Tall Ships At Cape Charles

Event Details

As an official affiliate port for OpSail 2012 Virginia™, Cape Charles and her sister towns on Virginia's Eastern Shore present an unprecedented boutique visitor experience commemorating the War of 1812 and the writing of the Star Spangled Banner.

Kicking off the long weekend of June 8-12 2012, Cape Charles, our deep water Harbor To Hospitality, presents a rare opportunity to get up close and personal as you explore the decks and meet the costumed crews of three magnificent tall ships: the Sultana, Lynx and Appledore V. They will be surrounded and welcomed by a bevy of other craft of every conceivable kind and shape: buy boats, sloops, skipjacks, Navy and Coast Guard vessels, private yachts, kayaks, dinghies and even paddleboards!

Tour the ships for free daily, or visit our website to reserve a two-hour Chesapeake Bay day-sail on one of these historic tall ships or two spectacular Parades of Sail up the Chesapeake – a rare and very special opportunity.

By special arrangement and advance motorcoach reservation only, Island Two on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel will be open for public viewing of the June 8th tall ships Parade of Sail. Dozens of tall ships from around the world will pass before your eyes with billowing sails and flags flying, and they can be seen only from this amazing vantage point in the middle of the Bay! Additional advance reservations are being taken for a six-hour sail aboard a tall ship out of Cape Charles Town Harbor to join up with the departing Parade of Sail up the Chesapeake Bay on June 12th.

This is small town, family-friendly America the way it used to be. Enjoy a rich panoply of events in our charming villages: professional musicians, crafts and art vendors, historical re-enactments ,costumed guides for tours of historic buildings at Eastville, our County seat, adult and childrens’ art shows, a play, Piece of Eden dramatizing the history of the Eastern Shore at the historic Palace Theatre, and evening harbor parties at Cape Charles. Kids may make and sail a model boat, get their faces painted, ride a pony or try their hands at hauling the yard-arm.
Everywhere savor our succulent seafood and revel in our spectacular sunsets.