River Cruises: Wilmington, DE

Explore Wilmington’s Riverfront on a 1.5-hour Chrisina River Cruise on KALMAR NYCKEL, The Tall Ship of Delaware! Haul lines, set sails, and hear tales from the crew, or simply relax and enjoy the ship. Kids will enjoy a scavenger hunt and pirate story (costumes welcome). 2025 Dates:

2026 River Cruises

• Saturdays May 9, 16, and 25
• June 27 -  July 2 (on select dates)
• Fall weekends: September 27 - October 24
• $45/Adult; $25/Youth 12 & under

Free Deck Tours (no tickets or reservations)

• Saturday, May 23 - Captain Kidd’s Pirate Day, 12:00-4:00pm
• Saturday, July 4 - DE 250 Independence Day, 2:00 - 7:00pm
• Saturday, October 17 - Halloween Ghost Ship, 12:00-4:00pm

Departs from the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, 1124 East 7th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

Day Sails: Historic New Castle

Set your sights on Historic New Castle for a 2.5 hour sail on the Delaware River. Haul lines, set sails, and hear tales from the crew, or simply relax and enjoy the ship. Recommended for ages 8 and above. Our crew will share the history of our ship and answer your questions about our square-rigged replica of the original Kalmar Nyckel. Catch the breeze with us.

2026 Day Sails

• Friday, Saturday, May 29 and 30
• Sunday, August 2 - Saturday, August 8
• $65/Adult; $40/Youth 12 & under

Departs from New Castle Pier, 1 Delaware Street, Historic New Castle, DE 19720

2026 East Coast Ports

2026 Sailing Outside Delaware

Each year, our tall ship visits ports from Virginia to New England. We offer unforgettable tall ship deck tours and day sails when possible. Advance purchase recommended. Book online or call 302.429.7447. Full Schedule

• Sail 250 Virginia: Alexandria, Potomac River - June 12-14
• SailFest Cape Charles, deck tours - June 20-21
• Sail Boston - July 11-16
• Greenport, NY - TBD
• New London, CT, City Pier, day sails - August 14-16
• Scheduled Dry Dock (biennial U.S.C.G.   inspection)
• Sultana Downrigging Festival, Tall Ships & Bluegrass, Chestertown, MD -  October 31 - November 2.

Tour the Kalmar Nyckel

2025 Deck Tours

Kalmar Nyckel is open for deck tours at special events and select ports as noted on our Ship Schedule (April through October). If sails get cancelled (weather or ship issues), sometimes we are able to host deck tours during that time; check the ship schedule (link above for updates or visit the dock).

2025 planned tours:

• Day in Old New Castle, DE, Saturday, May 17, 10:00am - 4:00pm
• Memorial Day at Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard, Monday, May 26, 12:00-5:00pm
• Norfolk Harborfest, VA, June 6-8 (click link for schedule)
• Captain Kidd's Pirate Day, Saturday, June 21 at the Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard, Event runs 12:00-4:00 and TOURS are 12:30-4:00pm
• July 4th in Wilmington, DE at Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, Friday, July 4, 12:00-4:00pm
• Halloween Ghost Ship, at the Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard, Saturday, October 18, Event runs 12:00-4:00 and TOURS are 12:30-4:00pm

These 10 to 15-minute ship deck  tours are offered for a nominal charge (sometimes free if sponsored). Visit our Ship Schedule for dates. For details on special community events visit our Events Calendar.

Winter ship tours are available in our Wilmington shipyard on Saturdays pending heavy maintenance work (for safety).

Private Tours

The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation offers privately guided weekday tours of the ship by appointment for just $15/adult, when the ship is in Wilmington (its home berth). This fee includes a self-guided tour of the Copeland Maritime Center. Learn more  about group tours.

Call 302.429.7447 to schedule yours.