Maritime Gloucester

Maritime Gloucester Touch Tank Aquarium. Interactive Exhibits. Schooner Sails. Working Waterfront. Educational Programs. Open Year Round.

A destination experience on Gloucester's working waterfront celebrating our maritime heritage, the Gloucester community, and our connection to the ocean. Step into history at Maritime Gloucester, on historic Gloucester Harbor, where interactive exhibits and a working waterfront bring the past to life. Meet live sea creatures in our interactive touch tanks and aquarium, sail on Gloucester Harbor ab

oard traditional schooners, raise a sail, or explore the wonders of the sea. Home of the Gloucester Schooner Festival held each Labor Day Weekend.

Join us for a special evening with Charley Seavey, a Rockport native, lifelong sailor, Army veteran, and maritime histor...
05/13/2026

Join us for a special evening with Charley Seavey, a Rockport native, lifelong sailor, Army veteran, and maritime historian.

After decades of sailing, teaching, and traveling, Charley returned home to Cape Ann and spent six years volunteering at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum, where he developed a deep knowledge of schooners and the people who built and sailed them.

Come hear stories of life at sea, local maritime history, schooners, and the traditions that shaped our coastal community.

⚓ Thursday, May 28
⚓ 6:00–8:00 PM
⚓ Maritime Gloucester

🎟 Buy tickets here:
https://www.maritimegloucester.org/event-details/charley-seavey-maritime-talk

🌊🚨MOTHERS DAY CRAFTS HAPENING NOW🚨🌊Celebrate Mother’s Day TODAY at Maritime Gloucester with ocean-inspired crafts that a...
05/10/2026

🌊🚨MOTHERS DAY CRAFTS HAPENING NOW🚨🌊

Celebrate Mother’s Day TODAY at Maritime Gloucester with ocean-inspired crafts that are fun for the whole pod! 🐋💙 Stop by before 4PM for free Mother’s Day crafts included with admission.

And in honor of Mother’s Day, here are some amazing facts about orca moms:

🖤 Orcas live in tight-knit family groups led by mothers and grandmothers, called matrilines.
🖤 Both male and female orca calves often stay with their mothers for their entire lives.
🖤 Grandmother orcas help guide and protect their pods, especially during times when food is scarce.
🖤 Scientists have found that adult male orcas are more likely to survive when their mothers are still alive!

Come celebrate the incredible moms, grandmas, and caregivers in your pod with us today 🌊

🌊 ¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!Today, we’re celebrating more than just a holiday, we’re taking a moment to recognize the history...
05/05/2026

🌊 ¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Today, we’re celebrating more than just a holiday, we’re taking a moment to recognize the history behind Cinco de Mayo and the incredible biodiversity found in and around Mexico.

From the resilient victory at the Battle of Puebla to the rich marine ecosystems along Mexico’s coasts, there’s so much to learn and appreciate. 💙 And a quick reminder, Mexico’s Independence Day is actually celebrated on September 16th! 🎉 

Swipe through to meet some of the amazing species that call these waters home, from the critically endangered vaquita to gentle giants like whale sharks and so much more!

Mexico’s oceans are full of life worth celebrating, and protecting.

✨ May the 4th be with you! ✨Join Jedi Carl and our crew of galactic explorers at Maritime Gloucester for a Star Wars Day...
05/04/2026

✨ May the 4th be with you! ✨

Join Jedi Carl and our crew of galactic explorers at Maritime Gloucester for a Star Wars Day adventure that’s out of this world (and under the sea 🌊).

Stop by today from 10 AM–4 PM and bring your young Padawans to discover mysterious sea creatures, train their curiosity in the ways of the Force, and enjoy LEGO Star Wars playing all day in our Plankton Lab.

The galaxy, and the ocean, are calling. Will you answer? 🌌

As we wrap up April which is National Volunteer Month, we want to take a moment to celebrate and recognize just how esse...
04/30/2026

As we wrap up April which is National Volunteer Month, we want to take a moment to celebrate and recognize just how essential our volunteers are to everything we do here at Maritime Gloucester. As a nonprofit, we truly rely on the passion, generosity, and dedication of our volunteer community, and we are so grateful for each and every one of you.

This month, we’d like to give a special shoutout to three incredible volunteers who consistently go above and beyond:

⚓ Bruce, one of our dedicated docents, joins us every Monday and brings with him a wealth of knowledge about shipbuilding and maritime history. His kindness and enthusiasm make every visit more meaningful.

⚓ Sophie, also a docent, shares her deep understanding of Gloucester’s maritime heritage with visitors, and when she’s not teaching, she’s out on the water as a gig rower! Her energy and passion are truly inspiring.

🐟 Bob, a cornerstone of our aquarium team, is a tireless worker who has sparked curiosity in countless young visitors. His knowledge of local marine life and his ability to connect with children make a lasting impact every day.

Volunteers like Bruce, Sophie, and Bob are at the heart of Maritime Gloucester. They help us educate, inspire, and connect our community to the rich maritime culture that surrounds us.

Interested in getting involved? Whether you want to inspire the next generation, learn more about Gloucester’s history, experience life on a working waterfront, or get hands-on in our aquarium, we’d love to have you join us!

Apply to become a volunteer here: https://forms.fillout.com/t/iy7aFKAsJ7us

April Vacation Programs Recap 🌊✨What a week! We had four completely sold-out mornings filled with creativity, curiosity,...
04/29/2026

April Vacation Programs Recap 🌊✨

What a week! We had four completely sold-out mornings filled with creativity, curiosity, and hands-on discovery. From painting and crafting to interactive learning, our young explorers dove deep into the ocean’s wonders and came back with some incredible artwork and even bigger imaginations. 🎨

Each day brought a new adventure, from Dockside Explorers, where we learned about life along the shoreline and under our docks, to Fintastic Sharks, where we uncovered facts about shark species, their habitats, and why they’re so important to ocean health. 🦈

We didn’t stop there, Journey to the Deep took us through the different zones of the ocean, exploring bioluminescent creatures and extreme underwater environments, while our Quirky Creatures theme introduced some of the strangest (and coolest!) animals that live beneath the waves. 🌌🐙

Between all the learning, we packed in tons of fun with different educational games, and beautiful artwork. It was the perfect mix of education and play, and we loved seeing everyone’s excitement grow each day.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this week so special! 💙

👀 Keep your eyes out for upcoming summer programs and pop-ups, we’ve got even more adventures on the way!

🌎 Thank You, Gloucester! 🌊We’re so grateful to the 30+ volunteers who came out today for our Earth Day cleanup, your tim...
04/22/2026

🌎 Thank You, Gloucester! 🌊

We’re so grateful to the 30+ volunteers who came out today for our Earth Day cleanup, your time and effort truly made a difference!

A special shoutout to Harborlight Montessori School for bringing such an awesome group of little helpers. Seeing kids show up for the planet gives us so much hope 💚

Together, we removed 9 bags of trash from Stage Fort Park and Half Moon Beach in just a few hours!

🌱 Why It Matters

Earth Day is a reminder that small actions add up. Consider this:

- The average American produces about 4.9 pounds of trash per day (EPA)
- Less than 10% of plastic has ever been recycled (EarthDay.org)
- Millions of tons of plastic enter our oceans every year (UNEP)

It can feel overwhelming, but today showed the power of community.

💙 We’re proud to be part of Gloucester, a community that shows up and cares. Every piece of litter removed helps protect our beaches, wildlife, and future.

Let’s keep it going 🌎💚

Join us on April 30th from 6–8 PM at Maritime Gloucester for an unforgettable evening of science, adventure, and explora...
04/18/2026

Join us on April 30th from 6–8 PM at Maritime Gloucester for an unforgettable evening of science, adventure, and exploration 🌊

Ken Ford, founder of CMC Tech, LLC and a PhD Chemical Engineer, will share his incredible experience as a citizen scientist aboard the research vessel Ortelius during the BlueGreen Expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula.

From pharmaceutical development to polar exploration, Ken’s journey blends science with a passion for the outdoors. Hear firsthand what it’s like to contribute to real scientific research in one of the most remote places on Earth ❄️

🎟️ Tickets available on our website
📍 Maritime Gloucester
🗓️ April 30 | 6–8 PM

https://www.maritimegloucester.org/event-details/ken-ford-talks

Join us this Earth Day to help keep our coastline clean! 🌊🌿We’re teaming up for a community Beach Clean Up at Half Moon ...
04/15/2026

Join us this Earth Day to help keep our coastline clean! 🌊🌿

We’re teaming up for a community Beach Clean Up at Half Moon Beach / Stage Fort Park on April 22 from 10AM–12PM.

📍 Meet us by the swingset at Stage Fort Park

🧤 Gloves and trash bags will be provided

Bring a friend, enjoy the fresh air, and make a difference for our oceans and community. We hope to see you there! 💙

There’s still time to grab your tickets! Purchase them using the link below!⛵️✨https://www.maritimegloucester.org/event-...
04/02/2026

There’s still time to grab your tickets! Purchase them using the link below!⛵️✨

https://www.maritimegloucester.org/event-details/raising-the-sails-a-schooner-fest-fundraiser

Don’t miss Raising the Sails, an evening at the Gloucester House filled with music, community, and celebration in support of the 42nd Schooner Festival.

Bring a friend and make a night of it!
� 🎟 Use code KNOTALONE for $20 off your second ticket!

Let’s kick off schooner season the right way 🌊

Address

23 Harbor Loop
Gloucester, MA
01930

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

(978) 281-0470

Website

https://www.maritimegloucester.org/linktree

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