Lake Champlain Sailing Charters and Water Adventures Near Shelburne
Lake Champlain offers outstanding sailing for all experience levels, and Burlington’s waterfront operators are approximately 7 miles from Heart of the Village Inn — about 20–25 minutes by car. Here is what’s on the water and how to plan your day.
Why Lake Champlain Is Worth a Full Day
Lake Champlain stretches 120 miles along the Vermont–New York border, reaching depths over 400 feet. The Adirondacks rise on the west; the Green Mountains roll to the east. Burlington’s Church Street energy sits just inland, but step onto the waterfront and the city opens up to open sky and open water.
Few lakes in the eastern United States feel this cinematic. Whether you want to hand off navigation to a captain and watch the sunset with a glass of wine, or grab a paddle and explore a protected cove on your own schedule, the lake delivers. Shelburne makes an ideal anchor point — close enough to the Burlington Boathouse that a spontaneous morning decision is completely practical, and just a short drive from Shelburne Bay, where the paddling is calm and the shoreline is largely undeveloped.
Lake Champlain Access from the Inn
- Burlington Boathouse (Whistling Man, Spirit of Ethan Allen, Sailing Center) — approximately 7 miles
- Shelburne Bay Park (kayak & paddleboard launch) — a short drive from the inn
- Shelburne Farms (directly on Lake Champlain shore) — approximately 1.7 miles
- Charlotte–Essex ferry terminal (seasonal crossing) — approximately 10 minutes south of Shelburne
Sailing Operators: What to Know Before You Book
Whistling Man Schooner Company
Public and private two-hour sailing tours aboard two classic wooden-rigged sloops, the Friend Ship and Wild Rose. Groups are intentionally small — 6 to 12 passengers per boat — which keeps the atmosphere relaxed and social. Captains share local history, lake lore, and navigation knowledge throughout the sail. The BYO food–and–drink policy is a genuine perk: pack a charcuterie board and a bottle, and it becomes a floating dinner party. Both daytime and sunset tours run from mid-May through mid-October.
Best for: Couples celebrating an anniversary, small groups, anyone who wants an intimate sailing experience with a local captain rather than a crowded boat deck.
Practical tip: Book the sunset sail at least a week in advance in July and August — it consistently sells out. Whistling Man has operated since 1996 and holds the number-one spot for Tours & Activities in Burlington on TripAdvisor, with a 5.0 rating across over 1,200 reviews.
Spirit of Ethan Allen
Lake Champlain’s largest cruise vessel operates daily scenic, lunch, brunch, and themed dinner cruises from the Burlington Boathouse. The triple-deck ship holds a full galley, a bar, and both indoor and outdoor seating. The 90-minute narrated scenic cruise covers local history, geology, and wildlife. Dinner cruise themes rotate throughout the season — Lobster on the Lake, Champagne Brunch, and Captain’s Dinner Dance are perennial favorites.
Best for: Travelers who want a structured, all-inclusive lake experience — food, drinks, narration, and views in one package. Also a strong choice for guests who’d rather relax than actively crew.
Practical tip: Reserve window seats in advance for the lunch cruise. The top deck provides the best views and breeze. Find the full schedule at spiritofethanallen.com.
Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center
The Community Sailing Center on the Burlington waterfront offers rentals of sailboats, kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards, plus ASA-certified sailing instruction. Private lessons are available for first-timers who want hands-on time at the helm rather than a guided tour. Adult learn-to-sail programs run weekly throughout summer.
Best for: Anyone curious about sailing who wants to actually learn — not just watch. Also ideal for experienced sailors who want to charter a small boat independently and explore the lake at their own pace.
Practical tip: Walk-up rentals are available, but lesson slots book quickly. Reserve at least several days ahead for a half-day adult program.
Kayaking, Paddleboarding, and the Ferry Crossing
Kayaking and Paddleboarding on Shelburne Bay
Shelburne Bay is one of the more underrated paddle destinations on the entire lake. The bay runs 3.5 miles north-to-south and sits just off Route 7, a short drive from the inn. A public launch at Shelburne Bay Park gives kayakers and paddleboarders direct access to calm water, wooded shoreline, and the Shelburne Bay Interpretive Water Trail — an 11-site route touching on the area’s geological history and cultural heritage.
In Burlington, PaddleSurf Champlain operates two beachfront rental locations at Oakledge Park and North Beach, with paddleboards and kayaks starting at $15 per hour. Walk-ups are welcome; no reservation needed for individuals.
The Charlotte–Essex Ferry: A Scenic Crossing Worth Taking
Drive approximately 10 minutes south of Shelburne to Charlotte, and you can board the Lake Champlain Ferry to Essex, New York — a 25-minute crossing over three miles of open lake. No reservations required; cars and passengers line up and board. The Adirondacks fill the western horizon while the Vermont shoreline recedes behind you. Fares are modest (around $10–$11 for a vehicle and driver, plus a few dollars per additional passenger), and the ferry runs from spring through late fall.
Practical tip: Make it a loop — cross to Essex, explore the small historic village, and return on the next ferry. Plan a couple of hours total.
Staying at Heart of the Village Inn
Heart of the Village Inn sits at the center of Shelburne village, approximately 7 miles from the Burlington waterfront — about 20–25 minutes by car.
The adults-only (21+) bed and breakfast occupies a restored Queen Anne Victorian with nine well-appointed rooms across the Main Inn and Carriage House. After a day on the water, you return to a quiet room, a porch with evening light, and breakfast already arranged for the morning. Shelburne’s location is useful for lake days: you’re close enough to Burlington for a Whistling Man sunset sail or a Spirit of Ethan Allen lunch cruise without making it a production, and Shelburne Bay is practically in your backyard for a morning kayak before the crowds arrive.
Rose and Anatoly know the area well and are happy to point you toward current conditions, seasonal schedules, and the best spots to watch the light change over the Adirondacks in the evening. Custom-made breakfast is served every morning from 7:30 to 9:30 AM, and free on-site parking means you don’t pay Burlington parking rates to start your day.
What’s Nearby
Distances from the inn at 5347 Shelburne Rd.
- Burlington Boathouse (Whistling Man, Spirit of Ethan Allen, Sailing Center) — approximately 7 miles
- Burlington waterfront & bike path — approximately 7.3 miles
- Shelburne Bay Park (kayak launch) — a short drive
- Shelburne Farms (directly on Lake Champlain) — approximately 1.7 miles
- Charlotte–Essex ferry terminal (seasonal) — approximately 10 minutes south
- Burlington International Airport — approximately 8.2 miles
Last updated: April 2026
Lake Champlain Sailing FAQ
What is the best way to sail on Lake Champlain near Burlington?
The Whistling Man Schooner Company and the Community Sailing Center are the top options at the Burlington Boathouse. Whistling Man runs guided two-hour tours on classic wooden sloops; the Sailing Center offers lessons and independent rentals. Both are ideal for visitors without their own boats.
When is sailing season on Lake Champlain?
Most charter and tour operators run from mid-May through mid-October. Peak season is July and August, when sunset tours book out quickly. Spring and early fall offer less crowded sailings with cooler temperatures and often better light.
Is kayaking available near Shelburne, Vermont?
Yes. Shelburne Bay has a public launch at Shelburne Bay Park, a short drive from the inn. PaddleSurf Champlain also rents kayaks and paddleboards from two Burlington beach locations, approximately 7 miles away.
How far is Shelburne from the Burlington Boathouse?
Approximately 7 miles — about 20–25 minutes by car due to speed limits south of downtown Burlington. Heart of the Village Inn in Shelburne village makes a convenient base for a full Burlington waterfront sailing day.
Stay Minutes from Lake Champlain
Book direct — custom-made breakfast every morning, free on-site parking, and 20–25 minutes from the Burlington Boathouse and Shelburne Bay.