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Sunset Sails & Romantic Rides in Newport, RI

Newport things to do · Reviewed October 2026

The best sunset sail in Newport, RI leaves from Bowen’s and Bannister’s Wharves on a classic schooner, with a glass of bubbly as the sun drops behind the Pell Bridge. Sightsailing, Classic Cruises, Gansett Cruises and the America’s Cup 12 Metre yachts all run sunset trips from May through October. This guide compares them, then covers the other romantic rides in town: private sails for two, trolleys, helicopter tours and the coastal drive.

Before you go: The 2026 sunset season has wrapped up for most boats, and departure times change with the sunset all summer. Prices below are 2026 rates. Check each operator’s site for next season’s schedule before you book.

Newport sunset sails at a glance

Boat and operator Type Length 2026 price Drinks
Schooner Aquidneck, Sightsailing Champagne sunset schooner sail About 1¾ hours $69–$75 Prosecco toast included; no outside alcohol
Schooners Adirondack II, Adirondack IV and Madeleine, Classic Cruises Sunset schooner sail About 1½ hours From about $55 (Viator from about $74) Drinks sold on board
Rum Runner II, Classic Cruises 1929 motor yacht cruise About 1 hour About $45 Drinks sold at the booth; not BYOB
M/V Gansett, Gansett Cruises Lobster-boat sunset cruise About 1 hour About $50 Cash bar plus a champagne toast
12 Metre yachts, America’s Cup Charters Racing yacht sail About 2 hours $100 for day sails Bring beer, white wine or seltzer; no liquor or red wine

Sunset sails in Newport, RI

A sunset sail is the most romantic thing you can do in Newport in summer. Boats head out past Fort Adams and Hammersmith Farm toward the mouth of the harbor, then turn back as the light goes gold over Narragansett Bay and the Pell Bridge. The evening breeze often settles, so the water is usually calmer than an afternoon sail.

Sightsailing of Newport: champagne sunset cruise

Sightsailing runs its champagne sunset cruise mainly on the schooner Aquidneck from 32 Bowen’s Wharf. A prosecco toast at sunset, soft drinks, water and blankets are included, and the route passes Fort Adams, Hammersmith Farm and Clingstone. In 2026, sunset sails cost $69 to $75 per person and lasted about an hour and three quarters; children under 6 are not allowed. See the champagne sunset cruise and schedule and rates. Tickets go on sale 21 days before each sail, and summer weekends sell out.

Classic Cruises of Newport: Schooner Adirondack and Madeleine

Classic Cruises sails the schooners Adirondack II, Adirondack IV and Madeleine on sunset trips from the downtown wharves, plus the 1929 motor yacht Rum Runner II for a shorter cocktail-hour cruise. Sails are adults and ages 12 and up, and drinks are sold on board. The schooner season usually runs from mid-May to mid-October. Book the Newport Sunset Sail on Schooner Adirondack on Viator or through Classic Cruises. Check your ticket for the exact wharf; listings show both Bowen’s and Bannister’s Wharf.

Gansett Cruises: lobster-boat sunset cruise

For something more casual, Gansett Cruises runs a one-hour sunset cruise on the M/V Gansett, a 1969 Maine lobster boat, from Bowen’s Landing. There is a cash bar and a champagne toast, and the cost was about $50 per adult. During the day, Gansett’s narrated harbor tour is also sold as the Gansett Cruises afternoon harbor tour on Viator. Book sunset cruises through Gansett Cruises.

America’s Cup Charters: sail a 12 Metre yacht

America’s Cup Charters sails former America’s Cup 12 Metre racing yachts such as Intrepid and American Eagle from 49 America’s Cup Avenue. Two-hour bay sails ran from mid-May to late October in 2026 at $100 for adults, and evening sails are offered. You can bring beer, white wine, hard seltzer and non-alcoholic drinks. See ticketed sails and private charters.

Private sunset sails for two

For a proposal or anniversary, book the whole boat. Sightsailing’s 34-foot sloop Starlight takes two to six guests on a two-hour private sail, including at sunset. In 2026 it cost $450 in spring and fall and $475 from July through Labor Day, captain included, and you can bring a picnic and drinks. Boarding is by ladder over the seawall. See private sails. Classic Cruises offers whole-boat charters on Madeleine and Adirondack II, and America’s Cup Charters books private 12 Metre sails.

When to go and what to bring

Sunset sails run from May through October. Boats leave about 60 to 90 minutes before sunset, so departure times shift through the season. Approximate Newport sunset times:

Month Approximate sunset
Mid-May About 8:00 p.m.
Late June About 8:25 p.m. (latest of the year)
Early August About 8:00 p.m.
Early September About 7:15 p.m.
October 1 About 6:25 p.m.

Bring a warm layer even in July, since it gets cool on the water after dark, plus flat shoes and sunscreen. In spring and fall, wear long pants and bring a jacket. Book weekend sunsets early.

Other romantic rides in Newport

Trolley tours of the mansions

Viking Trolley Tours has run Newport tours since 1962 and operates year-round, with private and wedding tours available. The Viking Trolley Tour with Marble House on Viator combines a narrated ride with a mansion visit. In summer, RIPTA’s free Route 67 trolley loops past the mansions, the Cliff Walk and First Beach; its 2026 season ended October 31. See more options in our Newport tours and sightseeing guide.

Pedicabs

In past summers, pedicabs have worked downtown around Bannister’s Wharf, with riders paying what they choose. Service varies from year to year, so look for them on Thames Street on busy summer nights rather than planning around one.

Horse-drawn carriages

Newport doesn’t have regular public carriage rides downtown. Couples can hire a carriage for a wedding or private event; New Deal Horse & Carriage, for example, offers wedding transport. Every few years, the Preservation Society’s Weekend of Coaching brings antique coaches to the mansions as a free exhibition.

Helicopter tours

Newport Helicopter Tours flies from Newport State Airport in Middletown, with short mansion, island and lighthouse flights over the coastline. It is a quick, memorable splurge for an anniversary.

A sunset drive on Ocean Drive

The roughly 10-mile Ocean Drive loop from Bellevue Avenue past Brenton Point and Castle Hill is the classic free sunset outing. Pull over at Brenton Point State Park or Fort Adams to watch the sun go down over the water. Our biking in Newport guide covers the same route by bike.

Make it a romantic night

Book dinner right after the sail; the wharves are lined with restaurants. See our romantic restaurants in Newport, the 22 Bowen’s guide and restaurants by seating and view. For more time on the water, browse our water activities and boat tours, and for things to do once the sun is down, see live music in Newport.

Where to stay near the sunset sails

These hotels are an easy walk from the wharves where most sails depart.

Gardiner House

An intimate waterfront boutique hotel on the harbor. Check Gardiner House rates and availability →

Brenton Hotel

A boutique hotel with harbor views, close to the downtown wharves. Check Brenton Hotel rates and availability →

Forty 1° North

A luxury waterfront stay on Thames Street with marina views. Check Forty 1° North rates and availability →

For more couples’ stays, see our romantic hotels in Newport and Newport hotels with harbor views.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best sunset sail in Newport, RI?

For a classic schooner, choose Sightsailing’s champagne sunset cruise on the Aquidneck or a Classic Cruises sunset sail on the Adirondack or Madeleine. For something faster, the America’s Cup 12 Metre yachts sail from America’s Cup Avenue. All run roughly May through October.

How much is a sunset sail in Newport?

In 2026, public sunset sails cost about $50 to $75 per person, depending on the boat, and the 12 Metre yacht sails cost more. A private two-hour sunset sail for two on a small sloop ran $450 to $475 with the captain.

When do sunset sails run in Newport, RI?

Most run from May through October, with a few lasting into the first days of November. Boats leave about 60 to 90 minutes before sunset, so departure times move earlier as the season goes on.

Can you bring alcohol on a Newport sunset sail?

It depends on the boat. Many public schooner and motor-yacht sails sell drinks on board and don’t allow outside alcohol. America’s Cup Charters allows beer, white wine and hard seltzer but no hard liquor or red wine, and private charters usually let you bring your own.

Are there horse-drawn carriage rides in Newport?

There are no regular public carriage rides downtown. Carriages can be hired for weddings and private events, and the Preservation Society’s Weekend of Coaching exhibition brings antique coaches to the mansions every few years.

How much does a private sunset sail for two cost in Newport?

Sightsailing’s private sloop Starlight, for two to six guests, cost $450 to $475 for two hours in 2026, captain included, plus a customary tip of about 15%.

More Newport guides

Editorial note: This independent guide is based on operator websites, booking listings and local tourism sources. Some links are affiliate links, which help support the site at no extra cost to you. Prices, schedules and drink policies change each season; confirm with the operator before you book.