At Monty’s Ark Adventures, we have always believed that the best days on the water are the ones that feel personal, memorable, and just a little bit different from the ordinary.

That is why we are excited to introduce two new adventure concepts designed for guests and boaters who want to explore more of the Northeast’s incredible waterways: private boat-supported remote camping excursions and captain-led small-group cruising adventures for private boat owners.

Both experiences are built around the same idea: helping small groups go farther, discover new destinations, and enjoy the confidence that comes from traveling with the support and guidance of an experienced captain.

Whether you want to reach a remote camping destination aboard Monty’s Ark or cruise in your own boat as part of a small group led by Capt. Steve aboard Monty’s Ark, these new excursions are designed to open the door to bigger adventures on Long Island Sound, the Hudson River, and coastal New England.

Private Boat-Supported Remote Camping Excursions

Some of the most memorable camping experiences are not found next to a parking lot. They are found on islands, along quiet rivers, near remote shorelines, and in places that are easier — and more exciting — to reach by boat.

Our new remote camping excursion concept is designed for small private groups, outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, nature lovers, and adventure travelers who want to experience remote shoreline, island, river, and coastal camping destinations with the support of a private charter vessel.

Aboard Monty’s Ark, guests can plan customized camping excursions that may include passenger transport, camping gear support, drop-off assistance, and boat-assisted access to legal remote camping destinations.

This type of trip is ideal for guests who want the adventure of remote camping without the complexity of figuring out every access point, gear movement, and water-based logistics on their own.

Where Remote Camping Excursions May Go

The remote camping concept includes two primary route families.

Long Island Sound and Coastal New England

For guests looking east from the New York area, there are exciting possibilities throughout Long Island Sound and coastal New England.

Potential destinations and cruising areas may include:

• The Norwalk Islands in Connecticut
• The lower Connecticut River
• Vineyard Sound
• Waquoit Bay
• Boston Harbor
• Select coastal New England destinations
• Portions of the Maine coast

These areas can offer a mix of protected estuaries, island camping opportunities, coastal scenery, wildlife, and classic New England waterfront character.

Each trip would be planned around weather, tides, destination rules, landing or anchoring conditions, passenger count, and any required camping permits or reservations.

Hudson River North Toward Albany

The Hudson River offers a very different kind of remote camping experience. From New York City north toward Albany, the river passes dramatic cliffs, historic towns, quiet shoreline areas, state parks, marina facilities, and established camping access points.

Potential Hudson River camping destinations and staging areas may include:

• Croton Point Park
• Mills-Norrie State Park and Norrie Point Marina
• Esopus Island near Norrie Point
• Turkey Point State Forest near Saugerties
• Van Schaack Campsite at Bronck Island near New Baltimore
• Schodack Island State Park south of Albany

Some of these locations are developed state park camping areas with marina or launch access. Others are more primitive river-oriented sites that require careful planning and confirmation of current access rules.

For the right small group, the Hudson River can become much more than a scenic cruise. It can become a multi-day river adventure.

What a Remote Camping Excursion Could Include

A remote camping excursion with Monty’s Ark Adventures may be customized based on the destination, group needs, and safe operating conditions.

Potential formats include:

• Private boat-supported remote camping trips
• Island camping access and gear support
• River camping excursions along the Hudson River and Connecticut River
• Coastal camping support in selected New England cruising areas
• Passenger and camping gear transport for small groups
• Custom overnight and multi-day adventure charters

All trips are subject to captain approval, weather conditions, destination access rules, anchoring or landing conditions, passenger count, and any required campground, park, municipal, or private-property permits.

Guests remain responsible for appropriate camping equipment, personal gear, destination reservations, and site-specific requirements unless otherwise arranged.

Captain-Led Small-Group Cruising for Private Boat Owners

The second new adventure concept is designed for boat owners who want to cruise farther, explore new destinations, and build confidence operating their own boat outside familiar waters.

With this service, Capt. Steve leads the cruising group from aboard Monty’s Ark, while participating boat owners cruise in their own boats as part of a small coordinated group.

This is not a traditional charter where everyone rides aboard Monty’s Ark. Instead, Monty’s Ark serves as the lead vessel, with Capt. Steve helping to plan the route, coordinate timing, monitor conditions, and provide practical cruising guidance before and during the trip.

For newer boat owners, or for boaters who have not yet ventured far beyond their home waters, this can make a big difference.

Cruising to a new destination can be intimidating the first time. Questions come up quickly:

• What route should I take?
• When should I leave?
• What will the tide and current do?
• Where should I stop for fuel?
• Can my boat handle the distance?
• Should I stay at a marina, on a mooring, at anchor, or rafted up?
• What do I do if the weather changes?
• How do I approach an unfamiliar harbor?

A captain-led cruising group helps make those first bigger trips feel more manageable.

Who Captain-Led Cruising Is For

This service may appeal to:

• New boat owners
• Boaters new to cruising beyond their home waters
• Couples or families looking to build cruising confidence
• Boat owners who want to visit unfamiliar destinations
• Small groups of boating friends who want to cruise together
• Owners who want support with route planning, weather, tides, currents, marina logistics, anchoring, or mooring decisions

Each participating boat owner remains responsible for the safe operation, condition, equipment, insurance, and legal compliance of their own vessel. Capt. Steve’s role is to lead the group from Monty’s Ark, assist with planning and coordination, and provide practical cruising guidance along the way.

Where Captain-Led Cruising Adventures May Go

Captain-led cruising trips may use the same broad cruising territory as our remote camping excursions, including:

• Long Island Sound
• New York Harbor
• Coastal Connecticut
• Block Island Sound
• Buzzards Bay
• Vineyard Sound
• Cape Cod waters
• Massachusetts Bay
• The New Hampshire coast
• The Maine coast
• The Hudson River north from New York City toward Albany

Instead of remote camping, these trips would focus on overnight stays at marinas, yacht clubs, guest moorings, anchorages, or raft-up locations, depending on the route, vessel capabilities, weather, destination availability, and group goals.

Potential cruising formats may include:

• One-night introductory cruising trips
• Weekend flotilla-style cruising excursions
• Small-group destination cruises
• Marina-to-marina cruising itineraries
• Mooring and anchoring practice trips
• Hudson River cruising from New York City north toward Albany
• Long Island Sound and New England coastal cruising adventures
• Confidence-building cruises for newer boat owners
• Multi-day cruises with overnight marina, mooring, anchorage, or raft-up stops

For boaters who have wanted to visit destinations such as the Norwalk Islands, the Connecticut River, Block Island approaches, Cuttyhunk, Martha’s Vineyard, Cape Cod, Boston Harbor, Maine coastal harbors, the Palisades, Haverstraw Bay, the Mid-Hudson region, or Schodack Island, this service offers a more supported way to begin exploring those waters.

Why These New Excursions Matter

Both new services are designed around the same simple idea: bigger adventures become more approachable with good planning, local knowledge, and experienced guidance.

Remote camping by boat can be unforgettable, but it requires careful thought about access, weather, gear, tides, permits, and landing conditions.

Cruising your own boat to new destinations can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also feel overwhelming the first time you leave familiar waters.

Monty’s Ark Adventures is creating these services to help guests and fellow boaters enjoy more of what the Northeast has to offer, while making the planning process more thoughtful, structured, and confidence-building.

Two Different Experiences, One Shared Spirit of Adventure

The remote camping excursion is for guests who want to travel aboard Monty’s Ark to reach remote camping destinations and enjoy overnight adventures beyond the road.

The captain-led cruising adventure is for boat owners who want to cruise in their own boats to new destinations while Capt. Steve leads the group from aboard Monty’s Ark.

Both experiences reflect the spirit of Monty’s Ark Adventures: private, intimate, customized days and nights on the water, designed around real experiences rather than cookie-cutter tours.

Interested in Helping Shape These New Adventures?

Monty’s Ark Adventures is currently inviting inquiries from outdoor groups, adventure travelers, recreational boaters, yacht clubs, marina communities, and private parties interested in these new excursion concepts.

Whether you are interested in remote camping by boat, cruising farther in your own vessel, or planning a custom small-group adventure, we would love to hear from you.

Contact Monty’s Ark Adventures to start planning your remote camping excursion or captain-led small-group cruising adventure.

Private charters are limited to up to six passengers. All trips are subject to weather, captain approval, destination rules, and safe operating conditions.