THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Step aboard the historic A.J. Meerwald for a four-hour coastal sail out of North Cape May. Learn sail handling, watch dolphins and migrating shorebirds, and experience one of the last working oyster schooners in the Delaware Bay.
Step aboard the historic A.J. Meerwald for a four-hour coastal sail out of North Cape May. Learn sail handling, watch dolphins and migrating shorebirds, and experience one of the last working oyster schooners in the Delaware Bay.
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Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Bayshore Center · Lower Township, New Jersey
On board the A.J. Meerwald, a 115-foot oyster schooner built in 1928, the Delaware Bay becomes a classroom and a theater: rigged lines creak under steady wind, terns wheel above marsh channels, and the horizon opens to Cape May Point. This Extended Day Sail — Cape May launches from 1200 Lincoln Blvd, North Cape May, NJ 08204, USA, and runs four hours of hands-on seamanship, coastal ecology, and slow coastal travel that brings you into the rhythms of an older maritime era.
The trip gives passengers time to learn sail trim, rigging and navigation from a seasoned captain and crew, or to simply settle on deck and watch dolphins, shorebirds and the changing shoreline. The schooner’s wooden decks and traditional gaff rig make the experience unlike modern yachts: you feel the sweep of canvas and the mechanical poetry of blocks and lines. The estuary and barrier-beach landscape around Cape May features wide marsh flats, oyster bars and sand-spit geometry shaped by tidal flow—the same waters that supported the regional oyster industry when the Meerwald was built.
Expect practical lessons in knots and helm work if you opt in; otherwise there are long sightlines for photographers and casual naturalists. Bring a bag lunch and layers; the trip runs rain or shine and costs $100 per person. The captain will cancel only if conditions are unsafe; there are no refunds for no-shows. Note boarding at the dock can be steep at times depending on tides; guests with mobility concerns should call 856-265-1991 to discuss accommodations. Children under five are not recommended; ages five to seventeen must be accompanied by an adult. No pets, strollers or smoking allowed.
Why this trip matters: the A.J. Meerwald is one of the last working oyster schooners from the 1920s still offering public sails, connecting visitors directly to Cape May’s maritime history and the living estuary. The crew’s mix of instruction and relaxed passage makes the outing an ideal choice for families who want active learning, photographers chasing low-angle light across water, and travelers seeking wildlife viewing without sacrificing comfort.
Practical tips: bring binoculars for dolphins and migrating shorebirds, a waterproof jacket against spray and wind, non-marking deck shoes, and sun protection. This is a unique way to spend four hours in the Cape May area—anchored in history, tuned to the tide, and centered on the landscape that defined a coastal community.
Sails are suitable year-round for curious visitors; fall offers migration spectacles while summer brings warmer waters and frequent dolphin sightings. Reservations are recommended—spaces fill on weekend sails—and the crew welcomes repeat riders who want longer time under sail. Call ahead for mobility accommodations or to confirm weather-based cancellations. Bring cash for souvenirs at the kiosk.
moderate.
4 hours.
Light to moderate—able to move on deck, climb a short gangway, and stand for periods; not suitable for infants.
Boarding departs from the dock at 1200 Lincoln Blvd, North Cape May, NJ 08204, USA; follow check-in instructions on your booking confirmation.
This Extended Day Sail runs approximately four hours.
Not recommended for children under five; children ages five to seventeen must be accompanied by an adult.
There are no refunds for no-shows. The sail runs rain or shine; the Captain will cancel only if conditions are unsafe.
Yes—the captain and crew provide instruction in sail trim, rigging and basic navigation for passengers who wish to participate.
Boarding can be steep depending on tides. Guests with mobility concerns should call 856-265-1991 to discuss accommodations before booking.
Built in 1928, the A.J. Meerwald served the oyster industry and is now preserved as one of the region’s last oyster schooners available for public sails.
The crew enforces a no-smoking policy and limits docking impacts; visitors are encouraged to pack out trash and respect wildlife to protect the estuary.
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