Get ready to set sail – the tall ships are coming to town. This weekend, March 30 – April 2, Tall Ships St. Pete will transform the city’s waterfront into a full on festival and maritime celebration.

St. Pete will be the first city to host the Tall Ships Challenge Gulf Coast Race, as an incredible collection of tall, beautiful and historic ships from across the world will make their way to Bayboro Harbor. As part of the festivities, there will be promenades, opportunities to walk on board, sunset cruises, and an all-out festival experience on land with food trucks, craft beer, live music, street performers, and a market.

Admission to the main festival is free, though tickets are available to get dockside next to the boats, take four-hour excursions, and even to join a yoga class on deck of one of the incredible ships. Tall Ships St. Pete kicks off with a dramatic Parade of Sail on Thursday, March 30, featuring a stunning procession of six traditionally rigged vessels sailing from the Gulf of Mexico into Tampa Bay through the Sunshine Skyway and along St. Pete’s picturesque coastline.

The Parade of Sail can be viewed from the St. Pete Pier and Demen’s Landing Park. There are also 75-minute day cruises and two-hour sunset cruises available for purchase.

The collection of ships brings incredible boats measuring up to 100+ feet in both length and height. The 1877 Barque Elissa, for example, comes in at a whopping 205 feet long and 110 feet high. The Nao Trinidad will be in town all the way from Seville, Spain, and the majestic Pride of Baltimore II will brings 157 feet of Maryland’s finest to St. Pete.

Learn more and purchase tickets at tallshipsstpete.com.

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