Private Boat Tours of San Francisco Bay
A private boat tour with Captain Molly means the whole boat is yours: up to 6 guests, no other passengers, and a price per boat, not per person. Tours start at $1,050 for 3 hours, for 2 guests or 6, and leave from Hyde Street Harbor at Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco.
In season you can go whale watching or spend a full day at the Farallon Islands. Any time of year, a bay cruise takes you under the Golden Gate Bridge and past Alcatraz. Captain Molly holds a USCG Master license (100 GRT, Near Coastal), and Miss Molly is a 27-foot Shamrock with a heated cabin and a private bathroom. Trips run all year. Book online, or send a question with the Ask Molly button.
Private Whale Watching Tour(3 hours)
A private 3-hour whale watching tour from Hyde Street Harbor for up to 6 guests. $1,050 for the whole boat. Captain Molly plans the route around recent sightings.
Farallon Islands Tour(Full Day, 8 hours)
A private full-day boat trip to the Farallon Islands for up to 6 guests: whales, seabirds, seals and sharks by season. It leaves at first light, and costs $2,800 for the whole boat.
Golden Gate Bridge Boat Tour(3 hours)
A private 3-hour cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge for up to 6 guests, departing Hyde Street Harbor at Fisherman’s Wharf. $1,050 for the whole boat.
San Francisco Bay Highlights Cruise(3 hours)
A private 3-hour cruise past Alcatraz and Angel Island, under the Golden Gate and Bay bridges, for up to 6 guests. $1,050 for the whole boat.
San Francisco Bay Lighthouse Tour(4 hours)
A private 4-hour boat tour of San Francisco Bay’s lighthouses for up to 6 guests, from Hyde Street Harbor. $1,400 for the whole boat.
Custom Private Boat Tour(from 3 hours)
A private boat tour of San Francisco Bay on a route you design with Captain Molly, for up to 6 guests. $350 an hour with a 3-hour minimum, from $1,050.
Choosing a tour
| If you want | Book | Time and price |
|---|---|---|
| Whales, by season | Private whale watching tour | 3 hours, $1,050 |
| A full day offshore: whales, seabirds, seals and sharks | Farallon Islands tour | 8 hours, $2,800 |
| The Golden Gate Bridge from underneath | Golden Gate Bridge boat tour | 3 hours, $1,050 |
| Alcatraz, Angel Island and both bridges | Bay highlights cruise | 3 hours, $1,050 |
| The Bay’s lighthouses | Lighthouse tour | 4 hours, $1,400 |
| Your own route or a small celebration | Custom private boat tour | $350 an hour, from $1,050 |
Alcatraz is circled from the water on every route. None of these tours land on the island.
Private boat vs the big cruise boats
- Who’s aboard: your group of up to 6, and no one else. The large sightseeing boats sell tickets to the public.
- Price: one price for the whole boat. A 3-hour tour at $1,050 works out to $175 a person with 6 aboard.
- Route: you set the pace, and Captain Molly adjusts the route to what you want to see.
What’s around, by season
| Wildlife | When |
|---|---|
| Gray whales on migration past San Francisco | December to June |
| Gray whales inside the Bay | Mostly February to June |
| Humpback and blue whales | March to November |
| Seabird nesting at the Farallones | March to August |
| White sharks at the Farallones | September to November |
| Elephant seal breeding at the Farallones | December to February |
Seasons from the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and The Marine Mammal Center. Wildlife is never guaranteed. Month-by-month detail is in the whale watching season guide.
Giving a tour as a present? Every trip can be given as a gift certificate. More answers are on the FAQ.
Questions people ask
- How many people fit on a tour?
- Up to 6 guests, and children count toward the 6. The whole boat is yours.
- Is the price per person or per boat?
- Per boat. Tours are $350 an hour for the whole boat: $1,050 for 3 hours, $1,400 for the 4-hour lighthouse tour and $2,800 for the full-day Farallon Islands tour.
- Where do tours leave from?
- Hyde Street Harbor, 2951 Hyde St, at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Text Captain Molly from the bench when you arrive; don't walk to the boat on your own.
- Can we bring food and drinks?
- Yes, bring your own food and soft drinks. It's an alcohol-free boat unless you arrange a celebration toast with Captain Molly ahead of time.
- What if it's foggy or rough?
- Captain Molly makes the go/no-go decision for safety. If she cancels for weather, you get a full refund or a new date.
- Can I give a tour as a gift?
- Yes. Gift certificates can be used for any trip.