Windjammer and Sailing Cruises in Connecticut and Rhode Island
Enjoy sailing and its peacefulness along coastal waters while looking for lighthouses? Information provided below on sailing cruises aboard traditional sailing vessels and authentic windjammers, also known as "tall ships" in the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island. Mystic River in Connecticut allows sailing tours out of Mystic and Essex harbors emptying out into the ocean. Narragansett Bay is known as one of the best sailing regions in the world, with Newport, Rhode Island as a capital sailing destination.
Extended day sails between the main shore and out to Block Island can be very enlightening. The island itself looks like it hasn't changed in over 100 years, beautiful. Sailing cruises mentioned below offer many types of excursions, including two-hour day and sunset sails. Vessels mentioned below will usually pass by various lighthouses, although wind direction and weather is always a major factor in determining the daily route.
Connecticut Sailing Tours
Argia Mystic Cruises
Offers four public day sails at 9:30 a.m., Noon, and 3:00 p.m. and sunset cruises aboard the 81-foot sailing schooner Argia, out of Mystic, Connecticut. They offer day sails or sunset cruises that explore the seafaring village of Mystic CT, and the surrounding islands from May 1st through mid-October.
The vessel may pass quite close to Morgan Point Lighthouse at the mouth of the Mystic River, depending on winds and weather. Visitors may also see North Dumpling Island Lighthouse (NY) and/or Latimer Reef Lighthouse (NY).
Schooner Wharf
12 Steamboat Wharf
Mystic, CT 06355
Phone: (860) 536-0416
Connecticut River Museum
Offers public day sails on a special replica of an Adriaen Block sailing vessel design used in 1614, named the Onrust. They also offer a peaceful lighthouse cruise out of the mouth of the Connecticut River. River cruises are offered Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. During the months of June and October. River cruises that pass by Lynde Point and Old Saybrook Breakwater lighthouses are offered aboard the RiverQuest, a quiet, 64-foot "eco" motor vessel.
67 Main Street, Essex, CT 06426
Phone: (860) 767-8269
Email: crm@ctrivermuseum.org
Rhode Island Sailing Tours
Newport Classic Cruises
Go sailing on the 72-foot Schooner Madeleine, or the 80-foot Schooner Adirondack II, or the 48-foot Sloop Eleanor, which include morning, afternoon, sunset sails. All offer views by the Newport lighthouses, and they have a special "Lighthouses and Coastal Tour" and "Morning Mimosas" Cruise to view lighthouses in Newport Harbor. Some of the lighthouses to view are Newport Harbor Light, Ida Lewis Light, Rose Island Light, and Castle Hill Light.
22 Bowens Wharf, Newport RI 02840
Main Office: (401) 862-8441
Tickets: (401) 847-0000
Sightsailing of Newport
The Schooner Aquideck Aquidneck provides nearly two-hour sails mornings, afternoons, and at sunsets. There are various themed sails like Morning Mimosa Sail, Classic Afternoon Cruise, or the Champagne Sunset Sail. Day sails are offered aboard the Aquidneck, Sightsailer and Starlight. Both the Sightsailer and Starlight sailing ships are for more private charters involving day sails, with Sightsailer carrying up to thirteen guests, and Starlight open for up to six guests. All three boats sail around Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay past all the famous sights, including lighthouses in the area if weather allows.
32 Bowen's Wharf Newport, RI 02840
Phone: (401) 849-3333
Sail Trim Again
For those who enjoy the private charter sailing experience for your family of special group of up to six, Capt. Jack Spratt will introduce you to the Trim Again, a 24-foot historic classic wooden catboat sailing yacht that sails fron Watch Hill, near Watch Hill Lighthouse. He offers various themed 2-hour sails including Classic Sailing, Morning Glory Sail, Afternoon Sailing Delight, Sea Breeze Sail, Full Moon Sail, and the Romantic Sunset Sail. Also available for half and full day chartered sails. The also have a classic wooden motor yacht named the Encore for other charter excursions that include their half-Day ten "Lighthouse Three State Tour" covering many lighthouses from New York, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, and full day lighthouse tour that also includes going out to Block Island.
Phone: (860) 227-2339
Books to Explore
This book is available in paperback, hardcover, and as an eBook for all devices.
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The Rise and Demise of the Largest Sailing Ships: In the early 1900s, New England shipbuilders constructed the world’s largest sailing ships amid social and political reforms. These giants of sail were built to carry massive quantities of coal and building supplies and measured longer than a football field! These true stories include competitions, accidents, battling destructive storms, acts of heroism, and their final voyages. |
Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Southern New England: This resourceful book provides special human interest stories from each of the 92 lighthouses along the southern coast, with plenty of indoor and outdoor coastal attractions and tours, and helpful contact info for your vacation plans. You'll also find info on haunted lighthouses, sailing, whindjamming, and whale watching tours among other of events along the coast. Look inside! |
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Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Northern New England: This book provides human interest stories from each of the 76 lighthouses in northern New England, along with plenty of coastal attractions and tours near each beacon, and contact info to plan your special trips. Look inside! |
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