The ferry ride to and from Alcatraz will take around 10-15 minutes. The return trips are listed on the Ferry Schedule page. Times are also posted at the dock. Ferries are first come, first serve.
Length of Alcatraz Prison Tours
The minimum time for the day tours is about 2 to 3 hours. This includes the 15 minutes each way on the ferry to get to and from the island. The night tours run about 3 hours including the time on the ferry. The Behind the Scenes tour takes anywhere from 4 to 5 hours.
Alcatraz Island has a story so intriguing that it draws in over 1.5 million visitors each year. But are the Alcatraz day and night tours worth your valuable time and money? In short, the answer is yes.
The Alcatraz ferries for the day tours depart from Pier 33 daily, every 30 or 60 minutes (depending on the day and season) from 8:40 am to 3:50 pm (1:35 pm in winter), or later, and return every 30 or 60 minutes. Departure times for the return boats are posted at Pier 33 and at the dock on Alcatraz.
(Alcatraz opened as a national recreation area in 1973, a decade after it transferred its last inmate.) Fewer than 600 people can stay overnight each year. Only nonprofits are allowed the privilege, and spots are given out via lottery. Typically Alcatraz hosts young scout troops.
Still, swimming from Alcatraz is no joke. Some of the key challenges include: Rough and choppy water. Cold water temperatures which can be 10 degrees or lower than in other parts of the East Bay.
For the slightly scary price of $666, on the 30th or 31st of October you'll get the chance to sleep exactly like a prisoner would.
Are there bathrooms on Alcatraz? There are bathrooms on most of the ferries on the way over and back. There are also restrooms in two locations on the island. One is right near the ferry terminal.
Are backpacks or luggage allowed on Alcatraz Island? Bags larger than a standard backpack, 16" x 20", are not allowed on Alcatraz Island. Small packs and bags are permitted. Each visitor is required to go through extensive security prior to boarding the ferry to Alcatraz.
In the 1930s, Alcatraz was already a forbidding place, surrounded by the cold, rough waters of the Pacific. The redesign included tougher iron bars, a series of strategically positioned guard towers, and strict rules, including a dozen checks a day of the prisoners. Escape seemed near impossible.
He's like a standup comedian. What does Alcatraz smell like? A cross between sea air and decay, old paint.
You're not alone. Swimming from Alcatraz is one of the most famous, desirable, and enjoyable open water swims (wild swim) in the entire world. Despite lore that swimming from Alcatraz is dangerous, for experienced swimmers with proper support, swimming from Alcatraz can be safe and fun.
Think about horror movies for a second. Watching a horror movie at night is way more frightening than watching it during the day. Similar here. Alcatraz is scary at night, but not so scary in the daylight hours.
Is it better to visit Alcatraz in the morning or afternoon? Early morning is best if you prefer to go when the island is less crowded. Midday is best if you prefer a warmer day and sunny skies. I took the photo below on the Agave Trail about 1pm in early December.
Alcatraz is open to public tours. However, the Alcatraz docks are exclusively available to one ferry line, Alcatraz Cruises. So, the only way the public can visit this famous jail in San Francisco is to buy a tour and take one of the official Alcatraz ferries.
Temperatures on Alcatraz Island seldom rise above 75°F (24°C) or fall below 38°F (3°C). It almost never snows on the Island, but winters can be wet and cold. Afternoon winds are common during every season.
Wear comfortable walking shoes with grip-type soles. Avoid wearing sandals, leather-soled shoes, high heels and open-toe shoes. Note that there is no parking available at Alcatraz Landing.
The walk from the Alcatraz Island dock to the cellhouse is equivalent to walking up a 13-story building. You can rest along the way, so you can take your time with walking. There is also a SEAT (Sustainable Easy Access Transport) Tram on Alcatraz Island for guests with mobility issues.
No food service is available on Alcatraz, however there is a picnic area located at the dock. Food, drinks (including candy and gum) are only allowed on the dock. (An exception is bottled water, which is available in the bookstore on the dock on Alcatraz.)
The bay is actually only as deep as a swimming pool.
Heck, between Hayward and San Mateo to San Jose it averages 12 to 36 inches. So much for that bridge! With that said though, the water surrounding Alcatraz is on the deeper end of the scale, but still, it's just an average depth of 43 feet.
The prison hospital room. After all, this is ultimately where the slowly deteriorating Capone spent much of his time on Alcatraz Island. Cell 133 on B-Block. When Al Capone wasn't being hospitalized he was held in this cell, which you are able to see during your Alcatraz tour.
The secret control room is located in Alcatraz's secret tunnels beneath the lighthouse. It is accessed by using the Warden's three keys on a large, metal door. Inside the room are large consoles of old computers and a map of the continental United States.
We recommend visiting Alcatraz to families with kids ages 6+ who can walk up 1/4 mile of steep paths and still handle the mechanics of a one-hour audio tour.
In 1972, the National Park Service purchased Alcatraz along with Fort Mason from the U.S. Army to establish the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
You can stay on Alcatraz Island as long as you like if you choose the Day Tour. Allow at least 2 1/2 – 3 hours for sailing to the Island, exploring the island and returning to Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing. The trip over to Alcatraz Island is 12-15 minutes each way and is factored into the suggested time of 2 ½ – 3 hours.