Statue of Liberty Speedboat Tour: 30-Min Harbor Cruise from Chelsea Piers

Fast Boat to the Statue of Liberty: Five Minutes Stopped Right in Front

You board a speedboat at Chelsea Piers and ride out to the Statue of Liberty, where the captain stops for five minutes of close-up photos and skyline views. On the return, you pass Ellis Island and Little Island. The 30-minute tour includes all facility fees and costs $60 per person with a minimum of three passengers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Speedboat tour of New York Harbor

• Depart from Chelsea Piers
• Stop 5 minutes at Statue of Liberty
• Take photos of Manhattan skyline
• View One World Trade Center from boat
• Stop briefly at Ellis Island for photos
• Pass by Little Island park
• Return to Manhattan

The experience

The boat's already idling when you arrive at Chelsea Piers, and within minutes you're cutting across New York Harbor at speed. The captain takes the speedboat straight out toward the Statue of Liberty, closing in until you're near enough to see the detail on her face and get the kind of photo that actually looks like you were there. You stay on the boat for about five minutes while the captain holds position: long enough to shoot from different angles, catch the light on the copper, frame the Manhattan skyline behind her all at once. It's thirty minutes total, so there's no padding, no slow drift around the harbor pretending to be a tour.

On the way back toward Manhattan, the boat slows near Ellis Island so you can grab a few frames of that too, and you'll pass Little Island (that floating park that looks like it shouldn't exist) as you head back to the pier. One World Trade Center rises up as you move through the water, and from out on the harbor it actually reads as tall in a way it doesn't from the street. The whole thing is built around the boat itself, not around a guide's script or a historical narrative. You're here for the speed and the view, and that's what you get.

The tour runs with a minimum of three passengers, so you're not alone on the boat, but it's not a crowded ferry either. Pickup is at Chelsea Piers on the west side of Manhattan, and the whole thing (boat ride, facility fees, everything) is sixty dollars per person. No island landing, no museum time, no walking around. Just the harbor, the boat, and the landmarks as you pass them.

What’s included

• Your 30-minute speedboat tour includes the ride from Chelsea Piers out to the Statue of Liberty with a 5-minute photo stop, views of Ellis Island and Little Island on the return, and all landing and facility fees.
• You stay on the boat throughout.
• There are no island landings or museum visits.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDeparts at 14:30Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (3 to 85 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

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 yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by New York Media Boat / Adventure Sightseeing Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the Statue of Liberty and harbor views without spending hours on a ferry or buying island tickets. The speedboat gets you close, stops long enough for real photos, and gets you back to Manhattan in half an hour.

Traveler reviews

4.97★★★★★★★★★★

195 verified traveler reviews

5 ★192

4 ★2

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

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 speedboat tour?

The tour is 30 minutes total, including the ride out to the Statue of Liberty, a 5-minute stop in front of her, and the return to Chelsea Piers.

Do you land on the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island?

No. The boat stops in front of the Statue of Liberty for photos, and passes Ellis Island on the return, but there are no island landings or museum visits included.

What is the minimum group size?

The tour requires a minimum of 3 passengers to run.

Where does the speedboat depart from?

The tour departs from Chelsea Piers on the west side of Manhattan.

What is included in the $60 price?

The price includes the 30-minute speedboat ride and all landing and facility fees. No meals, island access, or additional activities are included.

Can children ride on this tour?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. Service animals are also allowed.

Is this tour suitable for someone with mobility issues?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. For specific concerns, contact the operator before booking.