Port of Los Angeles invites public to experience free harbor boat tours

The Port of Los Angeles will host free public boat tours of the nation’s busiest port Saturday, giving visitors a rare chance to see San Pedro Bay landmarks up close, as well as working cargo terminals and shipping vessels.

The 50-minute narrated tours will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. from two departure points: San Pedro’s Downtown Harbor near the Los Angeles Maritime Museum and Wilmington’s Waterfront Promenade near Banning’s Landing Community Center.

Guests will pass through the Main and Pier 300 Channels in San Pedro and the East and West Basins in Wilmington, with views of cranes, barges, fireboats and possibly marine wildlife.

Landmarks such as the Vincent Thomas Bridge and the Wilmington Clock Tower are also on the route.

Boats will leave every 30 minutes, officials said. Narration in both English and Spanish will be offered during 1 p.m. tours from each location. Four sailings are designated as “dog-friendly,” with leashed, well-behaved dogs allowed to join.

The tours are part of the Port’s efforts to connect the public with its operations while highlighting L.A. waterfront attractions. Tours are all-ages, and wheelchair access and designated parking are available at both departure sites.

Reservations are available online but are not required; standby tickets are available until the line closes at 1 p.m. Regularly scheduled paid harbor cruises depart from San Pedro year-round through Harbor Breeze Cruises.

According to officials, the Port of Los Angeles has been ranked the No. 1 container port in the United States for 25 consecutive years. In 2024, it handled 10.3 million container units, generating $333 billion in trade.