Pirate Adventures Martha’s Vineyard puts your child in control of the journey. This year, adults to also partake in the fun.
Natasha Heinz
“We’re trying to create a fantastical experience for the kids”
Activity Profile
At the Oak Bluffs harbor, one boat looks especially different from the others.
The striking Sea Gypsy X certainly stands out. The boat looks like it is made of wood. It sports a spacious front deck and carries a pirate flag. This sea faring vessel is where Pirate Adventures Martha’s Vineyard takes place, offering 90 minutes of pure pirate-y fun.
“The whole concept of the trip is that we focus on the kids” Captain Jeremiah explains before the little mateys, as the crew calls them, start to arrive. “We’re trying to create a fantastical experience that kids buy into. They truly believe they are becoming part of our pirate crew.”
And they definitely do; right from the get-go.
Before the boat set sails, the children go to a training area to get ready. They don special pirate gear, sign the boat’s flag and choose a pirate name. As they enter the boat, some have decided on a captain title and others are sailors. One adventurous girl is a mermaid.
Captain Jeremiah shares the idea for a pirate themed adventure came from his wife, who had taken a similar trip. On returning to the Vineyard, she realized the concept was perfect work for her husband, who spent his whole life on boats and, more specifically, on the same dock where The Sea Gypsy X is anchored.
The kids are, as the Captain promised, the focus of the tour. And without question, they have a lot of fun.
The youngsters put together a map, find a message in a bottle, shoot cannons at a traitor and help the clueless crew solve problems with the boat.
Toward the end of the journey, an excited child comes running toward the back of the boat. He stops right in front of me, bag in hand, and yells, “We found the treasure”
With a surprised look on my face I ask, “Really?” Before I can open my mouth again, the young lad is telling everyone about his find.
“It was in the ocean,” the animated 5-year-old details as he moves around the boat showing off his find to everyone. Protective, the boys tells a curious father who gets too close, “But you can’t have it.”
What’s the treasure? Well, you’ll have to take a ride on the Sea Gypsy X to find out.
Side note: Adults should not feel envious that only kids are afforded such fun. Captain Jeremiah and crew have something special for the mature crowd. This season, MV Pirates began offering sunset cruises for adults.
The older bunch are permitted to bring their own food and drinks, and include up to 45 friends for this unique sail into the sunset. What could be better than a summer happy hour or a party at sea. Cruises take 90 minutes and cost $45 per person.
More info:
Pirate Adventures Martha’s Vineyard
508.MVP.CREW
Pirate adventures for kids: 90 min. adventures, $32 per person, recommended from 3 to 10 year-olds.
Sunset cruises for adults: 90 min. cruise, $45 per person
