How to Get Out on the Water in Boston

Duck Boat tours have been taking visitors around the city since the 1990s. They’re called that not only because, like ducks, these boats can travel on land and water, but also the boats originally used for the tours were World War II amphibious vehicles, which were given the code name “DUKW”—today, the fleet are replica boats. On a guided Duck Boat tour, you’ll start on land, riding past significant sites like the Boston Public Garden, Boston Common, Old State House, Massachusetts State House, and more, before heading into the Charles River to finish up the tour on the water.

If you’re looking for a special date night activity or a relaxing way to wrap up your visit, consider Boston sunset cruises. On this evening cruise, you’ll board a ship with both a heated cabin and an outdoor deck for soaking up the views; you’ll pass by monuments like the Old North Church in the North End and the USS Constitution as the sun goes down, washing the skyline in pinks and purples. Food and drinks are available on board for purchase.

Most Boston waterfront experiences take you around at a leisurely pace, but if you’re looking to raise your heart rate a little, try the high-speed Codzilla instead. The experience is referred to as a ‘watercoaster’ thanks to its adrenaline-spiking movement. You’ll want to pack a raincoat: You’re likely to get wet as you zoom around Boston Harbor, catching a glimpse of the waterfront between thrilling twists and turns. A soundtrack of loud music adds to the excitement, while your guide will tell the story of the Codzilla legend.

There’s nothing more glamorous than cruising around on a yacht modeled after those from the roaring 1920s, like on this Boston Harbor sightseeing cruise. After boarding at Rowes Wharf, not far from the New England Aquarium, you’ll spend almost two hours on the water, snapping photos of the Boston skyline and passing by sites like Spectacle Island (one of the best-known Boston Harbor Islands) and the USS Constitution Museum. Narration over the speakers provides context to the sights you’ll see.

Boston is a city with a lot of stories to tell, thanks, in part, to the significant role it played in the fight for independence from British rule. If you’re interested in learning more about that period in the city’s history, one of the best historical tour options is a narrated sightseeing cruise. From the water, you’ll learn about everything from the Boston Harbor Islands to the Revolutionary War and local legends as you pass by the Bunker Hill Monument, Boston Light, and other landmarks.

One of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the area’s marine life is on one of the many Boston whale-watching tours. On this high-speed boat excursion, you’ll travel to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. The sanctuary is considered to be among the top whale-watching destinations in the world, thanks to its prime location at the mouth of Massachusetts Bay, where whales gather to feed. You may spot humpback, fin, and minke whales and even white-sided dolphins from an appropriate distance, with a naturalist guide by your side.

The Boston Tea Party is one of the most significant events in the city’s history. In 1773, American patriots protested against the British tax on tea and the monopoly of the East India Company by dumping tea in Boston Harbor, setting off a chain of events that led to the Revolutionary War. Now, over 250 years later, you can recreate the protest during a trip to the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. During your visit, you can explore restored tea ships, learn more about the protest, and throw some tea into the harbor yourself.

If you want to go sailing in Boston, start with a sailboat tour, riding the winds around the harbor and beyond. You can travel on a replica of a pre-Civil War pilot schooner, visiting some of the highlights of the Boston Harbor Islands, like the small green Spectacle Island and the imposing, 17th-century Fort Independence on Castle Island. The beauty of exploring by sailboat is that you’re in the open air, with the sea breeze in your face and clear views for photographs.

If you want to experience Boston’s oceanfront without getting on the water itself, take a food tour and eat your way around one of the country’s oldest fishing piers: the Boston Fish Pier. During this seafood lover’s experience, you get to try classic local dishes, like lobster rolls and clam chowder, and learn about area’s history, getting to know the inner workings of a fishing pier that has been supplying the city with seafood for centuries. You’ll start in South Boston Maritime Park, before visiting sites including the Harborwalk and South Boston Waterfront, sampling delicacies along the way.

On a Boston Pizza and Taverns tour, you’ll start in the North End neighborhood—an Italian-American quarter of the city with a great food and beverage scene. From there, you’ll catch a ferry to Charlestown, home to the Charlestown Navy Yard, one of the oldest ship-building facilities for the US Navy. After a beer in a historic tavern, return downtown for some final beverages, including one in “America’s oldest tavern,” The Bell in Hand. This experience offers a fun mix of history, food, drinks, and a little spin on the water.

The Charles River is an essential part of the New England ecosystem, flowing 80 miles (129 kilometers) from southeast of Boston. You’ll get to ride on this waterway during a nighttime trolley tour that includes a river cruise, starting at the Boston Harbor and making your way down the Charles River during sunset. Along the way, your guide will explain the history of the city’s key sights as you ride past the North End, Trinity Church, and the Cambridge neighborhood, home to Harvard University.