The 15 Best Water Taxi Rides

1.Water Taxi All Day hop-on hop-off Venice of America Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,932 reviews · 1 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $38Our pick

Use a $38 mobile pass from 10am to 10pm to cruise Fort Lauderdale’s waterways, with live narration, 20 stops, and connections toward Hollywood and Pompano Beach. Ride the full loop or hop off for Las Olas, the beach, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, waterfront restaurants, and Margaritaville.

“We were stranded at the state park stop #9 at the end of the day. The crew on the sister ship even radioed the down bound boat which failed to pick us up.”

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2.Charleston Water Taxi Cruise with Dolphin Sighting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 857 reviews · 1 to 11 hours (approx.) Top rated

Ride Charleston Harbor’s water taxi between Patriots Point, Aquarium Wharf, Waterfront Park, and Charleston Harbor Resort. Your pass includes the dolphin cruise, and you can stay aboard or hop off to explore museums, the aquarium, and downtown sights. Dolphin sightings are frequent but not guaranteed.

“Absolutely loved the Charleston Water Taxi experience! The ride was smooth, relaxing, and the views were stunning. We were thrilled to spot dolphins up close—such a magical and unexpected treat! The crew was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the whole trip even more enjoyable. Highly recommend for anyone visiting Charleston—it’s a fun, affordable, and scenic way to explore the city by water. 🐬⛴️🌊”

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3.Icacos Beach Day Package with Water Taxi Transport from Fajardo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 566 reviews · from $99

Take a quick water taxi from Fajardo to Cayo Icacos for about five hours of beach time, snorkeling, optional hiking, shade, and cold drinks. Guides such as Gregory, Ezequiel, David, and Eric help with the day, while you choose the pace. Bring lunch, snacks, towels, and water shoes.

“This is a MUST see if you are traveling to Puerto Rico!! One of the prettiest beaches I have ever been too. Much more than I expected. We had beach time, hiking, and snorkeling.”

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4.Water Taxi Signal Island Turtle Tour for cruisers

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 354 reviews · from $61

Take a water taxi from Noumea’s cruise terminal to Signal Island for several hours of independent snorkeling and beach time. Swim over coral, look for turtles and reef fish, and bring your own water, snacks, reef shoes, sunscreen, and towel. Snorkel gear is available if needed.

“It was a fun experience! Even tho it’s not really much of a tour, they hand you a map and take you to the island and then you all do your own thing until it’s. time to leave! I still really enjoyed it as we got to see turtles!”

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5.Water Taxi & Mou Waho Island Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 299 reviews · 3 hours · from $83

Take a three-hour water taxi trip from Wanaka Marina to Mou Waho Island. Guides such as Hannah, James, and Brent share local stories and lake facts before giving you about 1.5 to 2 hours to walk, spot Weka, reach the lookout, or swim in the island’s hidden lake.

“It was very fun! The water taxi itself on the way to the island was very comfortable. The guide, Brent, was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. The time allocated on the island was just perfect; we managed to explore every path we wanted to and made it back in time for the trip back.”

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6.Wanaka Water Taxi Mou Waho Island Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 217 reviews · from $86

Take a small water taxi 15 km across Lake Wānaka to Mou Waho Island. Skippers including Hannah, Brent, Kyle, and James provide live commentary on the lake, geology, and mountains. You get about 90 minutes to walk uphill to Arethusa Pool and enjoy wide alpine views.

“Great day out weather was beautiful, the walk up to the lookout is steep, but was worth the hard trek up. Excellent”

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7.Water Taxi: Puerto del Carmen – Puerto Calero

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 204 reviews · 25 minutes (approx.) · from $13Best value

Ride between Puerto del Carmen and Puerto Calero in about 25 minutes on a clean water taxi with toilets and a glass-bottom viewing area. Choose a one-way or return ticket, enjoy marina views, and allow extra time because sailings can shift with traffic, weather, or local events.

“It’s a long walk along the quay, at the other end from where the market is, but very friendly crew and easy to get on and off. A nice trip back and a change from getting a taxi. Feels like a day out when you get a ferry!”

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8.Swimming Pigs Of Rose Island Water Taxi Nassau Bahamas

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 192 reviews · from $69

Take a roughly 30 to 45 minute water taxi from Nassau Downtown Harbour past Pearl Island, Atlantis, and Ocean Club Estates to Rose Island. Feed friendly pigs in shallow water, then enjoy beach time, kayaks, food, drinks, and Wi-Fi. The experience lasts about four hours and welcomes up to 75 people.

“The event doesn't tell you the tour operator even after purchasing. We missed our time even though we walked past our pick up person 3 times because their sign said nothing about this activity, it just says sand dollar resort. They moved us tRead more”

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9.Venice Private Departure Transfer by Water Taxi: Central Venice to Cruise Port

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 116 reviews · 25 minutes (approx.)

Leave central Venice by private motorboat with a representative who meets you at your hotel, helps with the route and luggage, and escorts you toward the cruise terminal. Confirm your ship’s actual port, especially for Royal Caribbean sailings using Ravenna, since extra bus travel may be required.

“On time to pick us up. Captain's courtesy and support greatly appreciated. He assured we were arriving at the correct location.”

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10.Venice Private Arrival Transfer by Water Taxi: Cruise Port to Central Venice

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 108 reviews · 1 hour (approx.)

Meet a Bucintoro Viaggi representative at Venice Marittima or San Basilio, then ride a private motorboat toward central Venice. Choose basic pier assistance or full escort to your hotel. Boats hold up to six people and six bags, but confirm your exact port, hotel access, and luggage before booking.

“After a 90 minute wait we sent off in a taxi with other travelers. We paid extra FYI be brought right to our hotel by guide which did not happen. We were just dropped off on sidewalk with a vague wave towards were our hotel was blocks away. If not for google maps we would not have found it. We will be asking for refund from Viator.”

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11.Water Taxi and Shuttle to Larnach Castle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 100 reviews · from $102

Rob and Holly run a small-group transfer from Port Chalmers or Dunedin to Larnach Castle. You’ll cross the harbour by water taxi, ride a short shuttle up the Otago Peninsula, explore the castle and gardens independently, then finish in Dunedin.

“This was a fabulous experience. Rob arrived at the ferry on time to pick us up despite the fact he had had trouble with his boat. Really reliable All worked like clockwork and this was such a wonderful way to get to Lanarch Castle without sitting in a tour bus for hours”

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12.Skip Gondola Shore Excursion: No Cable Car, Water Taxi Provided!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 87 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $54

This six-hour Santorini highlights tour combines a small group vehicle, water transport from the Old Port, WiFi, and flexible pickup. You’ll visit Oia, Imerovigli, Pyrgos, Megalochori, Perivolos Beach, Red Beach, and the Three Bells of Fira, with guides such as George, Nicolas, Alex, and Lisandros tailoring the pace when possible.

“Through no fault of our driver or Viator, we had a delay in meeting our driver. I can honestly tell you I have been on many excursions and our driver, Alex, was simply the best. I was scattered because of my circumstances and he was so calm and assured us the day was not ruined. He was so kind, very professional and we had the best time. He is very knowledgeable about history. He lives on Santorini and showed us parts of the island we would not have otherwise experienced. We ate at one of his local restaurants that he frequents and it was the best Greek food ever! The…”

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13.Water Taxi Lobos Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 77 reviews · 2 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $19

Take a shared speedboat from Calle Iglesia in Corralejo to Lobos Island, a protected islet with volcanic scenery, 130 plant species, seabirds, and a reserved seabed. The ride takes you across the shallow Bocaina Strait, with return times that may be adjusted from the island.

“All very well, friendly people, good coordination of departures and arrivals. I recommend it. Good experienceAuto-translated”

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14.Water Taxi from Wharf or Old Town Alexandria

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 65 reviews · from $19

Take a round-trip Potomac Water Taxi from 950 Wharf Street SW to Old Town Alexandria and back. You’ll see the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and Arlington National Cemetery from the river, with indoor seating, outdoor views, and food and drinks for purchase. Boats may be Miss Mallory or Matthew Hayes.

“Service is excellent! Everyone was friendly and helpful! The ticket personnel, the crew; everyone! We enjoyed viewing the cherry blossoms, the monuments, and the buildings while listening to the tour historic review! --Thank you for making this experience memorable for us!”

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15.Water Taxi All-Day Pass

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 62 reviews · 1 day · from $38

Ride Fort Lauderdale’s waterways all day for $38, with live English commentary, open-deck views, and hop-on, hop-off access to beaches, restaurants, shops, parks, and marinas. The Hollywood Route runs to Margaritaville Resort, while the main route connects 11 stops.

“Thank you! We’re so glad you had an amazing experience. We hope to welcome you aboard again soon!”

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