Alcatraz Island Shuts Down Again Following Earlier Dock Failure
Visitors hoping to explore San Francisco’s famous Alcatraz Island will have to wait a few weeks. The popular attraction closed on Oct. 26 for repairs to the dock used by ferries carrying tourists to the former prison.
The closure is expected to last through Nov. 18, with tours tentatively scheduled to resume Nov. 19. Crews are replacing two pilings that help secure the island’s floating ferry dock after earlier inspections identified problems with the structures.
It’s the third interruption to visitor access this year, following earlier closures in January and April.
In a Sept. 28 announcement, the National Park Service (NPS) explained that the repairs are intended to keep the dock operating safely for another 20 to 30 years.
Earlier Dock Problems Forced Two Closures
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The dock’s troubles date back to January, when one of its five supporting pilings failed. Alcatraz closed for nine days beginning Jan. 14 while ferry operator Alcatraz City Cruises inspected the structure.
According to the NPS, inspectors found that two pilings needed repairs, although the other three were still structurally sound. Ferry service eventually resumed, with fewer passengers allowed aboard each vessel.
Another six-day closure came in April, when crews reinforced the three sound pilings. That work allowed the ferries to accommodate more visitors during the busy summer months, leaving the two remaining pilings to be replaced this fall.
The current repairs involve driving new pilings into San Francisco Bay, and there’s a deadline to contend with. The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission restricts in-water work after Nov. 30, a requirement that has helped determine the construction schedule.
Alcatraz City Cruises is covering the cost under its agreement with the federal government. As the NPS confirmed, the project won’t use federal funding or taxpayer dollars.
What Visitors With Alcatraz Reservations Should Know
All Alcatraz Island tours scheduled between Oct. 26 and Nov. 18 have been canceled. According to Alcatraz City Cruises, customers who booked directly through the company will automatically receive refunds to their original payment method, generally within five to seven business days.
There is still an opportunity to see Alcatraz from the water during part of the closure. From Oct. 26 through Nov. 1, the company is offering a 90-minute San Francisco Bay Discovery Cruise with views of the island and other landmarks. That excursion does not stop at Alcatraz.
This disruption affects one of San Francisco’s busiest attractions. Alcatraz City Cruises typically runs more than 3,200 ferry trips to the island annually, which amounts to transporting around 1.5 million visitors.
Travelers who booked through third-party providers are urged to contact those companies directly. Visitors with flexible schedules can also book new island tours for Nov. 19 or later, subject to availability.
The Nov. 19 reopening remains tentative, since weather and construction conditions could affect the schedule. Visitors are encouraged to check for updates before making plans.
