Last updated on September 24th, 2024
Plan your visit to Osaka Bay Cruise Santa Maria to enjoy the sea breezing and bay activities during your visit to Osaka.
We went on the one-hour Osaka Bay Cruise Santa Maria, which was included in the Osaka Amazing Pass. It was a nice and slow cruise, providing a welcome break from the hectic city. The views were wonderful, and it was a great way to see the Osaka Bay area and its activities. Overall, it was a great experience! We will share our experience in this comprehensive travel guide blog for the Osaka Bay Cruise Santa Maria.
How To Get to Osaka Bay Cruise Santa Maria
The Osaka Santa Maria sightseeing cruise is located at the Tempozan Harbor Village area, close to the Kaiyukan aquarium and the Ferris wheel. To get there from Osaka city, take the metro toward the Osakako Station (大阪港, C11) on the green line.
Once you get off the subway, it’s about a 10-minute walk from the station (Exit 1) to the Tempozan Harbor Village area.
When you arrive at the area, head towards the cruising area where you can find the ticket counter to purchase tickets. This is also the place to exchange tickets if you reserved online or are using the Osaka e-Pass.
Osaka Bay Cruise Santa Maria Ticket
Touring the Osaka harbor bay with Santa Maria Cruise requires a fee. Tickets can be reserved online or bought on the spot, but priority will be given to those with reservations. You can also purchase a combined ticket for the Osaka Bay Cruise Santa Maria and Osaka Aquarium if you plan to visit both attractions. This will cost less than ¥1,000 if you buy your tickets together.
There are two types of Osaka Bay Cruises: day cruises and twilight cruises in the evening. There is only one cruise per hour. The day cruise is open from 11:00 to 17:00 and does not require reservations, while the night cruise starts at 19:00 and does require a reservation..
Osaka Bay Cruise Santa Maria (Day Cruise)
Ticket Fee: Adults ¥1,800, Children ¥900 (Available from Klook)
Departure time: Every hour from 11:00 to 16:00 (*Schedule may change depending on the season)
The Day Cruise will last about 45 minutes.
Osaka Bay Santa Maria Twilight Cruise
Ticket Fee: Adults ¥2,300, Children ¥1,150
Departure Time: Only one cruise during evening time on Weekends and holidays (Operates only from late April to October 2024. No service in June.)
The Twilight Cruise will last about 60 minutes.
Note: The twilight cruise will be suspended if there is a private night cruise in operation.
Pro Tips: The Osaka Bay Cruise is free with the Osaka Amazing Pass / Osaka e-Pass. Without the pass, the cruise would cost at least ¥1,800, so I would recommend getting a pass for the free ride. You can also get exclusive discounts at Kaiyukan Osaka Aquarium using the pass.
Our Santa Maria Cruise Ride
During one of our visits to Osaka, we took advantage of a free ride on the Santa Maria because we had the Osaka Amazing Pass. The boarding place is located next to the Kaiyukan Aquarium, Tempozan Ferris Wheel, and LEGOLAND, making it a great day out. If you visit the Kaiyukan Aquarium or Tempozan Ferris Wheel in Osaka, you may want to consider taking this boat ride as well.
The Pirate-Style Cruise Ship
The Osaka Bay Sightseeing Santa Maria Cruise ship is modeled after the Santa Maria, the ship that Columbus sailed to discover the New World. This pirate-style, four-story ship has different seating areas for enjoying the cruise ride.
The boarding area is clearly marked. The total time for the boat ride itself is around 50 minutes. You are asked to arrive 15 minutes before your booked cruise trip. The actual cruise time takes 45 minutes for the day cruise. It is a nice and slow cruise to explore the Osaka Bay area. You could also take an evening cruise. Both cruises were free using the Osaka Amazing Pass / Osaka e-Pass, but you can only choose one of them.
The Santa Monica Cruise ship provides both indoor and outdoor seating.
The spacious indoor area is ideal for protection from the sun and wind. There’s also a restaurant where you can purchase food and drinks. Additionally, the boat has a downstairs area that serves as a small museum, displaying photos and a couple of exhibits.
Getting out from indoor area, there is a semi-outdoor area and an outdoor deck at the front and back of the ship. Benches and seating areas are available on the deck. At the very front is the highest point, where you can get a great view of the scenery. There are plenty of photo opportunities.
Santa Maria Cruising Experience
We spent most of our time in the deck area, which is a popular spot for locals and overseas tourists like us. We managed to take a picture when it wasn’t crowded. The outside area was a bit cold and windy, so wearing proper clothing is necessary. It’s better to go in the evening to avoid the sun.
The Osaka Santa Monica cruise was relaxing and comfortable. It takes you around Osaka’s central areas and provides information about the historical and cultural background of Osaka. The view of Osaka Bay itself wasn’t particularly picturesque, but we could see the bridge, Tempozan Ferris Wheel, Universal City, and Port of Osaka by the Kaiyukan Aquarium.
However, there was no information provided about what we were seeing, which was disappointing. As someone who prefers natural views, islands, and nice coasts, I didn’t find it very spectacular. Nonetheless, I enjoyed feeling the wind on my face and the bay view.
Overall, it’s worth taking the cruise, but I was a little disappointed. It’s not bad if you have the time, but it’s not too exciting either.
Overall: A Cruise with Osaka Bay Cruise Santa Maria
All in all, the Osaka Bay Cruise Santa Maria experience was great! Although the weather was a bit windy and cold, we enjoyed the cruise around Osaka Bay. There wasn’t much natural scenery to see other than industrial plants and bridges, but it was still a good way to see the Osaka waterfront.
If you’re short on time in Osaka, I would skip the Osaka Santa Maria cruise ride. However, if you have the Osaka Amazing Pass / Osaka e-Pass and want to spend an hour relaxing on a boat, then maybe this is for you. Since Osaka Amazing Pass holders can enjoy this ride for free, there’s no reason not to try it. It would be nice to relax and watch the bay after a whole day of walking.
Lastly, this travel guide to Osaka Castle is part of travel blog in Kansai region. Free feel to continue to read on our Kansai trip to other interesting places including Osaka, Kyoto, and Uji.
Osaka Itinerary: Things to do in Osaka: Ultimate Travel Guide Blog
- Osaka Amazing Pass itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
- Travel Guide to Umeda Sky Building Kuchu-Teien Observatory
- Travel Guide to Osaka Castle (Osakajo)
- Shinsekai Tsutenkaku Tower and Slider
- Where to Stay in Osaka: Namba or Umeda
- Osaka Food Guide: Top 8 Unique Food To Eat in Osaka
Kyoto itinerary: 15 Things To Do and Eat for 3 Days in Kyoto
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