Island hopping · FERRY TRIPS IN THE USA
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 13 ferry trips in the USA worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to check before you pay.
Take a self-guided ferry trip from New Jersey to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. You’ll see Lady Liberty up close, visit the Statue of Liberty Museum and Immigration Museum, and use audio guides in 12 languages. Allow four to six hours, and note that crown and pedestal access are not included.
“It was so gorgeous on top! Dont think anything needs to be improved!!”
Meet your English-speaking guide at 1 Bowling Green, then cross New York Harbor to Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty Museum. Choose a two-hour express visit or a four-hour option adding Ellis Island, its immigration museum, and an official audio guide. Guides include Joseph, Joe, Charlie, Mindy, and Christian.
“Be prepared to do a lot of walking. The guide was wonderful. Gave a lot of information and was answering all our questions.”
Meet in Battery Park, pass security, and ferry to Liberty and Ellis Islands for roughly four to five hours. Choose a basic ticket, multilingual audio guides, live guiding, or a 9/11 and Wall Street add-on. Guides such as LeAnn, Nina, and Vivian have earned special praise, but options vary.
“Wonderful experience. Our tour guide was excellent- he is so knowledgeable about historic events regarding the sites we saw.”
Meet your English-speaking guide at Castle Clinton for a guided visit to Liberty Island, the Statue of Liberty Museum, and, on the four-hour option, Ellis Island. Guides such as James, Owen, Charly, and Jay add history, humor, and useful ferry advice. Museum visits are self-guided.
“Our guide was informative, entertaining and just plain fun to be with. I highly recommend Sean!”
Spend six hours touring Manhattan by climate-controlled bus with a live English-speaking guide, then ride the Staten Island Ferry for Statue of Liberty and skyline views. You’ll make guided stops at Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue, and the 9/11 Memorial, with guides such as Rachel, Kevin, and Steve known for lively local stories.
“We had a brilliant day with our guide Rachel. She had an amazing knowledge of the city and was very attentive to us all on the tour. On our departure she gave us all a card with her number and said if we had any trouble to call or text her. A fantastic guide and will defo recommend the tour especially if my friends & family were to have Rachel as a guide. We covered the whole of the city in just a matter of hours and even got to go on the Staten Island Ferry. Thanks so much Rachel!”
Take Vagabond Cruise’s round-trip ferry from Sea Pines Resort to Savannah’s River Street. Enjoy air-conditioned seating, an open-air upper deck, about four hours in town, and happy hour prices on selected drinks during the return ride.
“The Ferry was as expected and on time, The weather was great and the scenery was engaging. However, we found that the time in port - Savannah, was not sufficient to tour the city on the Savannah trolley and have a casual mid-day meal. Next time, we'll drive.”
Take the Catalina Flyer between Newport Beach and Avalon in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Choose one-way or roundtrip tickets, enjoy indoor or outdoor seating, and buy snacks, drinks, and alcoholic beverages onboard. The ferry is wheelchair accessible, but pets and kayaks are not allowed.
“Boarding process is efficient. Plenty of seating inside and outside.”
Take the 30-minute ferry from Sea Pines Resort to Daufuskie Island, hear local stories from the captain, then explore for about three hours by bike or rented golf cart. Stop at Old Daufuskie Crab Company, visit the distillery, and return by boat.
“The very ride over was great. The island itself had a bar/restaurant right off the pier. There was a live band, The BozWelz. They played and sang a great variety of music that all seemed to enjoy. The golf cart rental is ideal for exploring other areas of the island The Daufuskie distillery was a fun stop.”
Take an economy-class ferry from Port Everglades to Bimini in about two hours, then enjoy several hours for beaches, cafes, shopping, golf carts, snorkeling, parasailing, or jet skiing. Food, drinks, and island activities cost extra, and a passport is required.
“asked to arrive at 5am. boat didnt leave until 9am.”
Ride a round-trip ferry across St. Andrews Bay to Shell Island, a 700-acre barrier island with white sand, shelling, and natural habitats. English-speaking staff provide the ferry and tram connections. Bring an ID, and plan for food, drinks, chairs, and umbrellas on your own.
“We had an awesome time with family and you all. Very friendly and professional.”
Take a timed ferry from Long Wharf to Georges Island or Spectacle Island. Choose Fort Warren, ranger programs, and picnic space, or beaches, trails, and wide harbor views. Your ticket includes an open return ferry, but there is no service between the islands.
“Enjoyable ride and exploration of the island. I learned a lot of history about the island.”
Take a private ferry tour from Battery Park to Liberty Island with a licensed guide in English, French, Italian, Spanish, or German. Choose 3, 5, 4.5, or 6.5 hours, with Ellis Island and private hotel transfers added on longer options. Guides including Ronald, Bill, and Laura have earned high praise.
“The guide was really nice offering us all the information we needed.”
Visit Alcatraz and Angel Island on a five-hour ferry outing. Walk Angel Island trails, see its immigration and military sites, then explore Alcatraz’s cell block, escape stories, and exhibits with app-guided audio commentary. Bring a charged smartphone and check the island schedule carefully.
By hull, by landing, by how long you want to be out.
