Locally owned. Family operated.

A Buffalo waterfront company since 2009

Buffalo Boat Tours began with Spirit of Buffalo tours and charters, then grew into a three-vessel fleet built around local history, open water, and good service.

Meet the fleet

Our story

Buffalo is the reason we sail.

Buffalo Boat Tours was founded in 2009 to help visitors and locals experience the waterways that shaped the city. From the Erie Canal and grain elevators to Lake Erie sunsets and the inner harbor, the fleet gives guests a front-row view of Buffalo's past and its next chapter.

Today, the company brings three vessels together: Harbor Queen for narrated history and group-friendly events, Spirit of Buffalo for traditional sailing, and Big Kahuna for tiki cruises and celebrations. Every boat has a restroom and full bar service, with details that vary by vessel and departure.

Find your cruise

Harbor Queen cruising beside Buffalo grain elevators

Buffalo River · Canalside

Our fleet

Three boats, one local point of view

Choose history, sailing, or tiki energy. The fleet makes it easy to find an experience that fits your group.

Maritime heritage

Harbor Queen

Harbor Queen is a Coast Guard-approved double-decker passenger vessel built for narrated history cruises, Buffalo River sightseeing, evening events, and private gatherings.

Meet Harbor Queen

Traditional sailing

Spirit of Buffalo

Spirit of Buffalo is a classic 73-foot topsail schooner with distinctive red sails, offering day sails, evening sails, themed cruises, children's adventures, educational excursions, and private charters on Lake Erie.

Meet Spirit of Buffalo

Tropical energy

Big Kahuna

Big Kahuna is a Hawaiian-themed party vessel for tiki cruises, happy hours, family outings, evening entertainment, and private celebrations on the Buffalo River and inner harbor.

Meet Big Kahuna

What matters onboard

Clear stories. Good crews. A comfortable way to see the city.

Local context Narrated tours connect the waterfront you see with the history that built Buffalo.

Three ways to go History, traditional sailing, and tiki cruises give visitors a real choice instead of one generic boat ride.

Useful details Arrival, parking, food and beverage, weather, cancellation, and accessibility information are part of the planning experience.

See Buffalo from the water

Start with the experience that feels like you.

Explore cruises