Alcatraz Has Been Unreachable for Weeks, and the Ferries Return Next Week

Alcatraz Island has been closed to visitors since October 26 while crews replace deteriorating pilings that support the ferry dock, and it is scheduled to reopen on Thursday, November 19, Forbes reports. The work covers five pilings in total, two of which were in particularly poor condition. The National Park Service, which oversees the repairs, has cautioned that weather or construction issues could push the reopening back, so the date is a target rather than a certainty.

The closure has wiped out every scheduled tour during the work period, including the cellhouse audio tour, evening tours and behind-the-scenes visits. Alcatraz is one of the National Park Service’s best-known sites, drawing about 1.5 million visitors a year, so a multi-week shutdown affects a large number of trips. It is also the third dock-related closure this year, following nine days in January and six days in April. The repairs are expected to extend the dock’s life by 20 to 30 years.

Alcatraz City Cruises, the official ferry operator, is handling refunds. Visitors who bought tickets directly are being refunded automatically within five to seven business days, while those who booked through third-party sellers need to contact that vendor. Reservations do not transfer to new dates, so anyone hoping to visit after the reopening has to make a fresh booking. The island will also close on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, and in-water work is generally restricted after November 30.

If you are heading to San Francisco in late November, book a new Alcatraz slot early, since demand will be pent up after weeks of closure and the Thanksgiving holiday falls soon after. Build some flexibility into your plans in case the reopening slips. If you cannot get onto the island, sightseeing cruises still circle Alcatraz for a close look from the water, and Angel Island State Park offers hiking and views across the bay as an alternative day out.

Sources: Forbes