Excursions range from captained private sailboat rentals and sunset party boats to scheduled wildlife cruises and eco-tours. Choosing the right operator depends on whether you want a catered, hands-off experience or a BYOB group outing, as well as age restrictions for children. A map location shows where the vessel docks, but it will not tell you if fuel, captain fees, and safety gear are included in the listed rate.
Chicago 36
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Chicago Boat Company
300 N State St Suite EE, Chicago, IL 60654
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Wendella Tours & Cruises
400 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611-4104
Sunday to Thursday 9:00 AM–9:00 PM, Friday & Saturday 9:00 AM–10:00 PM
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Believe Tours Charter
3155 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60616
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Chicago Line Cruises
465 N McClurg Ct, Chicago, IL 60611-5144
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Chicago River Boat Architecture Tours
465 N McClurg Ct, Chicago, IL 60611
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Windy City Sailing, Inc.
400 W Belmont Harbor Dr, Chicago, IL 60657
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Yachti Adventure Tours, Tender, And Charters
1559 S Lake Shore Dr Slip 12, Chicago, IL 60605-2816
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Chicago Fireboat Tours
111 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60601-7342
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KnockOut Charters
111 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60601-7342
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Chicago's First Lady Cruises
112 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601
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Shoreline Sightseeing
401 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
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Seabird Sailing
400 W Belmont Harbor Dr, Chicago, IL 60657
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3rd Coast Charters
400 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60601
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Blackhawk Boat Tours
2601 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614
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Chicago Blue Water Charters
2759 N Lake Shore Dr West Diversey Harbor C-Dock 27, Chicago, IL 60614
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Mercury, Chicago's Skyline Cruiseline
112 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601
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Tailgate The Lake Boat Charters
400 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603
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Why Knot Chicago Fishing Charters
3600 Recreation Dr, Chicago, IL 60613
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Chicago Boat Party
2601 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614
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Shoreline Sightseeing
600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
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Boat Chicago Charters
3155 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60616-3901
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Coast Yachts Chicago
330 N Wabash Ave Fl 23, Chicago, IL 60611-7619
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Yachti Adventure Tours, Tender, and Charters
1559 S Lake Shore Dr Dock J, Slip 12, Chicago, IL 60605
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Bayside Voyage
797 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
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Field Trip Chicago
Foot of, E Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603
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City Cruises
455 N Cityfront Plaza Dr, Chicago, IL 60611-5503
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Chicago Yachting
3155 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60616
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Chicago Sailboat Charters
400 W Belmont Harbor Dr, Chicago, IL 60657
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Chicago Boat Rentals
111 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60611
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City Cruises Chicago (Seadog Cruises)
600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
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3rd Coast Cruising
400 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603
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Two Brothers Sailing Adventures Chicago
601 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60613-5381
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Offshore312
2105 S State St, Chicago, IL 60616-1507
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Seas the Day Chicago
Navy Pier, 600 E. GRAND AVENUE, Chicago, IL 60611
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Lake Rocket Rides, Inc
3515 N Kenton Ave, Chicago, IL 60641-3819
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Architecture boat tour Chicago
408 E North Water St, Chicago, IL 60611
Waukegan 4
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Playinhooky charters
55 S harbor place waukegan illinois, Waukegan, IL 60085
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ChicaGo By Boat | Sailing in Chicago's North Shore
55 S Harbor Pl, Waukegan, IL 60085
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Xtasea Iv Fishing Charters
199 N Harbor Pl, Waukegan, IL 60085-5621
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TMA Charters
55 S Harbor Pl, Waukegan, IL 60085
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Relentless Pursuit Sport
701 N Point Drive, Dock M77, Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096
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Diamond Ghost Charters
701 N Point Dr, Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096
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Double Action Dive Charters
701 N Point Dr, Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096-1371
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Griffin Sport Fishing Charters
701 N Point Dr, Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096-1371
Antioch 2
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Charters On The Chain
25701 W Hermann Ave, Antioch, IL 60002
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Filiona Sunset Boat Cruises
420 Orchard St, Antioch, IL 60002
Addison 1
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Two Brothers Sailing Adventures
945 W National Ave, Addison, IL 60101-3125
McHenry 1
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McHenry Boat Adventures
1204 Riverside Dr, McHenry, IL 60050
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Arbor Ventures LLC
15255 S 94th Ave Ste 500, Orland Park, IL 60462
Also in Illinois
- Marinas and Harbors164
- Boat Rentals93
- Tackle and Bait Shops79
- Fishing Charters & Clubs58
- Kayak & Canoe Rentals38
- Boat Storage33
- Scuba Diving Centers31
- Boat Ramps24
- Ferries & Water Taxis15
- Sailing and Yacht Clubs14
- Marinas and Facilities with Boat Launches11
- Marinas with Transient Slips10
- Marinas with Public and Private Boat Launches8
- Surf Shops & Schools6
Good to know
What is the difference between a boat tour and a boat charter?
A boat tour sells individual tickets on a scheduled route with a set itinerary and shared passengers. A charter reserves the entire vessel for your private group, often allowing custom routes, flexible departure times, and personalized food or drink options.
Are food and drinks usually provided on board?
Larger sightseeing tours often feature a cash bar or light snacks, while private charters frequently operate on a BYOB basis with ice and coolers provided. Always check local regulations and company rules regarding glass containers and alcohol before boarding.
How much do boat tours and charters typically cost?
Shared passenger tours typically cost between $30 and $90 per person depending on the duration and destination. Private charters generally start around $300 to $600 for a few hours on a smaller craft, while larger yachts or specialized sail charters can run $1,000 or more.
How to shrink wrap a boat?
To shrink wrap a boat, cover support structures with protective padding, lay the shrink film across the hull, heat-shrink it with a heat gun, and add ventilation ports. For large vessels or professional weatherproofing in Illinois, check the 49 marine service providers cataloged on MarinaAtlas.
What is a marine survey?
A marine survey is a detailed inspection of a boat's hull, mechanical systems, and overall condition conducted by a certified surveyor. Across Illinois, MarinaAtlas indexes 49 qualified marine operators and survey specialists to assist buyers and insurance companies.