2-Hour Yorktown Sunset Sail Cruise
Sail the York River at sunset aboard the Tall Ship Alliance II
Duration
2 Hours
Includes
2-hour sail, Crew, Cash bar
Highlights
Cruise the York River on a 2-hour scenic sunset sail from Riverwalk Landing Pier aboard the Tall Ship Alliance II. Relax under sail and grab a drink or snack from the ship’s galley as the crew points out sights along the way.
- Board a tall ship for a tranquil sunset sail on the York River
- Watch for sights like the Yorktown Battlefield, Victory Monument, and 18th-century homes
- Spot passing naval warships or submarines and keep an eye out for dolphins or osprey
- Lend a hand setting sail or sit back and enjoy the wind in the sails
- Buy drinks and snacks from the ship’s galley with cash
Things to know
Not recommended for young children. Outside alcohol is not allowed onboard under Virginia law. Bring extra cash for onboard purchases and crew gratuity.
Cancellation Policy
No refunds except for weather cancellations (captain decides). If the captain cancels due to weather, they will try to reschedule first, then a refund. No-shows are charged full price. No refunds if you are late and miss the ship.
FAQs
Arrive at the ship at least 10 minutes before sail time. Boarding begins promptly 10 minutes before the sail.
No. Virginia law prohibits consuming outside alcohol aboard, and you should not bring personal foods or beverages (personal water bottles are OK). Do not bring coolers or ice chests.
Wear flat-soled shoes (avoid heels or platforms). Bring a jacket in cooler months since it can feel cooler on the water than on land.
Meeting details
Yorktown, VA
More about Yorktown Battlefield
Yorktown Battlefield sits along the same waters you will glide across aboard the Schooner Alliance II, and seeing it from the York River adds a perspective most visitors never get. This is the ground where the American Revolution effectively came to a close in October 1781, when General Washington's combined American and French forces forced the surrender of British General Cornwallis. From the deck of the schooner, the rolling earthworks, historic homes, and quiet shoreline of Yorktown Battlefield unfold in a way that connects the land battles with the naval blockade that made victory possible. The breeze off the water, the slow heel of the tall ship, and the golden light of the late afternoon make the history feel immediate rather than distant.
As the Alliance II eases away from the pier and her sails fill, the view of Yorktown Battlefield stretches along the bluffs above the river. You will pass beneath the Yorktown waterfront and look up toward the fortifications and monuments that mark the siege lines, the same shoreline French warships once patrolled to trap the British army. The captain and crew often share snippets of that story as the schooner tacks across the river, weaving the wind in the rigging together with the sounds of gulls and lapping water. By sunset, the sky over Yorktown Battlefield turns shades of amber and rose, silhouetting the Victory Monument and the steeples of the old town against the horizon.
This sail is a natural fit for history lovers, couples looking for a romantic evening, photographers chasing soft coastal light, and families who want a memorable way to experience Yorktown Battlefield beyond the standard driving tour. Visitors who have already walked the battlefield trails often say the view from the water finally ties the whole story together, while first-time guests leave with a vivid sense of place. For an unhurried, scenic, and quietly moving introduction to one of America's most important landscapes, a sunset sail past Yorktown Battlefield aboard the Schooner Alliance II is hard to beat.
