New York Statue of Liberty Boat Tour: 1-Hour Harbor Cruise
About this tour
This one-hour boat tour sails you around New York Harbor and up to within 100 feet of the Statue of Liberty, close enough for clear photos without landing on the island. Along the way a live guide points out landmarks including the Freedom Tower, the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, Governors Island, Battery Park, and Ellis Island. Pick indoor or outdoor seating depending on the weather, and take in the Manhattan skyline from the water while you learn about the city's history.
Highlights
- One-hour cruise across New York Harbor with views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty
- Sail within 100 feet of the Statue of Liberty for close-up photos from the water
- Live guide sharing New York City's history as you cruise
- Pass landmarks including the Freedom Tower, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Governors Island, Battery Park, and Ellis Island
- Choose indoor cabin or open-deck seating to suit the weather
- See the robed figure stepping over a broken chain, torch in one hand and tablet in the other
Places You Will Visit
Included / Excluded
- 1-hour boat tour
- Live guide
Good to Know: Statue of Liberty, Liberty Island and Ellis Island
This tour is a one-hour harbor cruise, so you'll see the Statue of Liberty up close from the water rather than setting foot on Liberty Island. If you later want to land, keep in mind the ferry is the only way onto the island. There's no bridge or road, and boats run from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan or Liberty State Park in New Jersey, both reachable by subway and bus. For a landing visit, the Statue of Liberty is generally open 09:00 to 17:00 with last entry around 15:30, though hours shift by season and the site closes on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Always check the current schedule before you go.
If you do visit the island, there are a few levels of access worth knowing about. The Statue of Liberty Museum sits on Liberty Island and covers the monument's origins and engineering, with the original torch on display. The pedestal has viewing balconies looking back toward Manhattan, and the crown, reached by a narrow spiral staircase, is the highest point you can get to inside the figure. Crown tickets are strictly limited and sell out well ahead, and the stairs aren't suitable for anyone with mobility concerns. Many ferry tickets also include Ellis Island, the restored immigration station where more than 12 million people entered the United States between 1892 and 1954, with its Great Hall and immigration museum.
Weather in New York
Local time 11:36 PM, UTC-04:00
Available Days / Times
- Monday : 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00
- Tuesday : 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00
- Wednesday : 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00
- Thursday : 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00
- Friday : 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00
- Saturday : 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00
- Sunday : 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00
Last updated: Oct 23, 2026
Important Information
- This is a sightseeing cruise that sails for close views of the statue and does not stop on Liberty Island or Ellis Island.
- To actually land on Liberty Island you'd need a ferry from Manhattan or New Jersey; there is no bridge or land access.
- Crown access (on island visits) needs a separate reservation and often sells out months ahead.
- A full island visit with ferries, security, and both islands usually takes 3 to 5 hours.
- Planning several NYC attractions? A city pass or combo ticket can save time and money.
- Guided options include narration and often priority ferry boarding.
- Morning departures are quieter; ferry and security lines get busier later, on weekends, and in peak season.
- Liberty Island and Ellis Island are wheelchair accessible, but the crown's narrow staircase is not suitable for those with mobility limitations.
- Infants on cruises usually sit on a parent's lap unless a separate seat is booked.
- Security screening is required before boarding.
- Large bags and certain items may be restricted at security screening.
- Eating, drinking, and smoking are not allowed inside the Statue of Liberty.
- Photography is allowed; tripods and commercial filming require permission.
- Pets are not permitted on the monument or islands, except service animals.
FAQs
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