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Get out on the water

After exploring Mystic Seaport Museum on foot, leave it in your wake with a boat ride. 

The Museum offers many rare and historic boats to climb aboard. Take a walk on deck, enjoy a captained cruise, or be your own captain for an unforgettable experience. See the Museum from the vantage point of the Mystic River, or take advantage of a private charter for a few hours, a full day, or an overnight to find your sea story! 

Captained Cruises

Take a River Cruise on Sabino

Board the 1908 steamboat Sabino for a unique ride along the waterfront of Mystic Seaport Museum or enjoy a downriver cruise. Two diesel electric generators were recently added to the historic steam plant. Come enjoy a silent, peaceful ride and see the sites along the Mystic River. Bring your family and friends along for a pre-dinner cruise, or purchase a drink and snack on the dock before boarding. Tickets are sold at the Waterfront Tours Ticket Booth with the exception of the 5:30 p.m. trip, which is sold from downtown. Sabino departs and returns to downtown for this 120-minute trip. You may also call ahead to book the downriver trips.

Cruise Schedule

Cruises are closed for the season. Reopening in May 2024.

  • May 3–19: Friday through Sunday only
  • May 20–early October: daily operation
  • 30-minute upriver trips depart the Museum at 10:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.
  • 90-minute downriver trip departs the Museum at 2:30 p.m.
  • 120-minute downriver trip departs from downtown at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets

  • Upriver: $8, Museum admission is required.
  • 90-minute downriver: $35 ($28 with membership or Museum admission)
  • 120-minute downriver: $50 for adults; $30 for ages 4-17

Capacity is 74 people except for the 5:30 p.m. trip, which is capped at 55 people.

Also available for private charter. See below.

Steamboat Sabino on the Mystic River.

Sail on Breck Marshall or Sheldrake

Sail aboard the 20-foot Crosby catboat Breck Marshall or the Gannon and Benjamin sloop Sheldrake. Enjoy a peaceful and relaxing 25-minute captained cruise along the waterfront.

Breck Marshall and Sheldrake cruises require a ticket for every person on board. Tickets are sold at the Waterfront Tours Ticket Booth near the Information Kiosk at the south end of campus.

Breck Marshall and Sheldrake sail seasonally Memorial Day weekend through September.

Capacity is 6 individuals.

Cruise Schedule

Cruises are closed for the season. Reopening in May 2024.

  • Weekdays: 2:45 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 3:45 p.m.
  • Weekends and holiday Mondays: 12:45 p.m., 1:15 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 2:45 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 3:45 p.m.

Tickets

Museum admission is required.

  • Breck Marshall: $10 per person (ages 3 and under are free); Capacity is 6.
  • Sheldrake: $15 per person; capacity is 4.

Also available for private charter. See below.

Crosby catboat BRECK MARSHALL
Gannon and Benjamin sloop SHELDRAKE

Be Your Own Captain

Get out on the water on your own aboard a traditional small craft. Borrow a rowboat, sailboat or pedal boat and spend an hour exploring the Mystic River. Choose one of more than a dozen boats that vary in capacity from 2 to 5 people (plus a dog!).

Boathouse staff will provide life jackets, oars, and other gear. You just need to step aboard and enjoy!

The Boathouse is closed for the season. Reopening in May 2024.

Private Charters

Looking for something more private? A charter allows you to have the boat to yourself!

Private charters are closed for the season. Reopening in May 2024.

rebecca, private charters, get out on the water

Escort

Book a two or four-hour cruise aboard the Museum’s former America’s Cup Tender Escort. A captain is provided and the vessel accommodates up to six passengers. Escort will explore local waters and can provide the opportunity for swimming, beach visits, and even a stop for lunch! Perfect for that memorable marriage proposal or special celebration.

  • Available for private charter only
  • Two or four-hour cruises
  • Capacity: 6 people

Liberty 

Liberty is available for private group charters for trips along the Mystic River, and will occasionally operate from the Drawbridge Dock in downtown Mystic on the same schedule as the Mystic River Express.

  • Operates May through October.
  • 90-minute downriver charter: $650
  • Capacity: 42 people

Sabino

Book a private charter for up to 60 people on the historic steamboat Sabino.

  • 30-minute upriver charter: $500
  • 90-minute downriver charter: $2,000 Friday–Sunday; $1,700 Monday–Thursday
  • 120-minute downriver charter: $3,000 Friday–Sunday; $2,700 Monday–Thursday

To reserve a charter on Sabino contact Central Reservations at 860-572-5331 or reservations@mysticseaport.org.

Breck Marshall

Book a private 45-minute sail for six aboard the 20-foot Crosby catboat Breck Marshall.

  • 45-minute charter: $60
  • Capacity: 6

To reserve a charter on Breck Marshall call 860-572-5341.

Crosby catboat BRECK MARSHALL
Gannon and Benjamin sloop SHELDRAKE

Sheldrake

Book a 30 or 60-minute sail for six aboard the Gannon and Benjamin sloop Sheldrake.

  • 30-minute charter: $50
  • 60-minute charter: $80

To reserve a charter on Sheldrake call 860-572-5341.

Little Vigilant

The 71-foot steel motoryacht Little Vigilant is available for day, dinner, sunset, and extended cruises of New England waters. Available for yacht club cruises, race support, or family cruising. Visit our Little Vigilant page for more information.

Little Vigilant
Rebecca in the Eggemoggin Reach Regatta, feeder race from Camden ME to Brooklin ME

Rebecca

Rebecca of Vineyard Haven, a 75’ Gannon and Benjamin-built schooner, is available for day or weekly charter or race sponsorship. 

Rebecca and Little Vigilant are available together for an unforgettable family cruise or New England Classic Sailing Regatta. Visit our Rebecca of Vineyard Haven page for more information.

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