San Francisco Sailing

Bay Sail on San Francisco Bay

1.5 Hours Bay Sail taking in views of Alcatraz Island, the city skyline, and the Golden Gate Bridge

• Soda, beer and wine are available for purchase at the cabin bar
  CC and cash accepted at the bar

• Perfect for Families

• Our captain and crew are always happy to snap a photo or answer your questions about San Francisco or our catamarans—you’ll quickly learn our passion for sailing!

Sunset Sail on San Francisco Bay

Our 1.5-hour Sunset Sail is for those who want a serene, magical, and maybe romantic experience—it’s the perfect date night!

• Includes 1 beer/wine drink per ticket. Additional soda, beer and wine are available for purchase at the cabin bar. CC and Cash accepted at the bar

• Watch the city slowly light up behind you as the Golden Gate Bridge glows in the dwindling sunlight

San Francisco Bay Sailing Tour & Alcatraz Night Tour

• Cruise past historic Fort Point

• Sail under the Golden Gate Bridge

• See the city skyline from the bay

• View the beautiful city of Sausalito

• Spot marine wildlife such as pelicans, dolphins, sea lions, or even the occasional whale

• Bar and snacks onboard (available for purchase)

San Francisco Bay Sunset Sailing Tour

Enjoy the adventure of sailing on the San Francisco Bay with Adventure Cat Sailing Charters. Our relaxing afternoon bay cruises are the perfect way to see the breathtaking San Francisco cityscape and the city’s top sightseeing attractions. Sail past Alcatraz Island, under the Golden Gate Bridge, and along the city skyline. Consistently voted among the top five things to do in San Francisco, Adventure Cat Sailing combines the romance of The City with the adventure of the sea. If you’re a romantic at heart, you should come aboard the Sunset Sailing Cruise. Watch the sunset on the San Francisco Bay from beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and then sail along the picturesque night skyline of the San Francisco waterfront. This is an unforgettable experience!

Semi-Private Cruise

Gorgeous views. Small group. Trusted captain. Great prices. Come sail on Excalibur, our 30-foot monohull sailboat, for a half-day (approximately 4 hours). Enjoy stunning views of beautiful San Francisco, Alcatraz, Angel Island, and more, plus sunny (or foggy skies) and good company. We sail out of the North Bay on weekends, with typically four or fewer passengers.

Private Cruise

Gorgeous views. Small group. Trusted captain. Great prices. Come sail on Excalibur, our 30-foot monohull sailboat, for a half-day (approximately 4 hours). Enjoy stunning views of beautiful San Francisco, Alcatraz, Angel Island, and more, plus sunny (or foggy skies) and good company. We sail out of the North Bay, typically Fridays through Mondays.

Get To Know Sailing: 6 Hours

This is a hands-on, one-day lesson that will introduce you to the basics of sailing, lasting approx. six hours. We'll cover the following items.

Sail dynamics, including balance, Center of Effort vs. Center of Lateral Resistance, weather and lee helm, Rules of the Road, basic knots, including the bowline, coiling, and cleat hitch, tides and currents, tacking, gybing, and sail trim.

Basic Cruising Class: 2 days

Sail dynamics, including balance, Center of Effort vs. Center of Lateral Resistance, weather and lee helm Rules of the Road, lights and sound signals, Basic knots, including the bowline, coiling and heaving, cleat hitch, reef, sheet bend, rolling hitch, figure eight, and round turn and two half hitches, reefing — when, why, and how, general navigation and buoyage, tides and currents, including the concept of set and drift electrical systems, including AC/DC and bilge pump operation, ead operation, engine tour, VHF radio procedures, including Mayday, Pan Pan, Securite, safety equipment and USCG requirements, docking (as available) and prop-walk, including back-and-fill, how to back up in a straight line, general boat handling skills, including hoisting, reefing underway, sail trim, tacking and jibing, points of sail, and heaving to, Crew Overboard (COB).

Daytime Crew Overboard Workshop

One of the most dangerous things that can happen on sailboat is someone falling off the boat. And, as a result, the COB drills are part of a standard lesson plan. But, we all need more practice

In this workshop, we'll practice retrieving a target in moderate wind conditions, which are typically higher in the afternoon. This is beyond what we usually cover in the regular basic cruising class. We'll explore the traditional Figure Eight (or Quick Turn) maneuver and the LifeSling recovery technique. The workshop will have approximately four to five hours underway, plus some dock time discussion.

Nighttime Crew Overboard Workshop

One of the most dangerous things that can happen on sailboat is someone falling off the boat. And, as a result, the COB drills are part of a standard lesson plan. Even more dangerous is falling off at night, yet this is hardly ever planned for beyond the admonition to not fall off the boat.

In this workshop, we'll practice retrieving a target at night. We'll explore the traditional Figure Eight (or Quick Turn) maneuver and the LifeSling recovery technique. The workshop will have approximately three hours underway, plus some dock time discussion.

Nighttime Cruising Workshop

It's not all about danger and being careful; It's a also about having a great time while sailing safely at night. Different from the Nighttime cruise, this is a hands-on class.

We'll cover the essentials, such as:

Nighttime navigation aids, local knowledge, including landmarks, hazards, recognizing other vessels.

We'll have a nice cruise, including taking in the sights all in about three hours (or more), depending on the conditions.

Heavy Weather Sailing Workshop

Heavy weather can be the norm rather than the exception on the SF bay. Be prepared to handle winds over 25 kts.

Docking and Boat Handling Work Shop

Docking and general boat handling is one of the most challenging skills to learn as a new sailor. Sailboats with a single prop handle a lot differently than a powerboat with a single prop. This workshop gives you the skill and confidence to get your (or someone else's) boat in and out of a slip with the minimum amount of hassle and stress. In addition, you'll learn how to turn the boat around in the absolute minimum amount of space (typically not much more than its own length) and maneuver in tight/close quarters.

Team Building

This is an ongoing, full half-day event (six hours) that will give you and your team an excellent opportunity to build group cohesiveness in the typically challenging North San Francisco Bay environment.

Upon request, this event can include a sunset sail.