NEW YORK SAILING FIELD GUIDE
Under Sail to Lady Liberty: A Private Harbor Passage from Chelsea Piers
A private yacht charter from Pier 59 that takes small groups on 2-, 3-, or 4‑hour sails for close-up views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the bridges and skylines that define New York Harbor.
Under Sail to Lady Liberty: A Private Harbor Passage from Chelsea Piers.
Departing from Manhattan’s Pier 59 at Chelsea Piers, this private sailing tour slips out of the Hudson and into New York Harbor, placing the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the lower‑Manhattan skyline at the center of the experience. With a dedicated captain and a flexible itinerary tailored to your group, the voyage is less a sightseeing ferry than a personalized passage across the city’s defining waterway.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
An Unrivaled Harbor Perspective on Lady Liberty
Sailing into the Upper Bay with Lady Liberty directly ahead and Manhattan as a backdrop is the tour’s signature moment — an intimate harbor approach that offers sightlines and scale you don’t get from land or on a crowded ferry.
A Yacht Reserved for Your Group Alone
This is a private charter: the entire sailboat is for your party so the captain can adapt the route, linger where you want, and avoid the bustle of mass sightseeing cruises — an experience shaped around your group, the wind and the tide.
Comfort and Convenience Onboard
The vessel balances shade and sun with deck seating, a sun pad, and a cabin lounge below deck; a kitchenette and private bathroom mean the charter runs on your schedule, and upgrades such as champagne and catering can be arranged in advance.
What the day feels like
What Being on This Sail Feels Like
The flow is deliberate and responsive: after boarding at Pier 59 the captain sets a course down the Hudson past the Meatpacking and Financial Districts, into the Upper Bay for a close approach to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and then back — with options to run the East River under the Brooklyn Bridge or push farther afield on a half‑day odyssey. Because the tour is private and timed to wind and tide, the pace is yours: linger at a view, move on for a new skyline angle, or stretch the trip into a longer half‑day exploration.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this private sail suits — and when it’s not the best match.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Bring a valid photo ID that matches the credit card used for booking. Wear flat shoes for walking on the floating dock, and dress in comfortable layers appropriate for the weather.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Where does the sailing tour depart from?
The tour departs from Pier 59 at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan.
How long are the private sails?
You can choose a 2‑, 3‑, or 4‑hour private sailing tour.
How many people can book the private yacht?
Charters are exclusive to small groups — the operator limits bookings to parties of 2 to 6 guests.
Can the captain change the route during the trip?
Yes — routes are shaped around your group, the wind and the tide, and the captain will adjust the itinerary as conditions and your preferences require.
Are food and drinks available onboard?
You can upgrade the charter with champagne and catering arranged in advance.
What should I bring for boarding?
Bring valid photo identification that matches the credit card used for booking, and wear flat shoes to board safely from the floating dock.