Here are the Best NYC Boat Tours for the Family
These NYC boat tours provide the perfect outdoor activity for the family this summer.
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Boat Tours in Fairfield County, CT
Note: Due to the coronavirus, things can change quickly. Please call ahead confirm tours are happening as scheduled.
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The Maritime Aquarium
10 N. Water St., Norwalk
203-852-0700
What you need to know: Cruises will be capped at 20 passengers to maintain social distancing can be maintained. Face masks are required onboard. The vessel will be disinfected before and after every cruise, and hand sanitizing stations are available onboard.
Rides: All cruises are on the R/V Spirit of the Sound, the only research vessel in North America with hybrid-electric propulsion. Aquarium educators are aboard every cruise. The Marine Life Encounter Cruise includes sampling techniques such as a plankton tow, trawl net and biodredge that brings up a variety of fish, crabs, and mollusks. A video microscope and large touch tank on board enhance observations. No food is available for purchase, but passengers can bring their own on the lighthouse cruises and Sunset Cruise. Passengers must be over 42” tall to ride and children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Hours: Dates and times for the Norwalk Islands Cruise, TGIF Cruise, Birding Cruise, Sunset Cruise, vary; check site for details.
Cost: All cruises are currently $31.50. Reservations are strongly recommended and in some cases required.
SoundWaters
Cove Island Park, 1281 Cove Road, Stamford
203-967-8306
What you need to know: Due to COVID-19, SoundWaters public sails will have a maximum capacity of 25 people. Boarding will be staggered, with groups of five or less boarding at a time. No seating area will have more than five people. Passengers are allowed to bring food, but they can only share with people in their designated seating area. Public sails will not offer catering or buffet-style food.
Rides: Explore the Long Island Sound aboard an 80-foot Schooner on an afternoon sail designed for families. Work together to raise sails, discover what inhabits the water of the Sound, sample and test water quality, learn about hypoxia, and analyze groundwater. Alternatively board the Schooner at sunset for dinner and beverages. All passengers must be 5 years for both.
Hours: Afternoon Sail: through Sept. 30: Saturday-Sunday, typically at 3pm or 2:30pm; check the website for exact dates and times. Sunset Sail: dates vary; Wednesday-Sunday, 2-hour sail departing at either 5pm, 5:30pm, 6pm, or 6:30pm; check the website for exact dates and times.
Cost: Afternoon Sail: $35; $20 children ages 5-12. Sunset Sail: $40 (passengers must be at least 5 years old).
Boat Tours in Nassau County
Note: Due to the coronavirus, things can change quickly. Please call ahead confirm tours are happening as scheduled.
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The WaterFront Center
Harbor Tours, Sunset Cruises, and Marine DIscovery Sails have been canceled until further notice.
1 W. End Ave., Oyster Bay
516-922-7245
Rides: The WaterFront Center offers Harbor Tours, Sunset Cruises, and Marine Discovery Sails aboard the Christeen Oyster Sloop. The Sunset Sail is a two-hour long evening cruise around Oyster Bay. The Harbor Tour is a sail around West Harbor, Oyster Bay, and Cold Spring Harbor. The Marine Discovery Sail is best for children as it offers fun and educational activities for the whole family. Children ages 3 and older with an accompanying adult are permitted on all three sails.
Hours: Sunset Sails: 6pm-7:45pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from June 19 to Aug. 30. Harbor Tour: 10am-12pm select Saturdays and Sundays from June 16 to Oct. 6. Discovery Sails: 10am-12pm select Saturdays and Sundays from June 9 to Sept. 1.
Cost: Harbor Tour and Discovery Cruise: $25. Sunset Cruise: $30.
Freeport Water Taxi and Tours
211 Woodcleft Ave. Nautical Mile, Freeport
516-521-7744
What you need to know: The vessel is operating at 50-percent capacity (14 people maximum). The entire boat will be sanitized after every cruise, and all crew members will wear masks for the duration of the cruise. Guests must wear masks when boarding, departing, and walking around the boat, but masks can be removed when seated. Social distancing guidelines must be followed.
Rides: The One Hour Day Cruise is perfect for families that want to enjoy the bays of the South Shore of Long Island. A variety of other cruises more geared toward adults, special event cruises, fishing excursions, and seal watching cruises (only run from October-April) are also offered.
Hours: One-Hour Day Cruise: Saturday-Sunday, 12pm, 1:30pm, and 3pm. Sunset Cruise: Friday-Sunday, 7:30pm. Happy Hour Cruise: Friday-Sunday, 5pm and 6:15pm.
Cost: One-Hour Day Cruise: $20; $15 children ages 5-10; free for children ages 4 and younger. Sunset Cruise: $30 for ages 12 and older. Happy Hour Cruise: $25 for ages 11 and older.
Captain Lou Fleet
31 Woodcleft Ave., Freeport
516-623-5823
What you need to know: The fleet is following safety guidelines provided by the state, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Coast Guard. Capacity is limited onboard vessels, and all vessels are sanitized. Face masks or coverings are required onboard, social distancing must be maintained, and hand sanitizer will be provided.
Rides: Climb aboard the 110-foot Starstream VIII, a Modern Super cruiser for half day fishing trips. Bait and tackle are provided while there is a rod rental fee. A full snack bar is provided in the climate controlled cabin, though passengers are welcome to bring aboard their own food and beverages. The experienced Captain and crew offer assistance and clean your catches for free.
Hours: Half-day fishing trips: through September: daily, 8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm. Sunset cruise: Wednesdays, 7-9pm. Half-Day Whale, Dolphin and Bird Tour: select days; check the website for specific information.
Cost: Half-day fishing trips: $50; $45 seniors; $30 children ages 4-12; free for children 3 and younger. Sunset Cruise: $45 adult with open bar; $25 without open bar; $15 children ages 4-12; free for children younger than 4. Half-Day Whale, Dolphin and Bird Tour: $50; $45 seniors; $38 children 12 and younger.
Boat Tours in Suffolk County
Note: Due to the coronavirus, things can change quickly. Please call ahead confirm tours are happening as scheduled.
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American Beauty II
Long Wharf, Sag Harbor
631-375-5211
What you need to know: Passengers are required to wear face masks, and temperatures will be checked prior to boarding using a touchless forehead thermometer. Guests are asked to maintain social distancing. It’s recommended to buy tickets online for a touchless transaction.
Rides: Guests can choose either a 90-minute Nature Cruise or 2-hour Sunset Cruise. The Nature Cruise explores the Peconic Estuary System. Learn about the history of Sag Harbor, view the historic whaling village, and see Barcelona Point, Cedar Point Lighthouse and Mashomack Nature Preserve with full osprey nests on Shelter Island.
Hours: Nature Cruise: Sunday-Friday, 12pm and 3pm; Saturday, 11am, 1pm, and 3pm. Sunset Cruise: through Sept. 2: Thursday-Monday, typically at 6:30pm. Cruises also available on select weekends during spring and fall. Schedules may vary due to charters and weather. Call for updates.
Cost: Nature Cruise: $30; $20 children ages 5-12; free for children younger than 5. Sunset Cruise: $45; $30 children ages 5-12, free for children younger than 5.
Long Island Aquarium
431 E. Main St., Riverhead
631-208-0466
What you need to know: Each boat will be operating at 50-percent capacity, and riders must wear facial coverings. Advanced booking is required.
Rides: Add extra aquatic adventure to your visit with an interactive cruise aboard the Atlantis Explorer. Enjoy hands-on exploration including trap pulls, horseshoe crab encounters, and a stroll along a remote beach.
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 12:30-2:30pm and 3:30-5:30pm.
Cost: Boat only: $35; $25 children ages 3-12; $5 children younger than 3.Combo Aquarium Admission will let you save $10 on each tour boat ticket. Discounts for aquarium members and Suffolk County green key cardholders.
Discovery Wetlands Cruise
Stony Brook Marine Services: Across from the Three Village Inn, 150 Main St., Stony Brook
631-751-2244
What you need to know: 2020 season schedule and information is coming soon.
Rides: The 27-passenger pontoon boat “Discovery” cruises through The Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s 88-acre wetlands preserve for a 1.5 hour tour. A naturalist is onboard to describe the wildlife and flora.
Hours: TBA
Cost: Reservations taken Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Advance registration: $28; $25 seniors and students; $18 for children 6 and younger. Walk-ons (cash only): $35; $30 seniors and students; $20 children.
The Moon Chaser
Captree State Park, Babylon
631-265-1848
What you need to know: Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Rides: Great South Bay Excursions feature a live 1½-hour narrated tour of the wildlife, history, scenery of the Great South Bay and Fire Island coastline. Boxed lunches are allowed. The Moon Chaser is a 65 foot vessel with an enclosed main deck, comfortable seating, fully equipped nautical bar, and upper canopied sun deck. Special packages for groups of 30 or more or private excursions for day camps and schools are also offered from June through September.
Hours: through Sept. 3: Thursdays, 1-2:30pm
Cost: $17; $15 seniors; $13 children 12 and younger (though one child per adult can ride for free)
Sailing Montauk/Mon Tiki
Public sailing outings are canceled until further notice.
32 Star Island Road, Montauk
631-668-2826
Rides: Mon Tiki is a US Coast Guard Certified 40-foot eco-conscious catamaran inspired by traditional Polynesian double-canoe designs. Come aboard for scheduled sailing trips such as the Sunset Cruise, Discover Montauk Sail, and Three Hour Sail and Swim. Children under the age of 5 may not board the Sunset Cruise. All ages are welcome on daytime cruises. The Three Hour Sail and Swim only runs during the summer.
Hours: Sunset Cruise: 6:30-8:30 most days of the week until July 15. Discover Montauk Sail: 12-2pm on varying days. Check for official times and dates on the website.
Cost: Sunset Cruise: $60. Discover Montauk Sail: $65; $45 for children 11 and younger. Three Hour Sail & Swim: $95; $65 for children 11 and younger.
