15 Boat Tours in Boston, Ranked by What You Get

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

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

Ride a restored World War II amphibious duck boat through Boston with a lively ConDUCKtor, then spend about 20 minutes on the Charles River. You will pass Boston Common, Quincy Market, TD Garden, Copley Square, the State House, and Bunker Hill. Choose departures from the Museum of Science, New England Aquarium, or Prudential Center.

“Fast, fun and lots of interesting facts! There is so much history in Boston and you get a bunch of it in an hour and a half! Definitely worth it!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.City Cruises Whale Watching Cruise

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

Cruise from Boston’s Long Wharf to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary aboard a comfortable high-speed boat. New England Aquarium naturalists explain humpback, fin, and minke whales, plus dolphins and other wildlife. You get outdoor decks, large-window indoor seating, snacks for purchase, and about 3.5 to 4 hours on the water.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

From Boston’s Long Wharf, you’ll ride a high-speed catamaran to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, guided by a New England Aquarium naturalist. Expect about 3.5 hours on the water, with chances to see humpback, fin, and minke whales, dolphins, and seabirds. A cabin, restrooms, and snack bar are onboard.

“The scientists and crew were very passionate about the animals, and that came through during the tour. They were very knowledgeable with an injection of humor, albeit a little bit on the corny side, but enough to make one smile. We had the privilege of seeing a pair of humpbacks during our time in the feeding grounds and witnessed a fluke. They are truly remarkable animals.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.City Cruises Historical Sightseeing Cruise

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

Cruise Boston Harbor from Long Wharf for one hour, passing the USS Constitution, Bunker Hill Monument, Old North Church, Castle Island, and the Harbor Islands. English-speaking guides such as Kevin, Holly, Liz, and Dave bring local history to life. Choose the open deck or large-windowed indoor seating, with snacks and drinks available to buy.

“While in Boston we walked all over there for 4 days and saw everything we wanted to see. Hop on hop off was great. Loved the Freedom trail!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.City Cruises Boston Historic Sightseeing Harbor Cruise

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

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

“This activity was a lot of fun, even rain or sun. There a lot of things to learn from the guide. He was really funny. It was a fun activity overall”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Boston Harbor Sunset Cruise

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

Meet at Rowes Wharf for a 90-minute English-language cruise around Boston Harbor. Your captain or guide points out the skyline, historic landmarks, USS Constitution, and Logan Airport activity as daylight fades. Outdoor and indoor seating are available, with snacks, soft drinks, and a bar sold onboard. The boat runs rain or shine.

“Love it the crew was great. The years of experience in whale watching and safe animal tourism was obvious. We found about 8 humpbacks in a hunting ground and had some truly amazing sites.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Boston Harbor Sunset Cruise

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

Cruise Boston Harbor at sunset from Rowes Wharf, with open-air and heated indoor seating, a bar, snacks, and light captain’s commentary. You’ll pass the Old North Church, Charlestown Navy Yard, USS Cassin Young, USS Constitution, and waterfront bridges. The highlight is hearing Old Ironsides fire its cannon at sunset.

“I was happy to enjoy this moment with my husband. there is nothing to complain about Let's relax with our family.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Classic Tall Ship Cruise in Boston Harbor

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

Board Liberty Fleet’s classic schooner Liberty Star at Marina Overlook for a 90-minute Boston Harbor sail. Captain Fredo and crew members Jess and Max may invite you to help raise the sails, while drinks, snacks, and South Boston beers are available onboard. Expect fresh air, skyline views, and a relaxed ride rather than a tightly scripted history tour.

“Just loved the sailboat — not your usual tourist attraction, but definitely something worth doing! Pure zen time: peaceful, beautiful, unforgettable.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Harbor Sunset Yacht Cruise

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

Spend two hours aboard the 115-foot Northern Lights, a 1920s-style New England yacht sailing from Rowes Wharf. Choose the climate-controlled cabin or open deck, buy drinks and snacks by credit card, and watch Boston light up at sunset. The route includes Castle Island, the inner harbor, and a cannon firing from the USS Constitution.

“We enjoyed the cruise. It rained on our cruise but it wasn't a deal breaker. We were able to see the USS Constitution shoot its cannon off at sunset which was cool.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Sightseeing Day Sail around Boston Harbor

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

Sail Boston Harbor for 90 minutes or two hours aboard Schooner Adirondack III or IV. You’ll pass the Seaport District, Fan Pier, Fort Independence, Spectacle Island, and Long Island. The crew answers questions, but this is not a fully narrated tour. Bring a jacket, arrive 15 to 30 minutes early, and bring snacks if you wish.

“This was a great experience for me and my partner. Captain and crew were fantastic and knowledgeable.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Narrated Sunset Cruise of Boston Harbor

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

Cruise Boston Harbor from Rowes Wharf for about 90 minutes as the city shifts from daylight to evening. Live English narration points out Fish Pier, Logan Airport, East Boston, Charlestown, the USS Constitution, Bunker Hill Monument, and Old North Church. Outdoor and indoor seating, a full bar, snacks, and drinks are available for purchase.

“Pack a rain poncho just in case, weather does change quickly. The guide and the cruise were really nice, Boston is beautiful at twilight.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Meet at Boston’s Long Wharf for a 45-minute Codzilla ride with turbo-charged engines, sharp turns, spins, music, and a scripted story about the boat’s arrival in Boston Harbor. You may get soaked, especially toward the back. The seasonal ride runs May through October and is open to children at least 4 years old and 42 inches tall.

“It was so much fun it exceeded our expectations. Sadie was scared that she would get too wet she was so happy and she did get wet my grandson wanted to get really wet he did and was so happy”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Sail Boston Harbor for about two hours aboard a traditional tall ship, often the Liberty Star, with views of the skyline and islands at sunset. Crew members may invite you to help with the sails and answer questions. Drinks and snacks are sold onboard. Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early at Fan Pier Marina.

“Started out quite warm but as the sun set it became breezy and very pleasant. We let some interesting people to talk to and enjoyed the drinks.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Set out from Boston’s Long Wharf for a 90-minute sunset cruise through the inner and outer harbor. A live guide such as Liz, Holly, Kevin, or David narrates Boston’s waterfront story while you pass the Boston Tea Party ships, Fort Independence, Bunker Hill, Logan Airport, and USS Constitution. Food and drinks are sold onboard.

“We really enjoyed the sunset cruise.. I would arrive at least 45 min before time. The tour guide was really good and very informative..”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.City Cruises Sunset Skyline Cruise with Commentary

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

Spend 90 minutes on Boston Harbor with live English commentary from guides such as David and Kevin. See Castle Island, Logan Airport, the North End, Old North Church, and the USS Constitution, then watch its sunset cannon salute. The boat is wheelchair accessible, with food and drinks available for purchase.

“Specular View of Boston and guide was very knowledgeable of the sites and history of Boston Harbour and surrounding area. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening.”

Check availability →Read our full review