Set Sail For Scares On These 11 Massachusetts’ Haunted Harbor Cruises
Massachusetts harbors aren’t just famous for fishing and whale watching, they’re home to some seriously spooky maritime history. From ghostly sailors to vanished ships, these waters hold centuries of chilling tales waiting to be discovered.
If you’re brave enough, these haunted harbor cruises offer the perfect blend of scenic views and spine-tingling frights that will make your next Massachusetts visit unforgettable.
1. Haunted Happenings Harbor Cruise, Salem
Witches aren’t Salem’s only supernatural residents! The historic waters surrounding this infamous town teem with restless spirits of accused witches and colonial sailors.
Many guests report cold spots and whispers when passing certain coves. The tour guides share bone-chilling accounts of maritime disasters and witch trial victims whose remains were allegedly dumped at sea.
Bring a jacket. The temperature mysteriously drops in certain areas, even on warm nights. Perfect for history buffs and ghost hunters alike!
2. Mahi Cruises’ Spectral Voyage, Salem Sound
Aboard Mahi Cruises’ haunted expedition, you’ll navigate the same waters where 18th-century ships vanished without explanation. The captain cuts the engines at notorious haunting spots, letting you listen for phantom foghorns and sailors’ cries.
Paranormal equipment is provided for brave guests wanting to conduct their own investigations. Several visitors have captured orbs and unexplainable shadows in photos taken near certain islands.
The crew’s firsthand encounters with maritime apparitions will leave you sleeping with the lights on!
3. Phantom Foliage & Lighthouse Tour, Salem Sound
Fall’s radiant colors create a deceptively cheerful backdrop for this daytime cruise with a terrifying twist. Between admiring spectacular autumn scenery, you’ll hear tales of lighthouse keepers who vanished during violent storms yet continue their ghostly duties.
The tour circles Baker’s Island, where visitors frequently report seeing a woman in period clothing searching the shoreline for her lost sailor husband. Some guests have captured unexplained figures in photographs near abandoned lighthouses.
Even skeptics find themselves unsettled by the strange phenomena that occur in broad daylight!
4. Plymouth’s Pilgrim Phantoms Cruise, Plymouth Harbor
The Pilgrims brought more than just hope to Plymouth’s shores, they imported centuries of ghostly activity! This harbor tour reveals the darker side of colonial settlement, including disease-ravaged ships quarantined offshore.
When passing certain coves, electronic equipment mysteriously malfunctions. Guides share authenticated accounts from local fishermen who’ve encountered spectral figures walking on water during foggy mornings.
Kids love the interactive elements, including “ghost detectors” that bizarrely light up near specific shipwreck locations. History comes eerily alive on this unforgettable voyage!
5. Moonlit Specters Aboard Northern Lights, Boston Harbor
The elegant Northern Lights yacht transforms into a floating house of horrors after sunset. Gliding past Boston’s illuminated skyline, you’ll hear chilling accounts of the harbor’s darkest maritime disasters and Revolutionary War hauntings.
Paranormal investigators frequently join these cruises, bringing specialized equipment that inexplicably activates near certain islands. The captain maintains a log of unexplained encounters reported by previous passengers.
Cocktails with spooky names help calm your nerves as you pass sites where multiple witnesses have reported ghostly rowboats approaching the yacht!
6. Family-Friendly Frights Cruise, Salem Harbor
Spooky doesn’t have to mean terrifying! This daytime adventure balances gentle thrills with fascinating maritime history. Kids receive “ghost hunting licenses” and special UV flashlights that reveal hidden messages throughout the vessel.
Costumed storytellers share age-appropriate versions of local legends, focusing on friendly ghosts and mysterious sea creatures. The captain encourages young sailors to help navigate through “haunted waters” using old-fashioned maps.
Parents appreciate the educational elements woven throughout the supernatural themes. The perfect introduction to New England’s haunted heritage without the nightmares!
7. Pirate Spirits & Sea Monsters Tour, Salem Sound
Ahoy, brave souls! This theatrical cruise combines historical pirate tales with sightings of unidentified creatures lurking beneath Salem’s waters. Actors in authentic pirate garb recreate famous maritime battles that allegedly left cursed treasure and vengeful spirits.
The captain navigates to coves where local fishermen report seeing enormous shadowy forms beneath their boats. Underwater cameras occasionally capture unexplainable movements in the depths.
Rum punch (with non-alcoholic options for youngsters) flows freely as you learn to identify different types of paranormal phenomena reported in these waters!
8. Plymouth’s Watery Graves Expedition, Plymouth Bay
History books don’t tell the complete story of Plymouth’s maritime tragedies. This somber cruise visits actual shipwreck locations where passengers drowned during colonial times, their spirits reportedly still calling for help on stormy nights.
Marine archaeologists occasionally join these tours, sharing artifacts recovered from wrecks. The most chilling moments come when passing Duxbury Pier Light, where multiple witnesses have photographed a translucent woman waving frantically.
Bring your camera. Mysterious fog formations frequently appear in photos taken near certain coordinates, often forming humanoid shapes!
9. Misery Islands After Dark, Salem Waters
The ominously named Misery Islands harbor centuries of isolation, quarantine, and unexplained disappearances. This adults-only nighttime voyage circles both Great and Little Misery, where passengers frequently report seeing lanterns moving through the abandoned buildings.
The islands served as quarantine stations during epidemics, and many believe those who died remain trapped there. Guides distribute EMF meters that inexplicably spike near certain coves.
The most bone-chilling moment comes when all lights are extinguished, allowing you to experience the islands as 18th-century sailors did, in complete, terrifying darkness!
10. USS Salem’s Nightmare Voyage, Quincy
This isn’t just any haunted cruise, you’re aboard an actual haunted vessel! The decommissioned USS Salem served as a hospital ship during humanitarian missions, and many believe patients who died onboard never left.
The ship’s narrow corridors and authentic military quarters create a claustrophobic atmosphere perfect for encountering the unexplained. Former crew members lead tours, sharing firsthand accounts of footsteps following them through empty passageways.
Motion-activated equipment regularly triggers without explanation in specific compartments. An unforgettable experience for true paranormal enthusiasts!
11. Lighthouse Phantoms Coastal Tour, Massachusetts Shoreline
Lighthouses weren’t just navigational aids, they were often sites of isolation, madness, and tragic deaths. This comprehensive coastal journey visits multiple haunted lighthouses where keepers reportedly still maintain their eternal watch.
The boat approaches close enough to hear the unexplained footsteps visitors report inside abandoned structures. Guides share authenticated journals from lighthouse keepers describing paranormal encounters that drove some to suicide.
The most active site is Minot’s Ledge Light, where phantom fog bells ring on clear nights and multiple witnesses have seen the ghostly keeper signaling with his lantern!
