Add Us As A Trusted Google Source The A.J. Meerwald is visiting Cape May for three months and offering a rare chance to step aboard a genuine piece of New Jersey maritime history and experience the Delaware Bay the way generations of oystermen once did. From June 26 through September 27, 2026, this nearly hundred-year-old oyster schooner welcomes the public aboard for sails departing from the Cape May–Lewes Ferry Terminal. Whether you’re a history buff, a sailing enthusiast, or simply looking for a memorable way to spend an afternoon during your Cape May trip, a sail on the Meerwald is an experience unlike anything else on the Jersey Shore. Add a reservation at the Wilbraham Mansion to add an historic stay to your trip.
Key Takeaways:
- The A.J. Meerwald is New Jersey’s official tall ship, homeported in Bivalve, and has been sailing since 1928.
- The ship is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has served as an oyster dredger, a Coast Guard fireboat, and a clam dredge boat over her long career.
- Public sails run June 26 through September 27, 2026, departing from the Cape May–Lewes Ferry Terminal.
- Sail options range from a 2-hour afternoon sail to a 4-hour extended day sail, plus a family-friendly morning sail and a Local Oyster Sail featuring fresh oysters on the half shell.
- Guests can participate in hands-on activities like trawling and sail hoisting, or simply relax and take in the scenery.
- Guests should dress in layers, wear non-slip shoes, and arrive 30 minutes early, as the ship cannot wait for late arrivals.
- The vessel is not fully handicap accessible, though special arrangements can be made with advance notice.
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The History of the Ship
The A.J. Meerwald was launched in 1928, making her nearly a century old, and she carries the story of an entire era of New Jersey’s maritime economy with her. She was built as a working oyster dredging schooner, one of hundreds of similar vessels once built in New Jersey to harvest the abundant oyster beds of the Delaware Bay. At the industry’s peak, as many as 500 schooners could be seen working the bay at once. That fleet shrank dramatically during the Great Depression, and today only a small handful of these vessels remain.
The Meerwald’s own history reflects the versatility demanded of working ships. In 1942, she was outfitted as a U.S. Coast Guard fireboat during World War II. Later, in the 1960s and 1970s, she was put to work as a clam dredge boat. Her name even changed for a time in 1947, when she became known as the Clyde A. Phillips, before being rechristened under her original name in 1995. That same year marked a turning point in her story: she was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and began a new life as an educational and charter vessel. In 1998 Governor Christine Whitman designated her the official tall ship of the State of New Jersey.
The Meerwald’s Specifications
The Meerwald is a two-masted gaff schooner built with an oak hull, measuring 85 feet on deck and 115 feet overall, with a 22-foot beam and a draft of just 6 feet, allowing her to navigate the shallower waters of the bay. She stands 70 feet tall and carries 3,562 square feet of sail across her mainsail, foresail, and oversize jib. At 57 gross registered tons, she’s propelled primarily by sail, with an auxiliary engine for when the wind isn’t cooperating. She’s licensed to carry 49 passengers, making every public sail an intimate experience rather than a crowded tourist outing.
Types of Public Sails Available
There’s a sail option for nearly every kind of traveler.
- The 2-hour afternoon sail combines relaxed cruising with hands-on opportunities like trawling and sail hoisting, along with a crew-led oral history covering the Meerwald’s story and the region’s oystering traditions.
- Families with children will want to consider the 2-hour-15-minute morning family sail, which is built around interactive learning: guests help deploy a trawling net, examine the catch alongside the crew, and can even lend a hand hoisting sails.
- For something more indulgent, the 2-hour Local Oyster Sail pairs a scenic coastal cruise with a dozen freshly shucked local oysters on the half shell (guests are welcome to bring their own beer or wine).
- For those wanting the full experience, the 4-hour extended day sail digs into the finer points of traditional schooner sailing, sail trim, rigging, and navigation, with plenty of time to enjoy a packed lunch and simply soak in the Delaware Bay scenery.
Tips for a Public Sail
A little preparation goes a long way toward making your sail enjoyable.
- Dress in layers, since it’s often cooler on the water than on land, and wear comfortable, non-slip shoes. Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat are all recommended. The ship sail rain or shine, so dress for the forecast.
- It’s worth bringing a camera or binoculars for the wildlife and scenery.
- Guests are welcome to bring their own food and drinks, including beer and wine.
- Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure, as the ship cannot wait for late arrivals.
- There’s no reserved seating, and passengers may occasionally be asked to move as the crew adjusts the sails.
- Keep in mind that boarding requires climbing 2 to 4 steps, and the vessel isn’t fully handicap accessible; those needing accommodations should contact the office at least 48 hours in advance to arrange for a wheelchair lift aboard.
- There is a small onboard restroom for emergencies only, so it’s best to use the facilities at the ferry terminal before boarding.
Why It Belongs on Your Cape May Itinerary
Cape May is full of ways to enjoy the water, but few offer the sense of living history that comes with sailing aboard the A.J. Meerwald. This isn’t a replica or a themed attraction; it’s an actual working schooner that has hauled oysters, fought fires, and dredged clams over nearly a century on the Delaware Bay. Adding a sail to your vacation gives you a hands-on connection to New Jersey’s maritime past while also delivering exactly what you want from a coastal getaway: fresh air, open water, and beautiful views. Whether you spend the afternoon helping hoist the sails or simply relaxing on deck with a dozen oysters, a few hours aboard the Meerwald is a uniquely memorable way to experience Cape May.
