PRIVATE CHARTER BOAT TOURS for events & special occasions
Make your special event truly unforgettable with New York Harbor Tours. Instead of being packed onto a crowded tour boat, host your celebration on a private boat, where you and your guests can enjoy exclusive access to New York's most iconic sights. Whether it’s a wedding, birthday, or corporate event, we’ll provide a unique and intimate setting against the backdrop of the Statue of Liberty, the Manhattan skyline, and the serene waters of New York’s famous rivers. Your event deserves the best views in the city, and we’re here to deliver them.
Our crews are professional, knowledgeable, and Coast Guard-licensed. We'll give you a unique, personal cruise the packed tour boats can't match. Scroll down for tour options and directions, or call 718-230-0136 today for details.
Top EVENTS Hosted on Our PRIVATE NYC Boat Tours
Weddings & Proposals
Weddings & Proposal Boat Tours:
Celebrate your love story on the water with our exclusive Weddings & Proposals Boat Tours. Exchange vows or pop the question against the stunning backdrop of the New York City skyline and iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty. Whether you're planning an intimate ceremony or a romantic proposal, our customizable packages ensure a memorable and unique experience tailored to your vision.
Birthday Parties
Birthday Partie Boat Tours:
Make your birthday unforgettable with a private cruise around New York Harbor. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or just another year of life, our Birthday Parties boat tour offers a fun and festive atmosphere with breathtaking views of the city’s iconic sights.
Corporate Events tours
Corporate Event Boat Tours:
Elevate your next corporate event with a sophisticated harbor tour. Ideal for team-building, client entertainment, or corporate celebrations, our Corporate Events tours provide a unique setting for networking and relaxation. Sail past New York’s most famous landmarks while enjoying top-notch catering and professional service that will leave a lasting impression on your guests.
4th of July Fireworks tours
4th of July Fireworks Boat Tours:
Experience the magic of Independence Day like never before with our 4th of July Fireworks tours. Cruise the harbor and enjoy front-row seats to one of the most spectacular fireworks displays in the country. With the Statue of Liberty as your backdrop and the Manhattan skyline aglow, this is the ultimate way to celebrate America’s birthday with family and friends.
RetiremEnt Parties
Retirement Party Boat Tours:
Celebrate a lifetime of achievements with a Retirement Party boat tour on New York Harbor. Toast to the retiree’s successes while taking in the city’s iconic views. Our cruises offer a relaxed and elegant atmosphere, complete with impeccable service to ensure this milestone event is as remarkable as the career it honors.
Prom & Graduation Parties
Prom & Graduation Party Boat Tours:
Mark your high school or college achievements with a Prom or Graduation Party on the water. Enjoy your night under the stars with the glittering skyline as your backdrop. Our Prom & Graduation Party tour provide a safe, fun, and memorable way to celebrate your accomplishments with friends, offering customizable packages to make your night truly special.
Bachelor / Bachelorette Parties
Bachelor / Bachelorette Party Boat Tours:
Set sail for an unforgettable Bachelor or Bachelorette Party on New York Harbor. Whether you’re looking for a lively celebration or a more intimate gathering, our tours offer the perfect mix of fun and relaxation. Enjoy the city’s iconic sights and create the ultimate pre-wedding experience.
Family Friendly Cruises
Our boat, with its huge open-air deck and high railings is the perfect platform for a family with young kids. Safe and secure, kids have the room to move around without any fear of being too close to the edges! Children under 13 are required to wear life jackets, which we provide. Note that kids do count in the total passenger count.
our PRIVATE NYC CRUISE Boats
Reliance - 16 Passenger Boat
Meet the newest gem in our fleet, the Passenger Vessel Reliance, a beautifully restored Downeast-style power yacht from 1971, now Coast Guard certified to carry up to 16 passengers. After a year-long overhaul that included new decks, cabins, and more, she's ready to offer a unique cruising experience perfect for small weddings, bachelor parties, company outings, and other special events. Join us for an unforgettable voyage past the Battery and out to the Statue of Liberty aboard this classic beauty. We can't wait to welcome you aboard!
Tireless - 6 Passenger Boat
A large open deck with plenty of seating perfect for spreading out and taking in the sights.
A protected cabin with comfortable seating—(perfect shelter from a passing summer shower).
A clean, working head - otherwise known as a bathroom.
A small but efficient galley perfect for storing and heating any drinks or food.
We are a BYOB boat with coolers available to keep your drinks cold.
Captain David Critchell
CAPTAIN DAVID CRITCHELL
Captain David Critchell grew up sailing on Long Island Sound. His love of the area’s waterways developed into a passion for New York’s history - especially its maritime past - details of which he enjoys sharing with his passenger guests.
After college, he pursued a career as a magazine journalist, but missed the feeling of freedom and a connection to the physical world that sailing offered him.
About a decade ago, he returned to New York’s waters, first helming large sailing vessels and - more recently - smaller motorboats before acquiring The Tireless and founding New York Harbor Tours.
“I love being out on the same waterways that Henry Hudson and others once navigated,” says Captain Dave. “Seeing the city when out in the harbor or lit up at night from the upper bay are for me priceless experiences. They give you a whole new perspective on New York which, after all, grew into the metropolis it is today by being one of the world’s great port cities.” Captain David Critchell holds a 100 Master’s License from the US Coast Guard.
Captain David Critchell
Hear What People Have to Say About New York Harbor Tours!
“If you are looking for a lovely afternoon on the water, look no further. As a long time New Yorker, I have taken many boat cruises around the island. Nothing compares to the tour I had with Captain Dave. The smaller setting and his wealth of knowledge about the ins and outs of the NY waterways made this a very special experience. It was a beautiful day and a truly memorable experience. I enjoyed it so much, I just gave my 27 year old son a gift certificate for his own cruise around NY. This is also a great, safe adventure for younger children.”
New York Harbor Tours Photos
FAQS
Do you have a bathroom on board? Yes! We have a clean, comfortable head with toilet and sink in the boat's enclosed cabin for your convenience.
Do you serve food or drinks? Water and soft drinks are complimentary but please BYOB. We have plenty of cups and ice in our coolers to keep your drinks cold. We do not serve food but encourage you do bring munchies or picnic with you! There is a small galley onboard with a sink, hot water heater and coffee machine for your use. Feel free to stow food in the galley and grab it whenever you like.
What time do tours depart? We have set daily departures throughout the day (see here for times) for our intimate boutique public tours but encourage you to book a private charter so you can set the departure time that suits your schedule best.
What if the weather looks bad? Your safety is our primary concern and we will not go out in any conditions that are unsafe for the vessel, passengers and crew. In our experience, however, weather rarely forces a cancellation. Our boat has an enclosed cabin with seating if rain or wind are a nuisance and we provide rain gear for our guests who prefer to brave the elements on deck!
Is there a minimum age? No. We have infant life-jackets for our tiniest passengers.
Do you provide life-jackets? Yes.
I cannot swim, is it still safe for me to do the tour? Yes! Our boat is safe and seaworthy and has high gunwales (rails) so everyone stays on the boat and there is no need for swimming.
Can we bring alcoholic beverages with us? Please do! We have ice stocked coolers, cups, doozies, cork screws, openers, etc.
What is your cancellation policy? A credit card is required to reserve a booking. All credit and debit cards are accepted. A full refund is issued if a cancellation is made more than 15 days prior to trip. If customer cancels less than 15 days prior to trip, a deposit will be kept but will be valid as credit toward a future trip. Cancellation less than 48 hours will result in loss of full deposit with no credit issued. We accept all credit cards and cash.
Do you offer a 4th of July Fireworks Cruise? Yes, New York Harbor Tours offers fourth-of-July fireworks cruises for groups of up to 6 people.
What events can be hosted on the boats? Host parties for birthdays, graduation, retirement, bachelor and bachelorette, small weddings, wedding receptions, and more on our larger boat that can hold up to 16 passengers comfortably.
How much is it to rent a yacht for a day in NYC? You can rent a professionally chartered yacht with New York Harbor Tours starting at $475, safely guided by one of our knowledgeable Coast Guard licensed captains.