Sail hundreds of miles, navigate by the stars, visit two national parks
The Adventure of a Lifetime
Pirate Camp for Adults
Spend five days and nights absorbed in the tradition of tall ship sailing and historic skulduggery.
When we describe the Planet School’s “semester at sea” aboard Wonder, we regularly hear “Can adults enroll?” We hear it so often that we decided to see if such a thing exists. We searched for an opportunity for adults brimming with curiosity and enthusiasm, but lacking experience, to come aboard a tall ship for a week (most adults cannot sail for a semester), be part of the crew, and feel the magic of ocean voyaging. We could not find one.
So we created it.
We’ve transformed our usual six week voyage into a five day expedition for adults. Join us for an adventure of a lifetime and know that every dollar you spend supports a tuition-free high school. Win-win.
The Sea Is Calling
Go back in time to the Age of Sail, connect with the ocean, and learn to harness the wind
Learn Seamanship
Don’t just learn to sail, learn seamanship. Seamanship is the holistic practice of knowing your ship, your crew, the ocean, the atmosphere, and yourself. We teach you how to set sails, how to tie knots, and how to read a compass and then we show you how to integrate those skills (and many others) into effective decision-making at sea. We also throw in a few sea shanties along the way. And, yes, we do have a naval battle with another pirate ship.
There is no sailing experience required. In fact, we have designed this program for first-time sailors.
Immerse in Nature
When the engine goes off and you hear the wind in the sails, the ship cutting through the waves, and the sea birds overhead, you will have truly found paradise.
We almost always see dolphins and frequently spot turtles, Portuguese Man-o-War, and uncountable species of fish when we jump off the deck wearing snorkel gear. Visiting the Key West National Wildlife Refuge also means we usually have an entire island of beach and mangrove forest all to ourselves.
Safety & Experience
Wonder is has been introducing newcomers to sailing the Florida Keys since the early 1990s, mostly with the Boy Scouts. Wonder is a Coast Guard inspected and certified steel-hull vessel capable of crossing oceans, which we do.
Prior to launching these adult adventures, we sailed Wonder from Key Largo to the Great Lakes and then back down to Key West from June 2024-December 2024. Suffice to say, we got to know the boat quite well.
Authentic Adventure
This is the real deal: we share the work of the vessel and its rewards. We do the dishes, then we jump off the boat and go swimming. If you are looking for a luxury charter where you are passed hors d'oeuvres, then we may not be the best fit.
But if you enjoy fully participating in ship life—setting sails, taking the helm, standing watch at night, and learning to use a sextant at sunrise—then we can’t wait to meet you, shipmate.
And don’t worry, you absolutely get to stop and enjoy the sunset with a beverage in hand after a delicious meal—you will have earned it after learning to drop the anchor, furl the sails, and coil the lines.
Support School Innovation
100% of our profits support the Planet School, a tuition-free two year school reimagining high school as an expedition of discovery, purpose, and impact.
When Wonder is not hosting programs for adults, we are a sailing school vessel that conducts oceanographic research. Wonder sails thousands of miles every year.
Our Guests:
“It was an absolute pleasure serving aboard Wonder with Thane and the crew. You're all amazing, hardworking, wonderful people and I'm honored to have spent a few days with all of you.”
—Raam, guest crew on an overnight voyage.
“Sailing is utter magic. I stepped aboard a total novice and by the end of my time aboard, was already signing up for sailing lessons back home. Wonder was so empowering, so invigorating, so refreshing, and so very, very fun.”
—Megan, guest crew on an overnight voyage.
“My girlfriend and I spent a memorable, exhilarating, and informative long weekend on board with Thane. The hands-on element of our weekend was a real highlight…By the end of the trip, I was already plotting how to spend more time sailing.”
-Bunmi, guest crew on an overnight voyage.
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