Schooner Freedom

Schooner Freedom has carried passengers under sail along the Matanzas Bay since 2001, and the operation remains a genuinely family run business rather than a franchise or corporate tour brand. Captain John Zaruba built the original vessel and has spent more than two decades at the helm, and over time the business has grown into a true family affair, with his wife handling much of the shoreside operation and their children now taking turns at the wheel and helping run day to day sailings. The Freedom herself is a traditionally rigged wooden tall ship, built specifically for the harbor conditions of St. Augustine, and stepping aboard feels distinctly different from a motorized tour boat, since the only sounds during a sail are the wind, the creak of the rigging, and the occasional call of a pelican overhead. The standard day sail gives passengers a close up look at the historic waterfront, the Castillo de San Marcos, and the Bridge of Lions from the water, with the crew explaining the history of the ship, the harbor, and the maritime traditions that shaped the city. As the sun begins to set, the sunset sail becomes one of the most requested departures of the day, offering unobstructed water views of the sky changing color over the bay. On select evenings the schooner hosts moonlight sails featuring live acoustic music performed on deck, turning the outing into an intimate evening experience rather than a simple sightseeing trip. The company also runs a full moon sail tied to the lunar calendar and special Nights of Lights sailings each winter when the historic district is strung with millions of white lights, a tradition unique to St. Augustine. Beyond the public sailing schedule, Schooner Freedom books private charters for weddings, vow renewals, corporate gatherings, and family celebrations, and the crew is known for personalizing each private sail to the occasion. An educational program called Fins and Freedom introduces younger passengers and school groups to coastal marine biology using the bay itself as a floating classroom. Dogs are welcome on many sailings, a detail that has made the schooner popular with pet owning travelers who do not want to leave a companion behind at the hotel. Departing from the St. Augustine Municipal Marina puts the ship within easy walking distance of the historic downtown core, and gift certificates are available for visitors who want to give the experience as a present. With a captain and crew who have literally grown up on board, Schooner Freedom offers a level of authenticity and hospitality that reflects genuine multigenerational family ownership.