There are many ways to explore all that New York City has to offer, like walking, a quick train ride or a view from above. However, one of the best ways to take a tour is by boat. Dozens of sailboats, yachts and ferries leave the city’s piers every day and travel along the East River and New York Harbor. They’re always open to taking passengers on board to see the Manhattan skyline along the water. You’ll never look at the city in the same way again after taking a voyage on one of these boat tours.
New York City’s Best Boat Tours
Circle Line Best of NYC
It isn’t easy to see all of New York City in one day, but Circle Line is determined to try, thanks to their Best of NYC cruise. This cruise leaves out of Pier 83 and takes passengers on a complete circle around Manhattan Island. You’ll have the perfect view of every landmark on their outdoor decks, such as the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge and Yankee Stadium! There’s even an opportunity to take a picture at the Statue of Liberty at its photo stop and munch on a sandwich or salad, thanks to the cafe on board. The tour lasts two and a half hours, so it’s the perfect way to see everything you want in one afternoon.
City Lights Cruise on Yacht Manhattan
New York City is known as “the city that never sleeps,” thanks to the thousands of lights lit up at night. If you genuinely want to see what it looks like at that time, take a ride on City Lights Cruise on Yacht Manhattan from Classic Harbor Line. Passengers leave out of Chelsea Piers on a 1920s-inspired yacht to find the city skyline aglow against the night sky. The ship sails around New York Harbor in a climate-controlled cabin, so you won’t have to worry about the weather stopping your nighttime voyage. This is the perfect cruise to take if you’re looking for a different kind of date night to spend with the one you love.
The BEAST Speedboat
If you’re looking for a more exciting way to see the city by water, take a ride on The BEAST Speedboat. This speedboat leaves out of Pier 83 to send passengers on a fast-paced tour of New York Harbor. The Beast rides to the Statue of Liberty and back thanks to its twin jet engines, and you’ll have plenty of time to fit in other activities during your day in the city since each tour is only 30 minutes long. Be sure to look out for the green speedboat when you arrive, so you know where to go for the most action-packed tour the city has to offer.
Shearwater Daytime Cruise
You may want to take your time while you cruise around the city, so Manhattan by Sail will be the tour for you. Its Shearwater Daytime Cruise leaves out of North Cove Marina in Battery Park for an hour-and-a-half-long voyage along New York Harbor. Passengers can step on board a classic schooner that brings them up close to the water and famous city landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. This cruise is perfect for small groups of family and friends to enjoy together.
Whale Watching NYC Adventure Cruise
Did you know you can go whale watching in New York City? When you step on board, you’ll have the chance to see a variety of whale species and even bottlenose dolphins swimming beside the most famous landmarks. There’s also food and beverages on board, so you’ll never have to leave the ship to make the day complete. You won’t want to miss a second of the views on a fun whale watching cruise in NYC.
Bateaux New York Premier Dinner Cruise
If you want to add some style to your city tour, take a ride on Bateaux New York Premier Dinner Cruise. This ship seats guests inside a glass deck, giving them the perfect view of the city skyline during their ride. They’ll find an elegant dinner waiting for them on board, complete with the finest entrees, salads and desserts on the water. The ship leaves out of Pier 61 in Chelsea Piers and sails along both the East and Hudson Rivers, so you’ll have a complete view of the city during your meal.
