11 Best Boat Tours In Cape Cod, Massachusetts - Updated 2024

Anaanya
Anaanya 
Updated
| 5 min read

Cape Cod is one of the most popular summertime destinations in the USA. What’s interesting about Cape Cod is that it is a hook-shaped peninsula – which means water everywhere. That essentially translates to beaches, beach parties, sunbathing on the beach, and enjoying a dip in the water before retiring to your beachfront cottage. It’s the perfect place for a beach baby. But the best way to enjoy and capture the true essence of its beauty is through a cruise in Cape Cod. That way you can cover most of Cape Cod and get a look at all the beautiful water scenery that nature has to offer. All of it while enjoying a relaxing day out. For an indulgent stay, you can book rooms in one of the hotels with a spa. Continue reading to find out more about the best boat tours in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

1. Boston to Cape Cod high-speed ferry (from USD 64.0)

If you’re sailing to Cape Cod from Boston, then this is the fastest and most luxurious way to travel. This 90-minute ferry ride is the perfect way to reach your party destination while enjoying the breeze in your hair and enjoying the vast expanse of water all around you. You’ll also get to see some beautiful views along the ride, like the Boston skyline and the waterfront harbour. If you’re planning a day trip to Cape Cod, you can always use this ferry for a round trip.

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Provincetown & Cape Cod High Speed Ferry to/from Boston

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

124 reviews

2. Autumn harbor cruise and pirate museum (from USD 95.0)

cape cod boat tours | autumn harbor cruise and pirate museum

Doesn’t the name sound cool enough for you to want to go for this tour? This is basically a nine-hour tour during which you travel over the Cape Cod canal. You get to visit one of the oldest towns in Cape Cod – it was settled in 1637! There is a glass museum there which depicts the history of glassmaking – worth the visit. You also get to visit the pirate museum which means you get to earn about really cool pirates and their voyages. You also get to disembark at a beach – isn’t it just the perfect tour?

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From Boston: Cape Cod Harbor Cruise and Pirate Museum

Duration: 9 hour

3. Cape Cod excursion from Boston (from USD 95.0)

cape cod boat tours | cape cod excursion from boston

Again, a great tour if you’re looking for a fun day trip from Boston to Cape Cod. During this tour, you get to enjoying everything that Cape Cod has to offer – the beaches, the beautiful water, the sea breeze, fresh catch of the day and the colonial architecture. You then cruise along the shores of the Sandwich town and visit the famous glass museum, after which you get to visit the famous Pirate Museum. Definitely one of the Cape Cod boat tours worth doing.

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From Boston: Cape Cod Excursion with Cruise

Duration: 7 hour

22 reviews

4. Meet whales and other marine animals off the coast of Cape Cod (from USD 75.0)

cape cod boat tours | meet whales and other marine animals off the coast of cape cod

Departing from the iconic MacMillan Pier, this captivating whale-watching adventure guarantees an up-close encounter with some of the ocean’s most magnificent creatures. Be sure to don comfortable attire and shoes for unrestricted movement as you navigate the waves. A seasoned naturalist guide will regale you with enthralling tales of the diverse wildlife at the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, providing a deeper understanding of these majestic beings.

As a bonus, you’ll receive a complimentary printed guide filled with fascinating facts to cherish. And for added convenience, delectable food and refreshing drinks are available for purchase onboard.

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Provincetown: Whale Watching Cruise in Cape Cod with a Guide

Duration: 3.5 hour

235 reviews

5. A sail from Provincetown to Cape Cod (from USD 965.0)

a sail from provincetown to cape cod
Source: www.viator.com

This is a four-hour sail from Provincetown to Cape Cod, which means it is a calm and relaxing four hours on a cruise ship. The cruise starts at Provincetown’s West End, sails around the Boston Harbor, head towards Long Point and finally into Cape Cod Bay. If the weather is okay, the captain even docks the boat at Long Point beach or Herring Cove beach where you can enjoy a nice swim. I definitely recommend this relaxing tour!

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Four Hour Sail - Provincetown

Duration: 4 hours

6. Whale watching cruise from Provincetown (from USD 46.0)

whale watching cruise from provincetown
Source: www.viator.com

Interested in whale watching? Then this is the perfect tour for you. If you’re travelling to Cape Cod with family or just your kids, then this is one of the most recommended Cape Cod boat tours for you. This is a three- to four-hour tour, but it is worth every dollar spent! During this tour, you will be taken to a marine sanctuary where you will get to see all species of whales like the humpback whales, right whales, finback whales, pilot whales and more. Also, the naturalist guides on the boat will provide you with a lesson or two about whale behaviour.

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Whale Watch Cruise from Provincetown

7. Plymouth to Provincetown round-trip (from USD 55.0)

plymouth to provincetown round-trip
Source: www.viator.com

With indoor seating and outdoor viewing decks, this high-speed ferry is the perfect way to get away from the hustle and bustle of Cape Cod. If you love being around water, then this is one of the best Cape Cod boat tours for you. This round trip ferry has a duration of around one and a half hours, and it is a great way for you to unwind and relax while you’re surrounded by a vast expanse of water. This ferry allows dogs, so you might just get to make a new furry friend!

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Plymouth to Provincetown Round-Trip Fast Ferry

8. Half-day excursion from Wellfleet Marina to Jeremy Point (from USD 60.0)

half-day excursion from wellfleet marina to jeremy point
Source: www.viator.com

This is a half-day boat tour from Wellfleet Marina to the prestigious Jeremy Point. Considering this is a round trip ferry, I think it is one of the best Cape Cod boat tours because you get to enjoy your day away from the city and on the shores of Jeremy Point. There, you can enjoy the sea breeze, dip your feet in the water, lounge around by the beach or get some beautiful pictures. If you’re looking for a cute couples tour, this is definitely the one.

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Jeremy Point Jaunt from Wellfleet Marina

9. Plymouth Harbor sightseeing cruise on the Pilgrim Belle (from USD 20.0)

plymouth harbor sightseeing cruise on the pilgrim belle
Source: www.viator.com

If you’re the kind of person who thinks that no holiday is complete without a little sightseeing, then this is one of the best Cape Cod boat tours for you. This cruise sets sail from Mayflower II State Pier and docks at one of the prettiest harbours in the world, the Plymouth Harbor. During this 75 minute cruise, you can either enjoy the sea breeze and the water view from the open-air sun deck or take in the sights from the air-conditioned cabin. Either way, you’ll get to enjoy the beauty of the Plymouth Harbor!

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Plymouth Harbor Sightseeing Cruise on the Pilgrim Belle

10. Martha's vineyard sunset cruise (from USD 98.0)

Think of this as a private cruise which you can turn into your very own picnic on a boat! This two-hour cruise is on a lobster boat, which means it is a very romantic and private cruise – perfect for couples! As soon as you depart, you’ll get to watch the sun setting behind you. You’ll then pass VIP clubs, rich and famous people’s houses and even alien landing strips – the boat crew will happily give you all the fun gossip and stories attached. Overall, think of this as a really fun-filled and romantic picnic cum cruise.

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Two Hour Martha's Vineyard Sunset Cruise

Duration: 2 hours

11. Boston to Nantucket day trip in high-speed ferry

What’s a better way to unwind than a day trip on a high-speed ferry? I’ll answer that for you, nothing! This 12-hour ferry ride is from Boston to Nantucket, during which you will get to do so much! It is basically a one hour cruise to Nantucket, after which you will get to spend approximately 5 hours in Nantucket and then enjoy the ferry ride back while watching the sunset. There is something for everyone to do in Nantucket – from walking along the cobbled streets to visiting the famous lighthouse and even enjoying a few hours relaxing by the beach.

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Boston to Nantucket Small Group Day-Trip with Shuttle & High-Speed Ferry

Duration: 12 hours

3 reviews

Let's set sail

If you’re looking for water activities in Cape Cod or you’re just looking to get a relaxing day away from the city, then you are sure to love these cruises. After all, these are some of the best- and most recommended Cape Cod boat tours. My personal favourite has to be the whale-watching one, what’s yours?

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Frequently asked questions about boat tours in Cape Cod


Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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A freelance content writer by profession, Anaanya is an avid traveller whose main goal in life is to visit as many new places as possible. Anaanya enjoys travelling, not just because of her love...Read more

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