Coastal & Offshore, Maine Expeditions
The coast is where all the action and challenge is: commercial traffic, rocks, tides and currents. New England is one of the most difficult areas to sail in the US, notorious for large tides and thick fog—but the beauty is unbeatable! These expeditions feature long days of lessons, planning, navigation, drills, scenarios and fun. We’ll sail among the islands, ledges, and schooners of Maine’s bold coast, most likely encountering some fog and other challenges along the way. These Coastal & Offshore expeditions include an overnight sail so you can learn and experience watch standing routines and protocols for passages.
The instructors of Morse Alpha Expeditions have sailed to many parts of the world, and we still agree that setting a course for the northeast provides some of the most robust educational experiences and beautiful cruising grounds.
Offshore New England, Maine–Rhode Island Expeditions
These multi-day passage expeditions transit challenging waters. Staying focused while on watch is imperative. We’ll be route planning and sharing weather reports with you even before the expedition begins, so you can learn the process in detail. You’ll experience the offshore routine, commercial traffic, ocean waves, strong currents, rapidly shifting weather, and of course, “Land-Ho!” We will sail Penobscot Bay, The Gulf Of Maine, Massachusetts Bay, The Cape Cod Canal, and Narragansett Bay. We will have options for potential stops – Islands in Maine, Gloucester, Provincetown, Martha’s Vineyard, Newport, etc. There may even be whale sightings near Stellwagon Bank.
Coastal, Maine Expeditions
These expeditions will begin and end in Rockland and sail beautiful Penobscot Bay and the surrounding waters between Rockland and Mount Desert. We run them just like our Coastal & Offshore Expeditions, and anchor in a different harbor each night. You will be learning to sail, and liveaboard. The only difference between this 5 day expedition and the 6 day expedition is that there is no overnight sail.
2024 Expedition Schedule:
| MoA 243 | June 23-28 | 6 Days | Coastal & Offshore Maine, Rockland | $2895 | Full |
| Private | July 1–5 | 5 Days | Private Expedition | NA | Full |
| Private | July 7-12 | 6 Days | Private Expedition | NA | Full |
| MoA 245 | July 21-26 | 6 Days | Offshore New England, Rockland-Newport | $3295 | Full |
| MoA 246 | July 29– August 3 | 6 Days | Offshore New England, Newport-Rockland | $3295 | Full |
| MoA 247 | August 5–10 | 6 Days | Coastal & Offshore Maine, Rockland | $2895 | Full |
To Reserve Your Berth:
(1) Fill out the Application Form
(2) Pay $300pp Non-Refundable Application Fee via PayPal (If you are not accepted, or we cancel, this will be refunded)
Please pay only the $300 application fee via PayPal.
Private Expeditions:
We offer 4 and 5 day Rugged Maine Coast Expeditions, or a 5-day Coastal & Offshore Sailing Expedition (includes an overnight passage). You’ll have the whole boat to yourself (minimum 2 people) and be able to choose your dates. We’ll work with you to create an itinerary to help you reach your goals. All private expeditions start and end in Rockland, ME
MoA PC4 • Dates TBD • 4 Days: Private Rugged Maine Coast
MoA PC5 • Dates TBD • 5 Days: Private Rugged Maine Coast
MoA PO5 • Dates TBD • 5 Days: Private Coastal & Offshore Maine
Other Offerings:
If you don’t see an expedition here that fits your schedule or needs, please contact us to inquire about our other offerings.
Boston – Rockland One Way Expeditions: Multi-Day Offshore Passage + Coastal Sailing
7 day Boston Expeditions: 256, 257
These multi-day passages transit the busy waters of New England. We’ll encounter fishing fleets, whales on Stellwagen Bank, shipping traffic into Boston and spend a night in Provincetown on the tip of Cape Cod. We’ll share weather reports and discuss route planning with you before the expedition begins, so you can see the full process. The roughly 220nm passage transits between Constitution Marina in Boston, and our homeport of Rockland, Maine. We will sail Penobscot Bay, The Gulf Of Maine, Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts Bay, and Boston Harbor. There will be options for potential anchorages – Islands in Maine, Gloucester, Provincetown, etc. This is an ideal learning passage with the perfect real-world combination of coastal and offshore time.
Travel recommendations:
You can purchase round trip flights to Logan International Airport (BOS). From there, take the Concord Coach Lines bus to Rockland, rent a car (Budget, Avis and Enterprise have offices nearby), or fly to Knox County Airport via Cape Air. Many students coordinate shared car rentals when their flight schedules align.
You can take the same bus from Rockland back to Logan/Boston!