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Reviews

  • star rating  First of all, it was my wife’s birthday on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, November 29 so we called on November 28 not realizing that Bill had closed for the season... read more

    avatar thumb jamesoJ4648TX
    December 23, 2022
  • star rating  This was our first time sailing and my soon-to-be 21-year-old son and I had an incredible sailing experience with Captain Bill. The water was calm and peaceful, and the weather... read more

    avatar thumb N3-2022
    November 13, 2022
  • star rating  A sail with Williamsburg Charter Sails was a surprise for my husband’s birthday. The boat is a beautiful 32 footer that is kept in tip top shape. Captain Bill gave... read more

    avatar thumb Mona O
    November 9, 2022
  • star rating  My husband and I enjoy battlefields and history but wanted a slightly different way to experience the area than visiting a national park. Williamsburg Charter Sails was the perfect balance... read more

    avatar thumb LostPassport434
    October 29, 2022
  • star rating  Sailing Adventure - We had a lovely time. Capt. Bill was a great guide and my husband thoroughly enjoyed sailing the boat.

    stephenhH7227NN
    October 29, 2022
  • star rating  We spent our 10th anniversary in Williamsburg and capped off our trip with a day of sailing. It was a gorgeous day, with both beautiful views and temperatures. We even... read more

    avatar thumb jessica4746
    October 24, 2022
  • star rating  Super Saturday Sailing - Captain Bill was a great historian. We took the afternoon historic sail. He was very infromative and entertaining. It was a great way to spend a fall... read more

    Pam M
    October 24, 2022
  • star rating  Wonderful Day Sail - Great Day Sail with Captain Bill. Very well organized trip, lovely boat and marina. We appreciated the updated weather forecast and the instructions received prior to departure. We enjoyed... read more

    Jennifer P
    October 24, 2022
  • star rating  What an incredible experience my wife and I had on our 32nd wedding anniversary. What a beautiful and extremely well maintained boat and Captain Bill was a very experienced and... read more

    avatar thumb jefvet
    October 23, 2022
  • star rating  Exceeded all expectations! - Our afternoon of sailing for my husband's birthday exceeded all expectations! Captain Bill was so easy to work with and communicative in scheduling from the start. Once we... read more

    srellis1
    October 21, 2022

Charters

Choose from 6 Unique Sailing Charters

Rates

3-hour cruise departs daily at 11:00 and 2:30

  • Couples

    Semi-private

  • $150
  • Perfect for couples or friends
  • 3 hours sailing charter on York River
  • Cold bottled water provided, food welcome
  • Boat may include up to two other couples
  • Families

    Family

  • $250
  • Up to 3, 4, 5 or 6 people
  • 3 hours sailing charter on York River
  • Kids 12 yrs+ recommended
  • Cold bottled water provided, food welcome
  • Groups
  • $350
  • Up to 4, 5 or 6 people
  • 3 hours sailing charter on York River
  • Sailing lesson optional
  • Cold bottled water provided, food welcome

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Make Your Reservation by EMAIL

Let's Go Sail! Williamsburg Charter Sails departs twice daily April - November for skippered cruises. Reservations are first-come, first-reserved. No booking fee, Visa and MasterCard accepted. Complete the reservation form below. You'll receive an email confirmation when your trip is secured.
* indicates required field

15-Day Availability

DATETIMEOPENINGS
(People)
Friday
March 24
11:00am6 OPEN
2:30pm6 OPEN
Saturday
March 25
11:00amSOLD OUT
2:30pm6 OPEN
Sunday
March 26
11:00am4 OPEN
2:30pm6 OPEN
Monday
March 27
11:00am6 OPEN
2:30pm6 OPEN
Tuesday
March 28
11:00am6 OPEN
2:30pm6 OPEN
Wednesday
March 29
11:00am6 OPEN
2:30pm4 OPEN
Thursday
March 30
11:00am6 OPEN
2:30pm6 OPEN
Friday
March 31
11:00am6 OPEN
2:30pm6 OPEN
Saturday
April 1
11:00am6 OPEN
2:30pm4 OPEN
Sunday
April 2
11:00am6 OPEN
2:30 pm6 OPEN
Monday
April 3
11:00am5 OPEN
2:30 pm6 OPEN
Tuesday
April 4
11:00am4 OPEN
2:30 pm6 OPEN
Wednesday
April 5
11:00am6 OPEN
2:30 pmSOLD OUT
Thursday
April 6
11:00am6 OPEN
2:30 pm6 OPEN
Friday
April 7
11:00am6 OPEN
2:30 pm6 OPEN

FAQ

Email bodonovan8@gmail.com and you'll get a prompt reply.
You’ll enjoy 3 hours of safe and comfortable sailing on a modern single-mast sailboat. An optional short narrative outlines the decisive battle of the Revolutionary War.
Along the York River, off historic Yorktown.
Drive south from Williamsburg on the Colonial Parkway for 15 minutes.
Check out the Captain's Blog rail on this website to see how people enjoy great fun and conversation with our luxury sailboat charter, in a safe and unique setting. Call up Williamsburg Charter Sails on Facebook for photos and stories.



  1. Safe and comfortable 3 hours

  2. Adult sports adventure

  3. "Sail About" fun at 11 & 2:30

  4. Full bathroom on board

  5. Unique family adventure

  6. Check off your bucket list

  7. Great for special occasions

  8. Enjoy nature & sightseeing

  9. Take short sailing lessons

  10. Buying a boat? Try this first


Come as family or your own private group of up to six people.
Yes, we welcome one, two or three unrelated couples at $150 each.
Yes. We'll send you the best shots for free so you can post or print them as you like.
We typically sail at 11 and 2:30, but it depends on your schedule.
A cooler with bottled water and ice is on board for your drinks, along with the full amenities of an appointed interior salon.
Yes, a working head plus hot and cold water. There’s privacy to change into bathing suits.
Bring a sweater and jacket in the fall.
Yes, certified US Coast Guard PFDs are provided.
Kids 12 and under can be problematic on a sailboat. They will have to wear life jackets regardless. It’s your call.
 Sorry, no. This is a family-friendly enterprise.
At York River Yacht Haven marina, we can get a wheelchair within several feet of the transom to walk him or her on board, with no climbing. It's quick and easy.
No, six maximum. Coast Guard regulations preclude any more, including children.
Oh sure. Bottled water is provided too.
We’ll try to reschedule your sailboat charter. Sometimes an afternoon shower interrupts a sail, but only briefly. If the trip is washed out, you won't be charged.
They usually pop up in late afternoon, so an 11 a.m. departure is best.
Request a day and time by calling 757 876-8654 or emailing bodonovan8@gmail.com. It's that easy.
Certainly. Give us a shout.
They are typically 5-15 mph, which is excellent.
Then the sails are easily shortened or "reefed" to ensure comfort and safety for all while still retaining speed.
 Yes, heeling is one of the many joys of sailing because it connotes speed. But no more than 10 or 15 degrees, to ensure everyone's comfort. Anything beyond that is hot-dogging.
Absolutely not. Nor would you be exposed to such conditions. Safety and comfort are paramount to enhancing the fun of our sailing charters.
No, never. Safety is paramount.
Yes, a bimini awning covers the back quarter of the cockpit.
We form up in Yorktown or Gloucester Point, depending on various factors. See LOCATION tab for directions. Yorktown is at Riverwalk, while Gloucester Point hails York River Yacht Haven, 8901 York Haven Road.
Yes, consider us a sailing vacation from the every day. Executive team-building, class reunions, wedding parties, even burials at sea are all welcome.
Seven days a week, from mid-April to mid-November.
It's highly unlikely, since the waves on an inland river are much gentler than those found on the Chesapeake Bay or Atlantic Ocean. For those in doubt, take Dramamine the night before to get it fully into your system. We also have motion sickness wristbands and ginger gum on board.

About

Meet Your Captain

Captain Bill
coast guard licenseBill O’Donovan holds a 50-ton captain’s license with the US Coast Guard. Need sailing lessons? He is a certified sailing instructor with the American Sailing Association. He has undergone sailing instruction by J School in Key West and by the American Sailing Association in South Carolina. He has sailed the York River nearly 20 years, where he teaches an adult class for the community-based Williamsburg Area Learning Tree.


Our Fleet

When you join us for your sailboat charter, you’ll sail on a 32-foot modern Hunter complete with in-mast furling and oversized sails for maximum speed. Sophisticated controls reduce the size of the sails to minimize leaning and ensure everyone’s comfort. A giant colorful spinnaker is raised for light downwind running. Yanmar 18 horsepower diesel powers the boat in creeks.

With sailing instruction through our sailing school you'll learn what will enable you to sail most any boat. The boat meets all US Coast Guard standards and has shipshape equipment, including color-coordinated lines and well-marked blocks.

With our many charter sailing options, we have the right tour whether you're visiting our area from out of town and in search of a unique vacation adventure,  an employer wanting the perfect corporate retreat or a local looking for a fun family chartered sailboat trip.

Press

Original Article-The Local Scoop "Williamsburg By Sea"

“ The tranquility of being on the water, the rush of being propelled by the wind, and the joy of gliding over the waves alongside dolphins—those are just a few of the reasons why Bill O’Donovan enjoys sailing.

“It’s the idea of being on the water,” O’Donovan says. “There’s something about that that’s magical. There’s a certain solitude to it.”

Read More

Location

We Sail Across from Yorktown

York River Yacht Haven

York River Yacht Heaven

Take the Coleman Bridge across from Yorktown to York River Yacht Haven at Gloucester Point. Follow the map for 17 miles from Williamsburg. For GPS directions, type in “York River Yacht Haven.”

View York River Yacht Haven Directions

York River Yacht Haven

757-876-8654