What is El Galeon?
El Galeon is a full-size, plank-for-plank replica of a Spanish sailing ship used in early Colonial times to carry valuable cargo from Florida back to Spain. It is a traditionally rigged sailing ship with a tall mast (that's why it's a "tall ship"). From the 16th to the 18th centuries these large, sturdy boats (called "galleons") traveled some of the longest shipping routes in maritime history, from Europe to the New World and as far as the Indies.
What will we find aboard?
El Galeon offers a self-guided walking tour of the ship. Once aboard, you'll be free to roam above and below all five of the ship's decks, talk to the Spanish crew members who live on board, and check out dozens of interactive exhibits, videos, historical documents, and displays.
El Galeon offers a self-guided walking tour of the ship. Once aboard, you'll be free to roam above and below all five of the ship's decks, talk to the Spanish crew members who live on board, and check out dozens of interactive exhibits, videos, historical documents, and displays.
What will we learn about?
El Galeon is a real-life representation of 500 years of maritime history since the explorer Juan Ponce de Leon arrived on the Eastern shores of Florida. You'll learn all about the traditional sailing techniques and technologies that enabled Europeans who lived hundreds of years ago to travel all over the world by sea.
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El Galeon will be open for public tours on Thursday (9 AM-6 PM), Friday (9 AM-6 PM), Saturday (10 AM-6 PM), Sunday (10 AM-6 PM), and Monday (10 AM-4 PM). Tickets: Adults $10; Children (5-12) $5; Under 5 Free
On Monday, May 30, kids and parents are invited for a pirate party aboard the ship! Admission includes a Booty Bag sponsored by Newburyport Marinas providing each "pirate" with an inflatable sword and pirate hat. There will be two separate boarding times for this event: 1st boarding from 8-9 AM and 2nd boarding from 9-10 AM. Cost is $10 per person.Click here for the full schedule of Newburyport Maritime Days events, presented by the Custom House Maritime Museum.
Click here to purchase tickets for all El Galeon tours and events online.
