A nice tour around the northern (Arcata) bay. The tour was billed as "birds & Eco" but I think it was the same historical narration given on all tours. She did makes some general bird references, told a few personal stories and lots about the history and some current factoids. All in all a great way to spend $30 and 1.5 hours. BTW - we were told to arrive early if obtaining a seat was important when we called to ask about the tour. There did seem to be limited bench seating. We chose to sit/lean on the roof of the cabin towards the bow. read more

Is it awful for me to say that the best part of this 75-minute cruise around Humboldt Bay is the cocktail you can order from the self-billed "smallest licensed bar in California"? I'm not sure what significance that factoid has on the actual cocktail. I just know It wasn't complimentary as part of the $32 ticket. No, cocktails ranged from $8 to $12. Since Jamie W. and I were on vacation, we went to town and ordered a couple of $12 Anchors Away. The description listed three different rums and pineapple (photo: https://bit.ly/39Qylj0). Having something tropical while bracing Arctic-level winds may seem ironic, but it made the trip go faster. Nothing against the industrious two-woman crew, but the historical narration was a bit dry to listen to while completely sober. The coconut rum certainly brought the timber industry to life. Next time we'll take advantage of the $15 cocktail cruise. Cocktails and no information to retain. RELATED - Lost on the Lost Coast? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2A1YVjy read more

See all

Did the 1pm tour today. Pretty fascinating. Our captain was great. The history was so interesting. We also saw a small dolphin, some harbor seals & plenty of different types of birds. So glad we went. read more

Last weekend my family traveled with the Madaket into the bay for the purpose of scattering my nephew's ashes. I cannot say enough about the service provided by the Madaket and her crew. The captain was extremely thoughtful. It was an unusually beautifully sunny day. Bright and beautiful. It was a lovely day. We all felt peaceful and well cared for by the crew. I can highly recommend this company. read more

Interested in visiting the smallest licensed bar in California? Stumbled upon the Madaket on an evening stroll along the boardwalk after a visit to Living the Dream Ice Cream. It was an informative and scenic 75-minute historically, narrated cruise along 8.5 miles of the Humboldt Bay. It was thoughtful that they offered complimentary blankets to use during the cruise since it gets kind of cold at times. There was also the option of purchasing beverages and snacks. Hot cider felt great for our cold hands. We showed up at 12:30pm to purchase tickets for the 1:00pm cruise and were the second party in line. Parking is ample, and their office is right in front Jack's grill. You can't miss it. Would highly recommend to anyone around the area or passing through Eureka. Also would suggest bringing a hat and sunblock as it was pretty sunny during my trip. read more

Madaket - Beautiful day with clear skies - Boating Near Me - Eureka, California

See all

We loved it and so did our family from New York city. The captain and her staff were great.

We had a great time on the cocktail cruise. It was fun seeing the sights from the bay and we got to see seals. The cute small bar served yummy drinks. The captain and crew were very nice. A fun experience-I would recommend! read more

Love a good boat tour and the Madaket didn't disappoint. We sat comfortably at the top of the boat which had a limit of 14 people (all with masks on unless eating or drinking). The staff were knowledgeable and friendly. I enjoyed a hot spiced rum (that was mostly apple cider). We were also celebrating a girl's 9th birthday, so we flew a flag in her honor and sung to her halfway through the trip. In the hour ride we took, we saw tons of birds, learned about the local history of the bay, and saw tons of seals bopping their heads out of the water. I usually get easily seasick and didn't even need medicine for this trip. The whole time we were in a no wake zone and I never once felt woozy. I wish I'd booked one of the longer cruises that would have had the chance to see more of nature. We were chatting with one of the locals about it and she loves going on these cruises to check out a seal hot spot and see jellyfish. I think we missed these because we opted for the shorter tour. Pro tip: There's also a horse drawn carriage ride you can take in town which compliments the boat tour (the boat talks about the bay and the carriage talks about the town). read more

Regarding a recent review I would like to share the actual facts about the madaket cruise. Purchasing tickets ahead of time does guarantee a spot on the cruise. This is a ferry boat so there are limited seats and standing room. It is recommended that if you want seating to come a little early. Check in time is 15 minutes before boarding. So if you arrive late and the cruise is full you may not get a seat. But you will get on the boat. I'm writing this because I watched an irate customer berate a staff member and give false information on a yelp review. I also know that they offer to rebook your cruise and also offer a complete refund. I have had nothing but great experiences with madaket cruises and staff members. And don't want people to be mislead by a negative review that doesn't state the facts read more

I purchased tickets a couple of days ago for my family to go on a harbor cruise for my birthday. When we got to the boat, it was packed and no seats were left. The staff just shrugged and said it was first come first served. More people came after us who were also told there was no seating for them. So be aware that your tickets do not guarantee a spot on the boat. When I complained, I got more shrugs from the staff and told "That's just how it is" and "It's not my fault". Not sure what the point of buying tickets ahead of time is if they sell more tickets than they can honor. read more

fun little booze cruise affordable cocktails that taste great :) it gets a bit brisk bring a jacket, and dont be late! read more

Take this tour! We took the historic tour of Humboldt Bay today and I have to say it's the best value for my entertainment dollar so far this year. Captain Zippo is great at her job - skilled pilot and knowledgeable beyond expectations of the history of the bay - the COMPLETE history. Daisy, (the crew) is friendly , efficient and I hear she makes a mean Bloody Mary. Thanks for a great trip around the bay and through the history of Humboldt Bay. read more

Madaket - The Madaket docked and ready for passengers! - Boating Near Me - Eureka, California

$22 for a 75 minute cocktail cruise on Humboldt Bay is hard to beat. Cocktails aren't included of course, but they're reasonably priced and the profits support the museum. So drink up! It's for a good cause. During the tour the captain struck a good balance between entertaining us with the bay's history and letting us enjoy quiet moments. The weather was good and the ride was smooth. It was eminently enjoyable experience. Having said that, my fellow reviewer Randy M. makes two fair points and one not so fair: -The best view is indeed on the port/right side. The upper level seating is better than the lower level seating IMO. So get there early if you want optimal viewing. -The history and sites aren't quite as colorful as those of some other bays. So what? I wanted to experience Eureka for a day and this was a fantastic part of it. -As for his contention that the boat was overloaded, I'm sure he meant it was fuller than he preferred. Overloading the boat is quite illegal and I'm sure that didn't happen. We had a full boat too. Having come late, I would have had to separate myself from my companion in order to sit down. So I stood and leaned against the upper level railing next to her. I had the best view of any passenger on the boat! read more

Madaket - Boating Near Me - Eureka, California

See all

We took the 5:30pm cocktail cruise on a Friday night and it was really fun. My mom and I were excited to do something that we hadn't done yet since her move to Eureka. Make sure you bring your ID with you if you plan to do the cocktail cruise. It was definitely crowded, but it was still fun. The cocktails are reasonably priced, too. Make sure you bring a jacket! I look forward to trying one of their other tours. read more

Wonderful little cruise. The ship is a beautiful little thing that has been lovingly and wonderfully kept. The captain Libby "Zippo" is not only knowledgeable of the history of the bay, but also the flora and fauna, local businesses and it seems most of the people. (It also helps that she is the prettiest cruise captain I have seen). The cruise is very calm, no waves or chance of sea sickness, the intercom was crystal clear and easy to hear all that was said. The 90 minutes went by quickly and there was not end to the information, facts and history. All in all, worth every cent. read more

Frist off, the staff was beyond friendly. Everyone from the ticket counter to the Captain, to the crew were great. Tour was very informative and fun. If you want a little history of the area, I'd highly recommend this boat tour. read more

Cute little boat tour. Booked last minute at the booking window and still had some spots available. Cute bar on board with decent selection of drinks. Just wish they had cider for the non beer drinkers. Tour was interesting, feel like it could be a tad shorter considering the second half of the tour was a lot of the logging facilities which got a tad boring to me personally. Still worth checking it out while in town, great views and friendly staff. read more

Easy online reservation. Quick check-in. Ample parking. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. They went out of their way to be accommodating for a member of our party who used a walker. It was stowed below deck without any issue. The boat was very full, and we'd seated ourselves at the very tip of the bow, which was a decision we came to regret, as the bow rises a bit, so it pretty much blocked a good portion of our view. We also were not able to hear any of the narration, except a few random words. It would be wonderful if there were better speakers at the front of the boat. We were so disappointed. The sound would drop out completely from time to time, and the 4 year old who yelled "I want water!" for half of the trip probably didn't help much. LOL . The weather could not have been more perfect for this adventure, no fog and no light wind, and the highlight of our voyage was coming upon a majestic adult Bald Eagle sitting on a pilon in the Bay! It took off and flew right by the boat! read more

This is a great way to experience some Eureka history in a unique way. The boat ride is relatively short at just over an hour. It's a nice gentle experience and it's even more unique because the boat trip is the longest running in the entire country with the smallest licensed bar in the state of California. There really isn't much more I have to say about it! If inclement weather occurs they may decide not to run the boat. So I recommend a nice day (of course), if possible. Reservations are a smart idea as the boat is actually pretty darn small. read more

So sad we can't take the cruise this year. Its been a family tradition of ours for the last 20 years. We miss you guys and all the horrible pirate jokes. Maybe we'll catch you next time we come over to the coast. We recommend the cruise to anyone who's never been. Its such an enjoyable relaxing time with such nice friendly people. read more

I went for a ride on the Madaket today. It was great!!! The staff was super nice and informative. Enjoyed a nice cocktail and had a very relaxing afternoon. It's something one has to experience to appreciate the sights and information that went along with it. I may take the ride again, soon! read more

A very relaxing and informative way to learn more about Humboldt Bay history! While the ladies had their pre-wedding brunch at the Carter House, we fellas (and a one or two stalwart dames) had a fantastic champagne cruise of the harbor and bay. The Skipper knows just about everything there is to know about the area and its history - and loves questions. If you have an extra hour or two and happen to be up on the North Coast, I strongly recommend you seek this out; It's a hidden gem. read more

This cruise of beautiful Humboldt Bay on the historic Madaket is a wonderful experience, and a really fun way to learn some of the highlights of the history and lore of this amazing area. Well worth the price of admission. read more

Please go on the Madaket! You will be glad you did! My boyfriend and I have lived here for 5 years and just heard of the Madaket a year ago. We decided to try something different and had gone on a narrated cruise. Even for someone who knows a lot about the history of Humboldt County it was so interesting! The captain had a good balance between being funny and providing good information. We were served mimosas and beer for very resonable prices at our seat! We had SO much fun and we will bring our families when they come up and visit. read more

Madaket - Boating Near Me - Eureka, California

What a fantastic way to enjoy Humboldt bay. Crew is outstanding, great service, accommodations were more than expected. In a little over an hour you get a narrated cruise amongst the bay. Sometimes the boat is full and sometimes empty but nonetheless you get quality service and a unique experience. Only thing I suggest: HOT drinks. Cider, hot cocoa with baileys....I would assume it is usually rather chilly on this bay so a little warmth would be lovely. read more

We really enjoyed lazily floating in this boat that dates back to 1910! The narration was nice and friendly, the views were nice and the smallest registered bar in California definitely added to the ambiance. (PS every cruise is a cocktail cruise! The cocktail cruise at 5:30 has no narration). read more

We've been on this once, wanted to do it again but missed the last dates by a week. It was a really nice time! The couple that were our hostess and captain were very nice and knowledgeable. You learn about the history of Eureka and Humboldt Bay. We didn't know about the cocktail cruise but I wish we had! Sounds great. They had blankets for us when we got too chilly which was a lifesaver. Side note, I don't believe we had to buy tickets, just paid at the dock. Go, it is interesting and fun!! read more

I've lived in HumCo my entire life and been on the Madaket numerous times. It's always a fun trip around the bay, and we often take our out of town guests for the tour. Worth your time & money. I like to make my reservations online ahead of time, because you just never know how empty/full the boat will be. Make sure to take a warm jacket. It gets chilly out on the water, even on nice days. They provide blankets to use, but you'll be happier with a cozy coat on! read more

What an amazing way to learn about Eureka, Ca and the Humboldt Bay. My family and I had a blast. The reason I gave this four stars instead of five was simply because the captain of the Madaket seemed very new. He had a difficult time docking the boat. If it weren't for his shipmate Tiffany, we'd been there all day waiting for him to get it just right. Also, his nautical knowledge was lacking. If it weren't for his script, he'd be lost. Again, Tiffany saved the day, taking the time out to give my son one-on-one tidbits about different ships. Oh, and she makes a mean hot chocolate. read more

This is very fun! I have gone twice, once for a birthday party for a disabled adult and once for the cocktail cruise. They were very accommodating to the disabled adults which is a plus in my book. They were polite and helpful and the clients all had a great time. The cocktail cruise is great. I think there were 10-12 of us and we made good use of the bar. Don't try the house special drink! It's like their version of a Long Island and it will knock you on your you-know-what. I had some of somebody's and then tried convincing the captain to let me drive the boat. Not good! The tour is cute. It's a fun, inexpensive way to enjoy a nice day out with friends. read more

Love this tour! The guide is pleasant and informative. Great for the whole family. Recommend taking a jacket.

What a fabulous cruise!!! Haven't experienced this level of amazing service in a long time!! They aloud our little dog on board and even set up a little table for the lunch we brought on! Recommend this cruise to anyone that wants a nice relaxing day on the bay! Will surely do this again the next time we are in the area!! read more

A fun excursion for locals & tourists! Captain was awesome & there is a bar on board! They give fleece blankets to keep warm, its refreshing & fun! read more

Neat trip around the harbor. Relax and enjoy the history of the area Captain Steve was a super guide. The seagull and babies were pretty cool as well. The taffy was a nice touch! read more

This really should be titled "Humboldt Bay Harbor Cruise: on the Madaket, and should be WAY more hyped than it is by the city because it is JUST THAT AWESOME! First off, the address must be the office because the actual cruise starts on the foot of F Street and you can get tickets at that weird candy store with the automated psychic machine sitting outside. The candy here has a focus on the salt water taffy, which I love, but I digress... The Madaket has California's smallest bar, and every day, when the seasons permit, they actually have an afternoon "Booze Cruise" with reasonably priced drinks. Rock! We didn't go on the (also known as) "Cocktail Cruise" today because I had to get ready to fly back to San Francisco, but the liquor was flowing and the bartender was the same awesome lady we had seen the night before on the local news. The tour extends around the entire inner bay and you get to learn the history of the logging companies, the Ingamar Club, the local natives who were massacred, the poorly laid plans by the city of Eureka in a historical context, and get to see some incredible sights that you may have seen from the highways and bridges in a completely different context. If you ever come to Eureka, I would urge you to place this tour on the top of your list of must-sees! read more

Wow! What a deal! Learned so much about the colorful history of this bay and this sweet boat. Captain Zippo couldn't have been more interesting and the deckhand more accommodating - Highly recommend this tour. read more

The best of Eureka - if you get to do only one thing in this city, this must be it! Go to a narrated cruise - 1 hour and 15 minutes of fun, riding aboard historic vessel with a great captain and his beautiful helper lady - lots to see and learn about the city, its history, landmarks, people and events... no, seriously, just go there - if you are in Eureka, there is no excuse in the world for anyone not to board this ship and enjoy the life as it's happening there. Thank you, Madaket! read more

The tour is such a bargain at the $22 price. 75 minutes of enjoyable narration PLUS the fun of the "smallest bar in California"!!! Drink prices are quite reasonable and the tour is high quality. Plus, they're DOG FRIENDLY!!! read more

Little disappointed. They overload the boat. One hundred percent of your tour is off the Starboard (right) side of the boat. If you get stuck on the port side next to the captain 's bridge you are not able to see anything. Also , If you don't happen to get one of the chairs it can be A very uncomfortable ride. Plus in my opinion the history of the area is a bit bland. read more