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Public Sail Adventure in Cape May, New Jersey - Philadelphia

Public Sail Adventure in Cape May, New Jersey

Lower Townshipeasy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

2–3 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for all fitness levels; minimal physical exertion is required as the crew manages sailing tasks.

Overview

Set sail along the beautiful Delaware Bay with Bayshore Center’s Public Sail in Cape May. Enjoy stunning coastal views, learn about sailing, and spot local wildlife on this easy and relaxing adventure.

Commercial Township, New Jersey

Public Sail - Cape May

2 Hours in length • All ages! • Great for families!

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About This Adventure

Embark on a memorable 2-hour cruise aboard the historic AJ Meerwald, a 1928 oyster schooner. Experience the thrill of sailing as you help the crew, breathe in fresh air, and enjoy stunning views of Delaware Bay. Bring your own food and drinks for a delightful day on the water!

Enjoy a scenic cruise aboard NJ's Official Tall Ship! To see other sail options, click on the tiny blue house in the upper left of this screen.


All tickets $50

Duration

2 Hours

About Your Sail:

Set sail aboard the AJ Meerwald, one of the hundreds of oyster schooners that graced the Delaware Bay in the 1920s!

Enjoy the excitement and wonder of sailing aboard our 115’ 1928 oyster schooner. You’ll experience sailing as done for hundreds of years on our 1928 oyster schooner. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even join our crew in hauling lines and setting sails! Enjoy the great outdoors as you breathe in the fresh air and marvel at the scenery that surrounds you and the quiet of skimming through the water under sail power.

Purchase of a ticket to sail comes with a social membership to the Bayshore Center. To receive your membership card, show your ticket receipt in our gift shop, the Meerwald Mercantile in our Home Port of Port Norris, NJ. This membership allows access to AJ's Pub and the Delaware Bay Museum and is good for 1 year.

A ticket is required for all passengers. Children 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. You may bring your own food and drink on board. Beer & wine is permitted on board but not on the docks.

Enjoy the beautiful Delaware Bay.

Arrival: Please plan to arrive 30-45 minutes prior to your sail departure time. All A.J. Meerwald passengers will depart the terminal building with our crew 15 minutes prior to departure. If you have an issue please call the Boat 856-265-1991. Crew will walk our passengers through the restricted access area we are docked in and board for a timely departure. As you can imagine, with ferries arriving and departing the canal, timeliness is essential.

Per Terminal Security- The walk from the Ferry Terminal to the docks must be done accompanied by a crew member as a group.

Parking: Please stay in the right lane when entering the terminal. Follow the walk-on passenger and terminal parking signs. Park in the parking lot by the terminal and enter the main doors. The A.J. Meerwald check-in desk is located to your left as you enter the building. Check in with our crew here.

Accessibility: Currently sails have limited accessibility from Cape May. Passengers should be able to take six steps down from the bulkhead and walk and an inclined ramp, then take three steps up to board the boat.

There is approximately a 5 minute walk from the ferry terminal to the boat, after which our boarding area has several stairs & two steep gangways on floating docks.

Wheelchair or walker access is not available. Guests with mobility issues may find this location quite difficult to sail from, call the boat phone for further information. Please call the boat phone (856-265-1991) for more information.

Restrooms: There are restrooms and a cafe in the terminal as well as a restaurant. Please use the restrooms in the terminal prior to departure. The head onboard is for emergencies only.

Snacks & Beverages: Passengers are invited to bring their own personal food, snacks and beverages (including beer and wine) on board for the sail. (No open containers while boarding)

GPS Address: Cape May Ferry Terminal, North 1200 Lincoln Blvd, North Cape May, NJ 08204

Important Information:

  • Sail times are approximately 2 hours in length depending on conditions.
  • It may be cooler on the water than the land, so we suggest you dress in layers. Feel free to bring sun screen, bug repellent, and beverages. The boat is “carry on, carry off” meaning whatever you bring aboard the ship should be brought off with you.
  • While there is a small crew bathroom (“head”) on board the ship it is not easily accessible. It is only accessible by descending a ladder. We highly recommended that you use the shoreside facilities prior to coming aboard the ship.
  • Boarding the boat requires ascending 2-4 steps. Restrooms on board are not handicap accessible, but onshore facilities are.
  • We do sail rain or shine, but if the Captain decides the conditions are dangerous, they will cancel the sail. Should this occur, we will contact you via the email you used to book your sail. If we cancel the sail we will refund your payment. There are no refunds available if you do not show up for your scheduled sail.

Adventure Tips

Dress in Layers

Even summer days can get breezy out on the water, so bring layers to stay comfortable.

Wear Non-Slip Shoes

Decks can be slippery; shoes with good grip help keep you steady on board.

Bring Sunscreen

Protect your skin from reflection and direct sun exposure during the sail.

Arrive Early for Check-in

Give yourself extra time for check-in and safety briefing before departure.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Osprey
  • Great Blue Heron

History

Cape May’s maritime history dates back to the 18th century, playing a key role in regional trade and coastal defense.

Conservation

Bayshore Center actively promotes sustainable boating practices and educates visitors on protecting Delaware Bay’s marine habitats.

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Adventure Hotspots in Philadelphia

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Windbreaker or Light Jacket

Essential

Protects against the cool, variable spring breezes on the water.

spring specific

Sunscreen

Essential

Necessary to prevent sunburn from direct and reflected sunlight while sailing.

summer specific

Warm Hat and Gloves

Helps keep you warm during cooler autumn evening sails.

fall specific

Sturdy Non-Slip Shoes

Essential

Ensures safe footing on wet and slippery boat decks.