Spotlight: Virginia Beach - Captain Jack's Pirate Ship Adventures

Spotlight: Captain Jack's Pirate Ship Adventures is a fun, swashbuckling adventure for young families. Young buccaneers dress up in their pirate duds, add a few tattoos, eye-patches, plastic swords, etc. and join Captain Jack aboard the Lost Pearl in hunting down the treacherous Blackbeard to recover the treasure Blackbeard stole. The Lost Pearl was custom built to the dimensions of a Spanish galleon, while adhering to modern Coast Guard requirements.

Captain Jack

The Lost Pearl

Pirate Erika

Location: Captain Jack's Pirate Ship moors at 308 Mediterranean Ave. in the port of Inlet Station Marina at Virginia Beach.

Cost: $27/adult, $23/child (3-15), $25/senior (65+) or active military

Time: Approximately 75 minutes. Cruises start up in the middle of May and go through September. Since cruises are only offered on select days and times, make sure you check the schedule.

Description: While on board the cruise, the youngsters are entertained with pirate songs and games (such as the Limbo) organized by the animated pirate crew while cruising up and down the harbor.

Pirate Crew

Pirate History Lesson

The Limbo Stick (evidently a popular pirate game)

     Once they find Blackbeard, they help man the water cannons to overpower the cunning pirate with a deluge of waterworks. Once they recover the treasure chest, they each get to share the booty - plastic coins, jewelry, etc. Although some youngsters might get scared, they won't get bored. The entire cruise is packed with non-stop entertainment directed by the engaging crew; and they might even spot dolphins sailing alongside the ship.

The famous pirate Blackbeard

Battling Blackbeard with H2O cannons

Dividing up the pirate booty

Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - The traditional cruise is geared toward younger kids. Our girls (ages 8 & 13 at the time) were probably the two oldest kids there; but they still had fun. There are other cruises available for other target groups (such as school groups, Scouts, or the Club 21+ cruise).
- A special Fireworks Cruise is given on July 4.
- Captain Jack's boat can be rented out for birthday party excursions.
- Group rates are available for large groups.
- Plan to arrive early. We had trouble finding the designated parking area and almost missed our cruise.
- If you go to Virginia Beach from the Yorktown area, the shortest route is under the ocean. The freeway travels several miles under this branch of the Chesapeake so that you don't have to drive all the way around.

Nearby: Grommet Island Park, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Naval Air Station Oceana, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Yorktown