FAMILY BASH – SAILING BLAST
Back by popular demand, our one-time Family Bash Sailing Blast is now a monthly staple in our fun sailing opportunities!
“For me, sailing is the ultimate family experience,” says Rose Ann Points, owner and captain at St. Augustine Sailing. “I raised my children on boats, my husband and I met and bonded on boats – you could say that sailing is definitely a family affair for us! We wanted to offer families an opportunity to enjoy sailing like we do.”
The Family Bash Sailing Blast is offered every first Sunday, with departures available throughout the day. The first available departure is at 9am with the final at 4:30pm. Each excursion is an hour long and affordably priced at $50 per person. Boats can accommodate a minimum of 4 passengers and a maximum of 6, not including the captain and crew.
“The best part of this excursion is getting the kids involved,” says Points. “Our captains love to give them fun, age-appropriate tasks. For the older kids, this may involve raising the sails. Younger kids can help keep watch for dolphins and turtles. Children of all ages can help steer the ship – that has to be what the kids love the most! Seeing their faces light up when they take the helm, it’s so cute. You can see the confidence enter their eyes.”
Each sailing excursion occurs on one of St. Augustine Sailing’s meticulously cared-for luxury yachts. Our vessels are captained by United States Coast Guard licensed captains. This means our skippers have completed years of training on board ships and will provide your family with a safe and expert experience. They’ll start each sail with a safety brief, including the location of life jackets. We offer specially-sized children’s life jackets in our ship’s office and can help fit your child. Parents can bring their own life jackets, but the must be United States Coast Guard approved.
Sails depart from Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor Marina, just north of historic downtown St. Augustine, and travel the picturesque waters of the Tolomato River. Part of the 3,000-mile Intracoastal Waterway, the Tolomato River is a sheltered sailing area, providing a nice breeze for sailing and plenty of space to maneuver, but a smoother ride, perfect for little ones. There are still ample opportunities to view wildlife – dolphins, sea turtles, manatees, rays and birds of all kinds frequent the waterway. You may even learn some fun facts about them!
“The Family Blast Sailing Bash is a great way to bond with your family, but it’s also perfect for testing out your family’s interest in sailing,” reveals Points. “Grab the kids and bring them out, see how they respond to the waves, the wind, the movements of the boat and let them explore down below. You may find that they really enjoy being on boats! If you want to learn more, we can talk you through our educational programs, where our captains can actually teach you how to sail your own boat and even help you find a boat of your own. Our hope is that your family comes to love sailing as much as ours.”
Snacks and drinks are available for purchase in our ship’s office to enjoy on board. We even have beer and wine available for the adults. To help preserve our ship’s beautiful decks, please be sure to wear shoes with non-marking soles. To learn more about our Family Bash Sailing Blast or to book your excursion, visit here.
