New Jersey’s Official Tall Ship, A.J. Meerwald, will extend its stay in Atlantic City through Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, offering additional public sails from Historic Gardner’s Basin.
Originally scheduled to visit Atlantic Highlands this week, the historic 1928 oyster schooner will remain in Atlantic City due to coastal storm damage and ongoing repairs to the docks in Atlantic Highlands.
Following a successful return to Atlantic City last weekend, A.J. Meerwald will offer eight additional public sails from Wednesday, Oct. 14, through Sunday, Oct. 18. With strong interest in the sails and requests for additional opportunities to come aboard, the extended stay gives residents and visitors another chance to experience New Jersey’s Official Tall Ship.
“We’ve had a great response to our return to Atlantic City, and we’re excited to offer more opportunities for people to sail with us. We’re especially grateful to the Atlantic City Aquarium and Gardner’s Basin for their continued support and for helping make this extended visit possible,” said Jessica Yorke, executive director of Bayshore Center at Bivalve.
Each sail is two hours long, departing from Gardner’s Basin at 800 N. New Hampshire Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ. Passengers can experience sailing aboard the historic schooner while enjoying views of the Atlantic City skyline and surrounding waterways. Weather conditions may alter the sail plan.
Additional public sailing schedule:
Wednesday, Oct. 14
- 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 15
- 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 16
- 10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 17 – NO SAILS
Sunday, Oct. 18
- 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Tickets to sail are available with a percentage of the proceeds supporting the Atlantic City Aquarium through the Aquarium. Tickets can also be booked online through the Bayshore Center at Bivalve.
https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/bayshorecenter/items/751908/?full-items=yes&flow=1605660.
A.J. Meerwald will depart Atlantic City on Monday, Oct. 19, continuing north to Hoboken for the final stop of its 2026 sailing season.
About A.J. Meerwald and Bayshore Center at Bivalve
Launched in 1928, A.J. Meerwald is a restored oyster dredging schooner and New Jersey’s Official Tall Ship. Today, the 115-foot schooner is owned and operated by Bayshore Center at Bivalve, offering public sails and hands-on educational experiences throughout the region.
Bayshore Center at Bivalve is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the understanding of human impact on New Jersey’s aquatic environment through education, advocacy, and programming. In addition to operating A.J. Meerwald, the organization operates the Delaware Bay Museum and offers shore-based programs at its campus in Bivalve, New Jersey.
For more information, visit www.bayshorecenter.org or contact Bayshore Center at Bivalve at (856) 785-2060.
