Jamaica Bay is one of the main way-points for east coast migrating birds in the spring through autumn, with over 325 bird species recorded. The bay is truly New York City's largest remaining coastal habitat which is comprised of navigable waterways, tidal creeks, mud flats, salt marsh and upland habitat. Much of the bays natural features are protected as part of the Gateway National Recreation Area; the only urban National Park in the United States. 

Not far from our dock in Rockaway Beach you'll find the majority of shorebird species within a network of different habitats. Most notable is the JoCo Marsh, the largest section of original salt marsh remaining in the bay and quite possibly NYC's largest green space; fully wild and unaltered by humans since time immemorial.

​"JoCo Marsh, the biggest and best marsh in the bay..."
​-Don Riepe, Director of Northeast Chapter of the American Littoral Society

Our route includes Rockaway Community Park and Dubos Point Wildlife Sanctuary which boasts many raptors and songbirds in its combined 300+  acre upland habitat. We sail to prime locations for the best chance to view the bays wildlife.

Jumping fish and turtles are common sights as well as the intriguing horseshoe crabs, described as "living fossils".

TIME
1.5-2 HOURS

RATE
$50 PER PERSON
BOAT HOLDS 6 PASSENGERS

MAKE IT A
PRIVATE TOUR

RENT THE ENTIRE BOAT
FOR ONLY $200

Sunrise is the best time to view Jamaica Bays migrating bird population. Getting on water in the early morning is a peaceful and invigorating way to start the day.

For optimal wildlife viewing,
our schedule is designed around
the high tide cycle when it
coincides with sunrise times.

High tide allows us to get in closer to the marshes and sunrise is feeding time for most birds. Departure times will vary from week to week based on the natural cycles. Alternatively, sunset hours are also feeding time for many birds.

high tide + Sunrise
DATEs and times

JUNE

JUNE 2
High Tide
5:13am

Sunrise
5:26am

JUNE 3
High Tide
6:15am

Sunrise
5:26am

JUNE 4
High Tide
7:13am

Sunrise
5:25am

JUNE 17
High Tide
5:20am

Sunrise
5:24am

JUNE 18
High Tide
6:15am

Sunrise
5:24am

JUNE 19
High Tide
7:07am

Sunrise
5:24am

JULY

JULY 2
High Tide
5:55am

Sunrise
5:29am

JULY 3
High Tide
6:56am

Sunrise
5:30am

JULY 4
High Tide
7:13am

Sunrise
5:30am

JULY 17
High Tide
5:31am

Sunrise
5:39am

JULY 18
High Tide
6:32am

Sunrise
5:40am

JULY 19
High Tide
7:27am

Sunrise
5:41am

JULY 31
High Tide
5:39am

Sunrise
5:52am

AUG

AUGUST 1
High Tide
6:43am

Sunrise
5:53am

AUGUST 16
High Tide
6:01am

Sunrise
6:07am

AUGUST 17
High Tide
7:01am

Sunrise
6:08am

AUGUST 29
High Tide
5:26am

Sunrise
6:20am

AUGUST 30
High Tide
6:28am

Sunrise
6:21am

AUGUST 31
High Tide
7:22am

Sunrise
6:22am

SEPT

SEPTEMBER 14
High Tide
5:34am

Sunrise
6:36am

SEPTEMBER 15
High Tide
6:35am

Sunrise
6:37am

SEPTEMBER 16
High Tide
7:29am

Sunrise
6:38am

SEPTEMBER 28
High Tide
6:06am

Sunrise
6:50am

SEPTEMBER 29
High Tide
6:58am

Sunrise
6:51am

SEPTEMBER 30
High Tide
7:42am

Sunrise
6:52am

FUN FACT!
Can you experience a Full Moonset, Sunrise, and High Tide at the same time?

The Moonset is the nod to the tide going out-
so Sunrise Sails taking place at High Tide will not encounter the Full Moon.

FULL MOONSET with lowering tide will coincide at SUNRISE  on these dates

JUNE

June 22
Moonset 5:27am
Sunrise 5:25am

June 23
Moonset 6:34am
Sunrise 5:25am

JULY

July 21
Moonset 5:28am
Sunrise 5:43am

July 22
Moonset 6:47am
Sunrise 5:44am

AUGUST

August 19
Moonset 5:40am
Sunrise 6:10am

August 20
Moonset 6:59am
Sunrise 6:11am

SEPTEMBER

September 17
Moonset 5:49am
Sunrise 6:39am

September 18
Moonset 7:08am
Sunrise 6:40am

make your donation today
to help continue restoration
of jamaica bay's critical wetlands

WE OFFER SUNSET TOURS AS WELL.