Ahoy, teachers and camp directors! If you’re hunting for school field trips in Ocean County that get kids moving, laughing and learning, this guide is for you. It covers what makes a great field trip for young kids, how to plan one, and how to bring your whole crew aboard a real pirate ship. If you’re comparing Ocean County field trips, a real pirate ship is hard to beat, and it’s a school field trip your whole class can share.
Jersey Shore Pirates offers 75-minute pirate ship field trips for ages 3–10 from Waterfront Marina, 281 Princeton Ave, Brick, NJ. The price covers 35 students (+$30 each extra), up to 43 aboard in total, with free bus parking; arrive 30 minutes early. 2027 booking opens in January. Call (732) 899-6100.
Here at Jersey Shore Pirates, we’ve been taking kids on pirate adventures in Brick, NJ since 2009. Our 2026 season was our 18th, so we’ve hosted plenty of classes, preschools and camps, and we know what makes a trip easy for the grown-ups and unforgettable for the kids.
1. Pick a trip that’s hands-on, not hands-off
In general, the best field trips for kids in NJ don’t ask young children to stand still and listen. In contrast, kids learn best when they get to do things. So look for a trip where every child has a job: reading a map, solving a clue, or helping the crew. As a result, even the shyest students get pulled into the fun.
2. Match the trip to the age group
However, a trip that works for fourth graders can overwhelm a room of 3-year-olds. So check the age range before you book. Our pirate adventure is built for ages 3–10, preschool through elementary school. That makes it one of our favorite preschool field trip ideas in NJ. Plus, it works just as well for early elementary classes and summer camp groups in that age range.
3. Connect the fun to what students learn
In addition, teachers and directors often need to show how Ocean County field trips tie back to the classroom. For example, our activities support New Jersey Student Learning Standards for early elementary grades:
- Reading & literacy: students crack the message-in-a-bottle clues and learn nautical terms and pirate lingo.
- Map reading & problem solving: crews read a treasure map and solve the clues to find where X marks the spot.
- Science & local geography: the adventure sails the Metedeconk River, a Jersey Shore waterway right here in Ocean County.
- Teamwork & social skills: students follow the ship’s rules and work together to win back the treasure keys from Pirate Pete.
- Math: young crews count and sort the treasure they win back.
- History: students hear about real pirates and life at sea on the Jersey Shore.
4. Plan the day around a clear timeline
Young kids do best with a simple schedule. For that reason, here’s how our Ocean County field trips run:
- Arrive 30 minutes early for face painting, check-in and boarding.
- 75 minutes on the water aboard the Sea Gypsy II: students read the treasure map, crack the message-in-a-bottle clues, man the water cannons against Pirate Pete, and hoist sunken treasure from the deep.
- Back at the dock, ready for the bus ride home.
5. Count every head, kids and grown-ups alike
Of course, boats have firm limits, so plan your headcount early. The Sea Gypsy II has a U.S. Coast Guard maximum of 43 passengers, counting everyone aboard: students, teachers and every adult. Also, a full-boat field trip covers up to 35 students. Extra students are $30 each and still count toward the 43.
6. Make the bus part easy
Parking can also make or break a field trip. At Waterfront Marina, 281 Princeton Ave in Brick, bus parking is free. Families from Toms River, Point Pleasant, Lakewood, Jackson, Howell and across Ocean and Monmouth County find it a short ride. That’s one more reason our Ocean County field trips run so smoothly.
7. Prep the class before you go
A little prep makes the day even better. So download our free printable worksheets:
- Field Trip Info Sheet (PDF): everything parents and the front office need on one page.
- Pirate Worksheet for Preschool & Kindergarten (PDF)
- Pirate Worksheet for Grades 1–2 (PDF)
- Pirate Worksheet for Grades 3–4 (PDF)
Then use them as a warm-up the week before, or as a follow-up activity when everyone’s back in class.
Summer camp field trips on the Jersey Shore
Camp directors, the same adventure also works for your weekday camp groups. It’s a summer camp field trip on the Jersey Shore that’s on the water, packed with action, and easy on staff. First, kids get their pirate makeover. Then they spend 75 minutes as part of the crew.
What group leaders say about our Ocean County field trips
“As always, one of the best field trips we do! The children get so excited, and are totally in on the whole experience! See you next year!” (Holly, Tripadvisor, August 2024)
“I’ve been taking my Girl Scout troop, children and grandchildren on this Pirate adventure for 17 years! Always a fun time for the children and adults alike!” (Gina K., Google review)
Ocean County field trips: 2026 pricing
- $849 for a full boat if booked before April 1
- $899 if booked after April 1
- Covers up to 35 students. $30 per extra student, within the 43-passenger maximum.
Ocean County field trips FAQ
What ages is the pirate field trip for?
Ages 3 to 10, preschool through elementary school.
How many people can come?
Up to 43 passengers, counting everyone aboard. The price covers 35 students, and extra students are $30 each.
How long is the trip?
75 minutes on the water. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early for face painting and check-in.
Is bus parking free?
Yes. Bus parking at Waterfront Marina in Brick is free.
When does booking open?
Field trip booking opens in January.
Ready to plan Ocean County field trips your class will love?
So whether you teach preschool, run a summer camp or plan trips for an elementary school, a pirate adventure is a field trip your students will talk about all year.
Field trip booking opens in January. Then book on our website through TripWorks, or call us at (732) 899-6100. We’re here 9 AM–6 PM.
Fair winds, teachers! 🏴☠️
