The 7 Best Historical Tours in the World

1.Tasman Island Cruises and Port Arthur Historic Site Day Tour from Hobart

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 477 reviews · from $236Our pick

Leave Hobart at 7:30am for a guided bus trip to the Tasman Peninsula, a three-hour Pennicott wilderness cruise, lunch, and three hours at Port Arthur. Expect open-air boat seating, sea cliffs, caves, seals and possible dolphins or whales. Guides may include Paul, Murray, Phil, Alan, or Daniel.

“The Tasman island cruise is worth it for sure! It gets cold on the way back, dress warm. If you're prone to seasickness, skip, but it depends on the sea conditions. We saw whales, seals, birds, and bottlenose dolphins but the highlight is just the dolomite rocks. Unbelievable”

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2.Kas: Kekova Island Sunken City & Historical Sites Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 441 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $84

Set out from Kaş at 9:30 am for a full day around Kekova Island. Swim at four clear-water bays, view the Sunken City from the boat, enjoy a buffet lunch and afternoon tea, then explore Simena and its castle. Captain Ergun is among the guides who may lead the trip.

“Highlights were the 4 swim stops in warm, crystal-clear turquoise water, plus the Kekova sunken city. Very well organised, beautiful boat, very clean, excellent lunch. Could have done with more time to see Simena Castle”

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3.Kas: Kekova Island Sunken City & Historical Sites Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 274 reviews · 8 hours · from $94

Spend eight hours with Captain Ergun and his crew cruising from Kas to Kekova. Swim in clear coves, see the Sunken City from the boat, walk up to Simena Castle, and enjoy a generous onboard lunch. Bring beachwear, your own snorkel gear, and cash for the castle fee.

“Supppper nice if you wanna see some amazing swimming spots :) the lunch was 10/10”

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4.Halifax: Georges Island National Historic Site Ferry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 28 reviews · 2h 30m · from $16Best value

Ride from Cable Wharf across Halifax Harbour to Georges Island National Historic Site. Your $16 ticket covers ferry transport, Parks Canada admission, a scenic boat circuit, and a guided tour in English. Allow 150 minutes, wear good shoes, and choose your return boat on the island.

“This is a very great tour and not very well advertised. I would highly recommend you go. It just looks like a little island off the shore, yet it is steeped in history you wouldn’t realise.”

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5.Door County Historic Cottage Row & Strawberry Islands Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 24 reviews · 1h 30m · from $45

Spend 90 minutes on the water with Fish Creek Scenic Boat Tours, passing Cottage Row, Strawberry Islands, Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, and Peninsula Park. You’ll watch pelicans and cormorants, hear about Chambers Island and Camp Menagha, and get an easy overview of Door County’s shoreline history.

“I liked the boat ride, but the description of things was a bit haphazard and there was way too much description of building boats and different types of boats, which was not what I expected. I had thought there would be a more organized presentation of the history of the area.”

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6.Hook Island Cultural Tour, Sail & Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 10 reviews · 8 hours · from $180

Spend eight hours aboard Lady Enid, a classic Australian-built timber yacht, sailing from Airlie Beach to Nara Inlet and Hook Island. You’ll visit a Ngaro cultural site, enjoy morning tea and lunch, snorkel for about 40 minutes, and return with sparkling wine and antipasto.

“Equipage tres sympathique et professionnel Journée tres agréable et parfaitement dans nos attentes”

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7.From Kissamos: Private Boat Cruise to Historic Pirate Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 5 reviews

Set out from Kissamos with an experienced Greek- or English-speaking skipper for four private hours around Balos and Gramvousa. See a 1968 shipwreck, visit a castle linked to pirates and revolutionaries, swim or snorkel, and enjoy wine, fruit, Cretan salad, and water aboard.

“Fantastic trip! Skilled and friendly skipper! Such beautiful surroundings. We went 16-20. No congestion which was a big plus.”

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