Why does everyone keep saying to get the earliest boat of the day to Alcatraz?

Question

We are about to book a tour to Alcatraz and I keep reading on yahoo answers and google that getting the first boat is the best option - why?

I can book a combo tour which also provides a deluxe city tour and saves money this way but it is pot luck what time you head over to Alcatraz i.e. morning or afternoon.

Answer 1

It's probably the one that's not already booked as much. I mean, in the morning there's a lot of fog. So you don't get as many views. In the afternoon the fog's burned off and you get great views. So the afternoon cruise is in higher demand than the morning, so you'll have better luck booking for the morning.

Answer 2

You will be surprised by how long you want to spend on Alcatraz. Once you get there you can stay as long as you like until the last boat, so the earlier you go the longer you have. It also gets more crowded later in that day. If you are on a tight schedule anyhow, I don't think it would matter much when you went.

Answer 3

Because its boring and you want to enjoy the rest of you day doing something else!

We did it once and thats is all you need. It was very interesting.

But get on first - avoid the crowd because you can leave within a time or earlier so the boats coming back get crowded as the day goes on. First one on First ones done.

Answer 4

Not as crowded (on the boat or on the island), and because the weather is often colder in the morning, less people want that particular boat.