Ocean City cruises come in three distinct styles: a lunch outing on the bay, a wildlife-focused Assateague Island cruise, and a short ice cream cruise. Each one uses the water differently, so the main choice is whether you want a meal, a narrated sightseeing trip, or a quick sweet treat on board.
TourPickGuide may earn a commission when you book through an affiliate link in this guide, at no extra cost to you.
For related planning, see our TourPickGuide experience comparisons and USA tours and experiences.
How these Ocean City options compare
Use this comparison to match the itinerary, traveler feedback, duration, and key features to your preferred travel day.
| Tour | Best for | Rating | Reviews | Duration | Key point | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bay lunch cruise | Travelers who want a relaxed bay cruise with a lunch stop built into the outing | ★ 4.9/5 | 8 reviews | Approx. 2 hr 30 min | Includes a Bay Hopper boat and an experienced captain. | View on Viator |
 Wildlife cruise | Travelers who want a narrated island-and-wildlife outing and may need to choose between departure lengths | ★ 4.8/5 | 207 reviews | Approx. 1 hr–2 hr 45 min | Guided boat ride with a knowledgeable captain. | View on Viator |
 Ice cream cruise | Travelers looking for a brief cruise with a simple onboard treat, especially families with children | ★ 4.8/5 | 13 reviews | Approx. 1 hr | Includes tasting five flavors of Taharka Brothers ice cream. | View on Viator |
Three Ocean City experiences on the water
Each option includes its own photo gallery, overview, key features, traveler profile, and direct Viator link.
Matches travelers comparing Ocean City cruises that include a meal stop.
Ocean City Bay Hopper – Greene Turtle Lunch Cruise
Best for: Travelers who want a relaxed bay cruise with a lunch stop built into the outing
This cruise is built around a relaxed lunch outing on the water. You board a Bay Hopper boat, then cruise to Greene Turtle on Assawoman Bay to pick up food before continuing your time on the bay. The trip fee is separate from the food order, and the food is arranged ahead of departure. It is also a BYOB cruise, with a cooler and ice provided. Choose this format if you want an easygoing cruise that pairs sightseeing with a planned meal stop rather than a pure sightseeing or snack-only outing.
Lunch cruise with a bay route and BYOB flexibility
- Includes a Bay Hopper boat and an experienced captain.
- Combines cruising with a lunch pickup on the bay.
- Allows you to bring your own adult beverages, with a cooler and ice provided.
Best match for travelers comparing Ocean City cruises that emphasize scenery and wildlife.
OC Bay Hopper – Assateague Island Cruise
Best for: Travelers who want a narrated island-and-wildlife outing and may need to choose between departure lengths
This cruise is centered on Assateague Island and the wildlife around it, with the captain providing facts during the trip. The itinerary describes a coastline cruise with views of the island and its natural setting. A key practical difference is that the trip length depends on which departure point you select: one option is shorter and one is longer. The listing also notes no bathroom onboard and no food served, although you may bring your own food. Choose this if you want the most nature-focused cruise and are comfortable checking the departure location carefully before booking.
Guided Assateague Island sightseeing from two departure points
- Guided boat ride with a knowledgeable captain.
- Focuses on Assateague Island scenery and wildlife.
- Offers two departure-based trip lengths to fit different schedules.
Useful for travelers comparing Ocean City cruises that are short and treat-focused.
OC Bay Hopper – Ice Cream Cruise
Best for: Travelers looking for a brief cruise with a simple onboard treat, especially families with children
This cruise is the simplest and shortest of the three formats, with the experience built around ice cream rather than a sightseeing route or meal stop. You head out on Assawoman Bay and sample five flavors of Taharka Bros ice cream during the trip. The listing emphasizes that this cruise serves only this ice cream, so the onboard experience is very focused. Because it is brief and straightforward, it works well for travelers who want something easy to fit into the day, or for families looking for a low-commitment outing with a clear treat at the center.
Short bay cruise focused on ice cream tasting
- Includes tasting five flavors of Taharka Brothers ice cream.
- Keeps the outing short and simple.
- Uses a downtown Ocean City departure location.
Choosing the right Ocean City cruise style
For a slower outing, the lunch cruise gives you the most complete on-water meal format. For a narrated sightseeing trip, the Assateague Island cruise is the most route-driven choice, while the ice cream cruise is the quickest option if you want a short and simple bay experience.
Assawoman Bay lunch cruise
Cruises on Assawoman Bay with a stop to collect lunch from Greene Turtle.
Assateague coastline cruise
Guided cruise along the Assateague coastline with a captain-led commentary format.
Assawoman Bay ice cream cruise
A short cruise on Assawoman Bay with Taharka Bros ice cream tasting onboard.
Before you book in Ocean City
Check the live product page before booking. Departure details, activity order, inclusions, and available options can change.
Ocean City booking checklist
- Check the departure location carefully, especially for the Assateague Island cruise, because the trip length varies by departure point.
- Review what is included and excluded before booking; food, drinks, and onboard facilities differ by product.
- If you want a specific outing style, compare the cruise focus first: lunch stop, wildlife sightseeing, or ice cream tasting.
Before booking a Ocean City tour
Which Ocean City cruise is best if I want a meal included in the outing?
The Bay Hopper lunch cruise is the meal-focused option, since it includes a stop to collect lunch from Greene Turtle. The food is purchased separately, but the cruise is organized around that lunch pickup.
Which cruise is the most nature-focused?
The Assateague Island cruise is the most nature-focused choice. It is guided by the captain and centers on scenery, wildlife, and island-related facts.
Which option is the shortest and simplest?
The Ice Cream Cruise is the shortest format. It is designed as a brief bay outing with Taharka Bros ice cream tasting onboard.