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Climb aboard the historic A.J. Meerwald for a two-hour Delaware Bay sail and a dozen freshly shucked oysters. Help the crew with lines or relax on deck—this is a salty, sensory way to experience Cape May’s maritime past.
Climb aboard the historic A.J. Meerwald for a two-hour Delaware Bay sail and a dozen freshly shucked oysters. Help the crew with lines or relax on deck—this is a salty, sensory way to experience Cape May’s maritime past.
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Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Bayshore Center · Lower Township, New Jersey
Board the A.J. Meerwald at the Cape May Ferry Terminal and spend two hours sailing the Delaware Bay while sampling freshly shucked local oysters. This 115-foot oyster schooner, built in 1928, still sails from 1200 Lincoln Blvd, North Cape May, NJ, offering a hands-on maritime experience that connects passengers to the region’s working-water heritage. The launch point is Cape May, a compact seaside town known for bird migrations, Victorian architecture, and wide tidal flats that feed one of the East Coast’s most productive oyster beds.
On this specialty sail you can help the crew hoist sails and haul lines, or simply lean on the rail with a dozen oysters on the half shell and a cold drink. The main features are the historic schooner’s spruce and steel rigging, the long sweep of Cape May’s coastline, and the low, sandy mudflats of the Delaware Bay where oysters grow. Keep an eye on the salt marsh edges and submerged shoals; they attract terns, oystercatchers, and the seasonal spectacle of horseshoe crabs that turn the flats into a living shoreline classroom.
The trip is accessible to most travelers—children five and up are welcome—and the crew stages an authentic working-boat rhythm, explaining lines, sails, and the local shellfish trade as you ride. Practical details are straightforward: arrive 30–45 minutes before departure at the Cape May Ferry Terminal check-in desk, and expect variable boarding conditions due to tides. Bring layers, a jacket for wind, and your own beer, wine, or nonalcoholic beverages if you’d like to pair a drink with the oysters. Restrooms and food options are available inside the terminal before you board.
Why this sail stands out: few coastal towns let you climb aboard a preserved 1928 oyster schooner and taste oysters harvested nearby while sailing the same waters that supported generations of watermen. The A.J. Meerwald is both museum and living vessel—an operating link to Delaware Bay’s aquaculture history—and the crew’s invitation to participate transforms a tasting into a short, kinetic lesson in maritime craft.
Whether you’re a seafood devotee, an amateur naturalist, or a visitor seeking a salt-air slice of local culture, this two-hour excursion is a compact, memorable way to experience Cape May’s marine landscape and the scents, sounds, and small labors that keep it alive. Plan to arrive early at the Cape May Ferry Terminal (1200 Lincoln Blvd, North Cape May) to use shoreside restrooms, grab coffee, and check in at the A.J. Meerwald desk; the crew escorts guests through the dock just before departure. Boarding can be steep at low tide, so wear stable shoes. This short sail efficiently connects you with Cape May’s waterfront history and local seafood culture in under two hours with great photos.
easy.
2 hours.
Suitable for most people who can manage a few steps to board and stand on deck for short periods; children must be accompanied by an adult.
Yes. Guests are welcome to bring beer, wine, or nonalcoholic beverages; note there are restrictions on open containers while boarding.
Each ticket includes approximately one dozen freshly shucked local oysters on the half shell; extra oysters may be available while supplies last.
Check in inside the Cape May Ferry Terminal at the A.J. Meerwald desk; arrive 30–45 minutes before departure to complete check-in and use shoreside facilities.
Boarding can be steep at times due to tides; crew may assist and some accommodations are possible—call 856-265-1991 in advance to discuss needs.
No refunds are available for no-shows; sails run rain or shine unless the Captain cancels for dangerous conditions.
There are restrooms onboard, but they are not ADA accessible; shoreside facilities are available inside the terminal before boarding.
The A.J. Meerwald is a 115-foot oyster schooner built in 1928 and remains a living link to Delaware Bay’s long oyster-harvesting tradition.
The Delaware Bay ecosystem depends on sustainable shellfish practices and responsible tourism; avoid discarding trash or shells overboard and follow crew guidance to minimize disturbance.
Bayshore Center at Bivalve, located in Commercial Township, New Jersey, connects visitors with the Delaware Bay’s maritime history, coastal ecosystems, and hands‑on education programs. The center operates a range of public sails, community fundraisers, evening education events, and youth camps that emphasize conservation and experiential learning. Camp programs — branded as Bayshore Discovery Camp — invite students in grades 4–6 to participate in dockside science, nature walks, habitat restoration, wildlife tracking, model‑building, and conservation projects that reinforce stewardship. Public sails aboard the AJ Meerwald, a 115′ oyster schooner built in 1928, offer two‑hour excursions from ports including Trenton, Cape May, and Philadelphia. Sail passengers may assist the crew or relax while bringing their own food and drinks. The Delaware Bayshore Boat Ride cruises the Maurice River to the Delaware Bay for views of the East Point Lighthouse, with proceeds benefitting the Bayshore Center at Bivalve. Community events include the Spirit of the Sail fundraiser at Mission Spirits and Suds and Science evenings at AJ’s Pub, where education partners present regional conservation work. These programs blend storytelling, maritime tradition, and environmental research to engage local residents and visitors. The center’s mixed offering of educational camps, historic-vessel sails, and community fundraisers supports public awareness of the Bayshore’s natural and cultural resources while providing accessible outdoor experiences for families and learners. Programming often emphasizes hands-on science, citizen science participation, and partnerships with local researchers, creating measurable conservation outcomes and fostering lifelong interest in maritime ecology among young learners and adult volunteers and educators.
Book with Bayshore Center