R/V Spirit of the Sound™ 
Revolutionary in design, this 64-foot all-aluminum catamaran – R/V Spirit of the Sound – was launched in 2015 as the first research vessel in North America with hybrid-electric propulsion. This vessel runs virtually silently on electric power. Please keep in mind, all passengers must be at least 42” tall.
Public Cruises
The Maritime Aquarium welcomes visitors aboard the R/V Spirit of the Sound year-round for public cruises including our Marine Life Encounter Cruises, Sunset Cruises, TGIF Cruises, and Winter Seal-Spotting and Birding Cruises! Itineraries vary according to the season. Click here to view our schedule.
Marine Life Encounter Cruises
This 2.5-hour experience allows passengers to study the biodiversity of Long Island Sound by sampling the water to bring up plankton, fish, crabs, mollusks, and more. The research vessel’s video microscope and touch tank enhance observations.
TGIF Cruises
Start your weekend off with a fun relaxing boat ride around the Norwalk Islands. Starting in June, these 90-minute cruises run every Friday at 6:30 p.m. Guests will arrive back to the dock with plenty of time to enjoy a late dinner just steps away in SONO.
Sunset Cruises
Sunset Cruises are available select Saturdays starting in June. These 90-minute cruises feature beautiful sunset views of the harbor and the Nowalk Islands as well as native wildlife. Food and drink are not available for purchase on the boat. However, guests may bring food and beverages in a small bag or soft-sided cooler. Glass bottles are prohibited.
Seal-Spotting and Birding Cruises
These cruises are available in the winter months when cool temperatures bring harbor seals, gray seals, buffleheads, mergansers, long-tailed ducks, and red-throated loons into the Sound. Aquarium educators help identify species and discuss their natural histories on these 2-hour cruises
Cruises for Schools & Other Groups
Private Charters
Our vessel also offers the perfect outdoor escape for family get-togethers, special occasions, business meetings and more! A range of food and beverage options are available through the Aquarium’s on-site caterer. Plus, passengers can choose to add an exciting educational narration about the area’s history and ecology. Click here to learn more about renting our vessel.
Who Built The R/V Spirit of the Sound
Designed by Incat Crowther of Australia, Spirit of the Sound was built in Mamaroneck, New York, at the Robert E. Derecktor Inc. shipyard, with construction managed and integrated by Alternative Marine Technologies (Amtech). The vessel’s hybrid-electric propulsion system was made by BAE Systems Inc., Corvus Energy and Northern Lights Hybrid Marine.
This purchase was made possible by the generous donations of The Per and Astrid Heidenreich Family Foundation, George and Carol Bauer of Wilton, and The T.K. Foundation.