15 Ferry Rides in the USA That Still Read Well a Year On

1.Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island with Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 18,683 reviews · 5 hours · from $19Our pick

Take a round-trip ferry from Liberty State Park to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Explore both sites at your own pace with multilingual audio guides, see the Statue of Liberty Museum and its original torch, and visit the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Allow four to six hours, and choose an early departure if you want both islands.

“transportation from Jersey city to the islands was very convenient, great views, plenty of parking.”

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2.Muir Woods and Sausalito (Return by Bus or Ferry)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,098 reviews · 5 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $91

Spend 5 to 8 hours visiting Muir Woods and Sausalito from San Francisco by air-conditioned coach. You get 90 minutes among coastal redwoods, a Golden Gate Bridge viewpoint, and one hour in Sausalito. Guides such as Don, Jerry, George, and Judith add local stories. Choose a bus or ferry return, or upgrade to a bike ride.

“We were supposed to have a tour going to Muir Woods and Sausalito. We were SUPPOSED to have 90 minutes in Muir Woods and 60 minutes in Sausalito. Not until after we were in the bus and driving away were we told we would be taking a 2 hour drive (one way) to spend 60 minutes in Armstrong Park. (Muir Woods is about a 50 minute drive). Nobody was told this until we were already underway. Everyone thought we would be eating around 1:30 in Sausalito. Nobody had food and there was no food or water at Armstrong park. We were all very hungry. We arrived in Sausalito and had…”

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3.Water Taxi All Day hop-on hop-off Venice of America Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,932 reviews · 1 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $38

Spend up to 12 hours on Fort Lauderdale’s Water Taxi, boarding at stops along the Intracoastal Waterway. Listen to live narration, admire waterfront homes and yachts, and hop off for Las Olas, the beach, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Hollywood, or a meal by the water. The full route works best with an early start.

“The taxi schedule was pretty easy to figure out and the trip up and down the waterway was really cool. The guys with the mics were funny and informative. If we knew the area better we’d have hopped on and off more to go do things but we didn’t so we just rode up and down and that was pretty fun for a cheap ticket.”

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4.Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,343 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $43

Ride from Liberty Square or Patriots Point to Fort Sumter on a narrated 30-minute harbor cruise. A National Park Service ranger introduces the fort, then you have about an hour to explore the ruins, museum, bookstore, and souvenir shop. Expect stairs, changing weather, and no elevator service.

“We were from out of town and I booked the trip about an hour before the event. When we arrived at the place to get on the ferry the parking had to be paid for and it was a quarter mile away from the ferry. There weren't any clear signage dictating where the ferry was. We had to be directed by a employee. Im 5 months pregnant and dont walk very fast so we missed the ferry by 2 mins it was pulling away as we were trying to get to it. When we talked to the ticket clerk she was rude and coarse. Said she couldnt refund us for…”

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5.Fort Sumter Entry Ticket with Roundtrip Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,879 reviews · 2 hours · from $43

Take a narrated ferry from Liberty Square or Patriot’s Point to Fort Sumter. You’ll pass Rainbow Row, Battery homes, the Ravenel Bridge, or USS Yorktown, then spend about an hour exploring the fort with National Park Rangers before returning by boat.

“interesting history and tour. Boat ride was lovely on a hot day.”

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6.Alcatraz Ticket, Ferry, & Self-Guided App

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,460 reviews · 3 hours · from $79

Take the ferry from Pier 33 to Alcatraz, then follow a self-guided app tour through the cell blocks, including areas linked to Al Capone and George Machine Gun Kelly. Plan on about three hours, but you may stay longer and return on a later ferry. The route includes steep sections, though transport is available for visitors who need help with the hill.

“this trip was very well organised you arrive at your allocated time which avoided unnecessary ques. the ferry was fast and there was plenty of seating. the audio tour was great and you got plenty of time to explore. There is transport laid on for customers unable to climb the hill”

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7.Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Guided Tour with Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,189 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $59

Meet your guide at 1 Bowling Green, then take the ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Choose a two-hour Statue of Liberty Express tour or a four-hour option with Ellis Island and its official audio guide. Guides such as Joseph, Joe, Christian, Charlie, and Mindy are praised for clear stories and helpful pacing. Exterior access only, with no crown or pedestal entry.

“Terrible most misleading experience here in New York we went to the designated spot on the app given to be redirected and then told we were still in the wrong spot. Missed the tour and given no refund yea I’ll pass on using this app in the future”

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8.Charleston Water Taxi Cruise with Dolphin Sighting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 857 reviews · 1 to 11 hours (approx.) Top rated

Use Charleston’s water taxi as both harbor cruise and local transport. Ride between Patriots Point, Aquarium Wharf, Waterfront Park, and Charleston Harbor Resort, with dolphin spotting included on every trip. You can stay aboard for the full loop or get off to visit attractions. Captains such as Bryan and Dallas have been praised for local knowledge, though narration can vary.

“Everyone was very professional I love the music they had a very cute dog on there with some beautiful eyes and it was her birthday I really enjoyed it”

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9.City Cruises Salem High Speed Ferry to/from Boston

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 727 reviews · 50 minutes (approx.) · from $42

Ride a fast catamaran between Boston and Salem in about 50 minutes. Choose outdoor seating or a climate-controlled lounge, buy snacks and drinks onboard, and listen to commentary from guides such as Donald or Mikayla. The ferry saves you from summer and Halloween traffic, but rough water can cause cancellations.

“We were unable to make our tour due to a traffic accident on the way. The company refused to offer any compensation or even adjust to a time that better fit our plans. Please be aware of making a reservation with this company as if something happens out of your scope of control, they will do nothing to accommodate you.”

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10.Alcatraz, Ferry & Audio Tour w/ Night Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 617 reviews · 3 hours · from $78

Take the official ferry from Pier 33 to Alcatraz, then explore the prison, gardens, ruins, protest sites, and bay views at your own pace. Your ticket includes the official Cellhouse audio tour plus a companion audio guide for the ferry and island. Choose the night option for evening access, ranger introductions, and special programs.

“Overall it was a good visit. Although there was the Asian lady at the counter with a lot of attitude. She Definitely need to look at different job because customer service is not her best skill. Other then that it was a good experience”

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11.Muir Woods & Sausalito Tour with Ferry Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 515 reviews · 5 - 8 hours · from $91

Travel by air-conditioned bus from San Francisco to Muir Woods, where you get 90 minutes among giant redwoods, then spend time in Sausalito. Your guide shares local history and stops for Golden Gate views. Choose a ferry return for a scenic ride back, or select the bike option for a guided ride and ferry journey.

“Tony the tour guide was amazing nd informative. I would highly reccomend.”

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12.Hilton Head to Savannah Round-Trip Ferry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 507 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $88

Travel from Hilton Head’s Harbour Town area to Savannah by high-speed ferry, with 1 hour 45 minutes on the water each way and about four hours ashore. Choose an air-conditioned cabin or covered upper deck, buy drinks and snacks onboard, and add a trolley tour in Savannah if you want an easy introduction to the city.

“Great crew, departed and returned on time, the bar on board was well stocked and prices are very reasonable”

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13.Electric Bike Rental w/ Map & Optional Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 425 reviews · 2 - 8 hours · from $37

Pick up an e-bike near Ghirardelli Square and set your own route through San Francisco. Ride to the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, North Beach, the Castro, or Mission Dolores. Choose 2, 4, or full-day access. A one-way Blue and Gold Fleet ferry ticket from Sausalito to Fisherman’s Wharf is available as an add-on.

“The bike was nice and staff was friendly. The only annoying thing was the extra insurance that was charge at the Office. This could have been mentioned I the guide.”

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14.From Miami: Roundtrip Bimini Ferry with Hotel Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 400 reviews · 15 hours · from $289

Travel from Miami Beach to Bimini by high-speed ferry, with hotel pickup, a roughly two-hour crossing, and about six hours to enjoy beaches, water sports, shops, restaurants, or a golf-cart outing. English, Spanish, and Arabic-speaking drivers are available. The day is long, but it gives you a simple taste of the Bahamas without booking a hotel.

“Catastrophique, Je suis aller au point de rendez-vous à 4 h 30 j’ai patienter jusqu’à 6 h sans qu’aucun chauffeur ne vienne me chercher à l’adresse indiqué. J’ai contacté le prestataire de service sans réponse et le service client m’ont dit que je doit aller directement au ferry j’ai du prendre un uber à 60 dollars et quand je me suis présenter au terminal 21 on me dit que le ferry est fermer le samedi j’ai quand même patienter jusqu’à 9 h pour recevoir au final un mail de remboursement. C’est mon voyage de noce et sachez que vous avez tuer nos vacances je n’ai pas les mots j’espère que…”

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15.Wall Street Tour with 9/11 Memorial and Statue Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 367 reviews · 2 - 5 hours · from $39

Start at 24 Broad Street with a local English-speaking guide for a lively walk past Wall Street, Federal Hall, Trinity Church, and the 9/11 Memorial. Continue through Battery Park, then take the ferry to Liberty Island on your own. The $39 tour includes round-trip ferry access, but not the 9/11 Museum or guided island tours.

“Very informative. Great stroll through the major sights ending at the Statue of Liberty. Wear COMFY shoes!!! Our guide was had great information at each location.”

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