July 1, 2026 • Belmar, New Jersey
Tall Ships Sunrise Expedition
When a once-in-multiple-generations event arrives off the Jersey Shore, will you be there — or watch it on TV?
Founder’s Presale: $150
Once the first allocation sells out or fleet movement details are confirmed, the price increases to $200.
Be There Before the Crowds
On Wednesday, July 1, 2026, the Jersey Girl plans to leave Belmar before sunrise in search of the Tall Ships as they make their way toward New York Harbor for America’s 250th Birthday Celebration.
This may be the only time in our lifetime that a fleet of this size arrives within reach of the Jersey Shore with the New York City skyline in the distance. We are not waiting at the dock hoping to hear about it later. We are going.
Why We Are Leaving So Early
Sunrise is expected around 5:30 AM. Our plan is to board around 4:15 AM and depart approximately 4:45 AM, giving us time to get offshore, watch the sky come alive, and position the Jersey Girl based on real-time AIS vessel tracking, radar, weather, and Coast Guard guidance.
The exact route may change as the fleet moves. That is the point of this trip. Jersey Shore Whale Watch is the only Jersey Shore boat committed to actively working to get guests to the right place at the right time.
Expected Schedule
- Boarding: 4:15 AM
- Departure: Approximately 4:45 AM
- Sunrise: Approximately 5:30 AM
- Return to Belmar: Approximately 9:30 AM
Returning around 9:30 AM allows guests to experience this special sunrise expedition and still gives us the ability to operate additional Tall Ships trips later that morning.
The Jersey Girl Was Upgraded for Moments Like This
We have invested close to $1 million upgrading the Jersey Girl with state-of-the-art Scania engines, modern electronics, improved systems, and major vessel upgrades.
We made that investment for whale watching — but also for rare offshore opportunities like this. When history appears off the Jersey Shore, we want the speed, reliability, technology, and comfort to go find it.
What We Hope to See
More than 40 Tall Ships and naval vessels are expected to participate in the Sail4th 250 celebration. We do not know exactly where each ship will be that morning, but we will be tracking the fleet closely.
If we encounter even a handful of Tall Ships underway at sunrise, with the Atlantic Ocean and New York Harbor ahead of us, this could become one of the most memorable trips the Jersey Girl has ever offered.
Limited Premium Sunrise Trip
General Admission: $150 • VIP Captain’s View: $350
Naval-themed breakfast included.
Important: Exact route, timing, and viewing opportunities may change based on fleet movements, AIS tracking, Coast Guard restrictions, weather, sea conditions, and the captain’s judgment. This is an expedition-style special event trip, not a guaranteed viewing of every Tall Ship.