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Activities, ranger tours, and most programs are included with your ferry ticket.

Sail Boston 2026: Parade of Sail Viewing from Spectacle Island

Catch Sail Boston 2026's Parade of Sail with a special viewing from Spectacle Island, with open lawns, sea breezes, and one of the best views in the harbor.

Tall Ships return to Boston Harbor for Sail Boston 2026 hosted by Meet Boston! 

On Saturday, July 11, catch Sail Boston 2026’s Parade of Sail from Spectacle Island, with open lawns, sea breezes, and one of the best views in the harbor. 

In partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), MBTA, National Parks of Boston, Boston Harbor Now, and Boston Harbor City Cruises, special ferry service will run from Hingham to Spectacle Island for the day to provide park access and public viewing of this historic harbor event.

Get your round-trip ticket, bring a blanket, and watch the fleet sail in. Tall Ships are expected to pass Spectacle Island from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM (approximately).

When: Saturday, July 11, 2026
Ferry route: Hingham Shipyard (Hewitts Cove) to Spectacle Island and back
First boat from Hingham: 8:00 AM.
Last scheduled boat back: departs Spectacle Island at 4:00 PM.
Tickets: Available in person only, at the MBTA Ferry ticket office at Hingham Shipyard. Round-trip fares below. Departure and return trips must be selected at time of booking.
On-sale date: Tickets will be on sale beginning Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at 10 a.m. Then weekdays between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. and on weekends between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. while supplies last. No day-of sales.

 

Ticketing

  • Tickets are sold in person only, at the MBTA Ferry ticket office at Hingham Shipyard. No online, phone, or app sales.No sales the day of the event. Buy ahead.
  • Choose your departure times when you buy. Seats on each trip are limited and sold first come, first served. You can pick any departure while seats remain, but once a trip sells out, it’s full.
  • Book your return at the same time. Every passenger reserves both legs: one trip out, one trip back.
  • Tickets are non-transferable. Please select and purchase tickets for your chosen departure time, as tickets are only valid for that specific time and cannot be used for other departures.
  • Ticket office hours: sales begin Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at 10 a.m. Then weekdays between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. and on weekends between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. while supplies last.

Round-trip fares:

Adult: $24.95
Senior 65+, Student, Military: $22.95
Child ages 3 to 11: $17.95
Child under 3: free

 

Public ferry schedule (Saturday, July 11 only)

To Spectacle Island (depart Hingham / arrive island):

  • 8:00 AM / 8:45 AM
  • 9:00 AM / 9:45 AM
  • 9:30 AM / 10:15 AM
  • 10:30 AM / 11:15 AM

Back to Hingham (depart island / arrive Hingham):

  • 11:15 AM / 12:00 PM
  • 12:00 PM / 12:45 PM
  • 1:00 PM / 1:45 PM
  • 1:45 PM / 2:30 PM
  • 2:30 PM / 3:15 PM
  • 3:15 PM / 4:00 PM
  • 4:00 PM / 4:45 PM

 

On the Island

  • Spectacle Island Visitor Center is open, with restrooms and drinking water.
  • Additional portable restrooms are set up near the viewing area at the North Drumlin.
  • Zaz food concession is open.

 

Know Before You Go

  • Tickets are sold in person only, at the Hingham Shipyard ferry ticket office. No online, phone, or app sales. No day-of sales.
  • Every ticket is for a specific trip time, out and back. Board the trip on your ticket.
  • Passengers should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to their scheduled departure. Security screening happens in Hingham before boarding. Give yourself time.
  • Tickets are non-transferable and are only valid for the departure time printed on them.
  • Lost tickets cannot be refunded or honored. You will not be able to board a trip without a ticket.  
  • Tickets cannot be resold. 
  • Please be prepared to provide your e-mail address when purchasing tickets so we can contact you in the case of changes due to bad weather.
  • No alcohol on the ferries or on the trip. No glass containers.
  • All bags are subject to search.
  • Pack light. Backpacks and large bags are not allowed. Full list below.
  • Plan your return. Last scheduled boat leaves the island at 4:00 PM.
  • Lifeguards will be on duty on Spectacle Island in the designated swimming area.
  • Boating drop-off and pick-up access will be available at the Spectacle dock.
  • Visitors using moorings, dinghies, kayaks, or other small watercraft may pull up north of the swimming area.
  • All visitors arriving by water will be directed to a security checkpoint before accessing the island.
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Prohibited:

  • Backpacks or large bags
  • Coolers on wheels
  • Firearms, weapons, sharp objects, or fireworks
  • Pop-up tents or canopies
  • Glass containers, pre-mixed drinks, or alcoholic beverages
  • Wagons or pull carts
  • Drones
  • Pets (certified service animals welcome)
  • Grills, propane tanks, or open flames
  • Bicycles or electric scooters

Allowed:

  • Small clutch purses or bags (easily searchable)
  • Shoulder-strap or single-handle coolers
  • Folding or beach chairs
  • Umbrellas
  • Baby strollers
  • Diaper bags (easily searchable)
  • Glass baby bottles
  • Blankets or tarps (max 10′ x 10′)

Guests are subject to safety checks at departure points.

Spectacle Island Frequently Asked Questions

•When is the Parade of Sail? When do tall ships pass Spectacle Island?

Tall ships should pass Spectacle Island between approximately 9:30 AM and3:00 PM (weather permitting).

•How close will the tall ships be to Spectacle Island?

The center of the main ship channel used by the tall ships is less than ½ mile from the top of the North Drumlin on Spectacle Island. The view will be spectacular (weather permitting!).

•What is available on Spectacle Island?

The Spectacle Island Visitor Center will be open, with restrooms and drinking water.

Additional portable restrooms will be set up near the North Drumlin.

ZaZ food concession will be open. Menu available at www.bostonharborislands.org/food/

•Can we bring food to Spectacle Island?

Yes, small coolers and small bags are permitted.

•What happens if I lose my ticket?

If you lose your ticket before departure from Hingham, you will not be able to travel to Spectacle Island. Please treat tickets as cash.

If you lose your return ticket while on Spectacle Island, you will be accommodated on a returning ferry, but priority will be given to passengers with tickets for each trip. You may have to wait for a later ferry.

•What happens if I miss my departure from Hingham?

Priority will be given to passengers with tickets for each trip, but (space permitting) you may be accommodated on a later trip. You may not be able to travel to Spectacle Island if you miss your ticketed time.

•What happens if I miss my departure from Spectacle Island?

Priority will be given to passengers with tickets for each trip, but you will be accommodated on later ferries. You may have to wait a few hours to get off the island. You will be accommodated on a later ferry eventually.

•What happens in case of bad weather?

The Parade of Sail may be delayed or cancelled due to bad weather. If delays or cancellations are known before Saturday morning, you will be contacted via email. Cancellations or delays may not be decided until Saturday morning or later. Information will be conveyed as it becomes available.

•Will Tall Ships be docked at Spectacle Island?

Tall ships will not be docking at Spectacle Island.

 

Schedules & Resources

Document Title Description Download
Prohibited Items List of allowed and prohibited items for the event Download
FAQs Frequently Asked Questions Download
Ferry Schedule MBTA Hingham to Spectacle Ferry Schedule Download
Event Flyer MBTA Flyer with schedule and fares Download

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