Galveston Historical Harbor Tour – Maritime & Heritage Cruise
Overview
Available languages
45 minutes
Mobile ticket
Discover the rich history and breathtaking beauty of Galveston from the best seat in the house—on the water! The Galveston Historical Harbor Tour takes you on a 45-minute narrated cruise through the island’s fascinating past and stunning harbor views.
As you glide across the harbor, you’ll hear captivating stories of Galveston’s role in Texas history, the maritime legends that shaped the Gulf Coast, and the tales behind its most famous landmarks. From the tragic hurricane of 1900 to the booming port era, this tour brings history to life in a way you’ll never forget.
Highlights include:
A scenic cruise through Galveston’s historic harbor
Expert narration packed with local history and legends
Stunning views of the harbor, ships, and wildlife
A fun, family-friendly experience for all ages
Perfect for history lovers, families, and anyone wanting to experience the real Galveston, this tour offers a unique perspective of the island’s past while enjoying the fresh Gulf breeze.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Galveston Historic Seaport - Home of the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA
You will see the history of the Galveston Harbor
What‘s Included
Restroom on board
Bottled water
Options
Galveston Historical Harbor Tour – Maritime & Heritage Cruise
Reviews
27 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Ben had a great personality and made this so much fun!!
kellis2026,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Benjamin was not only the best boat captain, but we had a lot of fun and he made us laugh My nephew’s got a stewardship and I made our whole day! He definitely has the personality of someone you would want on your team! Thank you Ben!
Great tour for all!
789jacquelynm,,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour! loved seeing all the dolphins. Captain Ben was excellent…so funny. Exceeded our expectations! Will definitely go again next time we are in town with the entire family!
Viator twice postponed my 29dec2025 1pm Galveston harbor History cruise, new dates were not suitable, awaiting refund mo
MedhaMilind M,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00Viator twice postponed my 29dec2025 1pm Galveston harbor History cruise, new dates were not suitable, awaiting refund money asap.
Dolphin Dive with Captain Ben
tamaralW1583CX,,Nov 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I really had a good time. Ben the captain was amazing, knowledgeable, and very funny. I definitely would recommend to family, friends, and coworkers.
This was mainly a dolphin...
Evan F,,Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00This was mainly a dolphin tour with very little history. Everyone onboard ended up a little wet as well.
Quick n Easy boat tour excursion
Rocketeer08,,Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Everything was pretty straightforward and smooth. We got there early and there is a little wooden kiosk on the corner. The only one there next to the Harbor House. Paid Parking was right next to it. Get your passes. Line up for the boat and embark. Tour guide was pleasant, fun and knowledgeable. The weather was perfect around 80F but felt like 74F while it’s moving. We were able to see dolphins while doing the historic tour so that was a little bonus. Will come again!
The captain was excellent. He was fun and had some funny dad jokes. Always enjoy small boat rides and learn a bit!
Laura M,,Nov 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Captain was excellent. Nice to hear local history wherever we go. Great fried for the price. Just think seniors should get a discount.
Captain Ben is Awesome!
258amberf,,Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Captain Ben was wonderful . He had a great sense of humor, very friendly and played great music! Relaxing and enjoyable tour. Saw dolphins, learned a little about the tall ship and battleship and even saw a concrete ship.
Treat Yourself To a Nice Time
tracil640,,Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The dolphin/history cruise is a nice way to spend 45 minutes. It is entertaining as well as informative - I am a local and saw things, such as the cement ship shipwreck, that I had never seen before. Captain Adam was humorous and knowledgeable and presented the information in a fun, easy to understand format. The only negative was fighting the traffic from all the cruise ships to get there but considering the experience as a whole it turned into a minor inconvenience. Treat yourself to a nice time and take this cruise.
A beautiful ride on the Galveston Bay. Highly recommended.
Tom B,,Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I thoroughly enjoyed the cruise. A lot of information was explained. We had the chance to see some dolphins. There was great music & I was inspired so much that I had to get up & dance. Some ladies wanted to join me.
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Operated by BayWatch Dolphin Tours