The Rocket Boat is back!

Sun, Speed and Rock and Roll!

Ready for a wild ride on San Francisco Bay?

The original Rocket Boat was retired in 2019, but it's back in service now, in two new versions: the Gold Rush and the Blue Rocket.

The new Rocket Boats leave from Pier 39. You can buy tickets at the Pier 39 ticket office, or online. 

It's a 30-minute, fast ride! It usually has seven sailings in the afternoon, starting at noon.

Adults $36 and 17 and under, $31. Must be at least 48 inches tall.

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Here's the original Rocket Boat ride...

The original Rocket Boat was also a 30-minute ride.

Here's what it was like. Probably similar to the new Rocket Boats.

Leaving from Fisherman's Wharf, next to Pier 39, is one of the most exhilarating adventures on the wharf.

The Rocket Boat takes a group of voyagers for a fast speed boat ride out onto SF Bay, under the Bay Bridge, and zooms past the city skyline and Oracle Park.

There are warnings about riding with back and neck problems, but I thought it was milder than a typical roller coaster.

There were a couple of good jolts as the boat hit a few big waves, but overall it was just speed, wind and sun for a wonderful 30 minutes.

The combination of classic rock and roll, incredible views, wind in your hair, and flying across the water at 60 mph, truly lifts the spirits. Looking around at my fellow passengers, I saw lots of big grins. What a rush!

I've seen this boat at Fisherman's Wharf for years, and finally ventured out on it. I had a great time and would highly recommend it.

It's not only a fun ride, but you get a tour of SF Bay: past the sea lions, Alcatraz (from a distance), right underneath the Bay Bridge, Oracle Park, and close-up views of the city skyline from the north and east vantage points.

At one point, the speed boat races towards the Ferry Building at full speed, then swerves away.

Lots of spins and tilts, crossing of the ship's wake, and the chance to see the huge container ships passing by from the Oakland docks towards the sea.

Book a ride on the newest Rocket Boats at Rocket Boat tickets.

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Another exciting fast boat ride on the bay

The Bay Adventurer! Highly rated. Another speed boat, an inflatable one in this case, zooms around the bay for 90 minutes.

They even provide rain gear, because it does get wet.

The route goes past Alcatraz and under the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Captain narrates a tour of the passing sights.

It's called an RIB, or "rigid inflatable boat".

Check it out at The Bay Adventurer tour.

It leaves from the left side of Pier 39, so you can see the sea lions as you're coming and going.

I haven't been on the new one, but I've seen it out on the bay and it looks like a lot of fun!

There's a limit of 12 people and it sails every day except in winter.

It's a wild and wet ride, so it's not recommended for pregnant travelers, those with back or heart problems or kids under 4.

When to Go: the Bay Adventure Boat

The Bay Adventure Boat runs May through October (unless the weather is "inclement", whatever that means, probably raining or rough seas). Fortunately, there is hardly ever rain during those months.

The months of September and October are usually the sunniest months, with May, June and July foggier.

There are several trips each day, and the boats run daily. 

Check availability and booking.

When is the best time to visit San Francisco? Here's my guide on when to visit the City.

While you're down at the waterfront, check out all the fun things to do at Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf.

Ghirardelli Square is nearby, too; is time for an ice cream sundae?

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