In many parts of the world, the months of July and August are synonymous with beaches and sailing, but what about seeing a new destination from the water? With the best views and popular summer destinations in mind, the members and editors of VirtualTourist.com have ranked the top scenic boat rides, and here are a few.

1. Golden Gate Ferry — San Francisco to Sausalito, Calif.

The San Francisco Bay is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque vistas on the West Coast, and experiencing it by ferry is both affordable and a perfect way to explore the beautiful towns north of the city’s peninsula. Start at the San Francisco Ferry Building, which is a tourist destination in its own right, with a renowned farmers market three days a week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday) and a great selection of shops. Board the ferry to Sausalito for a short 30-minute ride — it sells wine and beer, so enjoy a drink while taking in the views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay. Cyclists can bring bikes for free, so VirtualTourist members recommending taking or renting a bike so you can tour Sausalito’s quaint town before returning to the big city.

2. Star Ferry — Hong Kong, Hong Kong

The most well-known ferry ride in Asia, the Star Ferry connects Hong Kong Island with Kowloon Peninsula to the north. Ferries leave from both the Central and Wan Chai areas of Hong Kong Island, arriving at Tsim Sha Tsui’s Star Ferry Pier on the Kowloon Peninsula. It’s a fantastic way to take in Hong Kong’s skyline during the day and with ferries departing as late as 10:30 p.m., it’s also a great way to see the city’s nightly light display, “A Symphony of Lights.” The Star Ferry also has a Harbour Tour option which circles Victoria Harbor and lasts an hour. It offers Single Ride Round Trip tickets during the day, night, and special Symphony of Lights Harbor Cruise.

3. Venice Vaporetto — Venice, Italy

While the most famous boats in this region may be gondolas, few rides in the world will give you the eyeful of a Vaporetto in Venice. Equivalent to a Water Taxi, these boats are an easy way to admire all the mansions and buildings that overlook the Grand Canal and the lagoon while also being helpful for gaining your bearings when first arriving to the canalled city. Although expensive, every visitor to Venice should ride a vaporetto at least once.

4. Cruising Milford Sound — South Island, New Zealand

Internationally renowned as one of the most beautiful waterways in the world, Milford Sound in New Zealand had to be included on our list. Discovered by the Maori people more than 1,000 years ago and located in South Island’s Fjordland National Park, the majestic landscape can be accessed by road but should be experienced on the water. The sound is bounded by steep cliffs and dense rainforest on either side, with Mitre Peak towering over 1,692 meters (5551 ft.) above sea level as the focus of many photographs. There are a number of day cruises available to experience the sound as well as kayaking and nature guides. Sightseeing tours from Queenstown and Te Anau to Milford Sound are popular as well.

5. Washington State Ferries to the San Juan Islands — Anacortes, Wash.

Mentioned by multiple VirtualTourist members for the great variety of views, the Washington State Ferries from Anacortes, Wash., to the San Juan Islands are a great excursion for visitors to the Pacific Northwest. On a clear day, you can see Mount Baker, some of the North Cascades mountain range and even Mount Rainier to the south of Seattle. While the scenery is beautiful, the real draw to the San Juan Islands is the wildlife in the surrounding waters. Orca whales inhabit the waters from mid-April to early October with the best chance to see them from late May through September.

6. Circular Quay to Manly, Australia — Sydney, Australia

Similar to the Star Ferry in Hong Kong, the ferry ride from Circular Quay to Manly, Australia, is a tourist destination unto itself for visitors to Sydney. With exceptional views of Sydney Harbor, particularly the iconic Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, multiple VirtualTourist members sited this ride as their favorite ferry ride. While it is often taken just for the views, VirtualTourist members also noted that the seaside destination of Manly is also a great day trip. A true beach town located on the Pacific Ocean, Manly offers kayaking, biking, and lots of water sports to try, plus the trip from Circular Quay to Manly is only 30 minutes.