Alcatraz Bay Cruise – tickets, prices, what to expect
Alcatraz Bay Cruises offer a 60 to 90-minute sightseeing adventure across San Francisco Bay, providing breathtaking views of Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island, Sausalito, and other landmarks.
Unlike the official Alcatraz Island tour, these cruises do not dock on the island but provide a narrated experience covering its history, infamous inmates, and unique past.
Two major cruise companies operate Alcatraz Bay Cruises—Red & White Fleet and Blue & Gold Fleet. Below, we detail their most popular tours.
Important: For all SFO Bay Cruises, boarding is on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests must arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.
Top Tickets
– Alcatraz Day Tour
– Alcatraz Night Tour
– San Francisco Bay Cruise (no landing)
– Muir Woods, Sausalito & Alcatraz
– Muir Woods, Sausalito & Alcatraz + SFO city tourBook tickets early, as Alcatraz Island tours sell out quickly.
Table of Contents
Why choose the San Francisco Bay Cruise?
While the Alcatraz Island tour is immersive, the Bay Cruise, which doesn’t include a visit to the island, has its own advantages. We list them below –
No “Sold Out” Stress: While tickets for the Alcatraz landing sell out months in advance, Bay Cruise tickets are usually available a few days in advance or even on the same day.
Ease of Access: The walking tour of Alcatraz involves a steep ¼ mile hike up a hill. The Bay Cruise is relaxed, seated, and accessible for all ages and mobility levels.
Better Photography: It is actually easier to get that iconic “whole island” photo of Alcatraz from the water than it is when you are standing on the island itself.
Time Efficient: The tour takes about 90 minutes total, compared to the 3-4 hours required for the full tour of the Alcatraz island.
Red & White Fleet’s Alcatraz Bay cruises
The Red & White Fleet is a family-owned sightseeing cruise company that has been serving San Francisco Bay for over 130 years. They offer two popular cruises – the Golden Gate Bay Cruise and San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Cruise.
Golden Gate Bay Cruise
- Duration: 1 hour
- Departs from: Pier 43 1/2, Fisherman’s Wharf. Get Directions
- Food & Drinks: Full cocktail bar and snack bar available onboard
- Schedule: 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 1:45 PM, 2:15 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:45 PM, 5:30 PM
What to expect
This one-hour cruise departs from Fisherman’s Wharf and takes you along San Francisco’s scenic waterfront, passing North Beach, Aquatic Park, and Hyde Street Pier.
You’ll then cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge, offering a perfect photo opportunity of this famous landmark.
On the return journey, you’ll pass Angel Island, Sausalito, and Alcatraz Island, where you’ll hear stories from inmates and historians about life in the legendary prison.
Route of cruise
Cost of cruise
Adult (18+ years): $39
Youth (5-17 years): $29
San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Cruise
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Departs from: Pier 43 1/2, Fisherman’s Wharf. Get Directions
- Food & Drinks: Full cocktail bar and snack bar available onboard
- Schedule: 3:45 PM daily; additional 11:45 AM departures during peak seasons
What to expect
This 90-minute cruise takes you under both the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge, offering stunning views of San Francisco’s skyline.
During the tour, an audio guide in 16 languages shares details about San Francisco’s history, its famous bridges, earthquakes, and architecture.
You’ll also see Alcatraz Island, Coit Tower, the Transamerica Pyramid, Salesforce Tower, and the Palace of Fine Arts.
Route of cruise
Cost of cruise
Adult (18+ years): $48
Youth (5-17 years): $36
Blue & Gold Fleet’s Alcatraz bay cruises
The Blue & Gold Fleet has been offering ferry and water tours on San Francisco Bay for over 40 years.
They provide two exciting Alcatraz Bay Cruises – the San Francisco Bay Cruise and Escape from the Rock Cruise.
San Francisco Bay Cruise
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Departs from: Pier 41. Get Directions
- Food & Drinks: Snack bars offering alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, chips, and snacks
- Schedule: 11:00 AM, 12:20 PM, 2:20 PM, 3:40 PM, 5:00 PM, 6:30 PM
What to expect
This one-hour cruise sails under the Golden Gate Bridge, past PIER 39’s sea lions, around Alcatraz Island, and along San Francisco’s famous waterfront.
You’ll enjoy both indoor and outdoor seating with a narrated tour describing each major landmark.
Cost of cruise
Adult: $38
Senior (65+), Military, Junior (12-18): $33
Child (5-11): $28
Escape from the Rock Cruise
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Departs from: Pier 41. Get Directions
- Food & Drinks: Snack bars offering alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, chips, and snacks
- Schedule: 12:00 PM daily
What to expect
This 90-minute tour circles Alcatraz Island, providing an up-close look at San Francisco’s most infamous prison.
While the cruise does not land on Alcatraz, you’ll hear chilling escape stories from Al Capone, Clyde Johnson, and other prisoners.
The route also takes you under the Golden Gate Bridge and past Angel Island State Park, offering stunning views of San Francisco Bay.
The cruise comes with a free audio tours in 9 languages.
Cost of cruise
- Adult: $48
- Senior (65+), Military, Junior (12-18): $38
- Child (5-11): $35
Practical tips for the cruise
Here are three tips which can improve the quality of your bay cruise experience –
Check Your Departure Pier: Different companies run bay cruises. Some depart from Pier 33 (Alcatraz Landing), while others (like the Red and White Fleet or Blue & Gold Fleet) depart from Pier 39 or Pier 41 at Fisherman’s Wharf. Check your ticket carefully!
Bring Binoculars: Since you aren’t landing, binoculars are a great way to spot the seabirds nesting on the cliffs or look for details in the crumbling prison walls.
Dress for Wind: You might be tempted to sit on the top deck for the views, but the San Francisco bay is notoriously windy. A windbreaker and a warm hat are essential, even in summer.
Which Alcatraz Bay Cruise is right for you?
| Cruise | Duration | Best For | Price (Adult) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Gate Bay Cruise | 1 hour | Quick sightseeing, great for photos | $39 |
| San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Cruise | 90 minutes | Full sightseeing experience | $48 |
| San Francisco Bay Cruise | 1 hour | Classic bay tour | $39 |
| Escape from the Rock Cruise | 90 minutes | History lovers, Alcatraz stories | $48 |
San Francisco Bay Cruise Combo Tours
San Francisco Bay Cruises are available as combo packages, allowing you to explore more while saving money.
These combo tours include Alcatraz, city tours, night tours, Muir Woods, and more, giving you a complete sightseeing experience.
Day Cruise or Bay Cruise – which is better?
Choosing between the Alcatraz Day Tour and the Alcatraz Bay Discovery Cruise depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for.
If you want to step inside the famous prison, walk through the historic cellblocks, and experience the eerie atmosphere of Alcatraz Island firsthand, then the Alcatraz Day Tour is the best choice. This tour allows you to explore the prison at your own pace, listen to real stories from former inmates and guards, and truly immerse yourself in the island’s history.
On the other hand, if you’re short on time, prefer a more relaxed and scenic tour, or weren’t able to get Alcatraz tickets, the Bay Discovery Cruise is a great alternative. This 90-minute cruise takes you around the island, offering incredible views of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and other landmarks, all while learning about its fascinating past through an audio guide.
Read more: What’s better – Alcatraz day cruise or San Francisco bay cruise?
