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cruise the columbia river gorge
Private Sailing Tours on the Columbia River Gorge – Departing from Hood River, OR
Sail aboard S/V Northern Exposure, a 34-foot private yacht operated by Gorge Sail Ventures, for 2-hour tours on the stunning Columbia River Gorge. Hoist the sails, steer the boat, or simply relax and watch the kiteboarders, barges, and scenery glide by. All sails are private, accommodating up to six guests, and depart from Hood River Marina mid‑May through mid‑September. Ready for your unforgettable Gorge experience?
People tell us it’s the highlight of their trip to Hood River.
Read what past guests say about their private sailing experience aboard S/V Northern Exposure.
Testimonials
“What a fun way to experience the Columbia Gorge!! We loved sailing amongst the kayaking & kiteboarding enthusiasts & enjoying the sunset ride!!” - Paulie U.
“Our family had a fabulous experience celebrating a birthday with a gorgeous trip sailing down the river. Joe was a pleasure to work with in setting up the trip and fun to chat with and learn about sailing and the local area. Would highly recommend for locals or those visiting the area.” - Aimee S.
“We had such a wonderful sail with Joe! The weather couldn't have been better and the sunset was absolutely stunning. We had our engagement photos taken on the boat and Joe was extremely accommodating so we could get the best shots while we sailed down the Gorge. Thanks again to GSV and team!” - Sarah V.
“Wonderful experience sailing Gorge Sail Ventures, the first time on a sailboat for my son and husband. We had a great time. Recommend this trip!!” - Christine Q.
“We had so much fun! Loved our sunset sailboat excursion! Would do it again.” - B. Cole
“We had such a wonderful time with Gorge Sail Ventures! What a great way to spend an afternoon in the beautiful Columbia River. It was a new experience for us and our friends. We were all a bit apprehensive about getting sea sick and not sure what to expect. But Joe and Jack made sure we felt safe and relaxed while they taught us the basics of sailing. They sure work hard the whole time, getting that boat down the river against the wind is no easy task and Joe makes it look easy! Thank you for a fun, fun time! can't wait to come do it again.”
-Marta & Wayne
“We had a great morning sailing through the Gorge with Joe and Kay. It was a very windy day which made for extra excitement but we felt totally safe and comfortable throughout. Joe and Kay were great hosts and happy to point out sites and explain what was going on with the boat. And the kids had a blast!”
-Ulrik D.
“Highly recommended! Had an amazing trip out on the water.”
-Josiah R.
“This was our first time sailboating, and we had a great time! Lots of beautiful sights and interesting facts about the surrounding area. We even got to steer the boat!”
-Preston E.
“We had a blast on a two-hour evening cruise! The dock is walkable from downtown so the location was perfect, views were spectacular, and the company of Joe and his son made the trip a ton of fun. We also learned quite a bit about sailing among other local knowledge. Highly recommend!!”
-Paul J.
“We had an incredible experience with the Gorge Sail Ventures team, Joe & Jack! We celebrated my husband's birthday on the water and could not have asked for a better time. Highly recommend this sailing adventure! We will most definitely plan on coming back and bringing our families. Beautiful views, great laughs, and a memorable time all around. Book the trip!”
-Christine P.
“This fall my family of four enjoyed a lovely excursion with Gorge Sail Ventures! Our hosts Joe, Kay, and Luther were friendly and generous in sharing their deep knowledge and personal ancedotes about sailing. They explained their processes and always kept safety as a priority. From their boat we took in beautiful views of the river and Mt. Hood. We highly recommend this unique experience of seeing the Gorge from water’s eye view!”
-Jennifer B.