Situated adjacent to the city, Boston Harbor is steeped in history, having been the site of the famous Boston Tea Party protest in the late 18th century. Today it is a bustling commercial hub, home to one of the country’s most important shipping facilities as well as a stready stream of cruisers, pleasure yachts and fishing boats.
For anyone keen to explore the harbour and its history, there are several organised tours that include narrated talks on the area by experienced guides, some of which are also bundled in with other experiences. Here’s our top pick of Boston Harbor tours.
Downtown Harbor Sailing Cruise
FROM $46/per person
This tour invites guests to discover Boston Harbor aboard an authentic 80-foot schooner. Running for either 1.5 or 2 hours depending on your preference, you’ll get to learn all about the harbor’s long history as well as witnessing some of the diverse marine life, including sharks and sea turtles, that live in its surrounding waters. Wines and local micro beers, as well as soft drinks, are available to purchase onboard.
Scavenger Hunt and Harbour Tour
From $42/ per person
Anyone with an Internet-enabled smartphone or tablet can join this self-guided tour which combines an exploration of Boston Harbor with a fun-packed urban scavenger hunt. After booking, a host of tricky clues and challenges will be sent to your device. Along the way you’ll get to see all of the historic harbor’s nooks and crannies, as well as famous landmarks such as the location of the Boston Tea Party. Tours take around 3 hours on average and are offered at fixed prices for groups or per person for individuals.
Harbor Champagne Sunset Sail from Rowes Wharf
From $60/ per group
There are few more romantic spots in Boston than the harbor at sunset and this magical tour lets you soak one up while cruising along its calm waters with a glass of bubbly in hand. The two-hour tour takes place aboard a 80-foot schooner and allows guests to take in the city’s waterfront landmarks as the sun sets. As well as champagne to purchase, there’s also beer, wine and soft drinks.
Boston Odyssey Brunch and Harbour Cruise
From $110/ per group
Tuck into as sumptuous buffet brunch against the backdrop of live DJ entertainment during this 2-hour harbor cruise. After setting sail you’ll receive a complimentary glass of champagne before heading gently out to sea where you’ll pass by notable Boston sights and places of interest including Rowes Wharf, the Charlestown Naval Yard, Castle Island and Boston Light. As well as your fizz and freshly prepared brunch, the tour price also includes coffees and teas.
Boston Harborwalk & Tea Party Museum Self-Guided Audio Tour
From $5/ per group
Immerse yourself in the evocative stories of the American Revolution, Boston Tea Party, and Sons of Liberty as you stroll through Boston Harbor – and other parts of the city – on this self-guided audio tour. With smartphone or tablet in hand, a GPS map will guide you every step of the way, starting at historic South Station before making your way through the harbor and Waterfront District, with information about the various sites that you pass and their rich histories delivered digitally as you go. Tours are valid for 40 days from booking.
Boston Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots
From $762/ per group
Available as either a group or private experience, the Boston Instagram Tour takes visitors to the most Instagrammable spots in Boston all in one day. The tour starts with a morning pickup directly from your hotel by a friendly, local guide in a spacious, comfortable vehicle. From there you’ll take in famous landmarks, vintage architecture, and secretly located spots, including a leisurely amble along the public walkway that follows the edge of piers, wharves, beaches, and shoreline around Boston Harbor, before being returned to your hotel late afternoon. This tour price includes your guide, transport, lunch and bottled water.