Sail Newport
Tour the harbor, buy your dream boat or learn to sail in the "City by the Sea"
You absolutely must sail Newport harbor and Narragansett Bay at least once while you're here. You'll enjoy seeing a multitude of amazing boats and breathtaking sites, including the Newport Bridge, Hammersmith Farm (JFK's summer home) Castle Hill lighthouse and "The House on the Rock".
The America's Cup Race is Returning to Newport!
And so are the Tall Ships!
After all, Newport Rhode Island is known as the "Sailing Capital of the World". It was home to the America's Cup for half a century.
Along with attractions like the Newport mansions, the Cliff Walk and the Ocean Drive, taking a tour of Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay is another must while you're here.
Some of the most popular options:
Amazing Grace
Oldport Marine (America's Cup Avenue) See the young lady at the booth on America's Cup Ave for tickets Then get on board and enjoy the scenic ride This boat will take you on an enjoyable journey around historic Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay.
New York Yacht Club - Home of America's Cup for decades Fort Adams and the Museum of Yachting JFK's former summer home - Hammersmith Farm Cruises depart every hour and a half starting at noon from mid June to Labor Day. During the Spring and Fall seasons they offer weekday cruises at 1:30, and on weekends at noon, 1:30 and 3:00.
Newport Cruise Company
2 Bowens Ferry Landing The Majestic is one of Newport's finest luxury charter yachts. The tour lasts an hour, and you can enjoy the full service beverage and snack bar, and 3 outdoor and 2 indoor (climate controlled) decks.
Classic Cruises of Newport
Bannister's Wharf The Arabella offers 5 day trips to Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard during the Spring, Summer and Fall, and to the Caribbean in the winter.
Rum Runner II Tours last about 75 minutes, and the tickets range from $18-25 per person depending on the cruise.
International Yacht Restoration School - Lower Thames Street If you're into sailing or yachting, Newport Rhode Island is one of the best locations in the world to spend some time.
Sail Newport
60 Fort Adams Drive Just some of what Sail Newport offers:
Museum of Yachting
Fort Adams The Museum of Yachting is located at the northeastern end of Fort Adams. It is a wonderful museum containing vessels, artifacts and literature on the rich history of yachting.
International Yacht Restoration School
449 Thames St
Tours/Charters
Schools/Museum
Marinas
Boat Shows/Events
Sites to See
Map
Question: How can you possibly go home without experiencing this integral part of the "City by the Sea"?
Answer: You can't! So check out the information below and decide which way is best for you to enjoy the Newport sailing experience.
Tours/Charters
401-847-9109
You'll be up close and personal with the Newport Bridge, America's Cup yachts, Fort Adams, lighthouses and amazing oceanfront homes.
The Amazing Grace offers indoor and outdoor seating and a full service bar. The cruise lasts an hour, and you can even schedule a private charter if you wish.
Adults: $15
Children: $8 (4-11)
Seniors: $12
401-849-3575
The Newport Cruise Company operates the Bay Queen, the Harbor Queen and the Majestic. One of these 3 vessels is sure to meet your needs, whether you want to tour the harbor, have a private romantic dinner cruise or hold a corporate event or wedding aboard.
Harbor Tour Schedule
May 1st -June 12th Daily: 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm, 3:30pm
June 13th-September 7th Daily: 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm, 3:30pm, 5pm
After Labor Day Weekdays: 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm, 3:30pm
After Labor Day Weekends: 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm, 3:30pm, 5pm
Adults: $15
Seniors: $14
Children: $9 (4-12)
You can also take lunch or dinner cruises on the Majestic. Why not sail Newport in style as you enjoy a beautiful sunset and a night of fine dining?
You might want to book a reservation in advance, because many dates are already sold out.
401-847-0298
Classic Cruises of Newport operates 3 amazing vessels:
Contact the Arabella at 800-395-1343 to inquire about rates and schedules.
The Rum Runner II was originally built in 1929 for 2 New Jersey mobsters. A ride on this speed boat will allow you to experience what it must have been like to evade the Coast Guard during Prohibition.
The Madeleine, with a capacity of 49 passengers, is the perfect vessel for sailboat tours and private events.
Its cruises last about 90 minutes and the tickets range from $27-35 per person for daytime and sunset cruises. Another great way to sail Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay.
Schools/Museum
You can learn to sail at Sail Newport, learn about yachting's history at the Museum of Yachting, or be trained in the art of yacht restoration at the International Yacht Restoration School.
401-846-1983
You're never too young or too old to learn how to sail! Newport's public sailing center, Sail Newport, is the place to learn whether you're 6 or 60.
Sail Newport is located on the grounds of Fort Adams, which is also home to the Museum of Yachting and Eisenhower House.
After you're done with your sailing lesson for the day, stop by the Fort for a tour or the museum to brush up on your yachting history.
401-847-1018
The museum teamed up with the International Yacht Restoration School in 2007, allowing the two to coordinate exhibits, events and restoration projects.
This summer is a great time to visit the museum, where you can see fascinating exhibits such as "The America’s Cup – The Newport Years".
401-848-5777
IYRS is a non-profit institution that teaches the history and science of building, restoring and maintaining yachts.
Located on lower Thames Street in the heart of downtown Newport, IYRS is the ideal location to spend a couple of years studying or a couple of hours visiting.
You can tour this school and enjoy its exhibits, and you can even enroll in a week long class where you can build your own boat.
Even if you don't want to go inside, just walk by after enjoying a meal at one of our great Newport restaurants. If you're lucky, you might be able to see a restoration in progress.
Marinas
If you're going to sail Newport Harbor, then you'll need somewhere to dock your boat. See the map at the bottom of the page for the locations of Newport's marinas and public boat ramps.
Bannister's Wharf
401-846-4500
24 boat slips
Ch 9
Bowen's Wharf
401-640-4104
Ch 9
Goat Island Marina
800-999-7073
200 boat slips
Ch 9
Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina
401-847-9000
70 transient slips
Ch 9
Newport Yachting Center
401-846-1600
200 boat slips
Ch 9
Newport Marina
401-849-2293
Lee's Wharf
45 slips
West Wind Marina
401-849-4300
75 boat slips
Ch 9
Public Boat Ramps
- Washington and Elm Street
- Washington and Poplar Street
- King Park
- Fort Adams State Park
Boat Shows/Events
Newport hosts many amazing events throughout the year. If you're into boating, then the Newport Yachting Center is the place to be during the spring, summer and fall seasons.
In addition to many weddings and corporate events, the Newport Yachting Center also hosts the following:
- Newport Spring Boat Show
- Newport International Boat Show (Sep 17-20)
- Newport Comedy Series (throughout the summer)
- Schweppes Great Chowder Cookoff
- Nantucket Nectars Sunset Music Series (throughout the summer)
- Newport Arts Festival (Aug 29-30)
- Newport Waterfront Irish Festival (Sep 5-7)
- Taste of Rhode Island (Oct 3-4)
- International Oktoberfest (Oct 10-12)
Sites to See
The amount of interesting sites to see while you're sailing around Newport is endless. You'll encounter many America's Cup yachts, Newport mansions and even JFK's former summer home.
Here are some of the highlights:
- Newport Bridge
- Rose Island Lighthouse
- Goat Island Lighthouse
- Fort Adams
- Clingstone ("The House on the Rock")
- Hammersmith Farm (JFK's summer home)
- Castle Hill Lighthouse
- Rough Point Mansion (Doris Duke's home)
- Rosecliff Mansion (Great Gatsby and True Lies filmed here)
- Breakers Mansion
Map
Check out the map below to preview some of the sites you'll encounter as you sail Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay.
View Newport Sailing in a larger map
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