The Star of India, a tall ship that has been afloat since 1863, turns 163 this Saturday, and the Maritime Museum of San Diego is throwing it a dockside birthday party from noon to 4 p.m. General admission guests that day will get waterfront views and a complimentary birthday treat while supplies last, with the celebration open to all ages at the museum's berth on the Embarcadero.
According to the event listing from KPBS, the celebration takes place Saturday, Nov. 14, at 1492 N. Harbor Drive in San Diego. The museum describes the ship as the world's oldest active sailing ship, a title it has held since the vessel first took shape on the stocks at Ramsey Shipyard on the Isle of Man in 1863, according to the Maritime Museum of San Diego. That distinction isn't universal, however — a search-result snippet from the National Park Service describes the vessel as the world's second oldest active sailing ship, a conflicting characterization that hasn't been resolved between the two sources.
Originally christened Euterpe, the ship spent decades hauling emigrants to New Zealand for the Shaw Savill line and completed 21 circumnavigations of the globe during that service, per the museum. She first arrived in San Diego in 1927, and the museum renovated her in 1951 under her current name.
What's Included With Admission
General admission tickets cover entrance to all of the Maritime Museum's vessels and exhibits, not just Star of India. Adult tickets run $28, seniors and military pay $20, youth ages 6 to 17 cost $15, and children 5 and under get in free. An event listing shows ticket prices ranging from $16.36 to $30.36. Guests 21 and older can also buy beer, wine, champagne and mimosas at the Bar on the Star.
The museum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, says it relies on donations, members, volunteers and visitors to keep the historic ship maintained — the same volunteers and staff credited with the vessel's ongoing upkeep. Beyond the birthday event, the museum's offerings include self-guided tours, docent-guided group tours, tall ship charters, historic bay cruises, public events, educational programs, and corporate and private event rentals. It's open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last guest entry at 4 p.m.
A Birthday Tradition, and a Bigger Sail Ahead
This isn't the first time the museum has marked the occasion with a dockside gathering. Last year, it held a free celebration for the ship's 162nd birthday on Nov. 14, 2025, with volunteers serving complimentary cake starting at noon while supplies lasted. The ship most recently actually sailed on Nov. 11 and 12, 2023, to celebrate her 160th birthday.
Looking further ahead, the museum has announced a Square Rigger 101 training program tied to a planned 2027 centennial sail, with no previous sailing experience required to participate. The museum says it plans to sail Star of India again on Oct. 16 and 17, 2027, though that voyage remains a planned event rather than a completed one.
