Sail Around South Puget Sound with the Olympia Sailing Company

“Well, it’s not far down to paradise, at least it’s not for me. If the wind is right you can said away and find tranquility.” – “Sailing” by Christopher Cross

Spend even the shortest amount of time in the Olympia area and the fresh sea breezes and salty air of the South Puget Sound are soon calling to you. But you don’t have to have sailing skills or knowledge of the sea to enjoy a day out on the open water. You just need to book a private sailing excursion with the Olympia Sailing Company.

Set Sail from Boston Harbor

From Olympia, head north roughly seven miles along East Bay Drive Northeast and you’ll end up in the quaint, coastal community of Boston Harbor. Head to Boston Harbor Marina and you’ll find the crew of the Pterodactyl waiting at the end of the dock, ready to take you on a day cruise around the Budd Inlet. You can pre-order a cocktail (or mocktail) and on-board snack, but you can also stock up on extra staples at the marina store, or stop in and enjoy a craft beer, glass of wine, and live music at the marina when you disembark after your trip.

Cosima Franchini and her brother Ocean, longtime Olympia residents, own and operate the 42-foot traditional schooner built from the ground up by their father back in the ‘70s. Growing up on the water has given Cosima and Ocean their unique knowledge and love of sailing, which they love sharing with their guests during their May through October sailing season.

The private day trips are just that – private. When you book the Pterodactyl, you and up to five of your luckiest family and friends are the rulers of the sea, with the help of Lead Captain Ocean and deckhand Mena, who lays out a mean charcuterie spread and solid cocktails. Take your pick from a two-hour, three-hour, or all-day (six-hour) cruise and either sit back and relax or help the crew hoist sails and assist in maneuvers.

While you cruise around the inlet, you’ll enjoy views of the Dofflemyer Point Light right outside of the harbor, the Capitol Building to the south and a few lazy sea lions (and on the rare occasion a pod of orcas) if you’re lucky.

Whether it’s a special occasion or you just need to decompress and relax on the deck of a sailboat, the Olympia Sailing Company ticks all the boxes.