Where the concierge points people first
- Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises — From Pier 83 at West 42nd Street, the classic sightseeing operator, running everything from a short harbor loop to a trip right round Manhattan. Pick the full circle if you want to see the Harlem River side most visitors never do. (40.7627, -74.0015)
- Classic Harbor Line — Sails from Chelsea Piers on 1920s-style yachts and the schooner Adirondack. The sunset sails are the reason to choose it, and far calmer than the big boats. (40.7483, -74.0087)
- Manhattan by Sail — Runs the schooner Shearwater from North Cove Marina at Brookfield Place, a short walk from the World Trade Center. A real sail past the Statue of Liberty rather than a motor cruise. (40.7054, -74.0016)
- The BEAST Speedboat Ride — Leaves from Pier 83 in summer, a fast, loud half hour out to the Statue and back. You will get wet; kids tend to love it and phones should stay in a pocket. (40.7627, -74.0015)
The rest of the boat tours in New York — every one we hold
- Attraction Pass (40.7534, -73.9806)
- Battery Park Slip 6 (40.7037, -74.0177)
- Brooklyn Sail (40.6942, -74.0005)
- City Cruises New York Pier 15 (40.7052, -74.0048)
- City Cruises New York Pier 61 South (40.7474, -74.0081)
- Dream Boat NY (40.7450, -74.0087)
- Event Cruises NYC (40.7289, -74.0124)
- Fairwind Charters (40.8285, -73.9716)
- Festiva Yacht Charters (40.7609, -74.0208)
- Harbor Sail (40.7177, -74.0131)
- Hoboken Sailing Tours (40.7516, -74.0230)
- Majestic Harbor Cruises (40.7097, -73.9848)
- Manhattan Steamboat Company (40.7572, -73.9665)
- MIXX Cruise (40.7631, -74.0006)
- N.Y.C Skyline Tours & Cruises (40.7101, -73.9863)
- Narwhal Yacht Charters (40.7451, -74.0093)
- New York City Yacht Charters (40.7289, -74.0124)
- New York Harbor Tours (40.7202, -74.0141)
- New York Media Boat (40.7120, -74.0152)
- New York Princess Cruises (40.7099, -73.9846)
- New York Water Taxi (40.6728, -74.0176)
- NY Harbor Social (40.7353, -73.9739)
- NYC Attractions Tourism (40.7597, -74.0040)
- Nycbysea (40.7135, -74.0175)
- Sail Sunset (40.7202, -74.0142)
- SailawayNY (40.7454, -74.0091)
- Sailing Yacht Ventura (40.7460, -74.0093)
- Sailo (40.7535, -73.9878)
- Sailo (40.7537, -73.9992)
- Sea Nyc Tour (40.7597, -74.0040)
- Shearwater Classic Schooner (40.7123, -74.0173)
- Shearwater Classic Yacht (40.7123, -74.0173)
- Starship Tours and Events (40.7598, -74.0039)
- Statue Liberty Tours & NYC Sunset Cruises (40.7098, -73.9848)
- True Sailing NYC (40.7133, -74.0155)
- Vista Yacht Cruises (40.7606, -74.0199)
- Yacht Cruises NYC (40.7361, -73.9742)
- Yacht Owner Time Charters (40.7376, -73.9924)
Only one ferry actually stops at the Statue
None of the sightseeing boats here land at the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island. Only the official Statue City Cruises ferry, from Battery Park or Liberty State Park in New Jersey, stops on the islands, with airport-style security before you board, so go for the first sailings of the morning to beat the queues. If you only want to see the statue from the water, the Staten Island Ferry from Whitehall Terminal is free, runs round the clock, and passes close by on its roughly 25-minute crossing. The paid tours earn their keep with commentary, sunsets and the stretches of river the ferry never covers.
Questions people ask
What are the best boat tours in New York?
Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises for the full loop round Manhattan, Classic Harbor Line or Manhattan by Sail for a sunset sail, and The BEAST Speedboat Ride for something fast in summer.
Do any boat tours stop at the Statue of Liberty?
No sightseeing cruise lands there. Only the official Statue City Cruises ferry from Battery Park or Liberty State Park stops at Liberty and Ellis Islands.
How many boat tours are there in New York?
Num's directory maps 42 boat tour operators in and around New York, including sightseeing cruises, sailing trips and private charters.
Ask Num which New York boat tour fits your afternoon
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