Argia Mystic Cruises
4.9(382)google
4.5(59)yelp
BoatingWater ActivityRiverScenic LookoutGuided TourFamily
Overview
Departing from the historic waterfront of downtown Mystic, Argia Mystic Cruises offers passengers an authentic and relaxing maritime sailing adventure aboard a magnificent, traditional 81-foot traditional wooden schooner. Guests can sit back and relax on the wide wooden decks or help the professional crew hoist the sails as the vessel glides gracefully past scenic coastlines, historic lighthouses, and beautiful islands in Fishers Island Sound. It provides a quintessential, educational coastal experience that captures the true romance and history of New England sailing.
Practical Info
Every day8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Suggested Duration2-2.5 hours
Best TimeThe peak months of June through September are highly desirable for exceptional weather on the sound. The absolute premier sailing schedule is the 5:00 PM or 5:30 PM designated Sunset Cruise. During this two-hour nautical voyage, the traditional two-masted wooden schooner 'Argia' glides past historic coastlines into Long Island Sound, offering unmatched vantage points as the setting sun paints the vast canvas sails in rich crimson hues.
Getting ThereThe boarding dock is positioned at 12 Steamboat Wharf in downtown Mystic (immediately adjacent to the Steamboat Inn). Drive via I-95 to Exit 89 or 90 toward West Main Street near the drawbridge; a dedicated parking section is reserved for ticketed passengers right at the pier head. If using public transport, ride the train to Mystic Station and walk east for a scenic 7 minutes through the shopping district to reach the schooner's gangway.
Travel Tips
- Argia Mystic Cruises provides zero dedicated or validated parking spaces for patrons. Because the boarding planks are retracted exactly on schedule and check-in desks freeze voucher validation 30 minutes before sailing, motorists must allocate a minimum 60-minute buffer to source street spaces.
- To shield the traditional wooden sailing vessel's pristine timber decking from structural stress, high-heels, spiked shoes, and hard-soled boots are banned onboard. Passengers must exclusively wear soft, flat, non-marking rubber-soled deck shoes or athletic sneakers to pass boarding controls.
- Even during peak July and August summer heat, cruising past the river mouth into open sound waters exposes passengers to stark maritime wind chills that drop body temperatures by 15°F instantly. Sitting unsheltered for a 2-hour cruise requires carrying a functional windproof jacket or technical layer.
Reviews
Positive
- Sailing on the historic two-masted wooden schooner 'Argia' delivers a stunning visual thrill; white sails against the ocean are perfect.
- The schooner deck is pristine, maintaining nautical historic charm; pier signs are clear, and boarding line order is highly structured.
- The crew members are incredibly warm and witty, letting passengers help hoist the sails and steer the wooden helm for immense fun.
- Allows a full bring-your-own-basket policy (BYOB) for wine and snacks; sipping drinks at sunset on the open water yields fantastic value.
Heads up
- As a traditional wind-powered wooden sailing vessel, it is weather-dependent; heavy squalls trigger sudden cancellations or sea sickness.
- The individual tickets are quite expensive; with highly limited guest capacity per cruise, securing summer weekend seats is brutal.
- The pier lacks its own dedicated free parking, forcing drivers into pricey downtown public lots that require a long walking trek.
- The crew sells zero hot food or snacks onboard; if you forget to self-pack groceries, you will endure a hungry 2-hour nautical journey.