Interested in Sailing Boston Waterways?

Sail down the Charles River, around Boston Harbor, or to the Harbor Islands

If you love sailing, Boston offers plenty of opportunities for you to enjoy this favorite water sport without leaving the city.

Even if you're visiting Boston for just a short time, you and your whole family can have fun taking sailing lessons in Boston, testing your skills by sailing Charles River waters, and trying other water sports like kayaking and windsurfing.

And if you become addicted to sailing Boston waterways, you might even consider a membership in a Boston sailing club.

Here are three suggestions for sailing in the Charles River, finding the best lessons in Boston, and even cruising out to the Boston Harbor Islands.

Community Boating - Largest public sailing program in Boston

Community Boating, located on the Charles River Esplanade near the Charles Street pedestrian bridge, is one of the most popular programs in Boston for sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing lessons for kids and adults. 

Begun in 1936, the non-profit Community Boating is also the largest, oldest, and widely considered the best public sailing program in the United States.

The Junior Program offers sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing classes from mid June through late August for kids between 10 and 18, plus unlimited use of the boats.  To participate, kids must be able to swim 75 yards.

All instructors are US Sailing Level One certified, and many of them learned to sail here themselves. 

My own daughters are avid Community Boating participants. 

Best of all is the summer fee for the kids' program.  It's - hope you're sitting down - only $1 for the entire summer. 

This very affordable membership entitles kids to take as many classes as they want.  They also get unlimited use of the boats, windsurfers,and kayaks from 9am until 3pm Monday through Friday. 

If you're visiting Boston for more than a few days during the summer, check into this program for your kids. 

Beginning classes last a week, and more advanced classes are even shorter. 

Community Boating Boston is easily reached by the subway or by walking, and while your children are out on the water, you can explore nearby Beacon Hill and other parts of the city.

Or you can also join them on the water.  Membership fees for the Adult program for those 18 and older are also quite reasonable, and give you unlimited classes and unlimited access to the boats from April 1 through October 31. 

Insider Tip

If your children are interested in this program, have them pass the 75-yard swimming test before you leave home and bring the required documentation with you.  You'll find details about requirements on page 6 of the Handbook in the "Youth" section of the Community Boating website.

Details and Directions for Community Boating Boston

Location:  Boston Esplanade, across from the Charles Street footbridge over Storrow Drive. 

Once you cross Storrow Drive, take the left stairs down the footbridge.  The Community Boating boat house is straight ahead.
Nearest T station:  Red Line/Charles-MGH
More information:  617-523-1038; website

Courageous Sailing Center in Charlestown Navy Yard

The non-profit Courageous Sailing Boston Center located in Charlestown Navy Yard was established in 1987 and named after the 2-time America's Cup winner. 

Courageous Sailing Center in Charlestown

Courageous Sailing's focus is on sailing education and Boston community service.

Sailing classes for children and teens ages 8 - 18 are free.  In addition to offering sailing and water safety skills, Courageous Sailing Center focuses on building leadership, problem-solving, team-building, and communication abilities. 

Affordable classes and boating club memberships are available to adults as well.  You can choose from a number of different membership options, including a Daily option. 

If you're visiting Boston for just a short time and want do some sailing around Boston Harbor or out the the Harbor Islands, the Daily option is too good to pass up!

Details and Directions for Courageous Sailing Boston

Location:  Pier 4, Charlestown Navy Yard
Nearest T station:  Orange and Green Lines/North Station
Water Shuttle: Take MBTA Water Shuttle from Long Wharf (Downtown) to Pier 3 in Charlestown, and walk over to Pier 4
More information:  617-268-7243; website

Boston Sailing Center

Headquartered in a Louisiana riverboat docked at Lewis Wharf on Boston Harbor in the North End, Boston Sailing Center offers a wide range of sailing classes as well as club memberships. 

Boston Sailing Center building and docked sailboats at Lewes Wharf

Although Boston Sailing Center's regular season runs between May 1 and November 1, special "frostbite" racing, seminars, navigation classes, social activities, and even charters to warmer waters extend the fun through the winter months.

Founded in 1977, this popular sailing club offers unrestricted sailing along Boston's historic waterfront and around the Boston Harbor Islands.  You can also do overnight trips to Marblehead and longer trips to places like Provincetown on Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and Newport. 

A number of membership options are available, depending on the type of boat that you want.  You also get boat privileges for a period of time after taking classes.

Serious sailors love the Boston Sailing Center memberships.  In addition to basic sailing skills, classes include specialized skills, navigation, and racing.  Individual lessons are also available.  And for the ultimate experience, join one of the winter Caribbean cruises and learn to sail in tropical waters.

Boston Sailing Center's memberships and instructional programs are understandably geared toward residents, who of course will be here for more than just a few days.  But if you're visiting for only a short time, you'll still find some attractive options here.

If you're visiting Boston, you could either opt for a 1-week class, if you're going to be here that long, or take a private lesson for just an afternoon to jump-start your skills and fit with your schedule.

You can also charter a boat for a reasonable hourly fee, which is based on the size and type of boat.  A 2-hour minimum applies.

Finally, for not much more than you'd pay for chartering a boat for 3-4 hours, you can opt for a "mini" 30 day membership.  The fee for this also depends on the size and type of boat.  Even if you use the boat just for a day, you'll still probably come out ahead.  And if you're going to be here for 30 days - well, that's even better!

Details and Directions for Boston Sailing Center

Location:  Lewis Wharf, North End, Boston
More information:  617-227-4198 ; website 
Nearest T station:  Blue Line/Aquarium

Boston Harbor Sailing Club

The Boston Harbor Sailing Club, located right on Rowes Wharf near the Boston Harbor Hotel, offers both lessons and the possibility of boat rentals and charters.  Rentals are available only when its 60+ vessels aren't being used by club members.  To rent a boat, you need to have certifications or experience appropriate for the size vessel that you want to take out.

Boston Harbor Sailing Club offers weekend and week-long lessons - so if you want to learn how to sail, check out their schedule and plan your Boston visit accordingly. 

Club memberships, rentals, and lessons are all reasonably priced.

Details and Directions for Boston Harbor Sailing Club

Location:  Rowes Wharf, Downtown Boston Waterfront
More information:  617-720-0049; website 
Nearest T station:  Blue Line/Aquarium, Red Line/South Station