The 12 best boat tours in NYC in 2024

So this is how to really do an NYC boat tour. Choose which fine dining food option you fancy and then settle into a blissful tour around New York Harbor, with a live pianist your exceptional aural entertainment. And sure, the luxury dining and the music might be pretty good but you wait until you gaze out across the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty and One World Trade Center from your private table with 360-degree panoramic views. 

Don't miss: The sultry sounds of the onboard jazz pianist who's on a mission to get people dancing.  

Perfect for the sightseer who knows exactly what he or she wants, this Circle Line express tour goes right to the Statue of Liberty – no pit stops this time. Listen to an expert guide point out some lower Manhattan landmarks before pausing for photos right next to Lady Liberty. And since this cruise only takes an hour, it’s easy to fit into even the busiest itinerary.

Don't miss: The perfect photo opp of the famous sculpture and other harbor landmarks. 

Here’s one for the schmoozy, romantic vacationers who are seeking a maximum NYC experience. This sunset sailing cruise with a live jazz band will have you gazing (and jiving) out as the sun drops below Manhattan. Sitting on a 1920s sailing boat, you’ll sail past NYC’s biggest landmarks (including the Statue of Liberty) while a live band plays a mix of beloved classics to contemporary R&B renditions. With an alcoholic drink in hand, live jazz in your ears, and the city lights sparkling in your eyes across the water, you’re in for a swingingly good time.

Don't miss: Asking the band to play your favorite tune.

Don’t want to share your views of the city skyline? You don’t have to on this private tour of the Hudson River at sunset. It’s your party, so you can bring any food or drinks you like on board. You’ll feel like a high roller as you kick back on your private yacht for the evening.

Don't miss: Chill with your crew on any of the three lounge areas, including the outdoor deck and sun pad. 

How better to get your bearing in a city as enormous as NYC than by circumnavigation? The Circle Line’s two-and-a-half-hour tour does a full loop of Manhattan Island, taking passengers past plenty of the city’s most popular sights in the process. Spanning three rivers and all five boroughs, you’ll even pass within touching distance of Lady Liberty herself. In other words, get your camera ready!

Don't miss: Non-English speakers can download the Circle Line app for a translated commentary. 

Get a taste of the Big Apple’s nightlife scene with this happy hour boat tour on the Hudson River. The Alive After Five cocktail cruise has everything you need: a fully stocked bar, a dance floor, and a killer DJ. Did someone say tequila? 

Don't miss: Views of the Manhattan skyline as the sun goes down and the lights turn on. 

You can't miss the water taxis, they look just like the car versions: big, bright and yellow. These little beauties cruise round New York Harbor daily, passing major sites like the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings, Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty. You can stay on and complete the entire loop in 70 minutes, or hop on and off as you please, exploring the greats eats, shops and attractions in NYC's waterside neighborhoods.

Don't miss: They have a team that can help you create a custom route for your journey. 

The area south of 59th Street is packed with architecturally significant buildings: the Chrysler Building, the Woolworth Building, the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center just to name a few. This 90-minute boat tour on a 1920s yacht is led by a member of the New York chapter of the American Institute of Architects, meaning architecturally speaking, you’re in good hands. With their guidance, you’ll cover all of Manhattan’s most significant structures, plus the Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty.

Don't miss: Sip complimentary beer, wine or Champagne from the bar while you learn about infrastructure, parks and architecture.

Put your purse away, because the Staten Island Ferry is totally free. That's right, in one of the most expensive cities in the world, you can find a free ride. This old chugger has been going since before any bridges were built, transporting folks from the 'burbs to Manhattan in 25 minutes. Boats leave South Ferry at Battery Park and run 24 hours a day.

Don't miss: The stunning panoramas of lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.

Fresh air, ocean waves, a free drink and front row (floating) seats to one of the most famous sunsets in the world. It’s fair to say that this leisurely cruise on the Schooner America 2.0 really does have it all. Sit back and relax as the crew guides this 1800s style sailboat out into the harbor while deep gold light wraps up the city. You’ll glide peacefully past landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island as the sun dips behind the Manhattan skyline. What better way to say “goodbye” to a perfect NYC day?

Don't miss: Your complimentary drink that you get to sip on board.

Adrenaline junkies will want to book tickets for this supercharged half-hour ride through New York Harbor. The 70-foot speedboat known as the Beast zooms toward the Statue of Liberty at 45 miles per hour, kicking up plenty of waves. In fact, the ride can get so intense that guides recommend wearing wetsuits.

Don't miss: The ride is accompanied by a thumping soundtrack to really kick things into high gear.

This historic experience will have you feeling like you've just stepped into the heart of The Great Gatsby—or really any other seafaring period drama. Sail Manhattan has two vessels for this experience—the 1920s restored Shearwater sailing boat, and The Clipper, a majestic tall ship with billowing sails. You’ll sail down the Hudson River on one of these spectacular ships, with the aim of the 1.5-hour sail to give you an awe-inspiring (and crowd-free) view of NYC’s biggest landmark hits. 

Don't miss: The open bar that's slinging drinks all hour long.