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Privateer Schooner Sailing Tour in Salem Sound
Badge of ExcellenceSalem, USA
From $45.46
Select Date and Travelers
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
- 1 hour 40 minutes
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Embark on an interactive sailing excursion off the coast of Salem on a replica historic privateer schooner. Great for families and anyone who gets bored easily, this adventure keeps you engaged by offering opportunities to help with tasks such as raising the sails and steering the boat. Plus, the crew shares stories about the history of Salem and the role played by privateers.
- Experience a historic sailing adventure and learn about the area’s storied past
- Take part in activities or relax and enjoy the sights
- Choose from multiple daily start times to suit your schedule
- Depart from the conveniently located Pickering Wharf Marina in downtown Salem
What's Included
- Restroom on board
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Soda/Pop
- Bottled water
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Nu Aeon88 Wharf St, Salem, MA 01970, USA
"86 Wharf St" is a fictional address, but will get you close to our ticket booth in front of FINZ. Traffic and parking are challenging on weekends, and that goes TRIPLE for October! Allow extra time! No-shows will not receive a refund.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Salem
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Most travelers can participate
- Children under five are not allowed.
- At the farthest point of our sail, we may be 45 minutes from the dock — and from medical services!
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
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Featured review
Madison_O
The crew was very professional, kind and courteous during our journey. The crew and captain were very knowledgeable about the ship and offered us ways to be engaged in the sailing process. I would recommend those who would like to participate on a sailing cruise in Salem.
Reviews
5.0
456 reviews
Elias_R, Nov 2023
2nd year taking the sale in October, always a pleasure. Staff is great and knowledgeable. Will definitely continue the tradition.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Thanks, Elias! Looking forward to 2024 already :)
Jennifer_J, Oct 2023
The captain and crew were very sweet! We all had a great time even though it was drizzling. A must experience!
Response from Host, Nov 2023
That wasn't the nicest day we've had, but you guys were all great sports about it! Imagine how much fun that would be on a sunny day :)
Erika_L, Oct 2023
What an amazing experience! The sunset was absolutely stunning and the folks on the boat were very friendly and welcoming. We are happy to add this tour into one of our yearly “must do” tours in Salem.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Thanks, Erika! It was great sailing with you :)
Amber_B, Oct 2023
We had the best time!! The crew was so nice and helpful. They brought us blankets and hot cider with rum. The sunset was beautiful and I got proposed to during the cruise.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
"...and I got proposed to..." :)
Christy_M, Oct 2023
The whole experience was so much fun, a nice change of pace from the typical Salem activities, would definitely recommend!!
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Yup, we are the antidote to Essex Street!
Jacob_F, Oct 2023
This was an amazing experience! I took my girlfriend and she had an amazing time. Someone even proposed on the boat! Definitely will be doing this again!
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Jake, thanks for sailing!
Julia_F, Oct 2023
The trip was absolutely incredible! The views were beautiful and the crew was so nice! Jake especially was cute and Jack was very sweet and made a good drink. We learned a lot about the history of the boat and the local area. I personally got to steer the ship and help pull the sails up. It was a very fun, relaxing and educational experience.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Julia, it was great sailing with you :)
Cristina_G, Oct 2023
So there’s no actual “tour” portion. The description stated that this would be an interactive tour and you’d learn about the history of privateers. This is very misleading as there is no actual interaction other than them selling alcohol. The only interaction we received was being asked if we wanted to buy beer… once we said no the crew ignores us for the rest of the trip. The crew never talks about any history… So If you’re looking for a historical tour of Salem this is not it. This is just a booze boat trip.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Wow!
Not knowing who you are, when you sailed or who the crew was, I only ask anyone reading your review to consider that we currently have 443 reviews on TripAdvisor and 99% of them are five stars.
The most common elements of our five-star reviews are 1) the excellence of our friendly and knowledgable crew and 2) the opportunity to haul up the sails, steer the boat, and help to load the small cannon.
I don't know exactly what you were expecting, but I am sorry you didn't take up your concerns with the owners. We are present *every single day*
wayne_J, Oct 2023
awesome crew and captain. would most certainly recommend this to everyone! they shared local history as well as interactive sailing participation
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Thanks, Wayne!
Tracey_C, Oct 2023
The cruise was great! The boat is very well maintained and the crew was super friendly. It rained towards the end of our cruise and they gave us blankets to use. My 16 year old got to help raise the sails and steer! The canon was really cool! If I were to say anything negative is I thought there would be more history. They gave about a 10 minute presentation about the boats use during the war but that’s about it.
That being said the crew would answer any questions asked if they could.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Thanks, Tracey, that is valuable feedback.
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