Top 10 Boat Tours & Water Sports in Burlington, Vermont (VT)

The "Friend Ship" provides a Lake Champlain experience steeped in the traditions of the Lake's long sailing history. We offer daily sailing cruises as well as half day and full day private charters from late May until early October. The Friend Ship departs from her slip next to the ECHO Center at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain at the foot of College Street in Burlington. We are also known as the Whistling Man Schooner Co.

Sailing, Burlington, Vermont

Sailing cruises on Lake Champlain aboard two beautiful, wooden-rigged sloops: the Friend Ship and Wild Rose. Cruises are two hours and are BYO food and drink. Experienced crew members create a safe and entertaining sailing experience with their wealth of knowledge about the area and Lake Champlain history. Capacity is limited to 6-12 guests per ship which creates a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, not to mention picturesque views of the Adirondacks and Green Mountains. Sailing on Lake Champlain is the perfect way to reconnect with friends, family, and the outdoors. Sunset and daytime cruise options are available for public or private charters mid-May through mid-October. Bookings are accepted online and over the phone year-round. Friend Ship and Wild Rose are classic sailing sloops featuring bronze hardware, intricate rigging, and rich, highly detailed woodwork reminiscent of a time gone by. Lake Champlain is exceptional sailing territory for these historic ships.

Looking for a great way to get some fresh air and investigate the shoreline of Lake Champlain? You could be exploring the waters of Burlington Bay by spending an hour or half a day in a sailboat, kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard surrounded by mountain views. Maybe your spending a more extended vacation in the area and you'd like to come together to learn how to sail as a family or enroll in one of their Week-long camps? The Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center offers a wide variety of opportunities for adventures on the lake. They provide Rentals which include life jackets and paddles along with some safety basics, Private Lessons with a certified instructor on board, week-long Adult Programs or Kids Camps organized by age group and led by certified instructors and Monday and Wednesday hour-long Yoga sessions (drop-ins welcome) right on the dock, overlooking Lake Champlain and the scenic Adirondack Mountains! No matter what your experience level or limitations, the Sailing Center staff can provide a great way for you to try out a new watersport in a supportive environment, focus in on developing a particular skill, realize your goals using adaptive teaching methods and specialized equipment for individuals with cognitive or physical disabilities, or simply have fun on the water.

ActiveVT guided tours pair outdoor activities with local food and beverage experiences to create the quintessential Vermont adventure. Tours last anywhere from a few hours to all day. Activities may include hiking, biking, swimming, paddling, and more. Food and beverage experiences include picnics, farmers markets, brewery tasting, or on-farm meals.

Full service fishing charter and guide service that offers trips spring, summer & fall! We are a versatile business, offering a variety of trip lengths to suit each groups needs & experience level. We target species from Trout & Salmon to Bass and Pike. We welcome young and old alike!

Day sails and sunset cruises onboard RED, a restored classic Swan 43, sail yacht. Come take a break, take a line, or take the wheel - the experience is yours to create!

Lake Champlain’s Largest Cruise Ship and Floating Restaurant – A Burlington “Must Do!” Enjoy panoramic views of Lake Champlain and the Vermont Mountains while enjoying delicious food and beverage. Our triple deck luxury cruise ship offers daily scenic, lunch, brunch and nightly themed dinner cruises available seven days a week. Our Scenic Narrated Cruise will fascinate travelers with our Captain’s tales of history, geology and wildlife. Bring your camera, just in case you see Champ, our elusive lake monster. Our Executive Chef prepares fresh entrées, buffets and snack bar items from our on-board galley. Enjoy our Lunch on the Lake Cruise featuring a delicious buffet while listening to the exciting narration or our sip champagne on our popular Champagne on Champlain Brunch. Themed dinner cruises include an exciting lineup of our Sounds of Summer, Murder Mystery, Lobstah on the Lake and Captain’s Dinner Dance!

It is our mission to create lasting memories for individuals with cancer, & their loved ones, through the therapeutic experience of sailing. Our 3-Hour sails are offered at no cost to our guests thanks to the continued generosity of our donors and corporate sponsors. If you or someone you love is in treatment for cancer & would enjoy time together sailing, nominate them for a Healing Winds sail!