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Fleet Week’s Best Kept Secret? Watch the Blue Angels from a $5 Bay Ferry

A rare cheap ferry takes you on the most scenic route underneath the Blue Angels – and it’s less than $5.
By - posted 10/10/2024 No Comment

Thanks to The Richmond Standard for uncovering this cheap unique Fleet Week Bay “cruise.”

Looking for a unique way to enjoy San Francisco’s Fleet Week air show without getting lost in the crowds at Crissy Field or Aquatic Park? For 2024, San Francisco Bay Ferry is offering a special “Richmond Scenic” ferry ride on Saturday, October 12, and Sunday, October 13, that takes you right into the heart of the action—on the water, with spectacular views of the Blue Angels flying above.

See the full Fleet Week & Air Show Schedule (updated for 2024)

Instead of battling the busy shorelines, hop aboard the Richmond Scenic Ferry from the Richmond Ferry Terminal for a front-row seat to Fleet Week’s iconic air show, all while avoiding the hassle of crowded viewing areas. The ferry departs at 3 p.m. and takes you on a leisurely, one-hour route that glides between Angel Island, loops around Alcatraz, and cruises right under the Golden Gate Bridge before arriving in downtown San Francisco at 4 p.m.

Richmond Scenic Ferry / Fleet Week “Cruise”
Saturday & Sunday, October 12-13, 2024 | 3pm
Departs Richmond Ferry Terminal
Get Tickets – $4.70 one-way

With the Blue Angels soaring through the sky, you’ll be treated to breathtaking aerial acrobatics from a perspective most people can only dream of—right from the San Francisco Bay.

This scenic ferry ride offers one of the best ways to see the show, with close-up views of the famous jets zooming (almost) right over you as they perform their awe-inspiring stunts. Typically, boat cruises offering similar Fleet Week experiences cost anywhere from $105 to $185 per person. But at just $4.70 for adults and $2.30 for seniors and youth, this ferry ride is an affordable, family-friendly way to experience the show like never before.


Not only does the Richmond Scenic Ferry offer spectacular views, but it also ensures a more relaxing and crowd-free experience compared to the packed parks onshore. With the added bonus of scenic vistas of the Bay’s landmarks like Angel Island, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge, this ride doubles as a mini-tour of San Francisco’s iconic sights.

Once you reach San Francisco, you’ll have the option to return on the ferry’s 6 p.m. departure back to Richmond (be sure to line up at Gate F at least 30 minutes early, as space fills quickly).

Read more at The Richmond Standard