Five Ways to Sail This Summer

1. Sail, Sip and Sight-See on the Rum Runner II
Cruise Newport’s waterfront on a historic motor yacht, originally built to smuggle cases of rum during the height of prohibition. Tour area lighthouses while enjoying mimosas, croissants and light morning jazz. For a more in-depth experience, the East Passage Express is a narrated tour full of scenic views, cruising past historic Fort Adams as well as the sprawling waterfront estates dotting Newport’s coastline. You’ll also cruise by the private yachts docked in Newport Harbor, some with celebs aboard – wave hello to Billy Joel, Bono or Jimmy Buffett having a cheese(less) pizza strip in paradise.

2. Take the Most Lit Lighthouse Tour in RI with Save The Bay
If lighthouses turn you “on,” the seven-hour Ultimate Lighthouse Tour is right in your wheelhouse. From Providence to Newport and back, enjoy expert narration from Save The Bay educators while cruising past 20 lighthouse sites in Narragansett Bay. Plus, you’ll receive the unique opportunity to tour the inside of the Rose Island lighthouse.

3. Have a Whale of a Time With Frances Fleet
Tour the waters off Galilee with Frances Fleet aboard a 90-foot boat with the chance to witness majestic Finback, Humpback, Minke, Pilot and False Killer whales. The warm waters also attract leatherback and loggerhead turtles, as well as varieties of dolphin. A Finback whale is large enough to fit a VW bus in its mouth; a person could crawl through its arteries and stand up in its heart (though it’s not recommended).

4. Cruise through Waterfire on the Providence River Tour
Enjoy WaterFire from a whole new angle in an open-air Carolina Skiff on this expertly guided tour throughout the fires of Waterplace Park, Riverwalk and the Providence River. The Providence River Boat Company also offers narrated daytime and sunset cruises departing from the Hot Club. Grab yourself a cocktail and hitch a ride on the riverboat, queen (or dude).

5. Dine (or Dance) in your Sperrys aboard the Prudence Island Ferry
Pack a lunch, bring your lawn chair and hop on the Prudence Island Ferry’s Picnic Cruise, because food just tastes better with an ocean view (and a deck-bar cocktail). When evening rolls around, relax on a slow-pace bay cruise, enjoy music from the DJ on deck and dance into the sunset.