Hoist the sails and step back in time aboard the Mystic Whaler, a 110-foot, two-masted schooner modeled after a 19th-century coastal vessel. The historic tall ship sets sail on May 20, traveling up the Santa Barbara Channel along the California coast before arriving at Ventura Harbor.
The vessel is expected to drop anchor in the early afternoon at Ventura Harbor Village C Dock, near Ventura Boat Rentals and in front of Brophy Bros. and On the Alley restaurants.
Dockside tours at Ventura Harbor Village will give visitors the opportunity to step aboard, explore the ship, meet the crew, and learn about life at sea on a traditional schooner. Guests can also hear maritime stories and discover how the Mystic Whaler helps preserve sailing traditions while enjoying the harbor’s waterfront atmosphere.
Visits aboard the tall ship are free, with a suggested donation of $5 for adults (children are free). All activities are weather dependent and subject to change.
Public Dockside Tours — Ventura Harbor Village “C” Dock
- Wednesday, May 20 — Arrival at C Dock (early afternoon)
- Thursday, May 21 — 2 to 6 p.m.
- Friday, May 22 — 12 to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, May 23 — 12 to 6 p.m.
- Sunday, May 24 — 12 to 6 p.m.
- Monday, May 25 — 12 to 6 p.m.
- Thursday, May 28 — 2 to 6 p.m.
- Friday, May 29 — 12 to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, May 30 — 12 to 6 p.m.
- Sunday, May 31 — 12 to 6 p.m.
- Monday, June 1 — Departure from C Dock (8:30 a.m.)
The tall ship also offers family-friendly educational activities on select days from 10 to 11 a.m., blending maritime history with hands-on learning. Programs include “Plankton Pals” (May 23 and May 30), a science-based activity, and “Ship in a Bag” (May 24 and May 31), a nautical-themed workshop. Reservations are required for these special activities.
Operated by the nonprofit Mystic Ocean Adventures, the Mystic Whaler serves as both a floating classroom and environmental education platform. Its mission is to use sailing experiences to promote STEM learning, environmental stewardship, teamwork, self-confidence, and nautical skills for communities in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, with a focus on youth ages 10–18.
For more information about dockside tours, visit www.mysticoceanadventures.org. For updates on this and other spring events, visit www.venturaharborvillage.com/events.
About Mystic Ocean Adventures / Tall Ship Mystic Whaler
Rich in maritime history, the Mystic Whaler was designed by V.B. Crockett and built in 1967 in Tarpon Springs, Florida, as a replica of a late 19th-century two-masted cargo schooner. After a major overhaul in 1995, it operated for 26 years on the East Coast, offering educational programs and charters throughout Long Island Sound, Connecticut, and the Chesapeake Bay.
In October 2021, the schooner made a three-month voyage to California and was donated to the Central Coast Ocean Adventures Foundation in January 2022. Today, it continues its educational mission across the Central Coast.
