while showcasing the beauty and diversity of our area.

5.0(84)
2h
View Details
Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour Plus Bay Cruise
From $133
Free Cancellation

Combine a visit to Muir Woods and Sausalito with a fabulous cruise on San Francisco Bay. You'll cross the Golden Gate Bridge to the Bay area's most popular national monument, visit Sausalito - the prettiest village in California and sail next to Alcatraz and under the Golden Gate Bridge on a narrated one-hour cruise.

4.2(513)
6h
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Why Choose Bay Tours in San Francisco?

Best City Views

See Golden Gate, Alcatraz, skyline from water - spectacular!

Under Golden Gate

Cruise underneath bridge - unique perspective!

Sunset Cruises

Golden hour over bay - romantic and beautiful!

Photo Opportunities

Unobstructed views of all SF icons from water!

Types of Bay Tours in San Francisco

Classic Bay Cruise

Golden Gate and Alcatraz 1-hour cruise.

1 hourUnder bridgeAround AlcatrazNarratedMost popular

Sunset Cruise

Evening sail with champagne and golden hour.

2 hoursSunsetChampagneRomanticBeautiful

Whale Watching

Winter cruises seeing humpback and gray whales.

3-4 hoursWhale seasonMarine lifeNatureSeasonal

Sausalito Ferry

One-way ferry to charming Marin town.

30 minutesTransportScenicOne-wayPractical

What to Expect on Your San Francisco Bay Tours

Duration

Basic cruises: 1 hour. Sunset: 2 hours. Whale watching: 3-4 hours.

Golden Gate Passage

Cruise under bridge - massive scale impressive from below!

Alcatraz Circle

Cruise around island (no landing) - see prison from water!

SF Skyline

Downtown, Coit Tower, bay bridge - unobstructed views!

Sea Lions

Pier 39 sea lions visible from water (loud and smelly!).

Maritime History

Learn about Gold Rush shipping, modern port, and bay ecology.

Expert Tips for the Best Experience

1

Blue & Gold Fleet most popular cruise operator - departures from Pier 39/41.

2

Sunset cruises (6-8 PM summer) magical when weather clear!

3

Dress warmly - bay windy and cold even if SF sunny!

4

September-October clearest weather with least fog.

5

Whale watching: December-May (humpback, gray whales migrate).

6

Alcatraz tours include similar views - don't need separate bay cruise if visiting Alcatraz.

7

Sausalito ferry practical transport + scenic cruise ($13 each way).

8

Indoor/outdoor seating available - outdoor better for photos but colder!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:How much do bay cruises cost?

A: 1-hour cruise: $35-45. Sunset cruise: $60-80. Whale watching: $80-110. Sausalito ferry: $13 each way. All affordable! Basic cruise best value for seeing major sights. Splurge on sunset for special occasion!

Q:Do bay cruises go to Alcatraz?

A: Circle around it but don't land! Only Alcatraz Cruises can land (official park concessionaire). Bay cruises show exterior, provide history, good photos. Alcatraz tour separate if wanting island visit. Seeing from water still worthwhile!

Q:When can you see whales?

A: December-May: Gray and humpback whales migrate through bay! Peak: January-March. Whale watching tours $80-110, 3-4 hours. Sightings common but not guaranteed. Outside season: No whales but dolphins, sea lions visible year-round!

Q:Is it foggy on bay cruises?

A: Summer (June-Aug): Afternoon fog common! September-October: Clearest months. Morning usually clearer than afternoon. Check weather - SF fog unpredictable. Fog creates mystique but limits views. Best: September-October!

Q:Are bay cruises worth it?

A: YES for seeing Golden Gate and Alcatraz from water - unique perspectives! Not essential if visiting both separately. Sunset cruises romantic. 1-hour basic cruise good value ($35-45). First-timers: Consider it. Budget travelers: Skip it.

Q:Can you take ferry to Sausalito?

A: Yes! Ferry from Ferry Building or Pier 41 to Sausalito ($13, 30 min). Scenic transportation + cute town visit. Often combined with biking Golden Gate (bike across, ferry back). Practical and beautiful!

Q:What should I bring?

A: Jacket (always windy/cold on water!), sunglasses, camera, hat, sunscreen. Layers essential - SF microclimates mean deck 20° colder than city. Seasickness rare (bay protected) but Dramamine if prone. Come prepared for wind!

Q:When is the best time for bay cruises?

A: September-October: Clearest, warmest, least fog! Early morning year-round usually clear. Sunset cruises magical when weather cooperates. Avoid summer afternoons (fog!). Check forecasts - SF weather varies neighborhood to neighborhood!

Don't Miss the Perfect San Francisco Experience

Book your bay tours today - 78+ tours with instant confirmation & best price guarantee!

Why Visit San Francisco?

Iconic Golden Gate Bridge and bay views

Historic Alcatraz Island and prison tours

Charming cable cars and historic transportation

Diverse neighborhoods and authentic cuisine

World-class museums and cultural institutions

Perfect blend of history and innovation

Best Time to Visit

Weather

San Francisco enjoys a Mediterranean climate with cool, foggy summers and mild winters. Average temperatures range from 50°F (10°C) in winter to 70°F (21°C) in summer.

Best Months

September to November offers the best weather with warm temperatures, clear skies, and perfect conditions for sightseeing.

Peak Season

June to August brings peak tourist season with foggy weather, larger crowds, and higher prices.

Off Season

December to May offers lower prices and fewer crowds, though with cooler weather and occasional rain.

Plan Your San Francisco Trip

Transportation Tips

Excellent public transportation with cable cars, buses, and BART. Walking is perfect for exploring neighborhoods, and ride-sharing services are widely available.

Car Rental Deals in San Francisco

Rent a car for maximum flexibility and explore at your own pace on Expedia USA.

Where to Stay

Find the perfect accommodation for your San Francisco adventure. From luxury resorts to cozy hotels, we've got you covered.

Best Hotel Deals in San Francisco

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Discover the best tours and activities in San Francisco with AI-powered recommendations tailored just for you.