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America’s Best Pet Friendly Boat Tours

• By Amy at GoPetFriendly.com
• July 19, 2022

From whale watching to island hopping to sunset cruises, some trips wouldn’t be complete without setting sail. Make sure you can bring Fido and not miss a thing on these pet friendly boat tours across the country!

Including your pet when you travel to new places makes the trip more fun! But to really experience some destinations, you need to get out on the water. To make the most of your vacation, we’ve gathered information on America’s best pet friendly boat tours.

Tips for Taking Your Pets on Boats

While many ferries, charter cruises, and boat tours are pet friendly, some are not. And businesses change their policies without notice — so always verify the pet policy when making your reservation.

Pets should always wear a life jacket when aboard sailboats, canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards. When on larger vessels, like ferries, you might not feel it’s necessary for your pet to wear his life jacket, but at least have one with you in case of emergency.

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On most pet friendly boat tours, four-legged passengers need to be on the outside decks, and that’s where the views are, so you’ll want to be there, too! Before booking your trip, check the weather to be sure you’ll be comfortable. If the forecast calls for sun, remember that metal decking can get hot. Pack your pup’s protective boots so he doesn’t burn his paws.

Of course, you’ll always want to bring plenty of drinking water and a bowl for your pet. Being on the water is thirsty business!

Pet Friendly Boat Tours in the United States

From Alaska to Florida and Maine to California, pet friendly boat tours are popular across the United States. We hope our list makes it easy for you to share this experience with your pets!

Sailaway Charters

24231 Gulf Bay Road, Orange Beach, AL

Phone: 251-974-5055

Book a private charter for 6 or fewer with this experienced captain. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome to join you on charters only.

49th North Alaskan Adventures

Small Boat Harbor, Slip J1, Homer, AK

Phone: 907-235-7590

This family-owned water taxi and tour companies welcomes well-behaved leash dogs on their boats.

Mako’s Water Taxi

4350 Homer Spit Road, Homer, AK

Phone: 907-235-9055

This water taxi and touring company welcomes well-behaved, leashed pets aboard their boats. They have several pet friendly boat tours to choose from, and they provide kayak tours and rentals!

Miller’s Landing Water Taxi

1820 Beach Drive, Seward, AK

Phone: 866-541-5739

Email: [email protected]

This water taxi and touring company welcomes well-behaved, leashed pets aboard their heated boats. They have several boat tours to choose from, and they provide kayak tours and rentals!

Seward Water Taxi

1300 4th Avenue, Seward, AK

Phone: 907-362-1291

This tour and water taxi company offers trips aboard their heated boat to locations throughout Resurrection Bay, Day Harbor and the magnificent Bear Glacier. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome aboard. The price for their spot is determined according to size.

Bavarian Belle Riverboat

5200 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, AR

Phone: 501-525-4438

Take a narrated cruise on Lake Hamilton aboard this 250-passenger riverboat. Well-behaved, leashed pets are allowed on the outside deck only.

Anchor Charter Boats

32260 N Harbor Drive, Fort Bragg, CA

Phone: 707-964-4550

Well-behaved, leashed dogs under 50 pounds are allowed on boat charter trips if trip is not too crowded. Call for more information.

Fun Zone Boat Company

600 Edgewater Place, Balboa, CA

Phone: 949-673-0240

Take the Newport Harbor, Sea Lion, Celebrity Homes or a whale watching tour. The narrated tours depart on the hour from the cruise docks. Polite dogs are welcome on board, as long as they don’t bother other customers.

Monterey Bay Sailing

78 Fishermans Wharf, Monterey, CA

Phone: 831-372-7245

Monterey Bay Sailing offers bareboat rentals, sailing lessons, and cruises. Exploring the Monterey Bay via watercraft is hands down the best way to experience the incredible bio diversity of the region.

Spot grey, blue, and humpback whales, sea otters, dolphins, sea lions and more as you sail the day away with you pooch. Dogs are welcome at no additional charge on private charters only.

Monterey Bay Whale Watch Boat Tours

84 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, CA

Phone: 831-375-4658

Book a whale-watching cruise year-round! Reservations are required and well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome to join you.

Amelia River Cruises

Fernandina Harbor Marina, 1 N Front Street, Fernandina Beach, FL

Phone: 904-261-9972

Take a pet friendly boat tour of the beautiful Amelia River and Cumberland Sound. You’ll see salt marshes, wilderness beaches, wildlife and the wild horses on Cumberland Island. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome aboard.

Cape Coral Dolphin Tours

4001 SE 1st Avenue, Cape Coral, FL  

Phone: (239) 895-8868

Offering private tours for up to six people. Dogs are welcome on board with permission of the captain.

Beach Buddy Tours

Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers Beach, FL

Phone: 239-895-8868

Islamorada Eco-tours/KeyZ Charters

77522 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL

Phone: 305-393-1394

Pets are welcome on board. They must be leashed at the marina but are free to be loose on the boat with their owner’s supervision.

Majestic Manatee Tours

65 NW 1st Ave #2, Crystal River, FL

Phone: 352-795-8687

Polite pets are allowed on tours.

Salty Pup Adventures

100 Avenue I, Marathon, FL

Phone: (770) 318-0067

Take your small or medium dog on a sandbar, snorkel, or sunset tour. Don’t forget to bring your dog’s life jacket. Limited to dogs under 40 pounds.

READ MORE ⇒   10 Of The Best Pet Friendly Beaches In Florida

Shell Key Shuttle Pet-Friendly Sunset Cruise

801 Pass-A-Grille Way, St. Pete Beach, FL

Phone: 727-360-1348

Enjoy a 1 1/2 hour sunset sightseeing cruise through the residential waterways and pristine barrier islands south of Pass-A-Grille with your canine companion. Call for dates; reservations required. Dog ride free, and treats are included!

*All dogs must be vaccinated for rabies, bordatella, distemper/parvo.

St. Augustine Scenic Cruise

11 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine, FL

Phone: 904-824-1806

Enjoy a narrated, one hour and fifteen minute cruise of the St. Augustine area. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome to join you.

SW Florida Boat Tours

2072 Harbor Lane, Naples, FL

Phone: 732-735-0840

Custom-tailored pet friendly boat tours for up to 6 people. Polite pets are welcome to join you.

Tidewater Tours

302 Dock Street, Cedar Key, FL

Phone: 352-543-9523

Polite pets are welcome to join their people for a pet friendly boat tour aboard the Princess Anne.

Wild About Dolphins

6000 Peninsular Avenue, Stock Island, FL

Phone: 305-294-5026

Dogs are welcome on 3 and 4 hour private tours. They will provide water, treats, and a life jacket for your pup. Pets are not permitted on public tours.

Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises

115 S Second Street, Coeur d’Alene, ID

Phone: 208-292-5670

Learn about the lake’s history, see wildlife, view secluded lake homes along the shore, and cruise alongside the world’s only Floating Green. This is a cruise you don’t want to miss!

Pets are welcome on the daily tours; not brunch and dinner cruises. All pets must be leashed or in a carrier and must meet the Captain prior to embarking to ensure they’re friendly. Please keep pets in the outside areas (upper deck, or covered lower deck).

Mercury Skyline Cruiseline’s Canine Cruise

Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL

Phone: 312-332-1353

Canine cruises are offered on Saturdays and Sundays and allow you and your dog to enjoy a river and lakefront cruise featuring local dog parks, fire hydrants, and dog friendly establishments!

Dogs must be leashed, and a newspaper-lined restroom and water bowls will be provided.

Seadog Cruises – Navy Pier

600 E Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL

Phone: 312-321-7600

Take a narrated architectural cruise on the lake and river, viewing and getting descriptions of Chicago’s best known buildings. The tour is 75 minutes long and well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome aboard as long as the tour is not full.

Shoreline Sightseeing – Navy Pier

600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL

Phone: 312-268-6066

The water taxis runs approximately every 20 minutes and connect Navy Pier, Museum Campus (Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum), Union Station/Sears Tower and Michigan Avenue.

Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome aboard water taxis and sightseeing tours.

Acadian Boat Tours

119 Eden Street, Bar Harbor, ME

Phone: 207-801-2300

See summer mansions, Egg Rock Lighthouse, seals, harbor porpoise, eagles, osprey, other wildlife, plus lots of Acadia National Park during the two-hour sightseeing / nature cruise. Pet friendly boat tours leave up to 4 times daily, depending on the season. Reservations are recommended.

READ MORE ⇒   Maine’s Pet Friendly Acadia National Park

Bangor Harbor Cruises

64 Front Street, Bangor, ME

Phone: 207-941-0952

Leashed pets are welcome on the Windjammer and Ferry cruises. Pets aren’t recommend on fishing trips because of their longer duration.

Aboard the Chrissy, the captain might set size limits for dogs, based on the number of passengers booked on the trip. This is due to the smaller size of the vessel.

Beal & Bunker Mail Boat and Ferry

Harbor Drive, Northeast Harbor, ME

Phone: 207-244-3575

This passenger ferry service operates between Northeast Harbor and Great Cranberry Island, Little Cranberry Island, and Sutton Island (upon request).

Boats are also available for off-shore excursions, picnics, wildlife viewing and other private charters. And well-behaved pets are welcome aboard.

Camden Harbor Cruises

Bay View Landing Wharf, Camden, ME

Phone: 207-236-6672

Go lobster fishing or take an ecotour to view the spectacular wildlife, including seals, osprey, bald eagles, and dolphins. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome aboard.

Cap’n Fish’s Boat Trips

62 Commercial Street, Boothbay Harbor, ME

Phone: 207-633-3244

This charter company offers a variety of boating options including a nature cruise to the Puffin Colony on Eastern Egg Rock, whale and seal watching trips, a trip to Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, a cruise up the Kennebec River, and a cruise to Damariscove Harbor on the Outer Islands, among others. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome aboard and pay a reduced adult fare.

Finestkind Scenic Cruises

70 Perkins Cove Road, Ogunquit, ME

Phone: 207-646-5227

In operation from May 1st through mid-October, Finestkinds Scenic Cruises welcomes well-behaved pets on the breakfast cruise, Nubble lighthouse cruise, lobstering trips, and cocktail cruises.

If someone is allergic or afraid of pets you may be denied passage so please call ahead!

Hardy Boat Cruises

132 State Road 32, New Harbor, ME

Phone: 800-278-3346

Take a day trip to Monhegan Island, or enjoy a Puffin tour, a seal watching tour, a lighthouse cruise, or a fall coastal cruise to enjoy the beautiful foliage. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome aboard. Reservations are suggested.

From their website: “Yes, for a $5 fee, you may bring your dog on the boat, but please have them leashed or kenneled. Dogs are allowed on the island, however, island residents would prefer you leave your pet at home. You must pick up after your dog.”

Sea Princess Nature Cruises

Town Marina, Southwest Harbor, ME

Phone: 207-276-5352

Explore the incredible scenery of Acadia National Park, Somes Sounds, Bear Island Lighthouse, and Little Cranberry Island on a morning, afternoon, or sunset cruise with Sea Princess Nature Cruises. Take advantage of the unique perspective that water travel offers for wildlife viewing.

From the website: “Small friendly lap dogs are allowed if they remain leashed.”

Dockside Express Cruises & Tours

Chicken Point Road, Tilghman, MD

Phone: 888-312-7847

Your well-behaved, leashed pet is welcome to accompany you on a private charter. Offering crabbing charters, sunset cruises, ecotours, a dinner on the water cruise, or let them design a cruise specifically for you!

Patriot Cruises

213 N Talbot Street, St. Michaels, MD

Phone: 410-745-3100

Patriots allows small dogs (under 12 pounds) on their narrated cruises. Pets must remain on your lap during the tour.

Tangier Island Cruises

1001 W Main Street, Crisfield, MD

Phone: 410-968-2338

Cruise from Crisfiled, Maryland to Tangier Island, Virgina aboard the 90-foot Steven Thomas. Then browse the quaint, narrow streets designed for walking or cycling, mingle with the natives, and enjoy the peace and tranquility of this one by three mile island.

Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome to accompany you. This company will also arrange private charters.

Watermark Cruises

Dock Street, Annapolis, MD

Phone: 410-268-7601

This tour company offers narrated walking and boating tours of the Annapolis area. They operate the local water taxi service as well. Boats are also available for charter. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome on the tours.

Watermark Cruises at Baltimore Finger Piers

555 Light Street, Baltimore, MD

The Watermark offers several cruise options to see the best of Baltimore. All the boat tours are pet friendly, as long your dog is friendly and on leash.

Massachusetts

Bay state cruise company.

200 Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA and Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA

Phone: 877-783-3779

Travel by ferry between Boston and Provincetown in just 90 minutes. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome aboard.

Boston Harbor Cruises

1 Long Wharf, Boston, MA and 309 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA

Phone: 617-227-4321

Enjoy the ferry ride from Boston to Provincetown in just 90 minutes. The on-board concierge will be able to assist you with information on area restaurants, points of interest and hotel accommodations. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome aboard.

NOTE: Pets are not allowed on sightseeing tours offered by this company.

READ MORE ⇒   Massachusetts’ Pet Friendly Freedom Trail in Boston

Cape Ann Whale Watch

415 Main Street, Gloucester, MA

Phone: 800-877-5110

Enjoy a spectacular whale watching cruise! Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome aboard when the tours are not full.

Captain John’s Boats – Fast P-town Ferry

MacMillan Pier, Provincetown, MA and 77 Water Street, Plymouth, MA

Phone: 508-746-2643

Pet friendly ferry service between Provincetown and Plymouth, Massachusetts. Pets ride free and must remain on leash.

Dog Gone Sailing Charters

MacMillan Wharf, Provincetown, MA

Phone: 508-566-0410

This dog friendly sailing charter offers half-day, full-day, and sunrise or sunset excursions.

Freedom Cruise Line – Nantucket Ferry

Harwich Port Terminal, Harwich Port, MA

Phone: 508-432-8999

Leashed pets are allowed on board, but not in the main salon. There is no fee.

Hy-Line Cruises

220 Ocean Street, Hyannis, MA and 1 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs, MA

Phone: 800-492-8082

Take the one-hour ferry ride between Hyannis and Martha’s Vineyard. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome aboard, but must be kept off the furniture.

1 Straight Wharf, Nantucket, MA

Take the one-hour ferry ride between Nantucket and Hyannis. Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome aboard, but must be kept off the furniture.

184 Onset Avenue, Onset, MA

Phone: 508-295-3883

Take a two or three-hour, narrated sightseeing cruise through Cape Cod Canal. Your well-behaved, leashed pet is welcome to enjoy the trip with you.

Lake Superior Boat Tours

8234 Reindeer Run, Munising, MI

Phone: 906-387-1591

Private pontoon boat tours to the Pictured Rocks and Grand Island. Dogs are welcome on board.

Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry

311 S Nicolet Street, Mackinaw City, MI

Phone: 231-436-5023

Offering dog friendly ferry service to Mackinac Island.

READ MORE ⇒ Pet Friendly Mackinac Island

Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry

587 N State Street, St. Ignace, MI

Phone: 800-638-9892

Mississippi

Biloxi shrimping trip.

693 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS

Phone: 228-392-8645

Experience an actual shrimping expedition! This 70-minute adventure is navigated in the calm, protected waters between the shoreline and Deer Island. Learn how the nets work, and see all the marine wildlife that is brought up.

Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome on the tours when they are not full. Call ahead to determine the best time to take your pooch aboard.

Public tours are “First Come, First Served” CASH ONLY accepted upon boarding vessel.

Gateway Arch Riverboats

50 S Leonor K Sullivan Blvd, St. Louis, MO

Phone: 314-982-1410

Leashed pets are allowed aboard the one-hour sightseeing cruise. Pets must remain on the outside riverboat decks.

Wild Horse Island Pet Friendly Scenic Boat Trips

452 Grand Drive, Bigfork, MT

Phone: 406-837-5617

Take a boat tour of Flathead Lake and see Wild Horse Island. This tour operator provides private cruises to the primitive state park that is home to bighorn sheep, full curl rams, trophy mule deer, eagles, osprey and a few wild horses.

Picnics, hikes, wildlife viewing, twilight and moonlight cruises are available. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome to join their family on the tour.

New Hampshire

Granite state whale watch.

Harbor Road, Rye, NH

Phone: 800-964-5545

Enjoy a narrated whale watching trip lasting 4 to 5 hours, depending on where the whales are located. Well-behaved, leashed pets that have experience on the water are welcome to join the cruise.

Cape May Whale Watcher

1286 Wilson Drive, Cape May, NJ

Phone: 800-786-5445

This company specializes in whale and dolphin watching tours, and also offers sunset and lighthouse cruises. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome aboard.

Lake George Shoreline Cruise

2 Kurosaka Lane, Lake George, NY

Phone: 518-668-4644

Polite dogs on leash are allowed to join you on tours of beautiful Lake George. Pets are not allowed on dinner cruises.

North Carolina

Beaufort boat tour.

232 W Beaufort Road, Beaufort, NC

Phone: 252-515-1735

Take a one-hour tour of the Beaufort harbor. Polite pets are welcome.

Island Express Ferry Service

600 Front Street, Beaufort, NC

Phone: 252-728-7433

Take an excursion tour to Shackleford Island and view the wild horses. Pets are welcome, but must be leashed at all times.

Water Bug Tours

610 Front Street, Beaufort, NC

Phone: 252-342-3577

Your polite dog may join you on a tour.

Miller Boat Lines

5174 E. Water Street, Port Clinton, OH

Phone: 800-500-2421

Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome aboard this passenger and vehicle ferry to Middle Bass Island South Bass Island.

If you choose not to take your car to Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island, you can rent a golf cart, hail a taxi, or take the public bus to get around. Middle Bass Island is only 1.5 miles long, and bike or golf carts are the preferred modes of transportation.

Note: There are restrictions on taking cars round-trip to the island on Sundays. Check the website for further details.

Rhode Island

Gansett cruises.

2 Bowen’s Landing, Newport, RI

Phone: 401-787-4438

Book a sunrise, midday, or sunset cruise of Newport Harbor on the 50 foot passenger boat, which has been completely rebuilt for comfort and scenic touring.

Well-behaved, leashed dogs are allowed on the main deck and will be provided a blanket where they can take in the views beside your seat. Please notify the crew when purchasing tickets or making reservations that your buddy will be coming with you.

South Carolina

Lowcountry boat tours.

701 Front Street, Georgetown, SC

Phone: 843-477-0287

Polite dogs are allowed on leash.

Charleston Water Taxi

10 Wharfside Street, Charleston, SC

Phone: 843-330-2989

Travels between four Charleston sites, and pets ride free! Great views with a good chance to see dolphins.

READ MORE ⇒ Top Pet Friendly Things To Do in Charleston

BayWatch Dolphin Tours

2100 Harborside Drive, Galveston, TX

Phone: 832-859-4557

45 minute dolphin tours every hour on the hour. And pets ride free!

Dolphin Connection

410 N Sandpiper, Ingleside, TX

Phone: 361-776-2887

Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome on the tours where you can see dolphins in their natural habitat, as long as no other passenger objects. Tours are limited to six passengers and run only at peak viewing times.

Washington State Ferries

A great way to get around northwestern Washington is on the ferry! Schedules and ports vary depending on the season, and current sailing times are available on the website.

Pets in carriers are allowed in interior passenger areas on vessels, and leashed pets are welcome in exterior passenger areas, including shelter decks, promenade decks and/or sun decks.

Dells Boat Tours

Upper Dock – 105 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells, WI

Phone: 608-254-8555

Historic Dells Boat Tours invites you to join them on an adventure to see the incredible beauty of the Wisconsin River. Gaze at towering sandstone cliffs as you hear tall tales of characters who traveled the river.

The lower dock tour is one hour long with no stops. The upper dock tour is a 2 hour tour with 2 stops. Leashed, well-behaved, friendly dogs are welcome on both.

Dreamcatcher Sailing

100 Rittenhouse Avenue, Bayfield, WI

Phone: 715-779-5561

Dogs are welcome on board if you charter the boat as a family. They recommend that someone in family be capable of lifting dog overhead in case the pup falls overboard and needs to be lifted back on board.

Fish Creek Scenic Boat Tours

9448 Spruce Street, Fish Creek, WI

Phone: 920-421-4442

These 90 minute boat tours are pet friendly.

Milwaukee Boat Line

1124 N Martin Luther King Jr Drive, Milwaukee, WI

Phone: 414-294-9450

Explore Milwaukee’s past and present from her rivers, harbors, and Lake Michigan during this 90-minute tour. Dogs are welcome on board, though restrictions may apply for food and special event cruises. Dogs must be well-behaved, leashed, and under their owner’s control at all times.

Sail Door County

10733 N Bay Shore Drive, Sister Bay, WI

Phone: 920-495-7245

Dogs sail for free!

Sister Bay Scenic Boat Tours

10707 N Bay Shore Drive, Sister Bay, WI

Phone: 920-421-4444

Offering daily narrated tours to Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, Death’s Door and the many islands, bluffs and beaches surrounding Door County. Enjoy the sun on our upper level sun deck or find shade and refreshment on our lower bar deck. The vessel is wheel chair accessible and polite pets are welcome aboard.

READ MORE ⇒ 5 Questions To Ask BEFORE Taking A Dog On A Boat

We hope you get to experience one (or more!) of these pet friendly boat tours with your travel buddy. If you know of another, be sure to let us know in the comments and we’ll add it to the list.

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