Want to get out on the water? These 5 Rhode Island boat tours let you explore beyond the shore.

As the Ocean State, Rhode Island offers residents and visitors many activities in and on the water that are perfect to beat the summer heat.

The most obvious is the state's expansive beaches. But if you're looking to venture beyond the shoreline, a boat tour is a creative option.

Whether you would enjoy a scenic ride through Providence’s rivers, a nature-based excursion in Narragansett Bay or a historic lighthouse lesson on the shores of Newport Harbor, Rhode Island has boat tours for everyone. Trips are often offered at sunrise, midday or sunset, and many companies offer discounted tickets for group trips.

Below are 5 great options for boat tours in the Ocean State:

Gondola rides on the Providence River

Located in the heart of Providence, La Gondola lets you take an authentic Venetian gondola for a ride through the Providence and Woonasquatucket Rivers.

The company offers packages for private trips and group tours, with prices for some packages starting at $18 per person. They operate daily from April 1–November 4, weather permitting, and the dock is located under Café Nuovo at 1 Citizens Plz. in Providence.

Boating in Providence

The Providence River Boating Company, which has been running tours for 32 years, also runs tours around the Providence area in open-air boats. Between their historic tours, boat rides through WaterFire, and "booze cruises" with Narragansett Brewing Company, Rhode Island Sprits or Gooseneck Vineyards, there's a tour for everyone.

Their headquarters is located at 101 Dyer St. in Providence, and a full list of tours with dates and times can be found here.

More: Here's everything to know about RI's new shoreline access law before you head to the beach

Sailing tours in Newport

As the sailing capital of the world, Newport offers a beautiful sailing experience with scenic harbors, historic mansions and famous yachts. The town is home to a variety of sailing companies, each with their own cruises and boats.

One popular option is Sightsailing, Newport’s oldest locally-owned sailing cruise company, according to their website. Cruisers can enjoy morning mimosa sails, champagne sunset sails or afternoon sails aboard the Aquidneck, Sightsailer or Starlight at 32 Bowen’s Wharf.

Whale watches in Narragansett

The Frances Fleet offers fishing trips and whale watching cruises on one of their four boats out of Port Galilee in Narragansett.

Sailing out onto Narragansett Bay offers a chance to see sharks, turtles, dolphins and endangered whales. Trips are weather-dependent, and refunds are given if no whales are seen. Located at 33 State St. in Narragansett.

Lighthouse cruises

Many boating tours around Rhode Island include lighthouse sightings, like the Rose Island Lighthouse in Newport or the Poplar Point Lighthouse in North Kingstown.

Along with aesthetic beauty, these lighthouses display an integral part of the history of both Narragansett Bay and Newport Harbor, offering a fun and educational outing on the water.

A full list of boat tours which include lighthouse sightings can be found here.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Rhode Island boat tours: Narragansett whale watches to Newport sailing