Boat Rides And Ferries To Take In New England

New England’s coastline and rivers are packed with scenic boat rides and ferry trips that offer more than just transportation. These boat rides offer a great way to experience all that New England has to offer. From island getaways to harbor cruises, these boats give you a fresh perspective on the region’s charm. In this post, we’ll cover the best boat rides and ferries to take across New England.

Take The Ferry To Rose Island Lighthouse

Lighthouse on a rocky island with a nearby bridge spanning the background under a clear blue sky. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

You can take the Jamestown-Newport Ferry to get to Rose Island, which is off of the coast of Newport, Rhode Island. Once on the island, you can explore the fully restored lighthouse museum, explore the historic fort, enjoy panoramic views of Narragansett Bay and the Newport Bridge, and even stay overnight.

Take The Ferry To Prudence Island Lighthouse

A small white lighthouse stands on grassy land near the water, with a long bridge visible in the background under a cloudy sky. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Prudence Island is a small residential island that’s worth a visit. To get here, take the ferry from Bristol, Rhode Island. On the island, you can check out Prudence Island Lighthouse, hiking trails, and disc golf courses.

Take A Trip Out To Pomham Rocks Lighthouse

A white lighthouse with a red roof sits on a rocky hill surrounded by greenery, with cloudy skies overhead. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Another Rhode Island lighthouse that’s worth cruising out to is Pomham Rocks Lighthouse. Pomham Rocks Lighthouse is located just south of Providence. It’s situated on an island in the Providence River. The Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse offers tours of the lighthouse. They will take you to the island on a boat that departs from Cranston.

Take The Ferry Out To Block Island

A sandy path leads through green shrubs to a stone lighthouse with a brick-red roof under a clear blue sky. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Block Island, Rhode Island is great for a day trip or a weekend getaway. This island offers beautiful beaches, scenic trails, lighthouses, and a laid-back vibe just a ferry ride from the mainland. In New England, can take a ferry from Point Judith or Newport, Rhode Island or from New London, Connecticut.

Puffin Cruise With Hardy Boat Cruises

An Atlantic puffin swims on the surface of the blue ocean, creating small splashes as it moves through the water. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

There’s nothing quite like getting to see a puffin in person. Hardy Boat Cruises’ puffin cruise out of New Harbor, Maine is a great way to view these cute little seabirds. It’s a 1.5 hour narrated cruise that takes you to Eastern Egg Rock to see puffins and other shorebirds.

Cape Ann Lighthouse Cruise

Two tall stone lighthouses stand on a rocky coastline with several small buildings and greenery under a cloudy sky. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

If you love New England lighthouses, you can take a lighthouse cruise with Harbor Tours of Cape Ann out of Gloucester, MA. On the cruise, you can see six different lighthouses as well as other points of interest. It’s a great way to see all of the lighthouses in the area!

Whale Watching With 7 Seas Whale Watch

A humpback whale’s tail fin, or fluke, rises above the surface of the ocean, with water rippling around it. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

This whale watching cruise is the top attraction in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The area is a premier spot for whale watching due to its proximity to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. When I went whale watching here, I went out with 7 Seas Whale Watch.

Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises

A whale lifts its tail above the surface of the ocean, with water splashing around it under a clear sky. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Looking for an unforgettable adventure on Cape Cod? Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises offers front-row seats to majestic whales breaching and feeding in their natural habitat. The cruise leaves from Barnstable Harbor. The cruise delivers expert narration and whale sightings on a comfortable ship.

Sunset Cruise and Seal Watch With Blackhawk Fishing

Seal lounging on a rock by the water, with its head turned and flippers crossed. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Blackhawk Fishing in Niantic, Connecticut offers a really fun seal and sunset cruise. I love this cruise so much that I’ve actually done it three different times. It’s a great way to spend an evening on the water in southeastern Connecticut.

Thames River Heritage Park Water Taxi

A water taxi crosses a river with a metal drawbridge and houses visible in the background under a cloudy sky. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

The Thames River Heritage Park’s water taxi is a great way to explore the Thames River. The boats are refurbished surplus U.S. Navy “liberty” utility boats that were used to shuttle sailors to shore from larger ships for liberty or free time. Their most popular offering are the hop on, hop off harbor cruises where you can hop on and off at various sites along the river. You can get on in Groton or New London, Connecticut.

Lighthouses And Tales of Boston Harbor Boat Tour

A white lighthouse with adjacent small buildings stands on rocky terrain by the water under an overcast sky. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Looking for something unique to do while in Boston, Massachusetts? Consider taking the Lighthouses and Tales of Boston Harbor boat tour with Boston Harbor City Cruises. On this trip, you’ll get to see multiple lighthouses while learning some interesting history about Boston.

Go Out On The Sabino At The Mystic Seaport Museum

A white and yellow steamboat named "Sabino" floats on a river, with American and Sabino flags flying, and a green wooded shoreline in the background. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

If you’re in Mystic, Connecticut at the Mystic Seaport Museum, it’s worth taking a ride on Sabino. Sabino serves as a working exhibit. It operates daily trips during the warmer months on the Mystic River for the enjoyment and education of visitors.

Chester-Hadlyme Ferry

A small motorboat travels along a wide, tree-lined river under a clear sky, with dense green forest on both banks. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Looking for a unique way to experience the Connecticut River? The Chester-Hadlyme Ferry offers a short but scenic ride that connects two charming towns with historic roots and stunning views. Whether you’re exploring Gillette Castle State Park or just out for a drive, this ferry adds a memorable twist to your day.

Sheffield Island Ferry

A historic stone lighthouse with a black-domed lantern room sits on a grassy lawn. A pine tree and two people are visible in the background. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Whether you’re a local resident or a traveler seeking a unique experience, a visit to Sheffield Island Lighthouse in Norwalk, Connecticut needs to be on your list. This historic lighthouse is located at the southern tip of the Norwalk Islands and it’s only accessible by boat. On the island, you’ll be able to tour the lighthouse and explore the trails.

Go Out On The RiverQuest At The Connecticut River Museum

A girl with a long braid in a red hoodie looks through binoculars while standing on a boat next to a body of water. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

RiverQuest offers various tours that leave from the Connecticut River Museum in Essex, Connecticut. I’ve personally done the cruise out to the Old Saybrook lighthouses and the Osprey and Eagle Cruise with them. We loved that they had binoculars available on board for the birdwatching cruise. They also have sunset cruises, full moon cruises, and fall foliage cruises.

Lighthouse Cruise With Cross Sound Ferry

A red and white lighthouse with a square structure stands in the ocean under an overcast sky. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Cross Sound Ferry offers two lighthouse cruises out of New London, Connecticut. On the classic cruise, you’ll see lighthouses such as New London Harbor Lighthouse and New London Ledge Light in Connecticut as well as some lighthouses in New York. They also have a lights and sights cruise that takes you towards Watch Hill, Rhode Island to see the Ocean House and Watch Hill Light.

Take The Ferry Out To Monhegan Island in Maine

A white house and a stone lighthouse with a red roof stand atop a green, tree-covered hill under a clear blue sky. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

There are three different ferries you can take out to Monhegan Island in Maine. When I went, I took the ferry from Port Clyde, but you can go from New Harbor or Boothbay Harbor as well. The island is a remote destination that’s known for its natural beauty, art community, and rugged hiking trails. With no cars and limited development, it offers a peaceful retreat from the mainland.

Rocky Hill – Glastonbury Ferry

A small ferry named Cumberland transports cars and passengers across a river; vehicles and people are visible on board, with buildings and trees in the background. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Love history? Take a ride on the oldest continuously operational ferry in the United States. The original ferry dates back to 1655, crossing the Connecticut River between Rocky Hill and Glastonbury, Connecticut. The ferry allows cars, cyclists, and passengers.

Whale and Puffin Cruise With Cap’n Fish’s Cruises

An Atlantic puffin with a colorful beak floats on the surface of the blue ocean water. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Experience Maine’s coastal wildlife up close with the Whale and Puffin Cruise from Cap’n Fish’s Cruises. This popular tour out of Boothbay Harbor combines whale watching with a visit to puffin nesting areas, offering incredible photo opportunities and expert commentary. It’s one of the best ways to enjoy marine life and ocean views in a single trip. You’ll also see some lighthouses along the way.

Seal Watch Tour With Save The Bay

A boat on the water with the name "Alletta Morris" and a "Save the Bay" sign for Narragansett Bay, docked near buildings. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Save The Bay’s Seal Watch Tour offers a unique opportunity to observe harbor seals in their natural habitat along the coastline of Rhode Island. Led by knowledgeable naturalists, the tour takes visitors on a boat excursion through local waters where they can see these playful marine mammals hauled out on rocks or swimming near the shoreline.

Essex Steam Train and Riverboat

A large white historic building with mansard roof sits by a river, surrounded by trees and smaller buildings; a boat moves on the water in the foreground. — Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

This one in Essex, Connecticut is a bit more unique than the rest on this list. This is a train ride and a riverboat cruise combo. You’ll take the Essex Steam Train to Deep River where you’ll depart to get on the Becky Thatcher riverboat. During the ride, you’ll see historic sites along the river such as Gillette Castle, Goodspeed Opera House, and the Haddam Swing Bridge.