Top New York City Sunset Cruises

There are plenty of sunset cruises in NYC to select from. According to customer ratings and reviews, the best sunset cruises to book right now are:

• New York City Sunset Cruise on a Yacht 
• New York Sunset Schooner Cruise on the Hudson River
• New York City Sunset Jazz Sail Aboard Clipper City
• New York City Sunset Sail Aboard Shearwater
• New York City Sunset Sail to the Statue of Liberty

Yes. Seeing the New York City skyline from the water as the sun dips below the horizon is a magical experience. There are options that fit every budget, whether it’s a large boat or a more intimate yacht. Either way, you will get to see many of the city’s landmarks from a unique vantage point.

The price of a sunset cruise in NYC ranges from US$29 per person on a large, shared cruise to US$600 for a one or two-person private charter boat—with everything in between. The price depends on how large the boat is, whether it’s private or shared, what kind of refreshments are included, and whether there is live music onboard.

Sunset cruises in NYC range from 1–3 hours. This gives boats plenty of time to traverse the Hudson and East Rivers and allows guests to see famous New York landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building.

As the sun sets on the river, you’ll see NYC landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Freedom Tower, Governors Island, the Manhattan Bridge, and more. There’s no better way to take in all these iconic sights than from the deck of a sunset cruise.

There are many wonderful places to see the sunset in NYC, but some of the best are from one of the skyscraper observatories, like the Empire State Building or the Edge at Hudson Yards; atop one of the many rooftop bars around the city; or at the Brooklyn Bridge Park. A sunset cruise is also a great place to see the sky changing colors over the water.

There are tons of fun tours and excursions in New York City aside from sunset cruises. According to previous travelers, these are the best activities to book for your next trip:

• Helicopter Tours

• Walking Tours

• Night Cruises

• Hop-On Hop-Off Buses

• Bus Tours

New York City sunset cruise prices vary depending on duration and inclusions. If you’re looking for high-quality experiences on the lower end of the price range, these are the best tours to book now:

• Circle Line: New York City Statue of Liberty Sunset Cruise

• Statue of Liberty Sunset Cruise and New York City Skyline

• Statue of Liberty and New York City Skyline Sightseeing Cruise

• Circle Line: New York City Harbor Lights Cruise

• New York City Sunset Cocktail Cruise on Small Yacht

Some sunset cruises have “sunset” in their name, so you know you’ll see the sunset from the boat. However, many other sightseeing, dinner, and night cruises also coincide with sunset time but don’t have “sunset” in their title. Check the departure times and the time of sunset for your visit to New York City to broaden your booking options. Standard sunset cruises don’t typically provide food—although they often have a cash bar—but you can usually bring snacks.

To enjoy the best views of the sky at sunset, head out onto the boat’s deck; wear warm clothing appropriate for the season. Some sunset cruises have first-come, first-served seating, while others have reserved or premium seating; book cruises with reserved seating in advance to ensure you get a good view from inside.

Yes, some sunset cruises in New York City include food and drinks, but most do not. Cruises that include food and drinks often say so in the title, with names such as “cocktail cruise” or “dinner cruise.” Other cruises typically have a bar where you can buy snacks and drinks (including alcoholic beverages, often). You are usually also welcome to bring snacks on board. Alternatively, make dinner plans on dry land for after your sunset cruise.