THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Step aboard the A.J. Meerwald at Gardner’s Basin for a two‑hour, hands‑on schooner sail that pairs maritime history with skyline and back‑bay views. Help hoist sails, watch shorebirds in the tidal flats, or simply soak in the fresh sea air.
Step aboard the A.J. Meerwald at Gardner’s Basin for a two‑hour, hands‑on schooner sail that pairs maritime history with skyline and back‑bay views. Help hoist sails, watch shorebirds in the tidal flats, or simply soak in the fresh sea air.
Book with Bayshore Center
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Bayshore Center · Atlantic City, New Jersey
easy.
2 hours.
Light physical activity: able to climb a few steps and stand or sit on a moving vessel for two hours.
The outing is approximately two hours.
Check in at Historic Gardner's Basin, 800 N. New Hampshire Ave., Atlantic City; arrive 30–45 minutes early.
Yes: children ages 5 and up are permitted but must be accompanied by an adult.
Passengers may bring their own food and non‑glass beverages; beer and wine are allowed onboard.
Boarding can involve steep gangway angles at certain tides; contact 856‑265‑1991 ahead of time to discuss specific accessibility needs.
Sails operate rain or shine; the Captain will cancel only if conditions are unsafe, and refunds/cancellations follow the operator's policy.
The A.J. Meerwald was built in 1928 as an oyster schooner and is recognized as New Jersey's Official Tall Ship, preserving regional fishing and boatbuilding heritage.
The operation emphasizes low‑impact cruising and supports maritime preservation; visitors are asked to minimize marine debris and respect wildlife in the back bays.
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