Top 15 Long Beach Tours

1.Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise

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

Spend about 150 minutes on a Harbor Breeze catamaran, scanning the Pacific for whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds. Aquarium of the Pacific educators explain the wildlife, while the crew follows responsible viewing practices. Choose a Long Beach or San Pedro departure, depending on the option you book. Bring warm layers: it can feel cold and windy offshore.

“Weather was good and clear. Flat seas. Whales and dolphins were very cooperative and in abundance. Entire family enjoyed the day.”

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2.Swan Boat Rental at Rainbow Lagoon in Long Beach

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

Rent a swan pedal boat from Wheel Fun Rentals at Rainbow Lagoon in Downtown Long Beach. Your one-hour ride circles grassy islands near Shoreline Drive and the Convention Center. Choose a daytime or sunset slot, wear the supplied life vest, and ask ahead when LED-lit night rides begin.

“Very cool for such a good price. It’s super fun to do and you spend such a nice time with whoever you’re with.”

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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

Start in Long Beach at 8:30 am, then spend about eight hours crossing Los Angeles by air-conditioned vehicle. The route covers the Coliseum, Olvera Street, a Hollywood Sign viewpoint, Hollywood, the Sunset Strip, Rodeo Drive and the beach. Guides such as John, Alberto and Gabriel lead the day; lunch at Mel’s Diner costs extra.

“Fabulous tour as everything promised was 100% delivered. As a bonus we were the beneficiary of a personable, courteous, energetic, entertaining and knowledgeable tour guide whose name was Alberto. (He would be fun for a trip to the local grocery store). This was a our first trip to the LA area.”

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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

Leave Long Beach aboard a stable whale-watching catamaran, pass the Queen Mary, then search the Pacific for whales, dolphins, sea lions, and marine birds. Aquarium of the Pacific educators and an experienced captain provide commentary. The cruise lasts about two to two and a half hours, with indoor and outdoor seating, restrooms, and snacks and drinks for sale.

“It was an awesome experience, we didn’t think we were going to see anything but at the end of the tour we seen three hunchback whales, one baby and two adults and a pod of dolphins. They said there was probably about 60 to 70 of them. It was amazing.”

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

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

Spend eight hours seeing Los Angeles from a Long Beach starting point, with a guide, air-conditioned transport and stops for the Hollywood Sign, Walk of Fame, Olvera Street and the coast. Guides have included Alberto, Gabriel and John. You get some time to explore on foot, but this is a city sampler, not an in-depth visit to every stop.

“Alberto was pumped up and overflowing with knowledge. We had so much fun exploring LA ... the day zoomed by!!!”

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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 the San Pedro or Long Beach cruise terminal, then spend about seven to eight hours seeing Los Angeles landmarks by bus and on foot. Stops include the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Griffith Observatory and Venice Beach, with lunch at Mel’s Drive-In. Guides have included Alberto, Gabriel, Gio, Roberto, Eduardo and John; your guide may vary. LAX drop-off is available.

“We found that the tour was very good especially the morning we enjoyed the observatory and Hollywood including Mels Diner, we would like to have known who lived in some of the Beverly hills properties and also a stop in Rodeo Drive rather than Venice beach”

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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 one-day visit focused on ocean-liner history, World War II service, engineering and paranormal tales. Choose admission alone or a guided tour in English or Spanish. Guides including Roger, Paul, Caiden and Christina have led engaging visits through elegant public spaces and lesser-seen areas such as the wheelhouse and engine room.

“What a fabulous and worthwhile experience. The ship is beautiful and so much to see - like being transported back to another era. Our guide Roger, was fun and engaging and so knowledgeable. I spent a lot longer there than I expected. If you’re visiting LA and are able to get over to Longbeach I highly recommend it.”

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8.Los Angeles Highlights Tour from Long Beach

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

Start with hotel pickup at 8:30 am, then cross from Long Beach into Los Angeles for landmark stops, movie-location stories and coastal sights. Expect a full day in an air-conditioned vehicle, with time at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a lunch stop at Mel’s Diner and visits to Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Venice Beach. Guides named John, Alberto and Gabe have been praised for their stories and humor.

“Gabriel was great on the tour. Provided lots of information. The stops were good. More time at Observatory or Hollywood would be good, but understand the time allowed is needed, so everything else could be seen too.”

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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 for about 45 minutes with live English narration. You’ll pass the Queen Mary, the Carnival terminal, cargo ships, THUMS oil islands, and the downtown waterfront. There’s indoor seating, outside seating, restrooms, and a cash snack bar. At $15 per person, it’s a short, low-cost way to see the port from the water.

“We had a great time. We got lucky and saw a small pod of dolphins! The weather was nice and the captain was informative.”

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10.Swan Boat Rental at Rainbow Lagoon

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

Rent a swan-shaped pedal boat for one hour on Rainbow Lagoon in Long Beach. You can look for the whale mural at the Convention Center, see yachts near Parker’s Lighthouse, and choose an LED-lit evening ride. A Bimini top provides shade, and you may bring food and non-alcoholic drinks. Life jackets are provided.

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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

Fly privately with your group from Long Beach Airport on a narrated 15-minute route over the waterfront, Belmont Shore Pier, the Queen Mary and more. Headsets are provided, and the helicopter carries two or three passengers. Catalina views are part of the tour’s appeal, though visibility depends on conditions.

“David was amazing, made me feel very comfortable to fly !!! thankyou !! It was a beautiful view over water!!”

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12.Los Angeles Highlights Tour from Long Beach

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

Ride from your Long Beach hotel in an air-conditioned van for an eight-hour guided loop through downtown LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Venice Beach. Stops include Griffith Observatory, the Walk of Fame and the coast. Guides such as Alberto and John are praised for humor, local knowledge and safe driving. Lunch is on your own.

“The guide Alberto was very knowledgeable and imparted a lot of interesting information in a light hearted and often humorous way. We saw everything and more as promised and he guided us safely through some very heavy Read more”

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13.2-Hour Private Group Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 76 reviews · 2 hours

You and up to five companions get a private two-hour cruise aboard a 42-foot motor yacht from Rainbow Harbor. Expect views of the Queen Mary, Long Beach Port, and the coast, with a possible swim near Island White. Captain Ryan is often at the helm and takes professional photos. Bring your own picnic and drinks, but leave red wine at home.

“We had booked this for our marriage anniversary. It was super nice, Ryan himself is a very professional person. He goes above and beyond helping us make it more memorable. Moreover he took some of the best pictures of our LA trip with his professional camera, I would like to come here again next time I’m visiting La.”

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14.Sightseeing Harbor Cruise

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

Cruise Long Beach Harbor for 45 minutes with an English-speaking narrator and experienced captains and crew. Look for sea lions, cargo ships, the Queen Mary, and waterfront sights, including the Aquarium of the Pacific and nearby islands. The trip returns to its starting point. At $15 per person, it is a short, low-cost way to see the harbor from the water.

“First time taking my daughters on a boat ride.. was a great experience for them overall and the perfect Valentine’s Day for us”

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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 and pedal a lighted swan boat around the water with your own party. You’ll see Downtown Long Beach and the Pike Ferris Wheel, with the best glow after sundown. Boats hold up to five people, life jackets are provided, and you can bring food and non-alcoholic drinks.

“Little tricky with rescheduling but besides that awesome ride nice workout on the legs nice family ride😉.”

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