The WaterFront Center

A Great Experience!!!

We had chartered Oyster Sloop Christeen for our son's Bar Mitzvah. We had planned for about 19 people for our party. We were reaching out as early as March to talk about chartering the sloop, however The WaterFront Center was only then starting to be open during the days. It was initially difficult to reach someone, but eventually we made contact.

Although some questions required the captains to answer them, we received them in a timely fashion. Everyone was friendly and courteous.

Every so often, as the time got closer for the excursion, we were receiving reminders. It was great.

The weather was initially looking iffy a week out, but then it looked up a few days out. But on the day of the trip there were storms in the area. However, on the hour that we showed up it was again questionable.

Captain Steve Byers and Captain Emeritus Pete were meticulously reviewing the radar map. It looked as if the storm was going to drift south of us, however, we were still pleasantly given a choice whether to call it off or not. The captains allowed a decision to wait 10 more minutes, during which time we finally made the decision to go, based on the radar map. Most of our group went, a few stayed back being unsure of the weather.

It was an incredible trip, with amazing narration by Captain Emeritus Pete, and piloting by Captain Steve Byers, along with a seasoned volunteer to direct sails/tacking. Famous houses, places, and history of the area was neatly provided, and all questions answered. There was good amount of experience with raising the sails, and more!!!

Needless to say, we would go out with this crew again in heartbeat!!!

Best regards to The WaterFront Center and the Christeen Crew!!!

Dana and Vadim

We had a fabulous sail on The Christeen at the Oyster Festival! Nicely narrated and fun to help raise the mainsail!

This was our first time kayaking and paddle boarding here and we had a blast! It’s easy to book online and I highly recommend you sign your waiver ahead of time. It really speeds up the process for when your arrive. Each single kayak has a dry pouch which can keep your phone safe if you want to get photos. We went out around 2p (it’s August) and it was pretty hot. A sunset ride would be heaven here. The staff are nice, the rules are simple and we never felt rushed.

I had an amazing time on the Kayak Wildlife Tour around the Sound. For me it was a private tour with a guide. We went out in the morning and came back about an hour and a half later. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who has time! It's a wonderful excursion!

This is the place if you looking for Sailing schools, Marine Education, renting all types of water craft, there is also a very long pier if you want to fish. And even boat building. The Waterfront Center is a relatively new place between The Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park and Beach And Beekman Beach. I highly recommend it. Here you can also make reservations to sail on the the old oyster sloop Christeen around beautiful Oyster Bay Harbor and surrounding waters. Also this is the home of the annual Oyster Festival. Top Notch. I love this place their is no better. Also don’t forget to stop in at building J. Where the Ida May is in progress open to the public Tues. and Thur. During the Oyster Fest I like stopping in here. I Have also enjoyed many sails on the Christeen even when the wind would not blow thanks to fair sky’s and Captain Pete’s informative tour of the history around Oyster Bay Harbor.