Booking Confirmation Details

Parking is very limited on the island, especially during the peak months of July and August.  Taxis, Ubers and VTA Buses drops guests off at the rotary (roundabout) in front of the Steamship Ferry Boat Terminal.  This rotary (roundabout) is directly in front of the dinghy dock pickup location.

We recommend you consider using the buses on the island.  In an effort to reduce traffic and help the environment, all Martha's Vineyard buses to all location on the island are free.

1 Water Street, Vineyard Haven, MA, 02568. This location is the dock for the big Steamship Authority ferries.  There is a small wooden dock ATTACHED TO the ferry dock that we use for pickup.  If you are facing the water, it is to the LEFT of the ferry dock.

There is a rotary (roundabout) at this location.  From the rotary and facing the water, the small dock is on your left.  Walk to the end of the dock.  If you are visual, visit the Directions tab for pictures.

No, we pick up at the dock using a smaller boat called a dinghy.  The dinghy is a small boat that transports people from the dock to a bigger boat.  It has inflatable tubes (or sides of the boat) for sitting and an engine on the back.  There is a picture of our dinghy on the Directions page.

Sailboats have an attachment on the bottom called a keel.  Different sailboats have keels that sit deeper in the water.  Our sailboat sits very deep in the water and the depth at the dock is not deep enough for our sailboat to come to the dock.

Please wear shoes that can get wet and can be easily removed for boarding the dinghy.  We are a shoeless boat and guests will be asked to remove shoes before boarding the dinghy.  

We are a shoeless boat for two reasons: 1) safety and 2) maintenance.  We find that people have much better footing with their own bare feet and that helps keep you safer while aboard.  Also, once shoes have been worn on land, they collect debris, sand and gravel in the tread.  These particles both scratch the boat's surfaces and also typically end up below deck.  The boat serves as housing for the crew as well as your sailing excursion vessel, so keeping things clean is most comfortable for future guests and crew.

Catering options are available for our private sailing excursions. Please email catering@sailthevineyard.com for more information.

 Charter destinations are based on weather, current, tide and sea state. We will consider requests but ultimately the decision is up to the Captain based on conditions on the day of your sail.

All sailing excursions include soda, water, and light snacks.  

Our public (shared) sailing charters include one welcome drink per person and an individual nibbles plate for each guests.  Welcome drinks may consist of wine, sparkling wine, mimosas or a mixed drink, depending upon the type of sail.  Individual nibbles plates may include a selection of cheese, fruit, crackers, bread or pastries, depending upon the type of sail. 

Space aboard the sailing vessel is very limited.  In addition, heavy bags are difficult for the Captain and Crew to maneuver and transfer onto and off of the boat.  Please consolidate bags among the people in your group, bring as few bags as possible, and keep bag weight to a minimum.

We include soda and water as well as a variety of packaged snacks during every charter.  Certain public sails also include a welcome Captain's cocktail or glass of wine.

If you wish to bring additional snacks, you may do so in moderation.  Full meals needing management by our crew may incur a plating fee.  Personal alcohol brought aboard may be subject to a corking fee.

Guests are welcome to bring alcoholic beverages (with the exception of red wine which is prohibited) and drink in moderation while aboard.  Excessive alcohol use, as identified by the Captain while underway, is not permitted as it poses a safety hazard to guests and crew, and will result in an early and immediate end to the sail.  

For the safety of our crew, and preservation and maintenance of the boat, traditional hard-sided Igloo-type or Yeti-type coolers are not permitted aboard.  They are not only heavy and difficult to transport onto the dinghy and then onto the sailboat, they are likely to scratch the deck and other boat surfaces.  For this reason, we ask you to leave these types of coolers at home.  If you need to bring a cooler, you may bring a smaller, soft-sided cooler.

The marine environment by nature is not conducive to electronics such as laptops, iPads,  cell phones, speakers, drones or camera equipment. We recommend these items be stowed away for your protection. If you choose to bring any of these items with you, Sail The Vineyard LLC, S/V Phoenix, the Captain and the crew are not responsible for damage by rain, sea spray, waves or other water damage, items falling overboard, or impact damage from shifts in boat stability while underway.  The use of these items is strictly at your own risk.

Upon booking and making your deposit, you receive an email with the date, time and details of your trip.  If you do not receive your email, please contact us at office@sailthevineyard.com

Your final payment is due at the end of your sailing excursion.  Your encrypted credit card information is saved in the reservation system and can be used for the final balance.

We will happily accept your cash payment on the boat at the end of your sailing excursion. Please be aware we do not carry cash on board for providing any change.

Your Captain and crew are not only your tour guides, wait staff, host/hostesses, entertainers, sanitation engineers, and DJs aboard the sailboat, they are also responsible for your life and your safety. It has always been customary to handle gratuity aboard a vessel just like in a restaurant - 20-25% based on great service. After you sail with us, we think you'll agree that we do so much more than just bring you great snacks!  "If you enjoyed your trip, don't forget to tip."  

Tips can be made by cash or Venmo, or charged to your credit card on file while you're on board at the end of your sail.  For Venmo, you'll have the option to scan our QR code when you are on the boat.

Tips are traditionally given directly to the Captain, who will divide it amongst the crew.

Your sailing excursion time begins and ends at your schedule charter time. Round trip transportation time from the dock to the sailboat is part of your total excursion time. 

Charter rates and time are not adjusted for late arrivals, including missed ferries or other transportation issues, so please plan ahead for an on-time arrival.

No refunds, partial refunds or rescheduling will be made for late arrivals or early departures. Please allow ample time for parking and finding the pickup location so that you can arrive on time. 

A 20% service fee is applied to all cancellations. 

• With a minimum of 14 days’ notice: guests will receive a refund less the cancellation fee. 
• With less than 14 days’ notice: full excursion fee is forfeited unless we can re-book your date and time. If we can, you'd receive a refund less the 20% cancellation fee.

If you need to cancel or reschedule, please call us at 508-493-8767.