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Community Corner

Yo Ho, Is It a Pirate's Life for You?

Unique attraction includes pirate ship excitement on the Metedeconk River.

This summer will find the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean film hitting theaters. The movie is famously based on the ride found at the Disney theme parks Disneyland and Magic Kingdom, but flying to Florida or California hardly sounds like an affordable daytrip.

Luckily, beginning in May, New Jersey residents will be set to sail with a pirate crew of their own. We know them as Rob and Jessica Corring on dry land, but once they set sail, they become Captain Scurvy and Jezebel of the sailing ship The Sea Gypsy II.

Setting sail from Riverfront Marina in Brick Township, the boat cruises down the Metedeconk River for a trip that lasts roughly and hour and fifteen minutes. During that time, the kids can get face-painting “tattoos,” participate in an interactive treasure hunt, and man the water cannons to fend off an attack from the dread Pirate Pete off the starboard side.

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Jessica Corring said of the family aspect of their operation: “While the Pirate Adventure we do is geared toward children between the ages of 3 to 10, the whole family can enjoy the event. The boat ride alone, with the beautiful views of the Metedeconk River, is enough to make any adult enjoy the day. Also, there is great music and always humor for everyone from the captain and crew. The adventure genuinely makes pirates out of everyone, young and old.”

There are few daytrips as unique as setting off on a pirate ship, so lock the treasure chest up, pop on the peg-leg and position your parrot. We've selected Jersey Shore Pirates for this installment of Day Tripper, a weekly look at destinations that are out of town, but in reach, and worth the trip.

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DAY TRIPPER DIGEST

Estimated Travel Time: 1 hour, 46 minutes

Why it’s Worth the Trip: There’s really nothing else quite like Jersey Shore Pirates, and on a beautiful spring afternoon, the boat-tour aspects alone are worth the time.

How to Get There from Here: Detailed Driving Directions

You’ll Probably Get Hungry: Ryan Michael’s Riverfront Grille is conveniently located in the Riverfront Marina, but there is also convenient access to  and . If snacks are on your mind, try Shore favorite Strollo’s Lighthouse in Point Pleasant Beach (and at several other Shore locations) for Italian ices. Sundaes (in Point Pleasant, Wall and Toms River) and The Music Man (Lavallette) are great choices for ice cream.

While you’re in the Area:  How about hitting some of the local highlights likeWindward Beach Park, or the . If you’re in the need for serious thrills, try . For other adventures, you shouldn’t miss The Novins Planetarium,located at Ocean County College and Insectropolis, or the "Bugseum of New Jersey" off Route 9 in Toms River. 

The Sea Gypsy II is a family-owned operation, and the Corrings look forward to their third season of sailing and entertainment. The concept is unique, not necessarily something people immediately decide upon.

“We actually have been working as 'Pirates' since the summer of 2003," Jessica Corring said. "My husband’s best friends run a pirate ship in Annapolis, Md. We were living down there because I was getting my master's degree at Loyola and they needed some crew, so we decided to help out. We absolutely loved every part of the business, so when we moved back to New Jersey, we decided to open our own with a NJ flair.”

The result: a positive response from all involved, including the owners, she said.

"The response so far has been absolutely fantastic and we couldn’t be happier," she said. "I think our guests really appreciate the fact that we are owner-operators. When you call on the phone you get one of us and when you arrive, I am always at the office and my husband has driven every single Pirate Adventure for the past two seasons. We really love what we do and we hope that it shows when the mini-mates arrive."

As with any trip out on the water, there are safety considerations to be made, but Jessica Corring said provisions have all been carefully thought out.

"There are not real 'requirements' as far as attire or what they should bring. I always recommend a camera and sunblock," she said. "We haven’t had anyone get seasick, but that’s always up to an individual so I don’t like to say that they definitely won’t get sick though. The water that we sail on is relatively calm, not like sailing in the ocean with waves. Lifejackets are provided for every adult and child onboard. The Sea Gypsy II is a US Coast Guard certified passenger vessel.”

Future special events for Jersey Shore Pirates include:

  • A Pirates Life for me: On May 20 through 22, as Johnny Depp brings Capt. Jack Sparrow back to the multiplex, bring your Pirates of the Caribbean movie stub and receive $3 off of the regular ticket price your Pirate Adventure. (1 movie stub required for each discounted ticket.) Make your reservations early.

  • So My Dad's a Scallywag: Sunday, June 19 is the day Dad gets his honors, so pack up the car, come to the pier and set sail (and don’t get any ideas about the plank, either!).

  • Memorial Day Weekend: May 28 through 30. Attendees get 20 percent off all weekend with military IDs; it’s a special way to remember the sacrifice of America’s men and women in uniform.

  • Labor Day Weekend: 20 percent off for police, firefighters and teaching professionals all weekend. IDs  required.

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