Frequently Asked Questions

See Frequently Asked Questions for:

Whale Watch

Please take a look at the New England Aquarium’s website for Whale Watch FAQs

Salem Ferry

What is the cost?

Round trip
$19 – Adults,
$17 – Sr (Seniors are age 65 or older)
$17- Child 3-11 (Children under3 are free)

One way
$10.50 – Adults,
$9.50 – Sr (Seniors are age 65 or older)
$9.50 – Child 3-11 (Children under3 are free)

How many stops do you have? Where do I get on your boat?

We make two stops;
One is at Long Wharf in Boston which is within a short walking distance of the New England Aquarium, North End, trolley tours, and Faneuil Hall Marketplace; and a longer walk to Government Center, downtown Crossing, and City Hall Plaza.

The second stop is in Salem at 10 Blaney Street. Many Guests do walk Salem from here, but some elect to hop onboard the Salem Trolley.

How long is the ride?

Approximately 50 minutes between docks.

What is the Cruise & Play?

It’s a special partnership that Boston’s Best Cruises has with local merchants to offer our Guests discounts when they show their ticket. Click here to go to the FAQ section for Cruise & Play. (Sara, make an anchor thing here too)

How many people does the boat hold?

The Salem Ferry can take 149 Guests.

How often do the boats run?

The ferry runs Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays as well as holiday Mondays (including Halloween). There are seven roundtrips, except Sunday there are only six. Please check the schedule for details.

Do you have private tours?

Yes we do offer that service, Please call 617.770.0040 x102 for more information.

Can you pick up large groups?

Yes, we can. Again, call 617.770.0040 x102 to receive the Group rate and reserve your seats.

Can I make reservations?

Absolutely! Online reservations is the fastest and easiest way to go, but you can also call if you need assistance. 617.770.0040.

Is the boat covered?

Yes, all of our boats are covered. Most of our boats offer heated/air-conditioned cabins.

Do you have a tour?

Yes, there is narration in Boston Harbor and Marblehead and Salem Harbors, but not at higher speeds between the two.

Where is the best stop to park?

In Boston it depends on what you mean by ‘Best”…the closest is at the Harbor Garage. Least expensive is at One International Place or Lewis Wharf. In Salem, there is ample free parking at the Ferry Center.

Are you handicapped accessible?

Yes, the Salem Ferry is fully ADA accessible.

Are strollers allowed on board?

Yes

Are Bikes allowed on board?

Yes, at no extra charge.

Do you go into the ocean?

Yes

Can I bring a dog on board?

Dogs are permitted on board under full control of their owner.

Boston’s Best Harbor & Sunset Cruises

What is the cost?

Harbor Cruise (45 min)
$14 – Adults,
$10 – Sr (Seniors are age 65 or older)
$8 – Child 3-11 (Children under3 are free)
$39 – Family Pass: Two adults and two children OR two adults, one child, and one senior

Sunset Cruise (90 min)
$20 – Adults,
$18 – Sr (Seniors are age 65 or older)
$17 – Child 3-11 (Children under3 are free)

How many stops do you have? Where do I get on your boat?

These trips do not make any stops, although the Sunset Cruise will come to a stop in the water at Boston Light (weather permitting) for a flag-lowering ceremony.

Both trips board at the Ferry Center at Long Wharf, on the north side of the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel

How long is the ride?

The Harbor Cruise is 45 minutes.
The Sunset Cruise is 90 minutes.

What is the Cruise & Play?

It’s a special partnership that Boston’s Best Cruises has with local merchants to offer our Guests discounts when they show their ticket. Take a look at our Boston or Salem Cruise & Play Partners.

How many people does the boat hold?

The Harbor Cruise can take 149 Guests; the Sunset Cruise is limited to 140 Guests

How often do the boats run?

The Harbor Cruise runs from 10:15-4:15 daily.
The Sunset Cruise runs one time per day, and leaves between 5:30PM and 7:00 PM, depending on the time of year and sunset. Please check the schedule for details.

Do you have private Harbor Cruise or Sunset Cruise?

Yes we do offer that service, Please call 617.770.0040 x102 for more information.

Can you pick up large groups?

Yes, we can. Again, call 617.770.0040 x102 to receive the Group rate and reserve your seats.

Can I make reservations?

Absolutely! Online reservations are the fastest and easiest way to go, but you can also call if you need assistance. 617.770.0040.

Is the boat covered?

Yes, all of our boats are covered. Most of our boats offer heated/air-conditioned cabins.

Do you have a tour?

Yes, both the Harbor Cruise and Sunset Cruise have a narrated tour.

Where is the best stop to park?

Depends on what you mean by ‘Best”…the closest is at the Harbor Garage. Least expensive is at One International Place or Lewis Wharf.

Are you handicapped accessible?

The Sunset Cruise is fully ADA accessible. The Harbor Cruise is a different type of vessel and does not accommodate wheelchairs.

Are strollers allowed on board?

Yes

Do you go into the ocean?

No, we cruise through inner Boston Harbor with our Harbor Tour and inner and outer Boston Harbor with our Sunset Cruise.

Do you go to the cruise ship terminal?

No, we are not permitted, it is a security zone.

Can I bring a bicycle on board?

Not on these trips.

Can I bring a dog on board?

Dogs are permitted on board under full control of their owner.

Boston Harbor Islands

Purchasing tickets ahead of time, online or in person, is recommended, especially on summer weekends and holidays. Please leave yourself time to park and walk to the Ferry Centers. If purchasing tickets the day of travel, we strongly suggest that you arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure time, especially on summer weekends and holidays. Please note that for Guests wishing to visit both Georges and Spectacle, we suggest leaving before noon, especially on summer weekends and holidays.

What is the cost?

Round trip
$14 – Adults,
$10 – Sr (Seniors are age 65 or older)
$8 – Child 3-11 (Children under3 are free)
$39 – Family Pass: Two adults and two children OR two adults, one child, and one senior

Where do boats depart from?

We have vessels that depart from Downtown Boston at Long Wharf North from the Ferry center. We have vessels that depart from Quincy at the MBTA Harbor Express from Mid June through Labor Day. We have departures from the Hingham Shipyard and Point Pemberton in Hull from Mid June through Labor Day.

How many stops do you have from the Boston Dock?

We make three stops;
One is at Long Wharf in Boston which is within a short walking distance of the New England Aquarium, North End, trolley tours, and Faneuil Hall Marketplace; and a longer walk to Government Center, downtown Crossing, and City Hall Plaza.

The second stop is at Georges Island.

The third stop is Spectacle Island.

How long is the ride?

Approximately 30 minutes between Boston and Georges.
Approximately 15 minutes between Boston and Spectacle

What is the Cruise & Play?

How many people does the boat hold?

The Island Boats hold 200 passengers.

How often do the boats run?

Daily. Please check the schedule. For your departure and locations.

Do you have private tours?

Yes we do offer that service, Please call 617.770.0040 x102 for more information.

Can you pick up large groups?

Yes, we can. Again, call 617.770.0040 x102 to receive the Group rate and reserve your seats.

Can I make reservations?

Absolutely! Online reservations is the fastest and easiest way to go, but you can also call if you need assistance. 617.770.0040.

Is the boat covered?

Yes, all of our boats are covered. Most of our boats offer heated/air-conditioned cabins.

Do you have a tour?

Yes, there is narration in Boston Harbor and Marblehead and Salem Harbors, but not at higher speeds between the two.

Where is the best stop to park?

In Boston it depends on what you mean by ‘Best”…the closest is at the Harbor Garage. Least expensive is at One International Place or Lewis Wharf. In Quincy at the MBTA Commuter boat lot, and in Hingham at the MBTA commuter boat lot. The Charge at the two commuter boat lots is $3.00 per day. Point Pemberton in Hull is free.

Are you handicapped accessible?

Yes, Vessels from Boston and Quincy are handicap accessible. Spectacle Island is the only handicap accessible island.

Are strollers allowed on board?

Yes

Are Bikes allowed on board?

No. Bikes are not allowed on the islands

Do you go into the ocean?

No. The Boston Harbor Islands are within Boston Harbor.

May I bring my pet(s) to the islands?

Pets are restricted on the islands to accommodate a variety of uses, and provide for visitor safety and resource protection. Visitors may bring dogs to Bumpkin and Grape Islands via park ferry (most practical from Hingham), Pets are not permitted in the camping areas on these two islands. Dogs are welcome on Nut and Deer Islands, Worlds End, and Webb Memorial Park (peninsulas accessible by car only). Dogs must be on leash at all times. No pets are allowed on other islands in the park. Service dogs are permitted on all islands.

T Harbor Express

Purchasing tickets ahead of time, in person, is recommended, especially on summer weekends and holidays. Please leave yourself time to park and walk to the Ferry Centers. If purchasing tickets the day of travel, we strongly suggest that you arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure time during the summer weekends and holidays.

Do I need a reservation?

No. Our boats very rarely sell out, and we operate on a first come, first served basis. We recommend arriving at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time to park and purchase your tickets.

Can I leave my car overnight?

Yes. Overnight parking is available for $6.00 per night.

How does the new parking system work?

Passengers parking for the day need to note the number of their parking space and deposit fees in the slot in front of the Terminal building corresponding to their space number. Passengers wishing to park overnight must note their space number, and pay in advance in the pay box located inside the Terminal building. Passengers may also use the new automated Pay by Phone system, however you must sign up prior to parking. Call (877) 510-PARK, or click here for details. Questions and comments about the parking lot should be directed to LAZ Parking, the MBTA’s contracted parking lot operator at (781) 794-1791 or mbta@lazparking.com with any parking-related issues.

Can you call me a cab?

Of course! Let our crew know you need a cab and where you’re headed and we will call ahead so a cab will meet you in Quincy!

How do I get from the boat to my airport terminal?

The Massport Route 66 Water Transportation Bus runs frequently on a loop between all airport terminals and the boat dock. The ride is free.

Do you offer discounts to regular riders?

Yes. You can buy an adult or senior 10-Ride ticket book of Boston tickets for the price of 9 tickets, or an MBTA monthly boat pass which allows unlimited rides between Boston, Hull, and Quincy. Passes are also valid on MBTA buses, subways, and ferries to and from Boston, with a supplemental fare for Logan commuter boats and Commuter Rail Zones 5-8. If you work at the Airport, we have discount rates as well.

Where do you drop off in Boston?

Our boats dock at Long Wharf North in the heart of downtown Boston. Our dock is a short walk from the Aquarium, Faneuil Hall, and the North End, Government Center, Financial District and the Blue Line.