Boat tours in San Francisco
San Francisco looks different from the water. The most comfortable months are August to October, with highs around 69°F (21°C) and about 2 rainy days a month.
Photo: Lightandtruth, CC BY-SA 4.0
Top boat tours in San Francisco
San Francisco Bay CruiseFrom $39View 
San Francisco Sunset CruiseFrom $39View 
San Francisco City Lights CruiseFrom $58View 
1.5-Hour San Francisco Bay Sailing TourFrom $99View 
Inside Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bridge Bay CruiseFrom $130View 
Golden Gate Bay Cruise with Breathtaking Alcatraz ViewsFrom $36View
Tours from Viator. Good Outing may earn a commission when you book, at no cost to you.
Local operators and places
Names that come up for boat tours in San Francisco:
- Bay Cruises
How to pick a good boat tour
- Decide between a shared boat (cheaper, fixed route) and a private charter (your pace, your stops).
- Ask whether the boat has shade. An open deck for three hours in summer is hard work.
- Morning departures usually have calmer water; afternoons can get windy and choppy.
- Check the cancellation rule for bad weather. Good operators rebook or refund if they cancel.
San Francisco month by month
Averages for San Francisco, 1991–2020.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 58 (14) | 60 (16) | 62 (17) | 63 (17) | 64 (18) | 67 (19) | 66 (19) | 68 (20) | 70 (21) | 70 (21) | 64 (18) | 58 (14) |
| Low °F (°C) | 47 (8) | 48 (9) | 49 (9) | 50 (10) | 51 (11) | 53 (12) | 54 (12) | 56 (13) | 56 (13) | 54 (12) | 51 (10) | 47 (8) |
| Rainy days | 11 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 12 |
| Sunset (15th) | 5:14 pm | 5:48 pm | 7:16 pm | 7:45 pm | 8:12 pm | 8:33 pm | 8:32 pm | 8:03 pm | 7:18 pm | 6:33 pm | 4:59 pm | 4:52 pm |
Questions
When is the best time for boat tours in San Francisco?
August to October. Expect highs around 69°F (21°C) and about 2 rainy days a month. The least comfortable months are January and December.
What time is sunset in San Francisco?
Sunset comes earliest in December, around 4:52 pm, and latest in June, around 8:33 pm. Pick a date in the planner above for the exact time.
Where can I book boat tours in San Francisco?
The tours above book on Viator. Compare group size, duration, what is included and the cancellation terms before you pick one.
More things to do in San Francisco
Cooking classesAll year
Sunset cruisesBest Aug–Oct
Food toursBest May–Oct
Walking toursBest May–Oct
Zipline toursBest May–Oct
Wine toursBest May–Oct
Hot air balloon ridesBest May–Oct
Helicopter toursBest May–Oct
Bike toursBest May–Oct
Segway toursBest May–Oct
Private toursBest May–Oct
Jeep toursBest May–Oct
