The "Emerald Coast" of Florida is internationally known for its white sand beaches and crystal clear Gulf waters, and now nature enthusiasts are discovering the enchanted wetlands that encompass our beautiful bays and bayous.. teeming with exotic plants and wildlife.

Undoubtedly, the coasting schooner is the perfect way to explore the Emerald Coast, taking you to the remote anchorages in comfort and in care of mother nature. We encourage you to join in with a professional crew as an active crew member, to raise and trim sails, to navigate, to anchor, help prepare meals in the galley and to care for the vessel. We operate on a team concept, each team member sharing the duties and responsibilities of the ship

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Your group may arrive in Destin on a Wednesday evening and go directly aboard the schooner. You'll spend the first evening at the dock on beautiful Destin Harbor. We'll shove off the following Thursday morning.

We typically sail the Choctawhatchee Bay the first day, an inland passage, and anchor at the Cypress Wilderness Area that evening.

Friday we continue our journey inland to West Bay and Burnt Mill Creek where we anchor for lunch and exploration, then sail on for St. Andrews Bay and ultimately Shell Island, a "barrier" island protected by the Florida state park system.

We anchor in the clear waters of the island Friday evening, spend all day Saturday snorkeling and exploring the wonderful variety of natural communities from coastal dune hammocks to marshlands. Our favorite activity is always collecting a few of the many shells we find on the beach.

Early Sunday morning we will rise with the sun and head out into the Gulf for our offshore return cruise back to the port of Destin.

The Daniel Webster Clements is ideally suited for coastal cruising. She has excellent space for group activities and accomodations. Below she is light spacious and simply appointed. In her construction we have exposed many of her timbers below decks accentuating her rich nautical heritage. We have a variety of berthing possibilities depending upon the nature of your group. You choose from spacious well ventilated state rooms and larger common berthing and living areas. You will appreciate her galley and salon with its large, opening bronze ports that bring the outdoors right into the ship. The Clements has three heads, each with hot showers and even a fresh water shower on the aft deck. On at least one evening, while laying at anchor under the stars, we will grill a meal on our stern mounted grills.

Cruise dates available spring, early summer and fall.

Group costs begin at $5,800.