Alcatraz, the prison island in the San Francisco Bay, stands as one of the city's most iconic landmarks. This tour allows you to choose the departure time that best fits your schedule.

Departing from Pier 39, you'll sail past the sea lions into the bay. After passing under the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, you'll encircle Alcatraz Island, giving you a comprehensive view of this enigmatic place. The tour is enriched with sound effects and captivating stories about famous inmates, including Al Capone, Billy Cook the Killer, and Clyde Johnson's renowned escape attempt. These narratives will provide a vivid understanding of what life was like in this maximum-security prison.

You'll gain insight into why Alcatraz was the most dreaded institution in the American penal system, hearing chilling tales of escape attempts and unscripted accounts of daily life on "the Rock."

See Alcatraz Island by boat
Hear stories about famous inmates
Enjoy views of the city skyline

Important to know

Know in advance:

Please note this tour does NOT land on Alcatraz Island or include the prison interior
An audio guide is available in 9 languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin, Italian, French, Japanese, Korean, German, and Taiwanese. You must bring your own wi-fi enabled device
Departure time varies, approximately every hour to hour and a half, please refer to schedule