Animaashi Sailing Company
Animaashi Sailing Company
5
This location was reported permanently closed
Full view
About
Captained full-day, half-day & evening sailboat rides among Lake Superior's beautiful Apostle Islands aboard our comfortable and roomy 34' sloop "Sarah's Joy". Enjoy hands-on or full relaxation sailing with our experienced & friendly captain (and former Coast Guardsman). Don't miss the boat!
Similar Experiences
Animaashi Sailing Company
Booking unavailable on Tripadvisor
Want other options you can book now?
Show optionsContribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
5.0
66 reviews
Excellent
63
Very good
3
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Peter Langerock
4 contributions
Jun 2020
My wife and I took a last second trip "up North" to Bayfield WI. There are quite a few sailing cruises available, but Paul and Animaashi Sailing Company is a Veteran Owned Small Business - we wanted our money to go there. Paul is the most detailed Captain we've ever had the pleasure to cruise with. He provide detail on the trip, safety, the boat, the wind movements and the local environment, it's history and all with a passion that made you want to stay on the boat even longer.
Thank you Paul! We'll be back for sure and look forward to seeing you again!!
Thank you Paul! We'll be back for sure and look forward to seeing you again!!
Written June 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for those kind words. I very much enjoyed your company on this sail. Though many changes have happened in the past many months we showed that we all could go out and stay safe and still enjoy sailing. It definitely was a wonderful sail. I look forward to your return trip!
Capt. Paul J. Bratti
Written June 17, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
WisconsinCheeshead
Oconomowoc, WI48 contributions
Jul 2020
Captain Paul is an exceptional sailor who has successfully operated his own sailboat tour for over thirty years. As a retired Coast Guard Chief, he has the skills and "know how" to be safe on the water.
We live in Wisconsin, but had never been to the Apostle Islands area before. We decided that a trip to Bayfield was the perfect family trip to stay local during the pandemic. This sailing trip was a perfect tour of the waterways while limited exposure to other people. Our group was the only one allowed on the boat, which was so nice as we felt we had an exceptional experience. Captain Paul was a wonderful historian who made sure to tell the stories of the area that would interest both adults and children alike, while giving us our first lesson in sailing. Since this trip, our kids have asked to go out sailing again, which we will all love to do!
Thanks again for a great few hours, Captain Paul!
Pro Tip: Make sure to take a small cooler for drinks and some sunscreen as it can get very hot on the water!
We live in Wisconsin, but had never been to the Apostle Islands area before. We decided that a trip to Bayfield was the perfect family trip to stay local during the pandemic. This sailing trip was a perfect tour of the waterways while limited exposure to other people. Our group was the only one allowed on the boat, which was so nice as we felt we had an exceptional experience. Captain Paul was a wonderful historian who made sure to tell the stories of the area that would interest both adults and children alike, while giving us our first lesson in sailing. Since this trip, our kids have asked to go out sailing again, which we will all love to do!
Thanks again for a great few hours, Captain Paul!
Pro Tip: Make sure to take a small cooler for drinks and some sunscreen as it can get very hot on the water!
Written July 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so very much for the kind words. This year, unlike any other I/we have ever experienced has made sailing a bit more challenging, balancing safety with enjoyment. Sounds like we may have achieved that goal. I look forward to a return visit by your family in the future. Stay healthy, and even more, stay safe!
Capt. Paul J. Bratti
Written July 28, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Joe C
Waukesha, WI66 contributions
Jul 2020
We were concerned about the weather but luckily things cleared enough for us to sail, and Captain Paul constantly monitored the weather to insure our safety. He told great stories and educated us about the area as we sailed about the isles. Definitely worth the trip!
Written July 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessica F
Fargo, ND11 contributions
Jun 2020 • Family
So glad we did this! My husband and I and our 3 kids agrees 6,5 and 3 did this from 2:30 to 4:30 one day. Captain Paul was awesome! So knowledgeable and friendly. He was great with the kids too. He let them drive as well as my husband while he did the sails. Felt safe the entire time as he has tons of experience. He teaches during the school year and does this during the summer. Highly recommend Captain Paul!
Written June 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mick & Kathy
1 contribution
Jul 2020
The sailing was a wonderful experience and made so by Paul! He has a wealth of knowledge about sailing and the Apostle islands. I especially appreciated the honoring of the indigenous people with the naming of his company - "Animaashi!"
I told Paul at the end of our time with him that if it weren't for the pandemic we would have both given him a hug. It was fantastic and the hi-light of our time in Bayfield!
I told Paul at the end of our time with him that if it weren't for the pandemic we would have both given him a hug. It was fantastic and the hi-light of our time in Bayfield!
Written July 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cdld91
Fenton, MO40 contributions
For many years, we have had the good fortune to vacation at Lake Superior, near Bayfield, Wisconsin. A few years ago, we looked into a personal sailing trip on the lake and found Animaashi Sailing Company in Bayfield.
We just took our third trip with Captain Paul Bratti, on Sarah's Joy last week. We had another wonderful time. Captain Paul is a retired from the U.S. Coast Guard and provides a very comfortable and knowledgeable sailing experience. You can take an all-day or half-day sail, as well as a two hour evening cruise. You can also bring your own food and beverages to enjoy while sailing beautiful Lake Superior.
We can highly recommend Animaashi Sailing and Captain Bratti. You will enjoy your time aboard "Sarah's Joy"
Here is his website: www.animaashi.com
We just took our third trip with Captain Paul Bratti, on Sarah's Joy last week. We had another wonderful time. Captain Paul is a retired from the U.S. Coast Guard and provides a very comfortable and knowledgeable sailing experience. You can take an all-day or half-day sail, as well as a two hour evening cruise. You can also bring your own food and beverages to enjoy while sailing beautiful Lake Superior.
We can highly recommend Animaashi Sailing and Captain Bratti. You will enjoy your time aboard "Sarah's Joy"
Here is his website: www.animaashi.com
Written July 11, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JDevlee
Wausau, WI87 contributions
Jul 2011
My wife and I recently visited Bayfield for the first time and wanted to experience sailing. I couldn't find many reviews regarding the different sailing companies on Trip Advisor, so I did some research of the websites and found Animaashi. We called Captain Paul to book an evening sail. Paul is an excellent captain. He explains things well and was very professional. Throughout the tour, he explained what he was doing with the yacht, different tips and facts about the area and let us steer the yacht a few times. He definitely makes you feel comfortable and provides some alone time for you to relax on the bow of the sailboat. I would recommend this sailing company to anyone.
Written July 16, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jamie H
Milwaukee, WI35 contributions
Sep 2011 • Couples
My boyfriend and I visited the Apostle Islands during Labor Day weekend this past year. We had originally planned on going on the Apostle Islands boat cruise, but then decided we wanted something closer to the water and more private. We called only 1 day before we wanted to go sailing, and Captain Paul was able to accomodate us. While it does cost more than the other big boat cruise ($70 versus $40) we ended up being the only couple on the boat that afternoon (up to 6 people can go on the boat with Paul), and it presented the perfect oppurtunity for my boyfriend to propose because Paul let us have some alone time on the front of the sailboat. Even though it wasn't all that windy on that afternoon, Paul still took over to Madeline Island and some of the cliffs along the mainland. I would highly reccommend this excursion for anyone that enjoys seeing an area from the water. Paul was a great Captain, and very accomodating! It is definitely worth the extra money over the big boat cruise.
Written September 19, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pat L
West Des Moines, IA6 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
On the afternoon of June 27, 2017 we and another couple set sail on the Sarah Joy with Capt. Paul for a 3 hour cruise. It was delightful and educational. The time never dragged as Paul held our attention with his details of area history and sailing. He is a knowledgeable and skilled Skipper having retired from the US Coast Guard and operated his sailing company, the Animaashi, for about the past 20 years. He was careful to explain what he was doing with the sailboat and why and told us in advance what to expect so there were no surprises.
We returned to the dock on schedule and he asked a couple of the passengers to assist with the raising/lowering of sails, steering the boat and docking it.
We sat on cushioned bench seats in front of the wheel. There was a small canopy that offered some shade. When we made our Reservations Paul's wife advised us to "layer up" as it gets breezy on the water. It was a comfortable 71 degrees on land when we sailed but I was grateful to have the extra layers while out on the lake!
At the end of the tour at the dock we were able to pay with a credit card.
Thanks Captain Paul for a most enjoyable sailing experience on a beautiful summer day in Bayfield.
We returned to the dock on schedule and he asked a couple of the passengers to assist with the raising/lowering of sails, steering the boat and docking it.
We sat on cushioned bench seats in front of the wheel. There was a small canopy that offered some shade. When we made our Reservations Paul's wife advised us to "layer up" as it gets breezy on the water. It was a comfortable 71 degrees on land when we sailed but I was grateful to have the extra layers while out on the lake!
At the end of the tour at the dock we were able to pay with a credit card.
Thanks Captain Paul for a most enjoyable sailing experience on a beautiful summer day in Bayfield.
Written June 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so very much for the very kind review. I enjoyed your company as well. It was a great afternoon, weather wise as well as the company, and I look forward to another sail with you sometime in the future. Take care and have a great summer!
Capt. Paul J. Bratti
Written June 29, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
cdld91
Fenton, MO40 contributions
Jul 2014
On July 7th, 2014, we took our fourth half-day sailing trip with Captain Paul, aboard Sarah's Joy. This trip was just like the first three...fantastic! I cannot recommend a sailing trip with Animaashie Sailing enough. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.
Written July 8, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi. How many people can your sailboat accommodate?
Written July 6, 2020
Paul B
Bayfield, Wisconsin
By law I can only take six persons per trip. Two is my minimum. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic I am only taking 5 persons, 2 + 3, or only four 2+2, or six from the same family or group. I’d be glad to discuss this by phone if you want! Thanks for the inquiry!
Capt. Paul J. Bratti
Animaashi Sailing Company
715 209-4932
Written July 7, 2020
My husband and I will be in bayfield July 11-13. Do you have an evening tour on Sunday, the 12th, room for two.
Written July 2, 2020
Paul B
Bayfield, Wisconsin
Yes I do. If you could give me a call at 715 209-4932 I can answer any further questions you have and take care of booking your evening sailing trip on the night of your choice. Thank you!
Capt. Paul J. Bratti
Written July 2, 2020
Good morning. I am coming to Ashland/Bayfield and am interested in sailing/boating around the Apostle Islands for 3-4 hours on Oct.3rd in the PM. I have a group of 9. Is this possible with you. Can your boat comfortable accommodate 9 people?
Written August 7, 2019
Paul B
Bayfield, Wisconsin
I’m sorry, I am back working at our local school on the 3rd of October. I am available only on weekends after school begins in September. As a note, we sailboat ride business’ are only able to
Accommodate 6 persons at a time. Coast Guard law. However, I do thank you for your request! Take care.
Capt. Paul J. Bratti
Written August 8, 2019
My husband and I will be in Bayfield July 14-17 and are interested in a half day trip preferably on Sunday the 15th, it’s his birthday. Is anything available?
Written July 1, 2018
Paul B
Bayfield, Wisconsin
Thank you for asking. Yes I have room on the 15th of July, either at 9:30 or 1:30. Also have room on the 14th and 16th. Please feel free to contact me at 715 209-4932 or 715 779-5468 to answer any further questions or to book a ride. Have a great day!
Written July 1, 2018
Greetings, Captain. Lisa and I finalized our trip this weekend. We will arrive at cabin in Corni on Sunday, August 26. I wonder if there might be some flexibility in your schedule? I assume you'll be teaching by that date. I have additional passengers but can't say for sure, yet. I believe we penciled in the 27th but we might be still settling in at the cabin that day.
Let me know what you think. Looking forward to seeing you. Carl and Lisa
Written April 15, 2018
Paul B
Bayfield, Wisconsin
Well, I got this today (Monday), so we already set the date. For the record you are scheduled for Sunday Sept. 2 1:30-4:30. Let me know how many. I can take up to six! At the present I’ll reserve the boat for you. I can change it later in the summer. Thanks Carl and Lisa. lol forward to you visit as always! Have a great spring and summer!
Capt. Paul
Written April 16, 2018
Showing results 1-5 of 5
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.