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Alcatraz Cruises

Boat or Ferry and Pier

Northern Waterfront, San Francisco

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Alcatraz Cruises

"... trip, fun time! Get tickets in advance and don't forget to bring layers especially..."(12 Tips)
"Night tour is best!"(4 Tips)
"Audio tour is the best one of its kind - a must do!"(9 Tips)
"The boat is awesome and the views are sooo beautiful!"(8 Tips)

180 Tips and reviews

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ChadJuly 24, 2017
They're good at what they do, but the free market proponent in me wishes there was a little more competition. Book online a month in advance or be here at 6 AM for a same day ticket.
Upvoted 1 week ago
Kevin EnnisOctober 30, 2016
Pouring rain and they made guests stand where the awning drips. The ship captain suggested people "rethink their plans" rather than offer ponchos. Good thing they have exclusive rights on the tours.
Upvoted Mar 11
Chris OSeptember 16, 2014
These fill up way in advance so make sure you book well ahead (2+ wks). Departure and return times are frequent enough. I have heard if you line up pre 7am they do have limited day of spots.
Upvoted 5 days ago
Liz 🦎September 9, 2015
Book your tickets at least a month in advance! They have 50 tickets on the day of for the first boat at 8:45am. Get there by at least 6am to get in line (they start selling at 7:30am)
NmMarch 3, 2016
Get your ticket from www.alcatrazcruises.com by $ 31 .. Tickets are quickly sold out .. Refresh and check their website every now and then and don't give up .. New slots get released regularly ..
Autumn MarieAugust 30, 2015
Buy your ticket in advance. We bought ours at least a month before our trip. Bring good walking shoes. Suggest the audio tour. It's free. Very informational. Can walk at your own pace.
Tristan TranMay 23, 2015
A must do when you visit SF! Really interesting stuff. Was also very surprised that they didn't make a big deal of us missing our scheduled boat and just let us jump on the next one.
Kathryn KeelingOctober 8, 2014
Incredible day, stunning views! Super informative audio tour and we got to meet Bill Baker, an ex inmate. Even on a hot day you should take a jacket for the island, it gets really chilly.
Begum TekinAugust 10, 2014
Tickets for the island sell out 1 months in advance in the summer so book online a month ahead. Limited number of tickets are also available in the mornings but you get there by 6:00am to have them.
Scott ByerlyAugust 22, 2015
Checkout the power source for your cruise ship! Every ship has hundreds of solar panels lining the awnings and roof of the boat! Way to go NPS for being Sustainable!
Vicki KolovouNovember 18, 2018
An easy small organised boat trip. When leaving Alcatraz you might have to wait to get onto the next boat. They fill up quickly.
Heidi De BruyckerApril 4, 2019
You know they are great, after big bus tours f*** it up and wouldn’t help us any further: those people helped us out: service for stranded tourists as it should be THANK YOU
Lydia BerkennouJanuary 26, 2015
Really well organised. A bit expensive. Once on board, stay at the back where you can get nice pics of the town from the sea.
Natasha T-HOctober 11, 2017
Excellent! Great views of San Francisco & Alcatraz is amazing especially for people who love their history!
Crystal HDecember 2, 2013
Night tour is best! Be sure to bring comfy shoes and bring warmer layers. Lots of walking and is much colder in the evening. Beautiful views if you ride on the top.
Drew MatthewsJuly 20, 2015
Remember sunscreen. Also if you have a refillable bottle bring it there are drinking fountains on the island for refills.
Robin PokornýJune 28, 2018
Buy tickets online, it's so much faster. The trip is fast but windy. Plenty of space on board. They will try to sell you a photo of you boarding for $20.
Suja RamachandranAugust 29, 2012
Great views! Don't forget to bring food (none on the island). Make sure to eat it on the boat before getting on the island. Take a small snack with you for the ride back.
Brett BertolinoJanuary 31, 2014
Still need a ticket for the Rock? Buy your CityPASS here and get a ticket to Alcatraz, unlimited pass for the Muni & cable cars, Exploratorium, Aquarium of the Bay & more! It's a good deal!
Lee TrollopeApril 18, 2016
If you can get a ticket, take the night tour. The sunset view of San Francisco is amazing.
RamonaMarch 16, 2014
Make sure that u search for Pier 33 embarcadero if u use a GPS to reach there, otherwise u may end up in a wrong place like us! And another thing is that u should look for parking around pier 23.
Caroline BlackSeptember 13, 2016
Go early! We were on the second boat out and was great to try and beat the crowds. An hour later and we found it much harder to really appreciate the cell house.
Mr MaggioNovember 6, 2018
If you come to SF, got to go...dont know if tjere’s another cruise option but i’ve been here at least 4 times and i’m quite happy with the service provided.
Scott ByerlyAugust 22, 2015
Take advantage of the audio tours! Available in 11 languages! And it is included with your ticket price.
Estefanía López DefloryJune 13, 2014
The earlier in the day, the fewer people there will be on the island. Don't miss the audio guide: it is not the usual, boring talk! I was really impressed.
Ninah RandolphApril 11, 2017
Nice cruise with cafe/bar on board to buy snacks and things. Can get really crowded so be sure to get there early for boarding
Erin KlingbergOctober 1, 2016
Great tour! Allow couple of hours to see the island. Gift shop is average - better range at the gift shop/cafe back at the Pier/boat dock
C BaileyJune 30, 2015
Great trip, fun time! Get tickets in advance and don't forget to bring layers especially for tours towards the sunset hour
Elisabeth LongshoreOctober 16, 2016
They serve food and drinks. Also, you can take any boat back from Alcatraz, so you can stay as long or little as you want.
RosalineNovember 7, 2015
Loved learning above the history of Alcatraz. Steep walk to the top of the building. Great spot to spend the day.
Carol CecilJune 13, 2014
Book tickets well in advance! The audio tour is narrated by former Alcatraz corrections officers and inmates. The audio tour is informative and entertaining.
Sophie HebdidgeJune 18, 2016
Great day out with a lot of interesting history. The view back over San Francisco makes it even more worth it
Bianca GiorgettiJanuary 4, 2018
The Alcatraz tour was fantastic and we got to take some brilliant photos looking back over San Francisco at sunset.
Alcatraz CruisesJuly 17, 2012
Alcatraz tickets sell out 2-3 weeks in advance in the summer time. Make sure to book at least a month ahead to avoid disappointment at the ticket window.
Ahmad MesawaJune 1, 2013
Its a shame that we had to buy a $97 Bus Tour tickets to be able to do ALCATRAZ tour on the same day, other wise we have to wait for 4 days to do the tour, corrupted business I say.
Alcatraz CruisesOctober 24, 2012
There's no food or drinks available for purchase on Alcatraz. You can get snacks at Pier 33 Cafe or the snack bar on the boat. Besides bottled water, food/drinks are only allowed at the Alcatraz dock.
Gyozo NagyMarch 24, 2016
We took the top level of Islander on the way to the Alcatraz and the front of the other boat on the way back. Nice experience.
Jasmine PangFebruary 11, 2015
Buy your tickets online in advance to avoid disappointment. Tickets get sold out on days especially during summer!
BrittneyJanuary 16, 2013
Buy tix in advance. Get to pier early. Website says to be 5 minutes early but I was late and had to wait for the next boat in which I was only on stand by for so I recommend 10 or 15 minutes early
Jennifer LeibleMay 6, 2014
If you bought your tickets through the official site, and forgot them, they can re-print them for you! Nice staff!
Yousef A.June 15, 2015
Try to book your ticket online. It's more convenient than standing in line.Also it gets crowded in the weekend.
César BlueAugust 4, 2015
Great service, well organized and always on time. Buy your tickets on line, is the best option.
MissConnorAugust 22, 2015
Book your visit way before you come here, otherwise you'll have to make line at 5am or earlier to have a chance to get tickets for the dame day.
S MCSeptember 21, 2012
I don't care if it's touristy, I love this tour and have done it several times. The colder and rainier it is, the more I appreciate not being locked up out there!
Esra SokmenOctober 23, 2013
Very delicious and big sized breakfast, consider sharing if not so hungry. they serve a lot of fresh fruits
RaulAugust 14, 2013
Try and buy your tickets a month in advance (3 weeks before might not work) if you can't get a hold of them, queuing from 5am should do the trick. and you will get on the boat to Alcatraz!
ricky lacySeptember 4, 2012
Tickets almost always sold out. Either reserve your tickets well in advance or be prepared to bite the bullet and buy the tickets from a tour operator as part of a package.
Brandon CainMarch 20, 2018
Audio tour is very informative. Also book early and online for tickets. Sells out quick
Juliana HeilmanJanuary 31, 2014
We loved the cruise to Alcatraz! The boat is awesome and the views are sooo beautiful!
AKSeptember 8, 2014
Be sure to get tickets in advance online, as yours fill up VERY quickly

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