THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Sail Lake Champlain from Burlington aboard the Edgewater, a private motorboat ideal for customized swims, island stops, and mountain-view photo runs. Choose short hops or full-day excursions to explore coves, bird islands, and historic shorelines.
Sail Lake Champlain from Burlington aboard the Edgewater, a private motorboat ideal for customized swims, island stops, and mountain-view photo runs. Choose short hops or full-day excursions to explore coves, bird islands, and historic shorelines.
Book with Whistling Man
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Whistling Man · Burlington, Vermont
On Lake Champlain, just off Burlington, Vermont, the Lake Champlain Adventure Tour puts you aboard the Edgewater, a low-profile private motorboat that opens the lake’s shoreline to your schedule today. Meet at 1 College St. Burlington, VT 05401 | Burlington Community Boathouse, then within minutes you are skimming a glacially carved basin between the Adirondack and Green Mountain ranges horizon. A knowledgeable captain serves as guide, engineer, and storyteller, charting courses to sandy beaches, sheltered coves, bird islands, and scenic anchor points tailored to your group’s pace and interests today. Choose packaged runs or customize: two hours to North Beach and Lone Rock for swimming, three hours past Shelburne Farms, four hours to Willsboro Bay and bird islands by design. The Edgewater is fast, rugged, and low-profile; it handles chop well and provides a stable platform for swimming, snorkeling, photography, and stepping ashore at pebble beaches or quiet sandbars daily. Natural highlights include glacially sculpted shores, limestone and schist ledges, migratory bird islands, and sandbars formed where lake currents slow; the backdrop alternates between Adirondack ridgelines and Green Mountain forests. Expect wildlife sightings: common loons calling at dawn, great blue herons along shallow edges, and bald eagles riding thermals, plus seasonal waterfowl on migration through Willsboro Bay and nearby preserves. Bring finger-friendly food and drinks—cooler and ice are supplied—but leave glass and excessive waste ashore; the captain briefs guests on respectful behavior at cultural sites and fragile beaches every trip. Families with small children and older adults find this tour accessible; life jackets are provided, and shallow anchor spots make swimming easy while the captain manages approach, anchoring, and safety. Timing matters: mornings often feature glassy water and quiet bird activity, afternoons can bring onshore breezes, and late-day light yields dramatic mountain silhouettes against the lake for photography and sunset. Book through the provided referral link for availability and rates; sample options range from $300 two-hour runs to $800 full-day outings, and groups are limited to four guests per trip. This private charter delivers a local navigator, a flexible itinerary, and access to secluded coves and island shorelines that larger boats rarely reach, making it ideal for small groups today. Respect for local ecology is emphasized: avoid trampling shoreline vegetation, pack out all trash, and follow captain guidance near bird islands and cultural sites to minimize disturbance and preserve habitat. Photography enthusiasts should bring a polarizing filter, a fast telephoto for birds, and a waterproof bag; shoreline foregrounds with anchored boats and mountain ridgelines make compelling frames at golden hour. Whether you want a relaxed swim stop, birds-eye insights from a local captain, or a full-day run to distant sandbars, this private charter presents Lake Champlain on your terms today.
easy.
2–6 hours.
Light-moderate mobility recommended; no rigorous hiking required but you should be steady boarding a boat and able to swim if you plan to enter the water.
Meeting point is 1 College St. Burlington, VT 05401 | Burlington Community Boathouse; arrive a few minutes early for a quick safety briefing.
Yes—bring your own food and non-glass drinks; the crew provides a cooler with ice but no plates, cutlery, or beverages are supplied.
Charters accommodate up to four guests, keeping trips private and flexible for personalized itineraries.
Short trips don’t include onboard restrooms; for longer outings the captain can plan stops at dockside establishments when possible.
The captain monitors conditions and will reschedule or alter plans for safety if winds or storms make running unsafe.
Anchoring is subject to local rules and the captain’s discretion; common swim stops include Lone Rock, sandy beaches, and sheltered coves.
Lake Champlain’s islands and shorelines hold Abenaki cultural significance and later European estate histories such as Shelburne Farms, visible from the water.
Guests are asked to pack out all trash, avoid disturbing nesting birds, and follow captain guidance to protect fragile shoreline habitats.
Whistling Man is a Burlington, Vermont based sailing operator offering guided and private cruises on Lake Champlain. The company runs historic Friendship Sloops, the classic Goldenrod sloop, the sleek Edgewater, and a picnic boat named Buttercup. Experiences include private sunset sailing cruises, private and public daytime sailing cruises, private and public picnic boat cruises, a learn-to-sail program with a licensed captain, fireworks cruises, and customizable Lake Champlain adventure tours. Each trip emphasizes scenic mountain views, island exploration, and local maritime history. Private sunset sailing cruises provide relaxed evening voyages aboard a Friendship Sloop. The learn-to-sail experience focuses on hands-on instruction in knots, navigation, docking, and safety to prepare participants to rent and handle classic sloops. Fireworks cruises offer seasonal celebrations with waterfront views of Burlington Harbor. Adventure tours on the Edgewater allow for swimming, island stops, and flexible itineraries while the Buttercup picnic boat is designed for BYO food and relaxed social outings. Whistling Man bases operations in Burlington and sails on Lake Champlain, drawing on local knowledge of islands, shipwreck sites, and scenic landmarks. Licensed captains lead trips and provide narration, navigation, and safety oversight. The combination of historic vessels, varied trip formats, and licensed instruction supports guest confidence and enjoyment. Advance booking is available for private and specialty cruises. Visitors should consult trip descriptions for specifics on capacity, duration, and seasonal availability. Standard safety equipment is carried on each vessel, and captains review safety procedures before departure; guests should confirm schedules, capacity, and booking details in advance online.
Book with Whistling Man