Harbor Happenings
by Nao Valentino on May 5, 2005 in Culture
During the spring and summer months, Boston’s bustling harbor provides urban dwellers with a myriad of outdoor activity options. For those looking to head out on the water, jump on the Blue line T to the ‘Aquarium’ stop and peruse the alternatives.
Twenty three dollars gets you a ticket aboard the Voyager III Whale Watching Cruiser. The high-speed catamaran tour lasts roughly 3.5 hours, and the boat docks at the New England Aquarium. Sightings are pretty much guaranteed as your destination is Stellwagen Bank, a busy feeding ground for whales and dolphins. The sun and sea spray are relentless up on deck, so be sure to pack sun block and a jacket. Tours run at 10 a.m. on weekdays, and twice a day on the weekends, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended. (617) 973-5281. Children must be at least 30 inches tall. www.neaq.org/visit/wwatch.
Boston Harbor Cruises Co. offers several scenic harbor tours. The most popular, the Sunset Cruise, offers a spectacular harbor view and includes the U.S.S Constitution’s sunset cannon serenade. The tour costs $20, lasts 90 minutes, and departs at 7 p. m from Long Wharf. A more historic tour is the U.S.S Constitution Cruise which tours both the inner harbor and the Charlestown Navy Yard. The tour is narrated, lasts 45 minutes, costs $12, and departs from Long Wharf every hour on the half hour between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. It is best to avoid this tour on Monday’s, as the U.S.S constitution is closed to visitors then. If you are looking for a more general, informative tour of the harbor, you may opt for the narrated Historic Sightseeing Cruise. The tour lasts 90 minutes, costs $18, and departs from Long Wharf daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. www.bostonharborcruises.com
May 14 marks the opening of ‘island season’, when the harbor island parks open to visitors. Ferries ($10) depart from Long Wharf and travel roughly 15-45 minutes out to many of the 34 Boston Harbor Islands. Island to island shuttle service is free. Due to its full-service facilities, picnic grounds, and historic military fort, one of the most popular island destinations is George’s Island. Swimming is best on Grape, Bumpkin, Lovells, and Peddocks Islands. Historic hiking is best on Georges Island, Peddocks Island offers the largest hiking shoreline, and Grape Island is a nature hiker’s favorite. Many islands offer sport fishing, but rental equipment is not available. Islands are usually open from 9 a.m. until sunset, and pets are only allowed on Deer and Nut Islands. www.bostonislands.org.
Always wanted to learn how to sail? Take up some lessons at the Courageous Sailing Center, a non-profit sailing educational center. Located in the Charlestown Navy Yard, Courageous offers group lesson packages that teach you all the basics of sailing in a small class setting. Upon completion of the lessons, you may enjoy a free month membership which entitles you to Wednesday night clinics and Sunday sailing outings. Although a bit pricey at $250, the Courageous package is a good deal compared to private lessons which run about $100/hour. Children from 8-18yrs can enroll in the free summer sailing program. MBTA water shuttle from Long Wharf to Pier #4. http://courageoussailing.org
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