Long Beach Harbor: 45-Minute Boat Tour & Queen Mary

What do massive cargo ships and a retired ocean liner have in common? They're both waiting in Long Beach Harbor.

You board near the Aquarium of the Pacific and spend 45 minutes cruising past the Queen Mary, container ships, sea lions, and the THUMS oil islands while a live MC narrates the harbor's history. The boat has climate-controlled seating inside and an open deck outside, plus a snack bar. You're back on shore in less than an hour, no car rental or parking stress required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Long Beach Harbor and Coastline

• Board boat at Long Beach harbor
• Learn harbor history and see skyline
• View California Sea Lions playing
• Pass by Carnival Cruise terminal and Spruce Goose dome
• Cruise past the world-famous Queen Mary
• See one of the largest breakwaters in USA
• Pass the THUMS oil drilling islands
• View downtown Long Beach waterfront community
• Pass by Aquarium of the Pacific

The experience

What if you could see the Queen Mary, California sea lions, and some of the world's largest container ships all in one afternoon without renting a car or figuring out parking? The Long Beach Harbor boat tour runs 45 minutes and covers the whole working waterfront: the kind of place most visitors drive past on the freeway without knowing what's actually there. You board near the Aquarium of the Pacific, and the narration starts right away. The MC on deck keeps things moving, pointing out the Carnival Cruise Terminal (which used to house the Spruce Goose, a massive wooden aircraft), the breakwater, and the THUMS Islands. Four man-made oil platforms named after the companies that built them: Texaco, Humble, Unocal, Mobil, and Shell. It's the kind of detail that makes you realize how much industrial history is packed into one harbor.

The Queen Mary is the real centerpiece. You cruise right alongside it, and even though it's been docked since 1967, the scale of it still lands differently when you're on the water looking up. But what surprised me most was the container ships. These aren't small vessels. They're towering, working giants that dwarf everything else in the harbor. Watching one of them move through the channel while you're on a 45-minute tour makes the whole thing feel less like a sightseeing trip and more like you've stumbled into the actual machinery of global trade. The sea lions are there too, lounging around the pilings, though they're not the main event.

The boat itself has inside seating with air conditioning (useful if the marine layer rolls in) and open deck space if you want sun and wind. There's a full snack bar onboard, so you can grab coffee or a sandwich without leaving the boat. Restrooms are available. The tour operates on a fixed schedule, and what you see is what you pay: no surprise fees at the end. If you want to add the San Pedro departure option, that route includes the USS Iowa Battleship, which is another massive piece of maritime history. Either way, you're looking at a straightforward 45 minutes on the water with live narration and a working knowledge of what Long Beach actually does.

What’s included

• 45-minute narrated harbor cruise with live English narration and engaging MC onboard.
• views of the Queen Mary, California sea lions, container ships, THUMS Islands, and the Long Beach waterfront.
• inside climate-controlled seating and comfortable outside deck space.
• multiple restrooms.
• full snack bar with food and beverages available for purchase.

Options for this experience

2 options

45-Minute Boat Tour of Long Beach HarborGuide in English · 6 departure times: the first at 11:30, the last at 18:15Departure point: Harbor Breeze Whale Watching Cruises, 100 Aquarium Way Dock #2, Long Beach, CA 90802, USA

Departure from the San Pedro locationGuide in English · Only on 30 Oct · 5 departure times: the first at 12:30, the last at 18:15Lasts 45 minutes. This is not the Long Beach option; it is specifically for our San Pedro West Harbor LA location, and it is a good fit if you plan to visit the USS Iowa. Departure point: 550 S Harbor Blvd, San Pedro, CA 90731, USA

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesThursday and Friday6 departure times: the first at 11:30, the last at 18:15Last departure this season: 30 Oct

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 to 62 years) · Senior (63 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 149

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Harbor Breeze Cruises

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Long Beach's working harbor and the Queen Mary without arranging transport or spending hours on a longer excursion: 45 minutes gets you the main sights and back to the waterfront before lunch.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the Long Beach Harbor boat tour?

45 minutes of narrated cruising, with boarding near the Aquarium of the Pacific.

What will I see on the tour?

The Queen Mary, California sea lions, large container ships, the Carnival Cruise Terminal, the breakwater, THUMS Islands (man-made oil platforms), and the downtown Long Beach waterfront.

Is there food and drink available on the boat?

Yes, there's a full cash snack bar onboard with food and beverage options for purchase.

What's included in the ticket price?

The 45-minute narrated cruise, live English narration with an MC, inside climate-controlled seating, outside seating, and access to restrooms. No hidden fees or surcharges.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the boat is wheelchair accessible.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the tour.

Is there an alternative departure location?

Yes, you can choose a San Pedro departure, which includes views of the USS Iowa Battleship and similar maritime sightseeing.