Boats on San Francisco Bay

Real-Time Ship Positions

Time-lapse display of all the commercial ships on San Francisco Bay. Also includes a complete list of ships on the Bay since mid-April 2006.

Yacht Brokers: Ready to buy a new -- or new to you -- boat? The yacht brokers listed here will help you find the right one in the San Francisco Bay area.
Boats for Sale (Used): Often the best value comes from buying a used boat. Not only do you get the benefit of early depreciation of new boats, you often get lots of additional equipment for little or no additional cost. If you're lucky, the kinks have also been worked out. Of course, you also risk inheriting someone's problems. Always get a full hull and mechanical survey before purchasing a used boat.
Boat Rentals (Bareboat): You don't have to own your own boat to get out on San Francisco Bay as captain for the day. Sailboat rentals are the most widely available on the bay, with most boats in the 22 to 44 foot range. A few larger sailboats are available as well. Power boats are a lot harder to find, but there are a few available. And don't forget kayaks, especially for protected areas.

Yacht Charters (Sail and Power): The most luxurious way to enjoy San Francisco Bay is on a chartered yacht with a professional captain and crew. Available yachts range from 30 to more than 200 feet long, for 4 to 400 people.
Scheduled Bay Cruises (Power): Scheduled cruises are available on a wide variety of boats on San Francisco Bay, from 40-foot sailboats to multi-hundred-passenger ships. Prices typically range from $10 to $30, but dinner cruises can be significantly more expensive. This section lists cruises available on motorized vessels.
Scheduled Bay Cruises (Sail): Scheduled cruises are available on a wide variety of boats, from 40-foot sailboats to multi-hundred-passenger ships. Prices typically range from $10 to $30, but dinner cruises can be significantly more expensive. This section lists cruises available on sailboats.
Fishing Charters: A wide assortment of fishing boats make daily trips to the fishing grounds. Most will provide gear rentals if you need it, and they all have skilled deckhands to help. Private charters are also available. The type of trips they run varies depending on what's in season and what's biting.
Ferries: A trip on a ferry is the lowest-cost way to get out on San Francisco Bay -- and there's no better way to travel among bayfront cities.

Sailing Schools: If you want to learn to sail, you can take classes or private lessons from many different schools. Classes range from introductions for beginners to advanced racing and long-term cruising skills.