Trips and Experiences
Join Captain Steve and the crew of Alyosha for a trip that very intentionally skips the Atlantic Ocean and stays in the flat, calm Sinepuxent Bay west of Assateague Island. No need for dramamine on this trip, as Alyosha provides a very stable platform for couples, friends and/or families to enjoy some time on the water. Lounge on the trampolines or one of the many comfortable seating options- there is plenty of room for everyone!
We offer this trip for anyone who is longing to get out on Alyosha- the 50' catamaran sailing out of Ocean City, Maryland during the summer- but is concerned about getting seasick out on the ocean. Alyosha will slowly glide along the channel, potentially affording a view of Assateague's wild ponies, under diesel power for the entirety of this journey. (we might try to get the sails up, but this will depend on the time and wind direction!)
You will watch the sun melt into the marsh along the west bank of the Sinepuxent and then be treated to a magnificent view of OC's night time skyline as we return to port. Bring your camera!
Note on Birthdays and Anniversaries:
One of the great surprises of our first year of operations was how many people decided to celebrate their anniversaries and/or birthdays with us! (There were a few weddings and a proposal as well...)
Let us know if you are celebrating something with your cruise: We now have anniversary and birthday flags- complete with a nautical number set- that we hope you will consider raising during the sail.
Command & Crew the boat that sailed the world!
Ever wonder what it is like to actually try to dock a 50' sailboat in a tight harbor? Want to experience the thrill of manning the helm, raising the sails and setting a course for adventure? Or how about this: Unable to sit still and would rather be doing something because that's how you're wired to relax? Then we have the perfect trip for you!
A Brand New, Fully Revamped 2024 Experience:
Join us for a hands on sailing adventure that will have you and all other customers completely handle EVERY aspect of a 4 hour sailing adventure! You will be expected to review a brief guide to staying safe on Alyosha beforehand, and there will be a 10-15 minute orientation at the beginning of this trip to ensure everyone stays safe! Then, you can expect to be put to work at the helm, on the sails, or in a variety of other capacities! Captain Steve's perfect vision of this trip is to use his voice (and kind, patient demeanor) to direct everyone successfully navigate Alyosha through a sailing ocean experience!
Captain Steve Butz has over 35 years of sailing experience and recently completed a circumnavigation on Alyosha. He has logged over 50,000 nautical miles on the boat. You and your fellow guests will be in good hands.
Additionally, Steve will do his best to explain the physics behind sailing and is happy to “go deep” with answering any and all of your questions.
No question is off limits as Steve is happy to pursue whatever topics interest sailors looking to boost their knowledge or stoke the interest of newbys to the sport. This trip- which is a longer experience at 4+ hours- is for those wanting more than just a ride in the Atlantic Ocean. You will leave with a deeper appreciation of the sport of sailing and the physics behind it.
Please note: If you just want to get out there and sail, and this is the most convenient time for you, by all means please book the trip! We have many “Hands On” sailors who actually prefer to just chill out and relax and let others do the work. Also, we have many couples choosing this trip where only one member really wants the "hands on" part! That is fine: This trip is exactly as engaging as you want it to be.
We only allow 8 people on this trip to ensure everyone is able to get some "hands on" experience.
An Experience Unlike Anything Else...
There are only about 5-6 nights over the course of a summer where everything falls into place for a truly magical experience: sailing under the stars and moon in the Atlantic Ocean… If the Atlantic is too rough, we have also have had incredible experiences sailing under a full moon behind Assateague Island. This will be the Captain's choice based on conditions.
This trip will only be conducted if the conditions are perfect: light winds, clear skies, and a gentle sea. If we don't get the right conditions, your trip will be fully refunded, no questions asked! But if we do: prepare yourself for a once in a lifetime experience! This trip generally happens less than 50% of the time it is scheduled- BY DESIGN! In some ways it is a perfect guarantee: Either you get great moon viewing, peaceful sailing conditions, OR YOU GET A REFUND.
A personal favorite of your captain, sailing under a full moon provides an unforgettable commune with nature that will have you reflecting on all of the sailors who have bravely gone to sea in search of opportunity. When this trip happens, it is magical- easily our favorite experience to offer customers!
Especially good for families with small children...
Are you interested in a quiet, scenic tour aboard the comfort of a 50' catamaran (with 2 restrooms!)???
This tour- offered only in the mornings- is especially nice during the "shoulder seasons" when the migratory birds of Assateague make their appearance.
This 2 hour trip is not about sailing, it is about enjoying the views on Sinepuxent Bay and Assateague. Of course we will also be scouting the shore lines for ponies as well.
The flat, calm waters behind Assateague will allow you to enjoy any kind of spread, food-wise, that you bring out. And please feel free to bring any beverages you would like, including alcohol. (We know its a morning trip, but no judgement here- you are on vacation!)
No worries about seasickness whatsoever!
Sail the boat that sailed the world!
Join Captain Steve Butz and prepare yourself for a very different Ocean City attraction! This is not the Sea Rocket! Sailing on the Atlantic Ocean is sometimes very exciting and often very relaxing, depending on the conditions. Don’t worry, you will have a great time either way…
The adventure will begin promptly at the scheduled start time and Alyosha will head out for an unforgettable sail on the Atlantic Ocean. The fun really begins when the diesel engines cut off and the boat moves along effortlessly under only sail power. Yes, this trip is about sailing! Pods of dolphins often playfully swim right off the bow of the boat, making a once in a lifetime natural experience! There is plenty of room aboard Alyosha for you to spread out and enjoy yourself- we encourage guests to utilize the wide trampolines in front of the boat for lounging.
Birthdays, Anniversaries and Special Events:
One of the great surprises of our first year of operations was how many people decided to celebrate their anniversaries and/or birthdays with us! (We have had weddings, first dates, and proposals as well...) Let us know if you are celebrating something with your cruise: We now have anniversary, birthday and special event flags- complete with a nautical number set- that we hope you will consider raising during the sail.
There is always a four person minimum for all Ocean Sailing trips. Don’t let this discourage you! Book the trip if you want to sail and if we don’t get enough people- we almost always do- we will find another time/date for you.
A Brand New, Introductory Offer for 2024
Not sure how you or your family/friends will do out on the Ocean? Want to give sailing a try but on a smaller scale, without the nearly 3 hour commitment of our regular cruises? Then this trip is for you!
Come out an experience either the "chill" or "thrill" of Ocean Sailing (depending on the weather) on this nearly 2 hour adventure.
Watch OC fade into the horizon as the crystal clear Atlantic Ocean waters surround the boat. The fun really begins when the diesel engines cut off and the boat moves along effortlessly under only sail power. Yes, this trip is about sailing! Pods of dolphins often playfully swim right off the bow of the boat, making a once in a lifetime natural experience! There is plenty of room aboard Alyosha for you to spread out and enjoy yourself- we encourage guests to utilize the wide trampolines in front of the boat for lounging.
Birthdays, Anniversaries and Special Events:
One of the great surprises of our first year of operations was how many people decided to celebrate their anniversaries and/or birthdays with us! (We have had weddings, first dates, and proposals as well...) Let us know if you are celebrating something with your cruise: We now have anniversary, birthday and special event flags- complete with a nautical number set- that we hope you will consider raising during the sail.
There is always a four person minimum for all Ocean Sailing trips. Don’t let this discourage you! Book the trip if you want to sail and if we don’t get enough people- we almost always do- we will find another time/date for you.
A Brand New 2024 Offering:
Have you sailed with us before and been left wanting more? Can't commit to the 6 hour "Big Blue" trips on Sundays but still need a sailing fix that is bigger and better than our standard, almost three hour tour? Try our newest offering: Ocean Sailing "Advanced"
On Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays we will embark on a longer, over 4 hour sail out on the Atlantic Ocean! This trip is primarily offered to thosse who have sailed with us before, and who just can't get enough of Alyosha, sailing, or our friendly crew!
Watch OC fade into the horizon as the crystal clear Atlantic Ocean waters surround the boat. The fun really begins when the diesel engines cut off and the boat moves along effortlessly under only sail power. Yes, this trip is about sailing! Pods of dolphins often playfully swim right off the bow of the boat, making a once in a lifetime natural experience! There is plenty of room aboard Alyosha for you to spread out and enjoy yourself- we encourage guests to utilize the wide trampolines in front of the boat for lounging.
Birthdays, Anniversaries and Special Events:
One of the great surprises of our first year of operations was how many people decided to celebrate their anniversaries and/or birthdays with us! (We have had weddings, first dates, and proposals as well...) Let us know if you are celebrating something with your cruise: We now have anniversary, birthday and special event flags- complete with a nautical number set- that we hope you will consider raising during the sail.
There is always a four person minimum for all Ocean Sailing trips. Don’t let this discourage you! Book the trip if you want to sail and if we don’t get enough people- we almost always do- we will find another time/date for you.
Book Alyosha for your next event or group outing! Private charters for up to 12 people are available on request. There are TWO WAYS to book a Private Charter on Alyosha. The first is very straightforward: There is a link under the "How Many Seats?" question that will allow you to indicate that you want to book the entire boat for a selected timeframe, if you do this, the price will recalculate and you will have Alyosha to yourself! You can also try to arrange a private charter for a time when we have nothing booked (like mornings, etc...) or when you want to combine two time slots for a longer adventure. You will need to contact Captain Steve (steve@bluebimini.com) to see if something can be arranged. You can learn more about Private Charters by clicking here.. Please note, the list below is for Private Charters that have already been set up, and are not available to the public.
All the "chill" of sailing, without the uncertainty of the Atlantic Ocean!
So you want to enjoy a few hours on the water and experience sailing without the uncertainty of what the Atlantic Ocean serves up? This experience is for you... Several times during the summer, the tides and currents behind Assateague Island afford the most pleasant sailing imaginable: a quick trip south, with a strong current heading into the predominantly south winds. This gets Alyosha down to the Verrazano Bridge pretty quickly. Then, we turn around and the magic happens: a long, beautiful spinnaker run with those south winds behind us, into the current! Flat sailing, no motors, and you and your family/friends take in the scenic views from a choice seat on the trampoline or on Alyosha's spacious deck.
If you like the idea of sailing, but maybe not the actual seas and boat movement, try this trip out. It is fantastic!
A Worthy "Date Night" Option
It’s everything you might imagine a Saturday Night Sunset Cruise to be, and even a bit more! We have added some time to this adventure to make it a worthwhile “date night” excursion. This trip is 90 minutes in duration.
Cruise on Alyosha, a 50ft sailing Catamaran, out into the Atlantic for a beautiful view of the Sunset. If you are worried about your comfort during our longer "Ocean Sailing" and "Hands On" trips, then this shorter trip out into the Atlantic might be something to consider. Generally, the Saturday Night Cruise will depart about an hour before sunset and will return at dusk. Watch the sun set on Ocean City from the Atlantic Ocean as you glide along the coastline under sail. Lounge on the trampoline or enjoy any of the other excellent seating options that this 50' boat has available. This is a "must do" experience in Ocean City!
Note on Birthdays and Anniversaries:
One of the great surprises of our first year of operations was how many people decided to celebrate their anniversaries and/or birthdays with us! (There were a few weddings and a proposal as well...) Let us know if you are celebrating something with your cruise: We now have anniversary and birthday flags- complete with a nautical number set- that we hope you will consider raising during the sail.
Take in a Sunset on a spacious, 50' sailing catamaran!
Cruise on Alyosha, a 50ft sailing Catamaran, out into the Atlantic for a beautiful view of the Sunset. If you are worried about your comfort during our longer "Ocean Sailing" and "Hands On" trips, then this shorter trip out into the Atlantic might be something to consider. Generally, the sunset cruise will depart about 45 minutes before sunset and will return at dusk. (about 65-70 minutes)
Watch the sun set on Ocean City from the Atlantic Ocean as you glide along the coastline under sail. Lounge on the trampoline or enjoy any of the other excellent seating options that this 50' boat has available. This is a "must do" experience in Ocean City!
Note on Birthdays and Anniversaries:
One of the great surprises of our first year of operations was how many people decided to celebrate their anniversaries and/or birthdays with us! (There were a few weddings and a proposal as well...) Let us know if you are celebrating something with your cruise: We now have anniversary and birthday flags- complete with a nautical number set- that we hope you will consider raising during the sail.
Looking for a Supersized Adventure? For serious sailors only...
Are you looking for s?omething different? Want to watch the land fade away and really get out there to experience open ocean sailing? We have you covered! This is the longest sailing experience we offer and is a great chance to get away from it all.
We will depart from our West OC headquarters and sail straight out into the blue beyond. The goal here is not only to really soak in the ocean sailing experience but also to watch the water change colors as the Ocean City horizon fades and then disappears!
This 6 hour trip is for those who have sailing experience, have been sailing on Alyosha before OR, for those extremely adventurous types! Alyosha is a 50 foot St. Francis catamaran that has sailed around the world with Captain Steve at the helm, so you are in capable hands out there in the ocean.
This is NOT a good trip to figure out whether you or your kids are susceptible to seasickness!
This trip is limited to 6 people.