The 15 Best Long Beach Tours & Cruises

1.Long Beach: Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 488 reviews · 2h 30m · from $45Our pick

Spend about 150 minutes offshore with Harbor Breeze, watching for humpback, fin, and minke whales, huge dolphin pods, sea lions, and seabirds. Aquarium of the Pacific educators explain the animals and local waters. The catamarans offer inside and outside seating, restrooms, panoramic windows, and a sealife guarantee.

“It was very nice and fun being on the boat and staff is very nice and helpful. Unfortunately there was no whales that day but it is ok, get to see some beautiful dolphins. “Negative” points : it started 40mn later because the previous trip was not here and lasted almost 3hrs, a bit too long (for me).”

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2.Swan Boat Rental at Rainbow Lagoon in Long Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 405 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $13Best value

Meet Wheel Fun Rentals at Rainbow Lagoon, receive a Coast Guard-approved life vest and boating instructions, then pedal for about an hour past grassy islands, Shoreline Drive, and the Convention Center. Choose a daytime outing or a sunset ride with LED-lit swan boats.

“it's harder to petal an steer than you think ...but it was a nice activity. the weather was nice ..there was a nice breeze. I bet it's better ar night”

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3.Shared 8-Hour Los Angeles City Sightseeing Tour from Long Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 349 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $122

This 8-hour Sunseeker Tours outing connects Long Beach with downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Venice Beach. Guides such as John, Gabriel, and Alberto lead the route in English, with photo stops, a one-hour lunch break at Mel’s Diner, and return transport to Long Beach.

“Just know that if you get picked up at your hotel the first hour will be spent picking up guests at the cruise terminal. They pack the vans full, every seat filled so don’t sit in the back. You get to see some cool places. Driver,Gabriel, was very knowledgeable and nice. When you book you need to tell them if you have a lot of luggage or a scooter/wheelchair. The vans don”t have very much room for luggage. We got to see a lot of the city that we probably wouldn’t have done on our own. It was a long day.”

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4.Guided Whale Watching Tour from Long Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 335 reviews · 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $35

Join Harbor Breeze Cruises at Long Beach’s Aquarium Way for a 2 to 2.5-hour whale watching trip aboard a comfortable catamaran. Aquarium educators and experienced captains explain the harbor and marine life as you search for whales, dolphins, sea lions, and seabirds. Bring layers and arrive early for your preferred seat.

“Our tour guide was so friendly and knowledgeable and didn't mind answering the random questions we had. Thanks for the wonderful experience Zack! We saw 3 humpback whale calves and an enormous pod of dolphins that swam along side our boat!”

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5.Shared 8-Hour Los Angeles City Sightseeing Tour from Long Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 320 reviews · from $122

Spend a full day touring Los Angeles from Long Beach in an air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz coach. A guide such as Alberto, John, or Gabriel leads you to the Hollywood Sign, Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Olvera Street, and major downtown sights, with free time at several stops.

“Gabriel went above and beyond…ended up having a private tour as we were the only ones signed up! Saw the best of LA, had time to walk around and Gabriel was so knowledgeable! He made it a great day!”

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6.City Tour of Los Angeles from Long Beach and San Pedro Cruise Terminals

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 128 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $152

Start at Long Beach or San Pedro at 9 a.m. and spend the day seeing Los Angeles landmarks with a local guide. The route includes Griffith Observatory, Hollywood Boulevard, Mel’s Drive-In, Beverly Hills, and Venice Beach, with LAX drop-off around 4 to 4:30 p.m. Guides may include Alberto, Gabriel, Gio, or Eduardo.

“Alberto first of all, great knowledge and sense of humour! Great photographs with Hollywood sign, the very busy and somewhat tacky Hollywood boulevard. Lunch in Mel’s diner was an experience, food very American diner style. The cars on the road in Beverly hills. Venice beach was very lively with breakdancing competition. Most important for us returned to ship on time!”

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7.The Queen Mary: Admission, Tours, and Paranormal Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 123 reviews · 1 day · from $45

Step aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach for a guided or self-guided look at Art Deco interiors, WWII service, engineering spaces, and paranormal tales. Guides including Roger, Paul, Caiden, and Christina bring the ship to life in English or Spanish, with time to explore on your own.

“Nice historic day to visit, plenty of free time for a free tour after the guided tour”

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8.Los Angeles Highlights Tour from Long Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 100 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $122

Ride from Long Beach in an air-conditioned Mercedes Benz coach with a professional guide such as John, Alberto, Gabe, or Alicia. Visit the Hollywood Sign, Walk of Fame, downtown LA, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Venice Beach, with hotel pickup and drop-off included.

“Had wonderful day sightseeing in LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Venice Beach memories ♥️”

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9.Long Beach Harbor 45-Minute Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 97 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $15

Cruise Long Beach Harbor with live English narration, open-air seating, indoor climate control, restrooms, and a cash snack bar. You’ll pass the Queen Mary, Carnival terminal, Spruce Goose dome, cargo ships, THUMS Islands, the breakwater, downtown waterfront, and the Aquarium of the Pacific.

“Amazing... got to see whales and dolphins boat was big and felt safe.. so safe i took a nap on the way back. They had snack and drinks and price was even better!”

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10.Long Beach: Swan Boat Rental at Rainbow Lagoon

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 95 reviews · 1 hour · from $13

Rent a swan pedal boat for one hour at Rainbow Lagoon in Long Beach. You’ll pedal beneath the Convention Center’s whale mural, view yachts near Parker’s Lighthouse, and choose a daytime or LED-lit night ride. Boats include shade and Coast Guard-approved life jackets.

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11.Private Helicopter Tour over Long Beach: See Catalina, Queen Mary

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 87 reviews · 15 minutes (approx.) · from $199Top rated

Take a private 15-minute helicopter flight from Long Beach with live narration. You’ll see the Queen Mary, downtown, Shoreline Village, Belmont Shore Pier, USS Iowa, Vincent Thomas Bridge, and the harbor. Flights carry two or three people, with headsets provided.

“This is first time my son and I in California. And also first time to explore private helicopter tour. Everything is perfect. My son really like this experience.”

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12.Los Angeles Highlights Tour from Long Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 86 reviews · from $122

Join Sunseeker Tours for an 8-hour Los Angeles outing from Long Beach, with hotel pickup, an air-conditioned van, and a local guide such as Alberto or John. You’ll see the Hollywood Sign, Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and movie locations, with time for lunch at Mel’s Diner.

“Had wonderful day sightseeing in LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Venice Beach memories ♥️”

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13.Long Beach: 2-Hour Private Group Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 76 reviews · 2 hours

Captain Ryan takes your private group of up to six from Rainbow Harbor aboard a 42-foot motor yacht. Expect Queen Mary views, harbor scenery, possible dolphins or sea lions, professional photos, Bluetooth music, and an optional swim near Island White.

“We had such a nice time with Captain Ryan and it was very kid-friendly! I would highly recommend to anyone!!”

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14.Long Beach: Sightseeing Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 76 reviews · 45 min · from $15

Spend 45 minutes aboard a narrated Harbor Breeze cruise through Long Beach Harbor. You’ll see the skyline, Queen Mary, sea lions, container ships, port facilities, and nearby islands. The route and meeting point can vary by booking, and English narration is provided.

“I was really disappointed. I booked a harbor cruise and I expected to cruise along containerships and see the harbor. But as the ship left - it turned to the left - the harbor is on the right! So we left the harbor and headed south, and the container ships got smaller and smaller... I've been on harbor cruises in other cities, and we passed container ships, cranes, and huge warehouses—that's what I understand a harbor tour to be. I didn't come to look at the beach. There should be better communication.”

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15.Illuminated Swan Boat Night Ride on Rainbow Lagoon in Long Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 69 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $13

Meet at Rainbow Lagoon in Long Beach for a pedal-powered swan boat lit with LED lights. You’ll cruise with your own group, enjoy views of Downtown Long Beach and the Pike Ferris Wheel, and may bring a small picnic, blanket, and non-alcoholic drinks. Night rides begin at sundown.

“Had an amazing night with my lady. Was my first time but got the hang of it , will definitely go back”

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