Top 15 Ferries & Speedboat Rides Tours in the USA

1.Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island with Ferry

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

Take a self-guided ferry trip from New Jersey to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Walk close to the Statue of Liberty, see the original torch in the Statue of Liberty Museum, and trace immigrant stories at the Ellis Island National Immigration Museum. Audio tours are available in 12 languages, and you set the pace at 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

Travel from San Francisco to Muir Woods and Sausalito with a professional driver-guide, 90 minutes among coastal redwoods, and an hour in Sausalito. Choose a morning or afternoon departure, return by bus or ferry, or upgrade to a guided bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge. Guides such as Don, Jerry, George, and Judith have earned praise for their stories and local insight.

“Although we were anticipating going to the Armstrong Reserve, Muir Woods was open for the first time in 20 days. We definitely lucked out. We had a wonderful trip. Don was our tour guide, and he grew up in the area and was very knowledgeable about it. He had many stories to share, so there was never a dull moment. Muir Woods was so still and peaceful. We were fortunate in that there weren’t many people there. Definitely bring a light jacket because it is very cool in the trees. Sausalito was a pretty town with several restaurants to choose from, but with only an hour, we didn’t have time…”

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3.Circle Line “The Beast” Midtown/Downtown Speedboat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 4,259 reviews · 30 min · from $34

Circle Line’s 30-minute Beast ride takes you from Midtown or Downtown toward the Statue of Liberty in a jet-powered racing boat. Expect fast harbor runs, live narration, music, skyline views, and a good chance of getting wet. Midtown passengers can use Pier 81 BEAST’ro afterward.

“Brilliant adrenaline fuelled trip on the Hudson to view The Statue of Liberty. The ride was fast and furious and the staff made it great fun! Be prepared to get wet if you are booking this trip though!”

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4.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 riding Fort Lauderdale’s Water Taxi between 20 stops, including Las Olas, Fort Lauderdale Beach, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Hollywood Beach, and waterfront restaurants. Live narration adds local color, while hop-on, hop-off service lets you build your own day. Bring time, patience, and a plan for the last boat.

“Your was interesting with all the flash homes and boats. Your guide was very good. Facilities onboard good”

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

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

Ride a 30-minute ferry from Liberty Square or Patriots Point to Fort Sumter, where a National Park Service ranger explains the opening battle of the Civil War. You get about an hour to explore the ruins, museum, bookstore, and views before the return boat. Expect stairs, changing weather, and no restrooms at the fort.

“Lots of information. Ferry ride over was great with the explanation of what happened at the fort. Had a great time.”

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6.Speedboat Sightseeing Adventure of Miami

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,025 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $45

Race along Miami’s waterfront from Bayside Marketplace, passing Star Island, Fisher Island, South Beach, and the Port of Miami. Your captain handles the speed and turns while a guide shares local facts about mansions, islands, and Miami culture. Expect music, open-air views, and possible sea spray. Boats may be Thriller or Hurricane.

“Apparently the trip could have been canceled had they not gotten enough people . It wasn’t canceled so lucky for us . Crew was fun, views were great, you will GET WET! Don’t put anything on the ground. Tipping is appreciated, bring some cash.”

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7.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 across Charleston Harbor to Fort Sumter. You’ll see the Ravenel Bridge, Battery homes, Rainbow Row, sailboats, and perhaps dolphins. At the fort, a National Park Ranger explains the opening battle of the Civil War before you explore on your own.

“It was a great experience. We learned a lot on this tour. Highly recommended.”

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

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

Take the ferry from Pier 33 to Alcatraz Island, then explore the prison at your own pace with a self-guided app and official cell house audio tour. See the cells linked to Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly, learn about the island’s escape attempts, and enjoy wide views of San Francisco Bay and the skyline.

“Very interesting and informative tour. Easily accessible and the ferry ride is a great way to see the bay and bridge and San Francisco skyline. We had a beautiful day which helped. Good value for the experience. Would recommend as a must see in the Bay Area.”

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9.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 Battery Park, cross New York Harbor by ferry, and explore Liberty Island with stories about Lady Liberty and the Statue of Liberty Museum. Choose the two-hour express option or continue to Ellis Island for its immigration museum, audio guide, and family-history exhibits. Guides may include Joseph, Joe, Christian, Mindy, or Charlie.

“Leo was knowledgeable and shared this with us during the tour of the both islands during the Statue of liberty tour”

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10.Sightseeing Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,829 reviews · 45 min · from $45

Meet at Bayside Marketplace for a 45-minute power-catamaran ride with an English-speaking guide. Cruise past Star Island, Fisher Island, and South Beach, then speed into the Atlantic for skyline views, music, and sharp turns. Guides such as Manny, Alex, Chris, and Darius have been praised for keeping the ride funny and informative.

“Fast paced (hold down loose items!) and fun, guides were knowledgeable and funny! Great time!”

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11.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 transport between four stops. Look for dolphins, ride the full loop, or hop off at Patriots Point, the Aquarium, Waterfront Park, or Charleston Harbor Resort. Captains such as Bryan and Dallas have been praised for local insight, though narration can vary by crew.

“The water taxi is easy to use and a great way to move between attractions like the aircraft carrier and the International African American museum. The dolphin sighting was a huge bonus!”

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

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

Travel between Boston and Salem in about 50 minutes aboard a 149-passenger catamaran. Choose indoor seating or an outdoor deck, buy snacks and drinks onboard, and listen to commentary from guides such as Donald, Mikayla, Gary, or Charles. The ferry saves you from summer and Halloween traffic, though rough weather can cancel sailings.

“Great history lesson. Guide Mikayla was passionate about history and did a great job with lots of stories.”

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13.City Cruises Chicago: Seadog Lakefront Speedboat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 642 reviews · 30 - 75 minutes · from $42

Leave Navy Pier for a fast, open-air ride past Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain, the Museum Campus, Willis Tower, and Lake Point Tower. Your English-speaking guide mixes Chicago architecture and history with music and jokes. Choose the standard 30-minute trip or upgrade to Extreme for sharper turns, 360-degree spins, and bigger splashes.

“Captain Princess Jamie and her crew were awesome! The crew was friendly, funny, caring, and respectful.”

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

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

Travel from Pier 33 to Alcatraz on the official ferry, then explore the cellhouse, gardens, ruins, protest sites, and island views at your own pace. Your ticket includes the official Cellhouse audio tour plus a separate companion guide with Indigenous voices, inmate reflections, and stories of island life. A night option adds ranger introductions and evening access.

“such a fantastic trip. well worth the journey over and the narration around the prison was so interesting.”

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15.Muir Woods & Sausalito Tour with Ferry Option

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

Ride an air-conditioned bus across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods for a 90-minute redwood walk, then spend time in Sausalito. Your local guide handles the driving and shares Bay Area stories. Choose the ferry option for a scenic return, or add the guided bike option for a longer ride between San Francisco and Sausalito.

“All well organised and on time. The wood is an eye opener.”

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