The Ocean Awaits
Sailing adventures aboard a replica 19th century tall ship.
The Magic of Voyaging
Our mission at the Voyaging Institute is to share the transformative magic of voyaging at sea. We combine the timeless adventure of authentic long-distance sailing with holistic seamanship instruction, giving you a taste of what our semester-at-sea students call a “life-changing experience.”
If you have ever imagined going back in time to the age of sail, day dreamed about buying a boat and sailing around the world, or have an unquenchable love of the ocean, then this is for you. Our backgrounds are teaching and leading aboard semester-at-sea voyages where we have observed time and again that tall ships are some of the best classrooms on Earth.
Our voyages are the real deal: we share the work of the vessel with you and its rewards. During your time aboard, you will participate fully in ship life: setting sails, conducting science deployments, taking the helm, standing watch at night, and learning to use a sextant at sunrise. If you are looking for a luxury charter where you are passed hors d'oeuvres, then we may not be the best fit. We do the ship’s chores together, then we jump off the boat and go swimming.
You will finish your voyage exhausted but completely fulfilled having learned about the ocean, the ship, and yourself. If this sounds like the challenge you crave, then we can’t wait to meet you, shipmate.
See Voyaging in Action
We sailed our tall ship Wonder over 6,000 miles in 2024 as we built our curriculum and program. Follow the story on our YouTube Channel and our Substack publication “Taking The Helm.”
Our Voyages
Cape Cod
Early June-Late September
Sail through Buzzard’s Bay and around Cape Cod into the legacy of New England sailing. Featuring anchorages and port stops on Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and Provincetown.
Key West
Late November-Early April
Sail amongst the mangrove islands of the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, snorkel on reefs, and walk the plank (or use the rope swing) to swim in warm tropical waters.
Long Distance
May, August, & October
Join us for our voyage between Key West and Fairhaven. Settle into a watch routine, sail the open ocean, and navigate channels through the Carolina marshes.
The Sea Is Calling
Go back in time, harness the wind, and connect with the ocean.
Authentic Seamanship
Don’t just learn to sail, learn seamanship. Seamanship is the holistic practice of knowing your ship, your crew, the ocean, the atmosphere, and yourself. We teach you essential mariner skills—how to set sails, how to tie knots, and how to read a compass—and then we show you how to integrate those skills (and many others) into effective decision-making at sea. We also throw in a few sea shanties along the way.
There is no sailing experience required. In fact, we have designed our voyages for first-time sailors.
Immerse in Nature
When the engine goes off and you hear the wind in the sails, the ship cutting through the waves, and the sea birds overhead, you will have truly found paradise.
We almost always see wildlife and a major focus of our voyage is involving Guest Crew in the marine science projects we conduct on the ship. Conducting ocean water sampling, towing a surface net and reviewing the findings, and closely observing the weather are a part of every voyage.
Previous Guest Crew:
“It was an absolute pleasure serving aboard Wonder with Thane and the crew. You're all amazing, hardworking, wonderful people and I'm honored to have spent a few days with all of you.”
—Raam, guest crew on a long distance voyage.
“Sailing is utter magic. I stepped aboard a total novice and by the end of my time aboard, was already signing up for sailing lessons back home. Wonder was so empowering, so invigorating, so refreshing, and so very, very fun.”
—Megan, guest crew on a week voyage.
“My girlfriend and I spent a memorable, exhilarating, and informative long weekend on board with Thane. The hands-on element of our weekend was a real highlight…By the end of the trip, I was already plotting how to spend more time sailing.”
-Bunmi, guest crew on a weekend voyage.
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Support Education Innovation
We believe high school can be better: that high school can become four of the most fulfilling years of your life. A place where students wake up every morning with a sense of purpose, work alongside educators who are doing the most fulfilling work of their careers, and graduate with a portfolio of tangible projects that they can point to in their community.
100% of our profits support the endowment for The Planet School where high school is being reimagined as a series of real-world voyages built on discovery, purpose, and impact. The Planet School Education Fund is a Delaware-registered 501(c)3 non-profit.
“I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by…”
—“Sea Fever” by John Masefield (1902)