BOSTON · BOSTON SAILING AND TALL SHIP TRIPS

The 12 Best Sailing Trips in Boston Harbor

12 tours  ·  from $35

Under sail the harbor slows down and the narration stops. The 12 below cover the schooners, the day sails and the yacht charters, compared on time on the water, group size and what the fare includes.

Classic Tall Ship Cruise in Boston Harbor - Raising the sails adds a little adventure
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Classic Tall Ship Cruise in Boston Harbor

1.Classic Tall Ship Cruise in Boston Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 615 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $35Our pick

Spend about 90 minutes aboard the Liberty Star with Captain Fredo and crew members Jess and Max. Expect open-air harbor views, light commentary, drinks for purchase, and possibly a chance to help raise the sails. The route depends on wind and weather.

“Amazing! Perfect ship, perfect crew. We had a great time! Captain Freddo was great! And they serve alcohol so that's a plus!”

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Schooner Fame Sailing Tour - What you see around Salem Sound
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Schooner Fame Sailing Tour

2.Schooner Fame Sailing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 571 reviews · 1 hour 40 minutes (approx.) · from $50Top rated

Join Captain Mike and the crew of the replica privateer schooner Fame from Pickering Wharf in downtown Salem. During this roughly 1-hour-40-minute sail, you can help raise the sails, steer, hear stories about Salem Sound, and watch the cannon fire. Children under five are not allowed.

“The crew so nice, let you steer schooner and very informative. Had a great time today! Definitely recommend this excursion.”

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Boston: Harbor Sunset Yacht Cruise - The Northern Lights feels more like a small ship than a tour boat
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Boston: Harbor Sunset Yacht Cruise

3.Harbor Sunset Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 570 reviews · 2 hours · from $54

Spend two hours aboard the classic Northern Lights, a 115-foot yacht with indoor seating, open decks, a bar, and six bathrooms. See Castle Island, the inner harbor, Boston’s skyline, and the USS Constitution’s sunset cannon fire while the captain provides light commentary.

“Food was good, bit pricey and limited options but alright. The viewing deck was spacious and clean. Good customer service.”

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Sightseeing Day Sail around Boston Harbor - Fan Pier and the modern waterfront
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Sightseeing Day Sail around Boston Harbor

4.Sightseeing Day Sail around Boston Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 541 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $66

Set sail from Rowes Wharf aboard Schooner Adirondack III or IV for 1.5 or 2 hours. Expect a relaxed harbor trip past the Seaport, Fan Pier, Fort Independence, Spectacle Island, and Long Island. Crew members answer questions, while a card-only bar serves drinks.

“Erick the captain was great and you can see he has lots of experience. Claire and Adam were very kind.”

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Sunset Sailing Cruise on a Tall Ship in Boston Harbor - Sunset views of Boston from the water
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Sunset Sailing Cruise on a Tall Ship in Boston Harbor

5.Sunset Sailing Cruise on a Tall Ship in Boston Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 414 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $68

Join Liberty Fleet of Tall Ships at Fan Pier Marina for a two-hour sunset sail aboard a traditional Boston tall ship. Expect skyline and harbor views, a relaxed crew, drinks from the galley bar, and occasional chances to help with the sails. Captains Fredo and the deck crew have earned special praise for their warm, playful service.

“Really nice cruise around Boston Harbor. The crew was awesome and the skyline views were incredible!”

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Boston: Harbor Champagne Sunset Sail from Rowes Wharf - The first views: Fish Pier, Fan Pier, and the modern waterfront
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Boston: Harbor Champagne Sunset Sail from Rowes Wharf

6.Harbor Champagne Sunset Sail from Rowes Wharf

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 299 reviews · 2 hours · from $82

Sail Boston Harbor aboard the classic Schooner Adirondack III or IV for two hours at sunset. From Rowes Wharf, you’ll pass the Fish Pier, Castle Island, Fan Pier, the Charleston Navy Yard, and Inner Harbor Islands while the crew shares local history. Drinks are available for purchase, but not included.

“Very enjoyable and the captain and crew were wonderful.”

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Boston: Tall Ship Harbor Sail - What the 90-minute route gives you
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Boston: Tall Ship Harbor Sail

7.Tall Ship Harbor Sail

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 261 reviews · 1h 30m · from $35

Board a classic schooner at Fan Pier Marina for a 90-minute Boston Harbor sail. The crew raises the sails, answers questions, and may invite you to help with the lines or wheel. Bring snacks, buy a local beer or cocktail, and enjoy skyline, island, airport, and harbor views.

“Well worth the price. Great boat. Excellent, friendly and skilled crew. Would definitely recommend and would do it again.”

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Boston: Downtown Harbor Sailing Cruise - Boston Fish Pier and the Working Waterfront
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Boston: Downtown Harbor Sailing Cruise

8.Downtown Harbor Sailing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 227 reviews · 90 minutes - 2 hours · from $66

Join the crew of the Adirondack III or IV for a 90-minute or two-hour Boston Harbor sail. You’ll pass the Aquarium, Fish Pier, Castle Island, Navy Yard, and Inner Harbor Islands while the crew answers questions. Bring a picnic, a photo ID, and a light jacket.

“It was a very relaxing sailing experience. It wasn’t real windy, the boats movements were a gentle swaying motion most of the time. Only occasionally did it move up and down but it wasn’t very long. Some passengers were worried about motion sickness but they were all fine. No one got sick.”

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Sailing on Historic Schooner Yacht in Salem, MA - Setting sail across Salem Sound
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Sailing on Historic Schooner Yacht in Salem, MA

9.Sailing on Historic Schooner Yacht in Salem, MA

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 172 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Board a beautifully maintained classic schooner at 10 Blaney Street in Salem for a two-hour sail with Captain Seth and crew members such as Kos and Kate. Help raise the sails, hear stories about the vessel and nearby islands, enjoy Salem Sound views, and buy drinks from the onboard bar.

“Crew was great. Beautiful night and a beautiful boat. Had a gin and tonic and helped with the sails. Would highly recommend”

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Boston Harbor Sunset Sail Tour - Boarding at Rowes Wharf
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Boston Harbor Sunset Sail Tour

10.Boston Harbor Sunset Sail Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 132 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $82

Spend about two hours aboard the Schooner Adirondack II or III, sailing from Rowes Wharf past Fan Pier, harbor islands, Castle Island, and Fort Independence. This is not a narrated cruise, but crew members such as Dante, Charlie, and Claire can answer questions while you enjoy the sunset and buy drinks by credit card.

“It was a wonderful experience! The crew was very interactive with everyone and so accommodating! It was as if you had known them for a long time. I would highly recommend this excursion if you ever visit Boston.”

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Boston: Sunset Tall Ship Harbor Cruise - Helping the crew raise the sails
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Boston: Sunset Tall Ship Harbor Cruise

11.Sunset Tall Ship Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 115 reviews · 2 hours · from $68

Spend two hours aboard Liberty Star with the Liberty Fleet of Tall Ships, sailing from Fan Pier Marina around Boston Harbor. You can help raise the sails, try steering, and chat with crew such as Captain Freido, Jess, and Max. Bring snacks, buy Boston beer onboard, and dress warmly for the water.

“Captain Jonathan and his crew were wonderful. They're stories and the ability to help bound with a raising. The sales made the experience truly amazing”

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Salem: Historic Schooner Sailing Cruise - What the 100-minute cruise feels like
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Salem: Historic Schooner Sailing Cruise

12.Historic Schooner Sailing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 84 reviews · from $39

Board the gaff-rigged Schooner Fame at Pickering Wharf Marina for a 100-minute Salem Sound cruise. Captain Mike and crew members John and Ella may invite you to raise the sails, take the tiller, and hear about privateering, forts, lighthouses, and Salem’s busy maritime past.

“Fantastic tour, we had a great time!! The Captain and crew were great, something very relaxing about cruising across the water with no engine noise!! My young daughter had a blast!!”

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