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Reviews

  • star rating  We had 6 of us, my wife and I and our 4 kids ages 18,17,13,and 10. We all had a great time it was very relaxing on the water... read more

    Dustin V
    August 20, 2023
  • star rating  Great time! - We were out in Williamsburg for our anniversary and decided to do a sail! Captain Bill was very nice and knowledgeable. He let us get involved- My husband helped with... read more

    jennifer082023
    August 15, 2023
  • star rating  Family Fun Sailing on the York River - Our family of four enjoyed our time out on the water sailing with Capt. Bill. We learned about steering the boat and each us were given the opportunity to take... read more

    michellekN9418TA
    August 15, 2023
  • star rating  Sailing with Dolphins - What an awesome day with Captain Bill of Williamsburg Charter Sails. Our family enjoyed sailing the York River as my dad did growing up. It was a beautiful day to... read more

    Amy H
    August 14, 2023
  • star rating  Excellent experience! - The captain was very knowledgeable about the history surrounding the river and the sea. He provides visuals and markers along the way. You can relax and enjoy the view and... read more

    alysiakroush
    August 11, 2023
  • star rating  A great day on the water. - Captain Bill was amazing in that he allowed us to sail his boat and had numerous stories of Navy ships that docked near the bridge. He was also encouraging... read more

    proverb1125
    August 10, 2023
  • star rating  Bill is a great host and sailing captain. He welcomed us aboard and made us feel at home, allowing three of us to do most of the steering at... read more

    bdf5371
    August 9, 2023
  • star rating  Great experience! - What a great day on the water! Captain Bill made us feel at ease as first-time sailors and allowed us to take the wheel for most of the trip. He... read more

    norac720
    August 8, 2023
  • star rating  Enjoy a few hours at the speed of the wind - If you have been dreaming of turning off your phone for three hours, slowing down, taking a deep breath, and being present with friends and nature. Sailing with Captain... read more

    WarrenGEasterbrook
    August 7, 2023
  • star rating  Great Experience - During our recent visit to Williamsburg we scheduled a 3 hour sailing tour of the York River with Captain Bill. It was a wonderful experience. Beautiful day for... read more

    Grits1974
    August 6, 2023

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

Mon

Saturday
Dec 3
11:00amClosed
2:30pmfor the
Sunday
Dec 4
11:00amseason.
2:30pmSee you
Monday
Dec 5
11:00am2next
2:30pmMarch.
Tuesday
Dec 6
11:00am
2:30pmFor gift
Wednesday
Dec 7
11:00amcerti-
2:30pmficate,
Thursday
Dec 8
11:00amfill out
2:30pmshort
Friday
Dec 9
11:00amform 
2:30pmbelow.
Saturday
Dec 10
11:00am
2:30pm
Sunday
Dec 11
11:00am
2:30pm
Monday
Dec 12
11:00am
2:30 pm
Tuesday
Dec 13
11:00am
2:30 pm
Wednesday
Dec 14
11:00am
2:30 pm
Thursday
Dec
11:00am
2:30 pm
Friday
Dec 16
11:00am4
2:30 pm
Saturday
Dec 17
11:00am
2:30 pm

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