Go on a Tuesday — not a sunny Saturday.

Pick a weekday. Tuesday through Thursday are the deadest. Weather matters less than you think — even a cloudy Tuesday will be emptier than a perfect Saturday. People book around weekends and nice weather, so if you can swing a random Tuesday, you’ll have the boat to yourself. (Or closer to it.)

Overcast and drizzle? Even better — but only because it scares the fair-weather tourists away. The boat still runs. Bring a jacket.