Frequently Asked Questions

Our Public Cruises depart from either Pier 6 or India Wharf (check our calendar or your emailed ticket to confirm boarding location)

Pier 6 Restaurant Dock– Charlestown Navy Yard (1 8th St, Charlestown, MA 02129).
By public transportation, Pier 6 is a 5-minute Uber/Taxi ride or a pleasant 15-minute walk along the Freedom Trail through the Navy Yard National Park from the North Station T (green and orange lines) and Commuter Rail Station. You can also take the MBTA water shuttle from Long Wharf (Downtown) to Navy Yard Pier 4 (next to Pier 6) which departs every 30 minutes on the hour and a half hour. Water Taxi connections to Pier 6 are available from all Boston Harbor locations. If you are driving, the Pier 6 parking lot fills up early. We recommend the Flagship Wharf parking garage, it’s less expensive and next to Pier 6. There is also street parking available with no time limit on weekends.

India Wharf–Downtown next to Boston Aquarium (85 India Row, Boston MA 02110).
5 min walk from Aquarium T Station and Long Wharf. Public parking across the street at the Harbor Garage

Our Private Charters can depart from a few different locations upon request, so if you
are unsure, please check your email ticket. You may be launching from:

Pier 6 Restaurant/Marina – Charlestown Navy Yard
This location has the most convenient parking and bathroom options
1 Eight St, Charlestown, MA 02129
The parking garage at Flagship Wharf is just a few steps from our boarding location at the first gangway on the right side of Pier 6.

Battery Wharf – North End Boston
3 Battery Wharf, Boston, MA 02019
Take Commercial Street to Battery Wharf. Walk down Battery Wharf and follow the Harborwalk to the left. The Harborwalk will lead you to the dock.

Moakley Courthouse Dock – South Boston/Seaport
1 Courthouse Way, Boston, MA 02210
Next to the Barking Crab and diagonally across the street from the Envoy Hotel.

Liberty Wharf Dock – South Boston/Seaport
270 Northern Ave, South Boston, MA 02210
Behind Legal Seafood Harbourside

Reel House Restaurant Dock – East Boston
6 New Street, Boston, MA 02128
Behind Reel House Restaurant East Boston.

Tall Ship Oyster Bar and Food Court Dock – East Boston
65 Lewis Street, East Boston, MA 02128
New in 2021 and one of the most popular outdoor venues in Boston.

India Wharf – Downtown next to Boston Aquarium (85 India Row, Boston MA 02110).
5 min walk from Aquarium T Station and Long Wharf. Public parking across the street at the Harbor Garage

** For North End, South Boston/Seaport, Downtown, or East Boston departures, the boat will arrive closer to 10 minutes before the departure time due to shuttle time needed.

No, don’t worry! The captain can raise or lower the paddle wheel to reduce the resistance, making the pedaling easier (just like lowering the gear on a bicycle) Since everyone works as a team, you don’t have to pedal the whole time. Most people take turns and have fun pedaling or just cruising.

We can also supplement your pedal power with the outboard motor, so no one has to pedal! Most people pedal for about 5 min (but you may fool us) then socialize and enjoy the views for the rest of the cruise).

We have three boats that vary in passenger capacity:

1. Boston Patriot’s capacity is 20 with pedal stations for 12 and a
   lounge area for 8, and one restroom.
2. Rosie the Riveter’s capacity is 24 with pedal stations for 12 and a lounge area for 12, and one restroom.
3. Sweet Caroline’s capacity is 26 with pedal stations for 12 and a lounge area for 14, and one restroom.
4. Minuteman’s capacity is 26 with pedal stations for 12 and a lounge area for 14, and one restroom.

You could reserve two boats and double the size of your group.

On public tours we do our best to make sure that everyone gets a turn pedaling if they want by switching from lounge seats to pedaling seats. Passengers are free to move around the boat except when we are docking. We just ask that everyone not congregate in one area to keep the boat in balance.

• Boston Patriot capacity is 20 with pedal stations for 12 and a lounge area for 8.
• Rosie the Riveter’s capacity is 24 with pedal stations for 12 and a lounge area for 12.
• Sweet Caroline’s & Minuteman’s capacity is 26 with pedal stations for 12 and a lounge area for 14.

It’s unlikely you’ll get wet, but dress for the weather conditions and for comfort, it can be a little windier or cooler on the harbor, so we do recommend bringing an extra layer especially for evening tours.

Sunglasses and hats are great but you will be seated under a large canopy shielding direct sun and rain. No need to bring a cooler as we have ice chests with ice in the center bar between the pedal stations for passenger use.

Yes! Riders who are of age are welcome to bring beer, wine or pre-mixed cocktails (no hard alcohol) while they enjoy their Cycleboat ride! Of course non-alcoholic beverages are okay too! We have ice, coolers and cup holders on board to make sure you always have a cold drink on hand.

This should go without saying, but we’re going to say it anyway: you must be 21 or older (and have the ID to prove it).

Please keep in mind that open containers are only allowed on board the Cycleboat and cannot be taken back onto the dock. Hard alcohol is the same as liquor, spirits, or a distilled drink. As a rule of thumb if the drink is over 20% ABV (Alcohol by Volume) it is not allowed on the Cycleboat. Hard Seltzer is perfectly fine to bring. In fact, it’s our favorite!

Sure! Yes, snacks are great or anything you can eat with one hand (i.e. sandwich). Anything that requires a fork and knife is probably not a good idea.

There is a bathroom aboard our 20, 24 and two 26 passenger boats (Boston Patriot, Rosie the Riveter, Minuteman and Sweet Caroline) for emergencies. Our 16 person boat (Cycleboat One) does not have a bathroom but can make a short bathroom stop at the tour’s halfway point.

Our public tours will operate with 6 passengers or more. If your reserved cruise has less than 6 people we may cancel it and offer an alternate cruise, give credit for a future tour, or provide a full refund.

The Cycleboat pedals rain or shine thanks to a protective canopy that covers the boat.

We do cancel tours due to extreme weather including thunderstorms or very high winds. In this case we’ll try to notify you at least 2 hours before departure time, however the captain always has the authority to cancel the tour if weather conditions change. In this case passengers will be given a credit to reschedule or a refund. Your safety is our top priority.

If we cancel a trip due to weather, you will either be rescheduled at your convenience or refunded 100%

Cancellations by our passengers with less than 72hrs in advance can not be refunded.

Cancellations prior 72hrs in advance can be rescheduled or refunded less a 15% administrative fee.

Yes! Kids 6 and up can join any cruise with adult supervision. Please keep in mind that anyone is invited to bring their own alcoholic beverages on public tours.

There is no minimum age for private charters, just let us know in advance so we can make sure to have appropriate lifejackets on board in case of an emergency.

Gratuities are greatly appreciated for a job well done at the discretion of the guest. All private charters will include an automatic 15% gratuity. You can adjust the gratuity after your cruise based on your experience.

No cash? No problem. Our crews have their own Venmo accounts or you can add a gratuity to your online reservation when you first make it or afterwards by sending us an email. All gratuities are divided equally between captain and crew.

We strongly recommend planning to arrive at least 20 minutes early for your Cycleboat ride so you can board and get situated. For public tours, the boat will leave on time (without you) because we have a daily schedule to keep and it is not fair to the other passengers to shorten the cruise.

If you have booked a private charter, we will wait to leave but it will shorten your time on the water because we have a daily schedule to keep.
For North End, Seaport, or East Boston departures, the boat may arrive closer to 10 minutes before the departure time due to the need to shuttle from another location.