Private Speedboat Charter

PRIVATE Manhattan Speedboat Tour - Up to 12 passengers runs through New York Media Boat / Adventure Sightseeing Tours. Rated 5.0 across 60 reviews. Runs 1 hour. From $1200.

Overview

This is a private speedboat charter out of Chelsea Piers that takes up to 12 passengers onto the water with a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain at the helm. The whole thing runs about an hour, starting and finishing at Pier 59, where New York Media Boat / Adventure Sightseeing Tours operates. Because only your group is aboard, the whole boat is yours for the run.

In practice you show up at the pier, meet the captain, and head out for your time on the water. The listing describes this as a day cruise. Taxes, landing and facility fees, and the brokerage fee are folded into what you pay, which keeps the money side simple.

It suits families and friend groups who want the water to themselves: children as young as 4 can come along with an adult, and strollers can be brought to the meeting point even though the boat itself is not wheelchair accessible. The listing advises against the ride for pregnant travellers and anyone with back problems. Gratuities for the captain are not included, and there is no hotel pickup, so you make your own way to Chelsea Piers.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Arrive at Chelsea PiersMeet at New York Media Boat / Adventure Sightseeing Tours at 59 Chelsea Piers, New York, NY 10281. Arrive on time, since missed departures due to late arrival are not refunded.
2. Board with the captainYour group boards the speedboat with a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain. Only your party takes part, as this is a private charter.
3. Speedboat cruiseThe tour lasts 1 hour on the water as a private day cruise.
4. Return to the pierThe activity ends back at the original meeting point on Chelsea Piers.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the listing are worth knowing before you book, especially around footwear, weather, and who the ride suits.

• Flat shoes only. High heels are not allowed on board; the listing asks for flat shoes. This is a firm rule, not a suggestion, so leave the heels at the hotel.
• Bring sunglasses and a camera. The listing specifically recommends sunglasses and a camera. Both are named as recommended items for this trip.
• Private group feel. Only your group participates, with up to 12 passengers aboard. Children must be accompanied by an adult and the minimum age is 4.
• Weather dependent. The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels for poor conditions, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
• Getting there. There is no hotel pickup. The meeting point at Chelsea Piers is near public transportation, so plan your own route and leave slack in your schedule.
• Tipping the captain. Gratuities for the captain are not included in the price.

Common issues. The honest limits: the boat is not wheelchair accessible, and the listing advises against the ride for pregnant travellers and people with back problems. There is no hotel pickup, and captain gratuities are extra. The 24-hour cancellation window is strict, with no refund for cancellations or changes inside that period, and late arrivals forfeit the fare entirely. Weather cancellations are outside your control, but even then the remedy is a new date or a refund.

Picking Your Boat Tour