5 Boat Day Trips in the USA to Give a Whole Day To

1.From Seattle: Round Trip by High Speed Ferry to Victoria, BC

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 479 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $192Our pick

Take the passenger-only FRS Clipper from downtown Seattle to Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Expect comfortable economy seating, Puget Sound views, a cafe, duty-free shopping, and roughly three hours each way. Bring the correct border document and plan carefully if you want more than a short day in Victoria.

“Easy to navigate. Beautiful city. However, we weren’t able to get the full experience of being on the deck due to weather. No one’s fault. Also some activities aren’t available during the week as they are on weekends. Maybe go on a weekend.”

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2.Dry Tortugas National Park Day Trip by Catamaran from Key West

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 433 reviews · from $220

Take the Yankee Freedom III from Key West to Dry Tortugas National Park for a full day of Fort Jefferson, beaches, snorkeling, and open-water views. Breakfast, lunch, gear, and the park fee are included. Guides such as Hollywood, Dan, and Ben bring the fort’s past to life.

“Great operation, boat crew and amazing time at the park. You will enjoy it! Just be prepared for the downtime on the ferry there and back.”

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3.From Miami: Bimini or Grand Bahama Day Trip by Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 299 reviews · 15 hours · from $284

Take a same-day ferry from Port Everglades to Bimini or Grand Bahama. You get free island time for beaches, swimming, snorkeling, sting rays, golf carts, or Crystal Beach and its swimming pigs. Check-in is early, and your passport and re-entry documents must be correct.

“I wouldn't know about the activity because the ferry was cancelled. I arrived at the Ft. L port and no one was there. I called the number and it went straight to voicemail where I was told to send an email, which I did and also left a voicemail to call me back ASAP. A security guard told us that the ferry was leaving from the Port of Miami so we went there. After we confirmed the ferry was not leaving from the Port of Miami with the local personnel, I received a text showing an email from 3 Feb stating the ferry was cancelled. I never received the email…”

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4.Maalaea: West Maui Snorkeling & Sailing Day Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 210 reviews · from $200Top rated

Meet the Sail Maui crew at slip 72 in Maalaea Harbor for a five-hour catamaran trip toward Lanai. You can snorkel at one or two reef sites, spot turtles, dolphins, fish, and seasonal whales, then enjoy breakfast, lunch, and an open bar. Captains and crew may include Patrick, Dan, Jenna, Chase, or Ron.

“It was outstanding and worth every dollar. Especially the guides were great. They explained everything very well and gave insights into everything. From our perspective, it was the best sail trip you can book in Maui. Best regards, Mahalo, the Swiss. It could not be better 🤙”

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5.Washington DC: Mt. Vernon Day Trip with River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 102 reviews · from $161Best value

Take a 6-hour-45-minute Potomac River cruise from Washington, DC, then tour Mount Vernon with a small group of up to 15. Your English-speaking guide leads you through the farm, gardens, burial grounds, and estate buildings. The mansion is closed for renovation until June 2026.

“Awesome! Tour guide Ayana was amazing. Went out of her way to explain everything and accommodate everyone, especially those who had a hard time keeping the pace. The breakfast snack and box lunch on the boat were both very good. A lovely experience.”

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