El Galeón, the colonial-era Spanish galleon replica, will sail into Charleston waters next week. Charleston has been included as one of the ports of call of El Galeón 2016 tour during which the tall ship will visit the most important cities of the East Coast and the Great Lakes. The historic three-masted tall ship, owned and operated by the Nao Victoria Foundation, a Spanish non-profit organization, is expected to leave the current port in Port Royal and arrive to Charleston next week. El Galeón will be open to visitors from Tuesday, May 3rd, to Sunday, May 8th, while docked at Maritime Center Charleston, 10 Wharfside St, Charleston, SC 29401.

Once in Charleston, admission costs will be $10 for adults and $5 for children aged 5-12. Children of five and under enter without paying. The ship will be open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. School groups are welcomed and invited to tour the ship by prior arrangement. Tickets can be purchased on site and on line here.

El Galeón is a full-scale reconstruction of the popular 16th century sailing cargo vessel. Built by the Nao Victoria Foundation in 2009, the ship is 170 feet long and 125 feet tall, has a 30 feet beam, weighs 495 tons and draws 10.5 feet of water. The ship is commanded by Capt. Rosario Fernández Rodríguez and maneuvered by 22 crew members.

“When you step on board the ship it’s like traveling 500 years back in time to experience for yourself what it was like to explore the New World” said Fernando Viota, El Galeón project Manager.