90-Minute Catamaran Ferry

A 90-minute catamaran crossing from Boston to Cape Cod and Provincetown.

Overview

Ninety minutes on a high-speed catamaran is the fastest way to get from Boston to Provincetown, and the ride itself is part of the appeal. Boston Harbor City Cruises runs the ferry, which crosses to the tip of Cape Cod, where restaurants, beaches, shopping and nightlife await. Along the way the boat passes the Boston skyline and the Boston Harbor Islands, and reviewers often mention settling in with a coffee or a cocktail to watch the water.

On board there is a concierge desk to help plan the day in Provincetown, plus toilets, air conditioning and WiFi. Food and drinks are sold on board but not included in the ticket. Reviewers frequently describe the crew as friendly and the ride as smooth, and one traveller called the upper deck the place to be on a beautiful day.

This suits travellers who want to skip the summer traffic on the road to the Cape, including first-time visitors to Provincetown who want pointers from staff. It is a one-way ticket, so a return trip means buying a second ticket departing from Cape Cod. Anyone prone to motion sickness should think twice, and one reviewer advises a jacket for sitting outside.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Arrive at the pierBoarding begins 30 minutes before departure, and late arrivals miss the boat, so plan to be early.
2. Board the catamaranTake a seat inside the air-conditioned cabin or up on the open deck, with toilets and WiFi available on board.
3. Sail out of Boston HarborThe crossing lasts 1 hour 30 minutes, passing views of the Boston skyline and the Boston Harbor Islands.
4. On board during the crossingA concierge desk helps plan the day, and food and beverages are available for purchase.
5. Arrive in ProvincetownStep off at the tip of Cape Cod, close to the town's restaurants, beaches, shopping and nightlife.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will make the crossing smoother, based on the listing and on what many travellers report.

• Book the return separately. A round trip requires two separate one-way tickets, one departing Boston and one departing Cape Cod. One reviewer found this confusing, so double-check the direction of travel before buying. The meeting point shown on a ticket is not an indicator of the return leg.
• Arrive early. Boarding starts 30 minutes before departure and late arrivals are left behind.
• Bring a jacket. One reviewer who sat outside recommends taking a jacket. The upper deck is exposed to the open air.
• Food and drink costs extra. Snacks, drinks and cocktails are sold on board but are not part of the fare. One reviewer praised the coffee, though another noted slow bar service at busy times.
• Motion sickness. The operator does not recommend the crossing for guests prone to motion sickness. Reviewers generally call the ride smooth, but wind and rough conditions can change that, and sailings are sometimes cancelled in poor weather.
• Ask the concierge. The concierge desk on board exists to help plan the day, and many reviewers singled the staff out as helpful and knowledgeable about Provincetown.

Common issues. The crossing depends on weather, and rough winds can cancel a sailing. One reviewer found the arrangement for the replacement bus confusing to sort out, and one other reviewer reported slow bar service when the boat was busy. Infants need their own tickets, and the sailing carries up to 500 travellers, so it is a large vessel rather than an intimate trip. A minimum number of travellers is required for the sailing to run, and if it is not met, a different date or a full refund is offered.

Common Questions