The best things to do in Boston on the water are a ferry to the Boston Harbor Islands (mid-May to mid-October), a whale watch from Central Wharf to Stellwagen Bank (May through November), kayaking or paddleboarding on the Charles River from the Esplanade (April through October), a Boston Duck Tour that drives into the river, and the Swan Boats in the Public Garden in spring and summer. The cheapest harbor ride runs all year: the MBTA's Charlestown ferry from Long Wharf costs $2.40, the same as a subway fare.
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Almost everything on the water in Boston is seasonal, so the month you visit decides the list. Here is what runs when, then the details of each.
What runs in each season?
| On the water | Season | From | Cost or length |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBTA Charlestown ferry | Year-round | Long Wharf to Charlestown Navy Yard | $2.40 |
| Boston Harbor Islands ferries | Mid-May to mid-October (October 12 in 2026) | Long Wharf North | Round-trip ferry ticket; no park fee |
| New England Aquarium whale watch | May through November | Central Wharf | Three to four hours |
| Kayak or paddleboard rental | April 1 to October 31 | Community Boating, Charles River Esplanade | $40 for two hours |
| Sailboat rental, experienced sailors | April 1 to October 31 | Community Boating | $99 for two hours |
| Boston Duck Tours | Late March into November | Prudential Center, Museum of Science, New England Aquarium | About 80 minutes, 20 on the river |
| Swan Boats | Mid-April to early September | Public Garden lagoon | About 15 minutes; adults $4.75 |
Cross the harbor for $2.40
The Charlestown ferry is part of the MBTA and runs year-round between Long Wharf, next to Aquarium station on the Blue Line, and the Charlestown Navy Yard. The fare is $2.40 and you can pay by tapping a contactless card. It lands near USS Constitution and the USS Constitution Museum, which makes it a good way to finish the Freedom Trail and get back downtown with a view of the skyline.
Take the ferry to the Harbor Islands
Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park covers 34 islands and peninsulas, and public ferries from Long Wharf North reach the two most visited: Georges Island, with the Civil War-era Fort Warren, and Spectacle Island, with a perimeter trail and a hilltop view back to the city. The ride takes about 30 minutes to Spectacle and 45 to Georges. Ferries run only from mid-May to mid-October; October 12 is the last day of the 2026 season. There is no entrance fee, but there are no services on the islands outside ferry hours, so bring water and food.
Boston Light, the country's oldest light station, stands on Little Brewster Island, which is closed to the public. In summer the park runs lighthouse cruises that view it from the water.
Go whale watching from Central Wharf
The New England Aquarium Whale Watch, run with Boston Harbor City Cruises, leaves Central Wharf daily from May through November for Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, a feeding ground for humpback, fin and minke whales. Trips take three to four hours on high-speed catamarans with indoor cabins and a bar, and an aquarium naturalist narrates every trip. Our whale watching guide compares the options.
Paddle or sail on the Charles River
Community Boating, a nonprofit on the Charles River Esplanade since 1946, rents to non-members from April 1 to October 31. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards cost $40 a person for two hours, walk-up only, with life jackets provided; the kayaks are sit-on-top, so expect to get wet. Paddling stays within the basin between the Massachusetts Avenue and Longfellow bridges. Rentals open at 9 a.m. on weekends and in the afternoon on weekdays, and everyone must be off the water 30 minutes before sunset.
Experienced sailors 18 and over can rent a four-person keelboat for $99 for two hours after a short interview with the dockmaster; learning to sail requires a membership. The boathouse is at 21 David G. Mugar Way, past the Hatch Shell; Community Boating puts the walk from Arlington station on the Green Line at 10 to 15 minutes, and no vehicles are allowed on the Esplanade.
Ride a Duck into the river
Boston Duck Tours drives amphibious vehicles past the Old State House, the State House and the Common, then splashes into the Charles River for roughly 20 minutes of an 80-minute tour. Tours leave from the Prudential Center, the Museum of Science and the New England Aquarium and run from late March into November. See which Boston Duck Tour departure to choose.
The Swan Boats
The pedal-powered Swan Boats on the Public Garden lagoon have been run by the same family since 1877. Rides take 10 to 15 minutes and cost $4.75 for adults, with tickets sold at the dock. The season runs from mid-April to early September; the boats reopen in April 2027.
On the water without a boat
The Boston Harborwalk runs along 43 of the city's 47 miles of shoreline, from the Neponset River in Dorchester to Constitution Beach in East Boston. The downtown stretch from Christopher Columbus Park past Long Wharf to the Fort Point Channel passes the New England Aquarium, whose harbor seal exhibit on the front plaza is free, and the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. For more on the waterfront, see where Boston Harbor is and how to reach it.
Where to eat by the water
Row 34 in Fort Point is the oyster bar near the Tea Party Ships. Woods Hill Pier 4 sits at the end of Pier 4 in the Seaport and serves dinner nightly. Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall pours inside a working brewery in the Seaport, and Rooftop at The Envoy has harbor views year-round, with fire pits and seasonal igloos in the cold months.
Sources: MBTA ferry fares; Boston Harbor Islands; New England Aquarium whale watch; Community Boating kayak rentals; sailboat rentals; Boston Duck Tours; Swan Boats; Boston Harborwalk. Checked October 1, 2026.