Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
Sail within feet of Lady Liberty for photos that define the trip.
Sightseeing Tours
NYC sightseeing boat tours
See New York City from the water. Our Manhattan sightseeing cruise sails New York Harbor past the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, DUMBO and the full Lower Manhattan skyline — about 90 minutes, departing from Pier 78.
Daily departures available through Starship NYC
What you'll see
A 90-minute loop around Lower Manhattan with unobstructed views of every iconic landmark.
Brooklyn & Manhattan Bridges
Pass directly beneath two of the world's most iconic bridge spans.
DUMBO Waterfront
Cobblestone streets, waterfront parks, and the Manhattan Bridge arch.
One World Trade & Lower Manhattan
Unobstructed views of the Financial District skyline from the harbor.
Hudson Yards & Midtown Skyline
See the Vessel, Edge, and the full Midtown canyon from the river.
Governors Island
A green escape in the middle of the harbor with open-air views.
The Manhattan sightseeing cruise, explained
A New York harbor sightseeing cruise is the fastest way to see the city's landmarks in one trip. Instead of stitching together the Statue of Liberty ferry, a Brooklyn Bridge walk and a downtown observation deck, a single 90-minute boat tour puts all of it in front of you from the open water — with narration, a bar on board, and no traffic.
What's included on the boat tour
Indoor climate-controlled decks and open-air top decks, restrooms, a full cash bar, and unobstructed photo angles on both sides of the boat. Tickets are booked online and sailings run year round, so there's a NYC skyline cruise available in every season.
Best time for a NYC skyline cruise
Sunset sailings are the most requested: you get the daytime skyline on the way out, golden hour over the Hudson, and Manhattan lit up on the return. Daytime departures are best for Statue of Liberty photos and families; evening cruises are best for the city-lights view.
Private sightseeing charters
Want the boat to yourself? Mixx Cruise also runs private yacht charters and party cruises from Manhattan for groups from 12 to 450 guests — same skyline, your own guest list. See both brands on the Mixx Cruise home page.
~90 minTour length
Pier 78Manhattan departure
Year roundDaily sailings
9+Landmarks on route
NYC boat tour FAQs
Everything people ask before booking a Manhattan sightseeing cruise.
How long is the NYC sightseeing boat tour?
The standard Manhattan sightseeing cruise runs about 90 minutes, looping the southern tip of Manhattan and New York Harbor before returning to the pier.
What will I see on the sightseeing cruise?
You'll pass the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, the DUMBO waterfront, Governors Island, One World Trade and the Lower Manhattan skyline, plus Hudson Yards and the Midtown skyline.
Where does the sightseeing boat tour depart from?
Boats typically leave from Pier 78 in Manhattan, or other piers on the southern part of the island. Your exact departure pier is confirmed on your ticket.
Do the boat tours run year round?
Yes. NYC harbor sightseeing cruises operate year round, with heated indoor decks in the winter and open-air decks in warmer months.
Is there a bar on board the sightseeing cruise?
Yes, a full cash bar is available on board, along with restrooms and both indoor and outdoor viewing decks.
What is the best time of day for a NYC skyline cruise?
Sunset sailings are the most popular — you get the daytime skyline, golden hour over the Hudson, and the city lit up on the way back in.
Book your NYC sightseeing cruise today.
Daily departures available through Starship NYC. Reserve your tickets online and meet us at the pier.
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