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Get out on the water

Navigate the waterfront on a captained river cruise aboard the National Historic Landmark vessel Sabino, set sail on the Crosby catboat Breck Marshall, take the helm yourself in a rowboat, sailboat, or pedal boat from the Boathouse, or charter one of the many Museum vessels for a private excursion. 

All cruises and charters are weather dependent.

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON; REOPENING SPRING 2025

THE BOATHOUSE

Be your own captain. Get out on the water aboard our traditional small craft. Choose from a rowboat, sailboat, or pedal boat and spend half an hour exploring the Mystic River at your own pace. With a variety of boats available ranging in size, there’s something for everyone. Please note, sailing experience is required for sailboats. Dogs are welcome to join you on your adventure! 

Our boathouse staff will provide life jackets—just step aboard and enjoy the ride! 

2025 Boathouse Operations

  • May 24–June 15 Weekends and holiday Mondays
  • June 21–September 1 Daily
  • September 6–October 13 Weekends and holiday Mondays 

11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Free with Museum admission.

DAILY PUBLIC CRUISES

Relax and enjoy the ride! Our daily captained cruises explore the Mystic waterfront while the captain offers commentary about the Museum and the surrounding area. Choose from a 30-minute tour or one of our downriver cruises.

Enjoy a peaceful ride aboard the National Historic Landmark vessel Sabino, built in 1908, and see the sites along the Mystic River. This unique 30-minute narrated tour travels along the waterfront of Mystic Seaport Museum.

Tickets are sold at the Waterfront Tours Ticket Booth near the South Entrance. Museum admission or membership is required. 

Sabino has a handicap accessible boarding ramp, but due to the historic nature of the vessel not all areas are handicap accessible. There are two bathrooms on board (not handicap accessible). Smoking is prohibited. 

2025 Operations

  • May 23–October 13
  • 30-minute tours
  • Daily at 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 1:30, 2:00, and 4:30 
  • Tickets $8

Looking for a longer cruise? See Downriver Cruises on Sabino below. 

Vessel is also available for private charter.

Enjoy a peaceful ride and see the sites along the Mystic River. Our downriver trips include light narration about the area and local environment, traveling south through the drawbridge and railroad bridge to turn around by the village of Noank. All cruises are round trip, leaving from and returning to Mystic Seaport Museum.  

Tickets are sold up to one month in advance online or in person at the Museum. Please check in with your mobile ticket at the Museum‘s South Entrance 15 minutes before your trip time.   

Passengers may bring food and beverage aboard Sabino. On the 5:30 p.m. Sunday–Thursday evening trips, June–September, place an order from a limited menu for pickup through Haring’s in Noank. The menu will be provided onboard Sabino. 

The 5:30 p.m. cruise requires a minimum of 6 passengers to run. If a cruise is unable to run, passengers will be notified as soon as a decision has been made, and you may choose to reschedule or receive a full refund. Refunds will be processed ASAP, but no later than 2 days after your initially scheduled cruise. 

2025 Operations

  • May 23–October 13

90-minute Cruise

  • Daily 2:30–4:00 p.m.
  • Members $29
  • Non-members $36

 2-hour Cruise

  • Daily 5:30–7:30 p.m.
  • Members: Adults $40; Youth $24
  • Non-members: Adults $50; Youth $30

Vessel is also available for private charter.

Mystic Seaport Express departs from downtown Mystic, behind S&P Oyster Restaurant. Enjoy a 30-minute narrated tour of the Mystic River before stopping at the Museum where you may get out and explore. Return to downtown via Mystic Seaport Express from the same dock at any of the scheduled departure times. 

2025 Operations

  • May 3–18 weekends only
  • May 23–September 1 daily
  • September 6–October 13 weekends only

Departing Downtown: 9:30, 10:15, 11:00, 11:45, 1:00, 1:45, 2:30, 3:15, and 4:00 

Return departures from Mystic Seaport Museum: 10:00, 10:45, 11:30, 1:30, 2:15, 3:00, 3:45, 4:30, and 5:00 

  • Members $5
  • Non-members Adults $38 | Seniors $35 | Youth (4–17) $26 | Children 3 and under, Free
  • All tickets are for trips departing downtown.
  • Ticket purchases are available dockside downtown 

Vessel is also available for private charter.

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