Opening young minds to the Bay's wonders

For three decades, Pegasus Voyages has been carrying young people from across the East Bay out onto the water aboard a sturdy ocean-going sailboat. What begins as a simple boat ride becomes something far more meaningful: a first glimpse of the living marine ecosystem that borders their own backyards. Children who may never have set foot on a sailing vessel suddenly find themselves under full canvas, watching the water transform beneath them as the boat moves from the sheltered Berkeley Marina out toward Angel Island and beyond.

The work happens through the generosity of volunteer sailors—everyday people from all walks of life who donate their time and expertise to crew the Pegasus. These volunteers share not just their skills, but their love of the water and the Bay itself. They teach young guests to notice the birds wheeling overhead, the seal colonies sunning themselves on rocks, the way the tide and wind shape the journey. Safety is woven into every voyage; in all their years of operation, the organization has maintained a spotless record.

Pegasus Voyages removes barriers that often keep young people from accessing these experiences. They offer the "Pegasus Experience" free to community partners and schools, ensuring that a child's zip code or family income never determines whether they get to feel the spray of salt water or understand the natural world that surrounds them. Over 28,000 young people have sailed with Pegasus, each one carrying home a memory of possibility and connection to the marine wilderness that is their backyard.