Swim Escort Boat for San Francisco Bay: Alcatraz, Bridge to Bridge and Angel Island
A private escort boat and swim pilot for open water swimming in San Francisco Bay. Captain Molly runs Miss Molly as your support boat and safety boat. She stays beside or behind you, never in front, and watches ship traffic on AIS and radar. She also makes the weather call. Every swim leaves from Hyde Street Harbor at Fisherman’s Wharf.
Priced per boat, not per swimmer. Up to 6 aboard in any mix of swimmers, coach, official observer, family or kayaker. Book online, or plan the tide first on /jumptime.
Alcatraz Swim Escort Boat
A private escort boat for the Alcatraz swim: start at Alcatraz, finish at the St. Francis Yacht Club, about 1.5 miles. $550 per boat, up to 6 aboard.
Bridge to Bridge 10k Swim Escort(3 hours)
A private escort boat for the Bridge to Bridge 10k, about 6 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Bay Bridge. $700 per boat, 3-hour booking, up to 6 aboard.
Angel Island Swim Escort(3 hours)
A private escort boat for a swim around Angel Island in San Francisco Bay. $1,080 per boat for 3 hours, up to 6 aboard.
Marathon Swim Training Escort Boat(4 hours)
A private pilot boat for a 4-hour marathon training swim on San Francisco Bay, with feeds, a coach or observer aboard and a heated cabin. $1,400 per boat, quoted.
Marathon Swim Training Escort Boat(6 hours)
A private pilot boat for a 6-hour marathon training swim on San Francisco Bay, with feeds, a coach or observer aboard and a heated cabin. $2,100 per boat, quoted.
Marathon Swim Training Escort Boat(8 hours)
A private pilot boat for an 8-hour marathon training swim on San Francisco Bay, with feeds, a coach or observer aboard and a heated cabin. $2,800 per boat, quoted.
Swim routes and prices
| Route | Start and finish | Distance | Typical time | Price per boat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcatraz swim | Alcatraz to the St. Francis Yacht Club | About 1.5 mi straight; 1.7 to 1.9 mi as swum | About 1 hour | $550 |
| Bridge to Bridge 10k | Usually Golden Gate Bridge to the Bay Bridge, on the flood | About 6 mi | Depends on the current; booked for 3 hours | $700 |
| Angel Island swim | Around Angel Island | Ask Molly | Booked for 3 hours | $1,080 |
| Marathon swim training | Your plan, 4, 6 or 8 hours | Your plan | 4, 6 or 8 hours | $1,400, $2,100 or $2,800 (quoted) |
What the escort boat does
- Stays beside or behind you, never in front, so you can sight on the boat without it blocking your line.
- Watches traffic: Captain Molly tracks ships and ferries on AIS and radar while you swim.
- Makes the weather call: fog, wind and chop, smoky air or ship traffic can move, shorten or cancel a swim, at Captain Molly’s discretion.
- Carries your team: a coach, an official observer, feeds and family, within the 6 aboard. A kayaker is available at extra cost; ask for the price.
- Warms you up: the heated cabin is there for thermal recovery after the swim.
Captain Molly holds a U.S. Coast Guard Master license (100 GRT, Near Coastal) with a Radar Observer endorsement, and is trained in First Aid and CPR. The boat carries AIS and an EPIRB.
Per boat, not per swimmer
These are charter prices for the whole boat and captain, not per-swimmer prices. Up to 6 people come aboard in any mix: bring training partners and share the boat, or bring your coach and family to watch.
How booking works
- Plan the tide. Check jump times on /jumptime, which works from NOAA current predictions.
- Book online and pay in full at booking. There is no deposit. Marathon training swims are quoted: send Captain Molly your plan with the Ask Molly button.
- Tell Captain Molly about your swimming. She asks if you’ve swum open water in the Bay or only in a pool, and if you’re experienced in cold water. Use the booking notes, or send questions with the Ask Molly button. She replies in writing within 24 hours.
- On the day, meet at Hyde Street Harbor. Text Captain Molly from the bench when you arrive; don’t walk to the boat on your own.
Cancellation is free up to 7 days before the swim. Within 7 days there is no refund. If Captain Molly cancels for weather, you get a full refund or a new date.
New to the Bay? Read the guide to open-water swim support on San Francisco Bay. It has water temperature by month and explains how a swim pilot, an escort boat and a kayak differ.
Questions people ask
- Do I need a support boat to swim from Alcatraz?
- Yes. The swim crosses busy water with strong currents, and an escort boat keeps you visible to other traffic and gets you out of the water quickly if you need it. The boat also takes you out to Alcatraz for the start.
- How much does a swim escort boat cost?
- $550 for the Alcatraz swim, $700 for Bridge to Bridge, $1,080 around Angel Island, and $350 an hour for marathon training. All prices are per boat, not per swimmer.
- How many swimmers can share the boat?
- Up to 6 people aboard in total, in any mix of swimmers, coach, observer, family or kayaker.
- Do I need a wetsuit?
- Wear what you normally wear for a cold-water swim, broken in. Know your equipment before swim day.
- How cold is San Francisco Bay?
- NOAA's long-term monthly averages for San Francisco run from about 52°F in January to about 61°F in September.
- What should I bring?
- Your swim gear, your feeds if the swim is long, and warm clothes for after. The boat has a heated cabin and a private bathroom.
- What if the weather is bad?
- Captain Molly makes the call on the day: fog, wind and chop, smoky air or heavy ship traffic can move, shorten or cancel a swim. You get a full refund or a new date.