Invited International Tall Ships
We love international tall ships because they sail multi-culturalism around the world with students on board. Most are naval training ships and some are merchant marine or non-profit sail-training ships. They are so beautiful under sail and are teaching future world-leaders about our wonderful and diverse world. When you see them enter port, they will take your breath away.
Tall Ship of the Colombian Navy
Home Port: Cartegena, Colombia
ARC Gloria
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ARC GLORIA of the Colombian Navy is a 212-foot, three-masted barque with 15,000 square feet of sail which is homeported in Cartagena, Colombia. She carries a complement of 170 crew and 80 cadets from the Naval Academy. She was built in Bilbao, Spain along with her sister ships: Mexico’s ARM Cuauhtemoc, Venezuela’s Simon Bolivar and the Ecuador’s BE Guayas. Sail San Francisco has hosted Gloria in San Francisco and San Diego many times since 1999 and including 2025.
Tall Ship of the Mexican Navy
Home Port: Acapulco, Mexico
ARM Cuauhtémoc
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ARM CUAUHTEMOC is a 220 foot, three-masted barque, homeported in Acapulco, Mexico. She has a crew of 186 officers and crew, and 90 midshipmen. Launched in 1982, she has been a frequent visitor to San Francisco, Monterey, Los Angeles and San Diego. Cuauhtémoc is the last of four sister ships (Colombia’s ARC Gloria, Venezuela’s Simon Bolivar and Ecuador’s BE Guayas) built by the naval shipyards of Bilboa, Spain. Sail San Francisco has hosted Cuauhtemoc in all CA ports as well as in Seaward, AK and Honolulu, HI since 2000. In addition, Sail San Francisco hosted other sail training vessels which were motorized: Zapoteco and Usumacinta.
Tall Ship of the Ecuadorian Navy
Home Port: Guyaquil, Ecuador
B.E. Guayas
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BE GUAYAS of the Ecuadorian Navy is a 257-foot long, steel-hulled, three-masted barque with 15,200 square feet of sail and is homeported in Guayaquil, Ecuador. She has a crew of 35 officers and 120 enlisted sailors and trainees. Launched in 1978 and named in honor of Chief Guayas, the Guayas River, and the first steamship that was constructed in South America. Guayas was built in Bilbao, Spain where her sister ships were also constructed: Colombia’s ARC Gloria, Venezuela’s Simon Bolivar and Mexico’s Cuauhtemoc.) Guayas has been a regular visitor to San Francisco, Monterey and San Diego where Sail San Francisco has received her since her first visit in 1999.
Tall Ship of the Peruvian Navy
Home Port: Lima, Peru
B.A.P. Union
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BAP UNION is a 378-foot, four-masted, steel-hulled sail training ship homeported in Callao, Peru. She carries a crew of 250 officers and cadets. Built in Peru, she is the largest tall ship in Latin America and was commissioned in 2016. Sail San Francisco has received her in San Francisco as well as having worked with their motor vessel Mollendo multiple times in the past.
Nipon & Kaiwo Maru
Tall Ship of the Japanese Navy
Nadeshda
Cisne Branco
Amerigo Vespucci
Staatsrad Lemkul
Staad Amsterdam
Europa
California Tall Ships
We love our local tall ships because they keep sail training going year round. These ships offer elementary and high school programs as well as day sails and multi-day adventure sails. Our local tall ships are generally operated by nonprofit museums or associations. These tall ships also provide great beauty and grace to our coastline - watch for them on the horizon and book a sail!
Tall Ship Seaward, Sausalito | Photo: J.Skoriak
Tall Ship Mathew Turner, Sausalito | Photo: J. Skoriak
Tall Ship Freda B, Sausalito | Photo: SF Bay Adventures
Tall Ship Alma, Vallejo | Photo:NPS
Tall Ship Gas Light, Richmond | Photo: Bay Light Charters
Tall Ship Exy Johnson | Photo: Thad Koza
Tall Ship Irving Johnson | Photo: Thad Koza
Tall Ship American Pride, Long Beach | Photo: Children's Maritime
Tall Ship Californian, San Diego | Photo: SD Maritime Museum
Tall Ship HMS Surprise, San Diego | Photo: SD Maritime Museum
Tall Ship Spirit of Dana Point, Dana Point | Photo: Ocean Institute
Tall Ship El Salvador, San Diego | Photo: SD Maritime Museum
Have You Ever Toured a Tall Ship?
Visitors are invited to board visiting tall ships for crew-guided tours where they can learn how these massive sailing vessels are navigated—and discover the culture and traditions of their country of origin.
It is a privilege to step aboard a living piece of maritime history. Visitors may see ceremonial officer swords, massive ship’s wheels, gleaming brass, and working rigging. During the tour, you’ll hear new languages, smell flavors from the galley, and may witness military or maritime traditions and protocols.
Special programs for school groups may be arranged in advance. Please reach out to us!
Kids and adults alike enjoy this free, unforgettable experience.
Stay connected and check back here for updates on upcoming tall ship arrivals in San Francisco Bay.
Why Tall Ships Matter
Naval tall ships are sent to foreign ports to forge relationships through public diplomacy, including public tours, diplomatic meetings, sailing exchanges, and cultural activities. Young officers and crew learn about the world, while local residents experience a new culture in their own harbor.
Sail training ships typically circumnavigate the globe over six-month voyages, stopping in ports across multiple countries while teaching academic coursework on board.
Cadets develop teamwork by setting and dousing more than 28 sails, climbing yard arms, and participating in parades of sail. When you step aboard a tall ship, you are subject to the laws of its home country. During a five-day visit, cities may be filled with hundreds of cadets in white uniforms—each considered a diplomat welcomed by the U.S. State Department.
Their mission is singular: to create friendship and goodwill among all peoples.
