Manhattan by Sail is returning for the summer! Check here for updated safety info.
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN AN INTIMATE,
ACTIVE YACHTING EXPERIENCE.
BE PART OF SOMETHING EPIC. THE MIGHTY
CLIPPER CITY TALL SHIP AWAITS.
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Features a tasting of both NY State Hard Ciders and NY Fall Seasonal Craft Beers. We’ll also have some fall appropriate bratwurst and cider donuts to go along with the delicious drinks!
Step aboard the Clipper City for an open bar wine and jazz concert cruise around NYC. Sail smoothly out into the harbor, all with the backdrop of the NYC skyline.
Watch night fall on the city as the sun sets behind the Statue of Liberty from the unbeatable vantage point of the harbor. The perfect way to kick-start your evening.
At Manhattan by Sail, we’re your venue… and so much more… we are sailors… who are fortunate enough to sail the prevailing winds of the world’s most iconic harbor. We’ve been taking people sailing in New York Harbor since 1972, when a salty welder named Nick van Nes sailed his 70-ft. yawl, Petrel, to The Battery. He built a dock, put up a sign… and slowly, the first sailboat in New York started to draw attention from locals.
Today, aboard the Shearwater and Clipper City, we share the joy of sailing the most beautiful harbor in the world with visitors and New Yorkers alike. As a venue like no other, we’ve developed into a world-class venue… you will enjoy the sweetness of live jazz, the blues, ballads & burlesque, country music and rock, delicious food and drink, too. But some things have remained the same since the beginning: our passion, commitment, and our caring, enthusiastic crew who sail each day with their whole hearts. At Manhattan By Sail, we welcome you aboard to share in our joyful culture and to join us in falling in love with NYC, over and over again.
Looking back, there have been challenges: through the early days of a new business, through 9/11, through restorations, growth and setbacks we worked to preserve the traditional art of sailing and everything that it encompasses: sewing sails, welding, woodworking, navigation, and preserving old boats steeped in history. We have created our own marvelous ecosystem and trained hundreds in the traditional craft of sailing. We know that with grit, teamwork, determination and resilience anything is possible.
It’s why we’re here today and why we’ve been able to provide such positive experiences to so many (see our reviews on Yelp and TripAdvisor).
We have prevailed. We are proud to be here today. And we are honored to have introduced hundreds of thousands to the sublime pleasures of sailing NYC’s waterways.
Thank you for letting us be part of your New York experience; your patronage supports a legacy.
Whether you’re a visitor, or a lifelong New Yorker, we invite you to see Manhattan through new eyes and feel reinvigorated.
Be part of this.
This is an experience I highly recommend and I'll definitely do again with friends. I booked this for a corporate group outing. It was a great summer Friday excursion with the best view of the city and statue of liberty you won't get on land. Drinks, lite bites, and the Hudson. If you're visiting NYC - Add this to your Things to Do list. If you live in the city, do yourself a favor and experience it in a new way. You'll leave feeling happy to live in such a majestic city.
– Kenisha | TripAdvisorAbsolutely brilliant. Booked the shearwater lady liberty cruise through my New York Explorer pass so wasn't sure what to expect. When we got there was greeted by informative staff and the boat is truly beautiful a restored 1920s schooner. When on board the staff are lovely, gave us blankets and ponchos as it was slightly chilly and the odd spot of rain. Pointed things of interest out to us while on board and kept the great selection of drinks flowing. Brilliant, would recommend.
– Vicky H. | FacebookIf you’re going to do a boat trip to see the Statue of Liberty why wouldn’t you choose a historic sailing vessel rather than one of the uninspiring motor boats? Being on a sailing ship with the sails up really adds to the experience. The crew are friendly and engaging and will encourage you to get involved in raising the sails, if you want to.
– Adam S. | TripAdvisorWhat a perfect way to enjoy the Upper New York Bay. Great company and both my girlfriend and myself were amazed that all the other boats were so over crowded and ours was perfect. Best way to see the bay and Statue of Liberty. No horrid motor sounds nice music played and drinks on hand friendly staff. Trust us go with this company and you won’t regret it. All the other boats had a frantic experience but ours was heavenly.
– Peter F. | GoogleBoth the ship and the crew were awesome! We especially liked the freedom to move around the entire ship from start to finish. Also not having it narrated turned out to be a plus - it was much nicer to just have informal talks with any of the crew members - they were all very nice and very knowledgeable. They engage volunteers to help and my son really had a great time helping to hoist the sail!
– Mary Ellen L. | TripAdvisorThis boat was recommended by some friends & they were spot-on. Loved every aspect of the cruise & enjoyed having a chat with one of the crew members. Had a few cold beers on board too. By far the best value of anything we did in New York, which we found a very expensive city.
– Nev C. | TripAdvisorDespite being in the nearby area for the past three years this was my first time doing a sail around NYC. I bought tickets on a whim to surprise my boyfriend on a romantic excursion and it was honestly so much fun. The day was really cloudy and cold, but they provide blankets, which is convenient for those who didn’t come prepared. We purchased tickets for the cider tasting/sail, the drinks were good and we were also provided food. The staff were friendly and accommodating and we got really amazing views of the city, I was very happy with our experience.
– Marilyn M. | GoogleThis has to be the best way to have an enjoyable sail past Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. You can take the incredibly cost-effective Staten Island ferry which zooms past or the organized and rammed tourist boats from Battery Park, which aren’t much slower. Only the clipper yacht passes closely in a duration which gives everyone plenty of time to stare in amazement and get all the photos you need. Our next visit will be with these guys on another one of their sailing tours. A must-do.
– Phil D. | TripAdvisorExcellent, relaxing cruise around the harbor including a great view of the Statue of Liberty! The weather was perfect and it was a fantastic way to end a hectic day of traveling. My daughter and I enjoyed wine as we sat on the deck and let the gentle breeze overtake us!
– Wendy R. | TripAdvisorWe've been on the Shearwater Brunch Cruise 3 times, & once on the Clipper City Beer/Lobster Roll Cruise. Excellent quality food & beverages, friendly & professional staff. I prefer sailing on the Shearwater since it's smaller & I like the more "intimate" experience. Can't say enough good things about Manhattan by Sail & I can't wait to go on another sail!
– Frances A. | FacebookThe Clipper City schooner cruise should be on every NYC visitor's list! We four travelers took a leisurely, exciting, and informative sail around the Statue of Liberty and can't wait to do it again. The captain and crew were personable, professional, and took excellent care of their passengers. It's also really easy to find. What a great experience and it was my 16 year old grandson's very favorite activity during our July trip! It's tops in customer service, communication, and it's TOPS on my to-do list for our next NYC trip!
– boncmoo | TripAdvisorA friend of ours suggested we try this and it did not disappoint! We had taken a ferry trip last time we were in New York and I have to say the sail boat is definitely the way to go! The staff were all so friendly and work SO hard. Views of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan were incredible! A really super experience!
– MissLouisa | TripAdvisor
SHEARWATER CLASSIC SCHOONER
CLIPPER CITY TALL SHIP
