Best boat rides

Little ones who loved the flamboyant antics of pirate Captain Jack Sparrow in the Disney movies can practice their swashbuckling on the deck of a real ship as it churns through New York Harbor. Repeat after us: Aarrrgh!

The Beast
The gentle breezes on the Circle Line aren’t exciting enough for your dynamos? How about 45mph blasts of icy salt spray!?! Kids flip for this 30-minute speedboat joyride, complete with loud music and wanna-be-comedian guides. Just leave the little guys at the shore; tykes have to be 40 inches or taller to get on board.
Pier 83, Hudson River at 42nd St (212-563-3200, circleline42.com). Travel: A, C, E to 42nd St–Port Authority, then take the M42 bus to the river. $24, children ages 3–12 $18.

Circle Line Downtown
Come aboard the cushy Zephyr for a one-hour tour of the downtown skyline. The yacht features climate-controlled indoor and outdoor decks, soft seating and two mahogany snack and beverage bars.
Pier 16, South Street Seaport, South St at Fulton St (212-809-0808, circlelinedowntown.com). Subway: A, C, J, Z, 2, 3, 4, 5 to Fulton St. $27, children ages 4–12 $16.

Come Sail New York
For a special treat, book a two-hour sail around the harbor. It costs $79 per person (all ages), but with only six people per sailboat, you won’t feel like a swindled tourist jammed onto some generic barge. Go with another family and take advantage of the “Fill the Boat” specials start at $399.
Liberty Landing Marina, Jersey City, NJ (201-887-8700, sailthehudson.com). Travel: 1, A, C to Chambers St; 2, 3 to Park Pl; E to World Trade Center; then walk down Vesey St towards the Hudson River and take the Liberty Landing Ferry (round trip $14, children ages 7–12 $10, children under 7 free).

Governors Island Ferry
Much like the Staten Island Ferry, this boat ride is fast and free. Awaiting families on the other shore, however, is an oasis of mini golf, bike rentals, art exhibits, and frequent festivals and concerts in the military base-cum-park. Ferries depart from both Manhattan and Brooklyn, on weekends and holiday Mondays through September 25.
•Fri 10am–5pm; Sat, Sun 10am–7pm. Battery Maritime Building, 10 South St between Broad and Whitehall Sts. govisland.com. Subway: R to Whitehall St; 1 to South Ferry; 4, 5 to Bowling Green. Free. •Sat, Sun 11am–7pm. Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 6, Atlantic Ave at Columbia St. Subway: N, R, 2, 3, 4, 5 to Borough Hall–Court St. Free.

Liberty Landing Ferry
For an out-of-doors adventure, hop on this Jersey-bound boat, which docks at Liberty State Park. Your mateys can explore the Liberty Science Center, stroll along the Liberty Walk promenade or learn about local wildlife as they wander the nature trails. Before heading back, enjoy a picnic with a stellar view of the Manhattan skyline.
World Financial Center Terminal, Battery Park City, North End Ave at Vesey St (201-604-5799, libertylandingferry.com). Subway: 1, A, C to Chambers St; 2, 3 to Park Pl; E to World Trade Center. $14, children ages 7–12 $10, children under 7 free.

New York Water Taxi
As much as this canary-yellow fleet resembles the cabs back on dry land, its voyages offer a more tranquil way to see the city. You and your little ones can set sail on the Ikea Express (destination: Red Hook), or take the Delta Baseball Water Taxi to arrive in style for the next Yankees or Mets game. Wishing you could spend more time on the water? The hop-on/hop-off service makes stops at Fulton Ferry Landing, South Street Seaport, Battery Park and West 44th Street, near the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. No hailing required.
•Ikea Express: Pier 11, East River Dr at Wall St (212-742-1969, nywatertaxi.com). Subway: 2 to Wall St; 1 to South Ferry; R to Whitehall St; 4, 5 to Bowling Green. Weekdays: $5, children under 12 and Ikea customers free. Weekends: free. •Delta Baseball Water Taxi: South Street Seaport, Pier 17, South St at Fulton St. Subway: A, C, J, Z, 2, 3, 4, 5 to Fulton St. Free. •Hop-on/Hop-off: Various locations. $25, children $15.

NY Waterway
A long-time standby for local commuters, this fleet's new East River Ferry serves as a more family-friendly shuttle. Embarking from 34th Street, the boats transport passengers to Long Island City, Greenpoint, Williamsburg, DUMBO and Wall Street; on weekends, the service makes additional stops in Governors Island and Brooklyn Bridge Park. Or, if the kiddos want to see the skyline by night, they can glide past the harbor's most spectacular sights on the 90-minute Twilight Cruise.
•East River Ferry: 34th St at East River Dr (800-533-3779, nywaterway.com). Subway: 6 to 33rd St. Check website for ticket information. •Twilight Cruise: Pier 78, 455 12th Ave at 34th St. Subway: A, C, E, 1, 2, 3 to 34th St–Penn Station. $28, children ages 3–12 $17, children under 3 free.

SeaStreak
Travel to the farthest reaches of New York Harbor aboard this boat, which ferries city dwellers from Manhattan to New Jersey's Sandy Hook. After the 50-minute sail, a free bus service will give your flock access to historic Fort Hancock and, of course, several local beaches.
•35th St at East River Dr (800-262-8743, seastreak.com). Subway: 6 to 33rd St. $43; children under 13 $16 on weekends, free Mon–Fri. •Pier 11, East River Dr at Wall St. Subway: 2 to Wall St; 1 to South Ferry; R to Whitehall St; 4, 5 to Bowling Green. $43; children under 13 $16 on weekends, free Mon–Fri.

Staten Island Ferry
The breezy 25-minute ride from Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan to St. George in Staten Island is surprisingly refreshing. Grab a beer for you and ice cream for the kids at the onboard snack bar, and enjoy views of the lower Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty that are as good as you’ll see on any of the expensive tour cruises.
Whitehall Terminal, South St at Whitehall St. siferry.com. Subway: R to Whitehall St; 1 to South Ferry; 4, 5 to Bowling Green. Free.

Statue Cruises
Booking passage on one of these vessels will grant your crew access to both Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Touristy? You betcha—but every New Yorker should do it once! For a less trodden path, you and your kids can catch a ferry to Jersey City and embark from Liberty State Park.
•Castle Clinton National Monument, Battery Park, West St at Battery Pl (877-523-9849, statuecruises.com). Subway: R to Whitehall St; 1 to South Ferry; 4, 5 to Bowling Green. $13, children ages 4–12 $5, children under 4 free. •Liberty Landing Marina, Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ. Travel: 1, A, C to Chambers St; 2, 3 to Park Pl; E to World Trade Center; then walk down Vesey St towards the Hudson River and take the Liberty Landing Ferry (round trip $14, children ages 7–12 $10, children under 7 free).