If you love sailing, Boston's waterfront location offers plenty of opportunities.
You can learn to sail, advance your sailing skills, arrange boat charters, and enjoy other water sports such as kayaking and windsurfing - even if you're here for just a short visit.
You can even try frostbite racing.
And if you visit the city frequently, you might even consider a membership in a Boston sailing club where you'll get boat access or fractional sailboat ownership.
Here are five Boston sailing school options, boat charters, and clubs for you to consider.
Have fun sailing and kayaking in Boston!
Top photo: Sailing in the Charles River - that's Back Bay and Hancock Tower in the background
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 lessons as well as club memberships.
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 Boston sailing club offers unrestricted sailing along the historic waterfront and around the Harbor Islands. You can also take overnight trips to Marblehead and longer trips to places like Provincetown on Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and Newport.
A number of sailing club membership options are available, depending on the type of vessel 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, choose a 1-week class, 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 for Boston boat charters.
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 may come out ahead. And if you're going to be here for 30 days - well, that's even better!
Essentials: Boston Sailing Center
Location: Lewis Wharf, North End, Boston
More information: 617-227-4198; website
Nearest T station: Blue Line/Aquarium
Hotels near Boston Sailing Center:
- Battery Wharf Hotel - North End luxury hotel near Lewis Wharf - Rates/reviews
- Bostonian Boston- 7-8 minute walk through the North End to Lewis Wharf; near Faneuil Marketplace - Rates/reviews
- Marriott Long Wharf- Located on the edge of the North End, next to the New England Aquarium - Rates/reviews
More to Ways to See Boston from the Water
Boston Harbor Sailing Club
The Boston Harbor Sailing Club located on Rowes Wharf near the Boston Harbor Hotel offers lessons plus 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. You can also charter a boat.
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. And if you want the advantages of fractional sailboat ownership, check out their club options.
Club memberships, rentals, and lessons are all reasonably priced.
Essentials: Boston Harbor Sailing Club
Location: Rowes Wharf, Downtown Boston Waterfront
More information: 617-720-0049; www.bostonharborsailing.com
Nearest T station: Blue Line/Aquarium, Red Line/South Station
Hotels near Boston Harbor Sailing Club:
- Boston Harbor Hotel - Luxury hotel next to Rowes Wharf- Rates/reviews
- The Dagny Boston - 5-minute walk to Rowes Wharf - look for attractive weekend rates - Rates/reviews
Boston Harbor Sightseeing Cruises
Tour Boston by boat - the best way to see the city! Check out these fun sightseeing, music, and entertainment Boston Harbor cruises on the Yacht Northern Lights and Schooner Adirondack III:
Popular Cruises on the Northern Lights:
- Northern Lights Sunset Cruise - Grab a refreshments from the bar and then relax as you watch the sun set on this sail around the Harbor, just in time to catch the USS Constitution fire its cannons as the sun dips down past the horizon
- Brunch Cruise on the Northern Lights - Savor a delicious 3-course brunch on this relaxing sightseeing cruise around Boston Harbor
- Boston Harbor Cruise on Northern Lights - Soak up Boston's unique sites and rich history on this comfortable sightseeing cruise around the Harbor - perfect friends and family experience! Food and beverages available for purchase at the bar
Sailing on the Adirondack III & IV (through mid-October):
- Adirondack III & IV Day Sail - Enjoy cool breezes and the afternoon sun on this relaxing sightseeing sail around Boston Harbor and the Inner Harbor Islands
- Adirondack III & IV Sunset Sail - Relax as the setting sun turns the sky brilliant colors
Fall Foliage Cruises - Starting October 5
- Fall Foliage Brunch Cruise on Northern Lights - Enjoy a tasty gourmet brunch, fall foliage, and panoramic views as you cruise around Boston Harbor
- Fall Foliage Lunch Cruise on Northern Lights - Sip hot cider as you enjoy lunch on this relaxing fall foliage cruise to celebrate seasonal colors
Community Boating - Sailing on the Charles River
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 one of the best public sailing program in the United States.
The Junior Program offers sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing classes from mid-June through mid-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.
Kids pay a membership fee, and can 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.
Membership fees for the Adult program for those are also reasonable, and give you unlimited classes and unlimited access to the boats from April 1 through October 31.
Essentials: Community Boating
Location: Boston Esplanade. Use the Charles Street footbridge to cross Storrow Drive, take the left stairs down the footbridge, and the Community Boating boat house is straight ahead.
Nearest T station: Red Line/Charles-MGH
Membership fees: Kids, sliding fee based on family income; Adult fees also reasonable - see website for details
More information: 617-523-1038; website
Hotels near Community Boating:
- Liberty Hotel - Near the Charles Street Footbridge - Rates/reviews
- Beacon Hill Hotel - Few blocks from the Charles Street Footbridge - Rates/reviews
- Wyndham Boston Hotel - Also a few blocks away - 5 minute walk to the Footbridge - Rates/reviews
Boston Hotels with Outdoor Swimming Pools
- Verb Hotel next to Fenway Park (shown in photo) - Find Lowest Rates
- Colonnade Hotel near Prudential Center - Find Discount Rates
- Revere Hotel in the Theatre District -Find Discount Rates
Find more Boston hotels with outdoor swimming pools
Black Rock Sailing School
The Black Rock Sailing School, located on Fan Pier in the South Boston Waterfront, offers both year-round lessons (including advanced class in the Caribbean during winter months), charter trips, and a couple of different club options to give you access to sailboats and yachts with the advantage of fractional sailboat ownership at a reasonable price.
Classes are small - typically a maximum of 3 people plus the instructor, although an exception will be made if two couples want to do a class together. Private lessons are also available. You can earn ASA (American Sailing Association) certification here.
Black Rock offers a variety of class formats, including 3-day "long weekend" classes designed especially for Boston visitors who make the classes the focus of their vacation here. Black Rock will also customize to fit your needs.
Essentials: Black Rock Sailing School
Location: Fan Pier, South Boston Waterfront
More information: 617-639-3016; www.blackrocksailingschool.com
Nearest T station: Silver Line/Seaport (connect at Red Line/South Station)
Hotels near Black Rock Sailing School:
- Renaissance Hotel - About 2 blocks from Fan Pier - Rates/reviews
- Intercontinental Boston - About a 5-minute walk across the Moakley Footbridge to Fan Pier - Rates/reviews
- Langham Hotel - 7-8 minute walk to Fan Pier - enjoy their spa after sailing - Rates/reviews
Courageous Sailing in Charlestown Navy Yard
Most adult sailing classes take only a weekend (Saturday and Sunday) to complete, making this a great excuse for spending the weekend in Boston. If you need a customized curriculum, the staff is happy to discuss your requirements. Although Courageous Sailing offers membership options, you do not have to be a member to take a course.
Memberships are reasonably priced, and range from 1-day to annual options. The membership fleet is available for daily sailing from May through October, and frostbite racing continues through the winter.
Courageous Sailing's kids' programs emphasize learning sailing and water safety skills, along with building leadership skills.
If you are an experienced sailor visiting Boston for just a short time and want go explore Boston Harbor and the Harbor Islands, try the one-day option. Not a sailor? Not a problem! Courageous also offers charters for up to 4 people - call ahead to reserve.
Essentials: Boston Harbor Sailing Club
Location: Pier 4, Charlestown Navy Yard
Nearest T station: Orange and Green Lines/North Station (walk across the Charlestown Bridge)
Water Shuttle: Take the MBTA Water Shuttle from Long Wharf (Downtown) to Pier 3 in Charlestown and walk over to Pier 4
More information: 617-268-7243; website
- Constitution Inn - In the Charlestown Navy Yard, a short 4-5 minute walk to Pier 4. Affordable rates and a great gym make this one of Boston's best bargain hotels. Location also convenient to the USS Constitution, and just a short walk to Bunker Hill. Rates/reviews | More about the Constitution Inn
- Marriott Residence Inn at Tudor Wharf- Short walk to Courageous Sailing on Pier 4, TD Garden, and the North End. Affordable rates for suites make this a top family choice. Gorgeous harborside dining. Rates & Reservations | More about the Marriott Residence Inn at Tudor Wharf
Fun Things to Do and See in Boston
More Articles about Fun Things to Do in Boston
- Check out the New England Boat Show held each year in late February
- On Independence Day, watch July 4th fireworks from your boat
- Prefer the beach? Check out Boston beaches for the best places to go for a swim or walk along the shore without leaving the city
- Find the best biking tours