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Boston Ferries & Cruises

Boston was founded on its harbor, and boats still carry people to the Harbor Islands, North Shore, South Shore, and even to Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod.  

Boston Harbor Cruises boat, Boston MA
A harbor cruise vessel motors into Boston Harbor....

 

MBTA Boston Harbor Ferries

F4 Charlestown Ferry

The MBTA's F4 Charlestown Ferry can take you in 10 minutes from Long Wharf, on the Boston waterfront near the New England Aquarium, to Charlestown Navy Yard to visit the USS Constitution ("Old Ironsides") and the Bunker Hill Monument. It saves you a 1-mile (1.6-km), 25-minute walk and gives you a mini-cruise of Boston Harbor as well. More...

Commuter ferries also operate between Boston and the South Shore cities of Hingham, Quincy and Hull. More...

Logan Airport Ferries

The F1 Hingham-Hull Ferry stops at the Logan Airport Ferry Terminal several times each day, and can take you to Long Wharf near the New England Aquarium in 10 minutes, but these runs are infrequent. More...

The F6 Winthrop Ferry also stops at Logan and can take you to Central Wharf near the New England Aquarium in 10 minutes. More...

Boston Harbor Cruises

City Experiences (formerly Boston Harbor Cruises) is a prominent operator of cruises in Boston Harbor and beyond.

Harbor Islands Ferries

The islands in Boston harbor have walking paths, picnic areas, swimming beaches, camping areas, and even a Civil War fortress. They're part of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area and Boston Harbor Islands State Park.

Boston Harbor Islands Ferries, operated by City Experiences, depart Long Wharf near the Nedw England Aquarium.

Whale Watch Cruises

City Experiences also oerates New England Aquarium Whale Watch Cruises from Long Wharf near the Aquarium. More...

Salem Ferry

The Salem Ferry runs between Boston and Salem on the Massachusetts North Shore during the warm months, offering an attractive 45-minute maritime alternative to visiting Salem by MBTA Commuter Rail train. A suggestion for a day-trip to Salem: go one way by ferry, the other by train.

Provincetown Fast Ferry

In summer, Bay State Cruises runs three daily fast ferries from Boston to Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod in 1 hour 35 minutes. The schedule allows you seven hours in Provincetown before the return, perfect for a day-trip. More...

City Experiences also operates fast-ferry voyages daily from Boston to Provincetown, with a similar schedule. More...

Cruise Ship Terminal

Ocean-going cruise ships dock at the Flynn Cruiseport Boston, 1 Black Falcon Avenue in South Boston (map). Officially the Raymond L Flynn Black Falcon Cruise Terminal, it serves the ocean-going cruise vessels from more than a dozen major cruise lines. More...

Parking is available near the dock by reservation.

By public transportation, MBTA Silver Line SL2 buses from South Station or Silver Line Way take you to the Dry Dock Avenue stop, which is only a block from the terminal. From Logan Airport, take the Silve Line SL1 bus from any terminal to Silver Line Way, and transfer to the SL2 bus. (map); or walk from Silver Line Way to the Terminal (0.6 mi/1 km, 15 minutes.)