The World’s 10 Best Ferry Cruises

1.Sliema/St. Paul’s: Gozo, Comino & Blue Lagoon Ferry Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 1,137 reviews · 7 hours - 450 minutes · from $41Our pick

Take a modern, air-conditioned catamaran from Sliema or St. Paul’s Bay to Gozo and Comino. You get about two hours on each island, with time for Victoria, swimming at Blue Lagoon, or an optional €15 cave boat. This is an independent ferry trip, not a guided tour.

“This tour is great for a quick acquaintance with Gozo (Victoria) and Comino (Santa Maria caves & the blue lagoon). The sea was a bit rough so the crew started handing out sick bags (shout-out to them). It's not really a "guided tour" but more a boat transfer. It's mostly families, friends or couples who book this tour. Therefore I would not recommend this tour if you're travelling solo.”

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2.City Cruises Salem High Speed Ferry to/from Boston

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 727 reviews · 50 minutes (approx.) · from $42

Take a fast catamaran between Boston and Salem in about 50 minutes. Choose an outdoor deck or cushy indoor seat, buy coffee, drinks, and snacks from the galley, and listen for commentary from guides such as Donald or Mikayla. Plan ahead for cool, choppy weather and remember that a round trip requires two one-way tickets.

“Quick direct way to get from Boston to Salem. Pretty views and they point out the sites around both areas”

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3.Santorini Day Trip with Fast Ferry Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 365 reviews · 11 - 12 hours · from $199

Travel from Heraklion to Santorini by fast ferry, then visit Oia and Fira by air-conditioned coach. You get a local guide, 1.5 hours in Oia, 2 hours in Fira, and ferry tickets for the return trip. Guides such as Theodora, Diego, and Adonis have earned praise for clear instructions and friendly service.

“Santorini itself was beautiful. The problem was the sheer amount of people ( I'm talking thousands) and coaches there due to the cruise ships We only had 1 hr 20 mins in Oia, and less than 2 hours in Fira. By the time we'd queued in the traffic, and queued to take photos of the domes in Oia, and had lunch in Fira, there was hardly any time to do anything else before we had to be back on the coach.”

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4.Melbourne City and Williamstown Ferry Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 356 reviews · from $23Best value

Take a roughly one-hour ferry ride between Melbourne and historic Williamstown, with commentary, tea, coffee, large windows, and views of bridges, Docklands, shipping channels, and Hobson’s Bay. Book one way or round trip, then spend your time in Williamstown’s cafés, galleries, gardens, and waterfront streets.

“The commentary on the boat was excellent learntvquite a lot about the river especially the early days of Melbourne and the tragedy of the west gate bridgr”

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5.City and Williamstown Ferry Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 343 reviews · from $23

Take a one-way or round-trip ferry from Southbank through Melbourne’s Yarra River and across Port Phillip Bay to Williamstown. You’ll hear English commentary, spot the city from the water, and may pause for lunch, cafés, galleries, or a walk near the historic seaport. Tea and coffee are included, but check the timetable carefully if you plan to explore ashore.

“Relaxing, informative and flexible. Great views of Melbourne and we enjoyed our stroll around Williamstown and lunch at the Customs House hotel. Great way to unwind for the day after the rush and bustle of Melbourne.”

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6.Nice to St Tropez Ferry Ticket and Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 320 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $125

Take a round-trip ferry from Quai Lunel in Nice to Saint-Tropez, with about 2.5 hours on the water each way. You set your own agenda ashore: browse the Old Port, visit the Citadelle, shop, eat, or head to the beach. Staff speak English, and crew member Steve Catalain has earned special praise for friendly service.

“Great way to see the coastline and travel to St Tropez. Even though the boat was busy there was still plenty of seating inside or out for all! Worth knowing that even though the details do not tell you this also stops at the island of St Marguerite and Cannes on the way, a good way to a catch a glimpse of them if you’re not planning on visiting them. Onboard bar does not take card so take plenty of cash with you if you want drinks/ snacks.”

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7.Adventure Rottnest Tour with Ferry & Adventure Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 238 reviews · from $117

Spend about eight hours reaching Rottnest by ferry, then circle its coast on a 90-minute high-speed wildlife cruise. Guides such as Lachie, Jess, and Max may point out fur seals, dolphins, ospreys, stingrays, and whales when conditions allow. You also get free time for quokkas, swimming, snorkeling, biking, or lunch.

“The ferry crossing was quite leisurely, with a stop at Freemantle to pick up more passengers, then faster to Rottnest. The optional speedboat trip around the island was the highlight of the trip, fast and wild over the waves, with commentary at the bays around the coast. I'd definitely recommend it, unless you suffer from sea sickness.”

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8.Evening Catamaran Ferry Cruise To The Blue Lagoon

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 75 reviews · 5 hours · from $41

Board a modern catamaran at Sliema Ferries for a five-hour evening trip to Comino. You get about two hours at the Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, or shore time, followed by a night cruise back to Malta. Bring swimwear, a towel, and motion-sickness protection. An access pass is required to go ashore.

“Loved it and we are planning a return trip in the new year”

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9.Private Tangier Tour from Ferry or Cruise Ship Including Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $150Top rated

Meet your representative at Tangier City Port for a private 7 to 8 hour tour with a local guide, air-conditioned minivan, lunch, and WiFi. See Cap Spartel, Hercules Caves, Achakkar Beach, the Kasbah, American Legation, synagogue, gardens, and the medina. Guide Mohammed has tailored visits to guests’ interests.

“Well run, comprehensive, Mohammed was pleasure to be with. Tailored the trip to our interests. A wonderful day . Would highly recommend. Very comfortable MB van.”

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10.Star Ferry Victoria Harbour Cruise & Light Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 10 reviews · from $36

Board the World Star Ferry at Tsim Sha Tsui for a 45-minute Victoria Harbour cruise timed with A Symphony of Lights. You’ll pass Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, and Wan Chai while lasers, LEDs, and music light up Hong Kong’s skyline. Chinese and English support is available, and the ferry is wheelchair accessible.

“We liked that we could get on with a wheelchair to view the lights. Everyone was very helpful and kind”

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