The Bayshore Center at Bivalve is a nonprofit that sails New Jersey's official tall ship, the 1928 oyster schooner A.J. Meerwald, on the Delaware Bay. Its Sailor For A Day program puts youth aged 12 and up (6th-12th grade) aboard for a full day from 9:00am to 3:00pm learning navigation, seamanship and teamwork, at $150 per participant. It also runs maritime camps for young seafarers aged 13-16, including a five-day, four-night live-aboard adventure alongside shorter one-day shipboard camps.
The practical details
We list only what the camp itself publishes, and programs change — dates, prices, ages and availability can all move after we check. Confirm the details on the camp’s own website and contact Bayshore Center at Bivalve directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
Camps nearby
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Google Reviews
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★★★★★Kim AngleSuch an amazing experience! The deckhands were kind and so very knowledgeable! The sail was perfect and the birding volunteers answered all questions honestly and professionally! The AJ Meerwald is such a wonderful opportunity near home! Thank you for this, Teri and crew! P.S. We waited to board because we arrived early, not due to any staff delay.
★★★★★Ingrid PerezWe had an amazing sail! The crew and staff were fantastic and able to answer all of our weird questions, lol. We enjoyed food and drinks before the sail.. everything was great. The historian was very knowledgeable and we got to participate in raising the sails which truly enhanced the experience. We will be returning and would highly recommend this trip to anyone interested.
★★★★★Brian BrandlGreat Museum about the once booming oyster industry! Would like to return for a festival to eat out in the docks. So pretty. Tons of martins flying around, too!
★★★★★A. A. ArmstrongEvery time I come to Bayshore Center at Bivalve NJ, I learn a little bit more about the history of the oyster industry and the maritime history of the place. Today I was blessed enough to take a 6-hour sail on the AJ Meerwald, a beautiful old schooner out into the Delaware Bay where we saw some amazing lighthouses. Being out on the water is definitely one of my happy places. The rain and the wind may have been discouraging to some of my fellow travelers but to me any moment spent out on the water is a good moment. As a very special bonus we saw many pods of bottle nose dolphins and some were leaping joyfully out of the water. Incredible! The captain and the crew and the volunteers and interns were fun, gracious, knowledgeable and very capable. These cruises are designed not only for the enjoyment of being out on the water, but also for environmental educational purposes which is incredibly important to me. There should be more opportunities like this in our community for people to learn about their sea, river, land and air environments and how important it is to preserve it, respect it, and help it all thrive. We had a wonderful time I recommend this trip to everyone old and young alike!
★★★★★John RauVery interesting place with a unique history. Informative introductory videos. Excellent exhibits, and their fried oysters were exquisite! So fresh and tasty! I'm so glad we made the trip out there.