Cape Cod boat tours are a great and adventurous way to go whale watching, sightseeing, Day sailing, harbor cruise, seal watching, water sporting, and fishing on the Cape.
A Few Popular Cape Cod Boat Tours
Let’s explore!
1. Blue Claw Boat Tours
Duration: 1hr 45 minutes
Rating: 5/5
Pricing: Starts from $450
Blue Claw Boat tours are a private charter cruise from Orleans through Pleasant Bay and Chatham Harbor waters. You can choose either a narrated Seal Watch Adventure Cruise with a Beachcomber Expedition or a Sunset Cruise. Just you, your friends, and the captain aboard the Blue Claw boat.
Who it’s best for?
The Blue Claw Boat tour suits family and friends interested in seal-watching adventures, beachcomber expeditions, river life cruises, and sunset cruises. There’s no age limit.
What to see and do in Blue Claw Boat Tours
Aboard the Blue Claw, you will go on a seal-watching adventure, visit Tern Island in Chatham Harbor, travel through the salt marshes, and
see the Cape Cod National Seashore dunes.
With the Beachcombing expedition, you will be able to beach comb on an island and enjoy the sunset.
Package costs
Blue Claw Boat Tours offers three packages. The Seal Watch Adventure tour starts at $475; the Beachcomber Expedition with Seal Tour starts at $750, and the Sunset Cruise starts at $450.
A Seal Watch Adventure tour costs $475 for a group of up to 4 people, $555 for 5 people, $615 for 6 people, $675 for 7 people, $735 for 8 people, $795 for 9 people, $855 for 10 people, $915 for 11 people, and $975 for 12 people. It is 1hour and 45 minutes long.
The Beachcomber Expedition with Seal Tour costs $750 for a group of 1 to 6 people, $850 for 7 people, $950 for 8 people, $1,050 for 9 people and $1,150 for 10 people. It is 3 hours long.
The Sunset Cruise costs $450 for a group of 1 to 4 people, $500 for 5 people, $550 for 6 people, $600 for 7 people, $650 for 8 people, $700 for 9 people and $750 for 10 people. It is 1hour and 30minutes long.
For a treat to the Chatham Lighthouse, you need an additional $75 for your group. However, you should carry your food and snacks aboard.
Where to get tickets
You can get your Blue Claw Boat Tours tickets on their website.
2. Beachcomber Boat Tours
Duration: 1hour and 30minutes
Rating: 4.5/5
Pricing: Starts from $45 per adult
The Beachcomber Boat Tours offer seal watching tours and private harbor cruises in Pleasant Bay, with their boats located in Ryder’s Cove. You will enjoy the views between North Beach and Chatham Break.
The seal watching tours have a maximum capacity of 29 people and a minimum capacity.
They also offer a roundtrip boat shuttle from Chatham’s Municipal Fish Pier.
Who it’s best for?
Beachcomber Boat Tours are excellent for family get-togethers, weddings, and corporate events. This tour is suitable for all age groups interested in private harbor cruises and seal watches in Chatham.
What to do and see
You will enjoy watching seals, a quiet picnic place at the outer beaches of Pleasant Bay, swim in the Atlantic, surf or relax at the quiet Bayside North Beach.
Package costs
This tour package costs $45.00 for adults, $38.00 for kids 12 years old and under, but free for kids below two years.
The package is inclusive of a boat cruise and swimming. However, it is not inclusive of food, snacks, and drinks.
Where to get tickets
You can get your Beachcomber Boat Tour tickets by calling (508)945-5265.
3. Shark Shark Tuna Fishing Charters
Duration: 8 hours
Rating: 5/5
Pricing: Starts from $675
Shark Shark Tuna is a fishing tour that takes place between late May to October. The tour starts from Neptune Lane in Yarmouth, and it accommodates up to 6 passengers a trip. You may fish Bluefin Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, Sea Bass, Sharks, Striped Bass, or Porgy.
Who it’s best for?
People interested in deep-sea fishing and getting to experience the Cape Cod fishing grounds should book for this fun-filled tour. The tour is open for kids and adults.
What to do and see
You will experience deep sea fishing, kids fishing trips, sunset cruises, and overnight canyon trips on request.
You will enjoy seeing the bounty of Nantucket with clear skies, salt-filled air, incredible views, and rhythmic waves.
Package costs
This tour costs $675 for 4 hours, $725 for 5 hours, $800 for 6 hours, and $1000 for 8 hours for up to 6 people. The package is inclusive of all fishing gear, a boat ride, and zip lock freezer bags.
However, it is exclusive of snacks, drinks, cooler for your catch, and other items of personal comfort.
Where to get tickets
You can buy your trip tickets on the Shark Shark Tuna Charters website. Call the tour on 774.212.0016 for any questions.
4. Bay Spirit Tours
Duration: 1-3 hours
Rating: 4.5/5
Pricing: Starts from $1175
The Bay Spirit tour lasts from 90 minutes on the music cruise, 1-3 hours on the Bay Spirit and Bay Breeze. The tour starts at Hyannis and sails into Lewis Bay and Nantucket Sound. You will enjoy the cruise, sunset views, and live music.
Who it’s best for?
This cruise tour is best suited for corporate outings and events, weddings, and parties solely based on the vessel you charter from their wide selection.
What to do and see
You can take a ride through Lewis Bay to view local lighthouses, do a leisurely cruise in scenic Hyannis harbor or opt for the 90 minutes sunset cruise with live music performance.
Package costs
The Bay spirit charter costs $1175 an hour 50 minutes, $1450 for two hours, $1650 for 2 hours 50 minutes, and $1850 for 3 hours for a group of 1-24 people.
For a group of 25-49 people, it goes for $1475 an hour fifty minutes, $1750 for two hours, $2150 for two hours 50 minutes, and $2400 for three hours.
The cost includes a cruise, music, sunset, and your time with the crew and captain.
However, you will need to carry your food, drinks, and snacks. Alternatively, you can buy the ones sold at the cabin bar from liquor, soft drinks, and packaged snacks.
Where to get tickets
You can grab your boat tour tickets on Bay Spirit Tours.
5. Whale Watch Dolphin fleet
Duration: 3-4 hours
Rating: 5/5
Pricing: Starts from $65
The Whale Watch Dolphin fleet tour offers 3-4 hours of cruising, offering whale watch and sunset views. The tour starts at the MacMillan Pier, and it is only available during June, July, and August.
Who it’s best for?
Whale Watch Dolphin fleet suits people interested in whales and marine life adventures. The trip has no age limit.
It will be a great way to learn a lot about marine life in Cape Cod waters.
What to do and see
You will enjoy a sunset cruise, whale watching, and marine life tours.
Package costs
It costs $65 for adults, $55 for seniors above 62 years, $40 for children, and free for kids under 4 years old.Special rates are offered to first responders, the military, health care workers, and large groups.
The cost includes a guided trip, a sundeck and viewing platform on the bow, onboard restrooms, a central air heated cabin, a galley with food and drinks, and ample seating space on the upper and lower deck.
Due to Covid, foods from outside the vessel are prohibited unless it is an infant’s food. Do not carry any food, snacks, or liquor.
Where to get tickets
You can buy your next trip’s tickets on the Whale Watch website.
6. Monomoy Island Excursions
Duration: 1 ½ hour
Rating: 5/5
Pricing: Starts from $42
The Monomoy Island Excursions is a boat tour company offering seal excursions and private charters starting from Harwich port to 
Monomoy, a barrier island off the coast of Chatham passing through Wychmere Harbor, Stage Harbor, and Chatham Lighthouse.
Who is it best for?
The Monomoy Island Excursions tour is best suited for bird watchers as there are various birds on the island. It’s also excellent for people interested in seals, wildlife, and the island’s history that has become an animal refuge.
The trip is suitable for all age groups, but infants have to be carried on the adult’s lap all the time.
What to see and do
You will enjoy seeing the gray and harbor seals, hundreds of bird species, the Stage Harbor and Chatham Lighthouses, yachts, and sailboats along the Nantucket Sound coastline.
Package costs
It costs $42 per adult,$40 for children within 4-12 years old, and $10 for children under 3 years to get on this excursion.
The cost includes a trained naturalist on board and the boat ride to the seal excursion island.
Snacks and drinks are not provided abroad; hence carry your own.
Smoking is strictly prohibited on this vessel.
Where to get tickets
Get your Monomoy excursion tickets to this fantastic place on the Monomoy Seal Cruise website.
7. Captain John Boats
Duration: 4 Hours
Rating: 5/5
Pricing: Starts from $65
Captain John Boats is a whale-watching excursion that starts at Town Wharf in Plymouth out to Cape Cod Bay and Stellwagen Bank. You will catch glimpses of various types of whales like the finback whale and the endangered right whales.
Who is it best for?
This excursion is suitable for all age groups and highly beneficial for an educational experience on whales.
What to see and do
You will be able to see the Stellwagen marine sanctuary, spot humpback whales, finback whales, minke whales, the endangered right whales, and pilot whales.
Package costs
This excursion costs $55 for adults above 62 years old, $65 for adults above 13 years, $45 for kids between the age of 4-12 years, and free for kids between 0-3 years.
The package includes a guided tour with a naturalist and sailing.
However, galley services are offered on board with a cash-only payment for food and beverages. Liquor is equally available.
Where to get tickets
You can buy your Captain John Boat tickets on their website.
Conclusion
Boat tours are a great way of exploring the rich waters of Cape Cod, marine wildlife, fishing, watching the sunset, whale watching, puffin sightings, seal excursions, and sea birds.
The best Cape Cod Boat tours are Blue Claw Boat Tours, Beachcomber Boat Tours, Shark Shark Tuna Fishing charters, Bay Spirit tours, Whale Watch Dolphin fleet, Monomoy Island Excursions, and Captain John Boats.
The boat tours offer exclusive views of the different lighthouses from the sea and magnificent views of the different Cape towns.
Boat tours are a great way to relax and have fun with family, friends, and colleagues, with a wide range of activities and service providers to choose from.
Learn more about Cape Cod’s sailing tours and charters.
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Dolphin Fleet whale watches are available April to October.