Courtesy photo.
VENTURA — Ahoy, mates! Drop anchor at Ventura Harbor Village, through Memorial Day weekend May 27, 2025 and climb aboard the majestic Tall Ship Mystic Whaler, an 83-foot, two-masted schooner, modeled after a 19th Century coastal vessel, that will set sail and make its voyage to Ventura Harbor Village.
Made possible by Central Coast Ocean Adventures Foundation (CCOAF), the seafaring beauty, will dock at Ventura Harbor Village Dock-C (near Ventura Boat Rentals, in front of Brophy Bros. and On the Alley restaurants). During its visit to Ventura Harbor Village, history buffs of all ages will have a chance to come aboard and join in the excitement with dockside tours and onboard hands-on learning experiences. Visitors can step back in time, meet the knowledgeable crew, learn the ropes of schooner life, hear captivating sea stories and discover how the Mystic Whaler keeps maritime traditions alive.
Public dockside tours are scheduled to include the following:
Saturday, May 17 Deck Tour (1:30 PM-5 PM)
Sunday, May 18 Deck Tour (noon – 6 PM)
Friday, May 23 Deck Tour (2 PM-6 PM)
Saturday, May 24 Deck Tour (Noon -6 PM)
Sunday, May 25 Deck Tour (Noon -6 PM)
Monday, May 26 Deck Tour (Noon-6 PM)
** Sunday, May 18 Tentative Private Sail or Additional Public Deck Tour
Visitors boarding the Mystic Whaler have the option to make a suggested donation of $5 (kids are free). All activities are weather pending, and the schedule is subject to change. Please visit Venturaharborvillage.com for the most up to date schedule.
The Mystic Whaler also provides wonderful photography opportunities sailing into the Harbor on Wednesday, May 15 through the Ventura Harbor entrance approximately 10 to 11 a.m. and sails out of the Harbor on Tuesday, May 27 at 8 a.m.
Potential additional views for the Mystic Whaler under sail is during a private sail on Sunday, May 18 leaving at Noon and returning around 3 p.m.. Updates can be found closer to the date on https://www.venturaharborvillage.com/event/adventure-with-the-tall-ship-mystic-whaler/2025-05-14/
The arrival of the Mystic Whaler coincides with Ventura Harbor Village’s ongoing Spring seaside events/activities and California’s Tourism Month throughout May, including a stellar lineup of seaside live music on Ventura Harbor Village’s Promenade Stage from 1-4 PM:
May 17, 2025 – 1- 4 PM
Singer-songwriter Dylan Brehm, who fronts Looking West Ventura-based rock band, performs original & rock covers.
* Special interactive Fish Printing from 2-4 PM at the Welcome Booth in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
May 18, 2025 – 1- 4 PM
Singer-songwriter writer Katie Leigh presents folk, country & indie tunes.
May 24, 2025 – 1- 4 PM
Musicians Tyler & James of TB & J, a dynamic duo, turn up the volume fusing classic pop-punk vibes with modern twist.
May 25, 2025 – 1- 4 PM
Rock band musicians from the Vanise Terry Band unleashes a real-deal rock vibe.
May 26, 2025 – 1- 4 PM – Memorial Day – Unkle Monkey featuring rock, reggae and tropica sounds.
In line with California Tourism Month, Ventura Harbor Village will host a weekly Welcome Booth on Saturdays from
2-4 PM with a “Send A Postcard” to a friend offer, whereby the Village provides postcards and pays for the postage (if visitors mail via the booth on the same day); bubbles, free destination stickers; and a chance to win weekly gift cards from Ventura Harbor Village to shop, dine and play. Plus, a special interactive Fish Print activity on Saturday, May 17 at the booth from 2-4 PM in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
Plan to spend more time at Ventura Harbor Village’s seaside playground to shop, dine and play harborside at more than 30 waterfront eateries, shops and entertainment venues. Plus, Ventura Boat Rentals offers electric boat rentals, fun character peddle boats, and more.
Visitors are encouraged to take photos and share their Instagram-worthy Tall Ship Mystic Whaler photos by using #SeaTallShip and tag@VenturaHarbor. For the latest updates regarding the Tall Ship Mystic Whaler visit to Ventura Harbor Village May 14 – May 27, 2025 and other spring events, visit https://www.venturaharborvillage.com/events/
More About Central Coast Ocean Adventures Foundation Tall Ship Mystic Whaler:
Rich in history and seaside lore, the Tall Ship Mystic Whaler, designed by V.B. Crockett, was built in Tarpon Springs, Florida in 1967, and is representative of a late 19th Century cargo two-masted schooner. Following a significant over hall in 1995, Tall Ship Mystic Whaler then operated on the East Coast for 26 years, and provided educational programs/charters throughout Long Island Sound, Connecticut, and the Chesapeake Bay. The schooner then started a three-month journey to California in October 2021, and was donated to Central Coast Ocean Adventures Foundation in January 2022. It is more than just a ship – it’s a floating classroom and an environmental advocate whose home base is the Channel Islands Harbor.
The organization’s mission is to utilize adventure through sailing and the sea to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) comprehension, environmental stewardship, teamwork, self-confidence, and nautical skills for the communities of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties with a special focus on youth ages 10-18 years old.