Harbour Tours
Harbor Tours
About Our Free Harbor Tours
The Port of Oakland is pleased to sponsor free harbor tours from May through October 2025 on a Blue & Gold boat. Each tour will last approximately 90 minutes. Visitors will learn about the Port, its operations, and the economic and jobs impact on the region. Harbor tours provide a unique vantage point because the Port’s marine terminals can be viewed from the water. The excursions are a great way to see how the Oakland Seaport works.
What can I do at the Port?
Not sure who to contact or have a general question? Use our contact form to route your request
Harbor Tour 2025 Schedule
- May 9, 2025 (First cruise)
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6:45 pm – 8:15 pm
90-minute cruise - Registration will open on Monday, April 28 at 8 pm (PDT).
- June 6, 2025
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6:45 pm – 8:15 pm
90-minute cruise - Registration will open on Tuesday, May 27 at 8 pm (PDT).
- July 11, 2025
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6:45 pm – 8:15 pm
90-minute cruise - Registration will open on Monday, June 30 at 8 pm (PDT).
- August 8, 2025
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6:45 pm – 8:15 pm
90-minute cruise - Registration will open on Monday, July 28 at 8 pm (PDT).
- September 12, 2025
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5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
90-minute cruise - Registration will open on Tuesday, September 2 at 8 pm (PDT).
- October 17, 2025 (Last cruise)
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5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
90-minute cruise - Registration will open on Monday, October 6 at 8 pm (PDT).
The FREE tickets go quickly and are usually reserved within the first few minutes of the online registration going live.
Boarding will take place at the Oakland Jack London Terminal (Ferry Dock) at 10 Clay St. (at the corner of Water Street) in Jack London Square, Oakland, California. There are nearby parking lots (There is a fee to park.)
How to Get Tickets
Online registration will open on Monday, April 28, 2025, at 8 p.m. (PDT) for the May 9, 2025 tour. Each person may reserve up to four (4) tickets per boat tour.
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis until all available tickets are reserved. The Port reserves the right to make the ultimate decision as to how to issue boarding passes. Please note that due to popular demand, these free tickets are usually all taken within minutes. We do not accept telephone reservations.
If you are not able to reserve harbor tour tickets, you can attempt a walk-in. Just show up 30 minutes prior to the tour and ask to be placed on our waiting list. On harbor tours in years past, we have accepted some of the people on the waiting list. There is no guarantee for getting on the harbor tour as a walk-in; however, there are plenty of other fun things to do in Jack London Square should you “miss the boat.”
NOTE: The registration link for the first tour of the 2025 season scheduled for Friday, May 9, 2025 will not go live until Monday, April 28, 2025 at exactly 8 pm. We do not take advance registration for tours in the following months.
FAQ's
You must present an Eventbrite boarding pass (paper or electronic) at the registration table prior to boarding. There is no age limit. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Jack London Square Washington Street Garage located at 101 Washington St., Oakland, CA 94607 or street parking. The Port of Oakland does NOT validate for parking.
Boarding begins 15 minutes prior to departure. All passengers must be on the vessel 5 minutes prior to departure. We will NOT hold the vessel for late arrivals. Please plan your time accordingly.
Yes, a ticket is transferable. Please update registration information prior to the date of departure, by emailing harbortours@portoakland.com.
Yes. Each passenger MUST present a boarding pass (electronic or printed) prior to departure.
Online registration will open on Friday, April 28, 2025 at exactly 8 p.m. (PDT) for the May 9, 2025 tour. Available tickets are usually all reserved within minutes due to the FREE boat tour’s popularity. You may wish to come to the registration table on the day of the tour about 30 minutes prior and place your name on the standby list if you were not able to get a ticket online. This does not guarantee that you will be able to board. We pull from the list according to the number of no-shows on a first come, first served basis. On previous harbor tours, we have accepted some of the people on the waiting list.
The Port of Oakland’s 90-minute guided harbor tours take guests into the Oakland middle and outer harbors. The boat goes under the western span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge near Yerba Buena Island. Then, the boat returns to Jack London Square. The live narration will give visitors the opportunity to learn about the global economic impact of the Port’s seaport operations. They will see up-close the Port’s iconic container cranes, megaships, and dockworkers. The exact tour activities may change without notice.
Food and drinks are not allowed to be brought on the boat. If you wish to purchase light snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, you may buy them on the boat. The tour boat has a concession stand. Alcohol is not permitted on the boat.
The boats are wheelchair accessible on the main level. The boat is not wheelchair accessible on the second or third decks. The bathrooms are all wheelchair accessible.
Yes, certified service animals are allowed on the boat. Service animals must be on a leash and under control at all times, and they are the responsibility of the owner. No other animals are allowed on the boat.