Edhat Reader
Two-Masted tall ship, a floating classroom for Central Coast students, reveals new name
Mystic Ocean Adventures, formerly known as Central Coast Ocean Adventures Foundation, is thrilled to reveal its beloved tall ship, the Mystic Whaler, will dock in Santa Barbara Harbor from October 9 to November 5. Through an ongoing partnership with the Maritime Museum and local schools, the ship’s visit marks a new year of school trips and community visits to experience the wonders of the ocean aboard the floating classroom.
After a recent stay in a San Diego boatyard for essential repairs and upgrades, this is a good time to get reacquainted with the 110-foot, two-masted schooner, which was built in 1967. The ship will also be parked at the fuel area outside of Brophy Bros. for the Seafood Festival on October 19, inviting festival-goers to explore and learn about the rich maritime culture of the Central Coast.
“We are thrilled to kick off a new season of immersive education,” said Adri Howe, Deputy Director of Mystic Ocean Adventures. “Our student voyagers will engage with the ocean in ways that go beyond traditional learning. They charter their own education through exploration, diving deep into ocean ecology, physics, geography, and history in a real-world context.”
The Mystic Whaler offers unparalleled STEAM-based experiences for students. Curated programs focus on enriching, empowering, and inspiring the next generation of environmental and ocean stewards, allowing students to learn about wind ocean ecology, climate science, propulsion, buoyancy, navigation, chart plotting, local history and weather patterns—all while aboard a majestic sailing vessel.
Captain Christine Healy emphasizes the importance of Mystic Ocean Adventures’ enrichment programs factoring in the current state of the world. “The Mystic Whaler is not just a ship; it’s a vessel of discovery. Our ‘plugged-in’ era has been compounded by pandemic-related challenges, leading to severe deficits in experiential learning, social-emotional development, and resiliency. Our voyagers learn to work with their peers and connect with their natural surroundings while responding to navigational cues from the ocean, weather, and sky.”
In addition to the ship’s enhancements, Mystic Ocean Adventures is proud to unveil its new name and logo, signaling a renewed commitment to its mission of connecting students with the ocean—a vital resource of the Central Coast.
The Mystic Ocean Adventures team encourages the community to celebrate the return of the Mystic Whaler and its mission of fostering a deep connection with the ocean. For more information about school trips or community visits, please visit Centralcoastoceanadventures.
About Mystic Ocean Adventures
Mystic Ocean Adventures, formerly Central Coast Ocean Adventures Foundation, is dedicated to providing enriching ocean education programs for students. Our two-masted tall ship serves as a floating classroom, empowering students through hands-on, STEAM-based learning experiences.
