About

Smiles are guaranteed for everyone!

Celebrating music of the sea

The Shifty Sailors are a renowned maritime folk group from Whidbey Island, Washington, dedicated to preserving sea shanties and nautical songs. Formed in 1993 to support a local history museum, they quickly became a celebrated ensemble, performing at festivals, tall ship events, and international maritime gatherings. Their music captures the essence of island and seafaring life, blending rich harmonies with storytelling. Over the years, they have toured across Europe and the U.S., sharing maritime traditions worldwide. With multiple albums and a deep connection to their community, the Shifty Sailors continue to bring the spirit of the sea to audiences everywhere.

Turn your next event into something memorable.

It doesn't matter the size of your event... The Shifty Sailors love to engage with groups large and small

Since their founding in 1993, The Shifty Sailors have been bringing maritime history to life through rousing shanties and seafaring songs. Their repertoire blends traditional and contemporary compositions, capturing the adventure, camaraderie, and spirit of life at sea.

Renowned for their interactive and lively performances, The Shifty Sailors create an immersive experience wherever they go. Their music has filled venues of all kinds—school events (where they sing alongside high school choirs), tavern openings, National Park Service events, neighborhood gatherings, festivals, fairs, and the annual St. Paddy’s Day Bash.

If you're planning an event, The Shifty Sailors would love to be part of it! Click the button below to get in touch, and let’s bring some maritime magic to your gathering.

Click here to Add the Shifty Sailors to an upcoming special event

Upcoming performances

Date	Event	Location
Saturday, June 6 @ 11:15AM — 12:15PM Sat, Jun 6 @ 11:15AM — 12:15PM	Anacortes Water Festival Anacortes Main Stage	Anacortes Main Stage
Sunday, June 7 Sun, Jun 7	250th United States Anniversary Coupeville Wharf, Coupeville	Coupeville Wharf, Coupeville
Friday, June 19 @ 2:00PM — 3:00PM Fri, Jun 19 @ 2:00PM — 3:00PM	Regency Retirement Home Oak Harbor	Oak Harbor
Friday, July 3 @ 5:30PM — 6:30PM Fri, Jul 3 @ 5:30PM — 6:30PM	60th Birthday Party: Private Event Greenbank Farm	Greenbank Farm
Saturday, July 11 @ 7:00PM — 8:00PM Sat, Jul 11 @ 7:00PM — 8:00PM	Deception Pass Concert Deception Pass Ampitheater, Deception Pass State Park	Deception Pass Ampitheater, Deception Pass State Park
Saturday, July 25 Sat, Jul 25	Island County Fair Island County Fairgrounds, Langley	Island County Fairgrounds, Langley
Saturday, August 8 Sat, Aug 8	Port Gamble Maritime Folk Net Music Festival Port Gamble, WA	Port Gamble, WA
Wednesday, August 19 @ 12:30PM — 1:30PM Wed, Aug 19 @ 12:30PM — 1:30PM	Coupeville Methodist Church Coupeville	Coupeville
Saturday, September 5 @ 12:00PM Sat, Sep 5 @ 12:00PM	Wooden Boat Festival Port Townsend, Port Townsend	Port Townsend, Port Townsend
Saturday, September 26 Sat, Sep 26	Whidbey Island Ciderfest Pacific Rim Institute, Coupeville	Pacific Rim Institute, Coupeville
Wednesday, November 11 @ 11:00AM Wed, Nov 11 @ 11:00AM	Veteran's Day Remembrance Coupeville, Coupeville	Coupeville, Coupeville
Saturday, December 5 @ 5:00PM Sat, Dec 5 @ 5:00PM	Christmas Tree Lighting Anchorage Inn, Coupevile	Anchorage Inn, Coupevile

View previous events

Featured Album

"Howling Gales, Raging Seas" (2024) by The Shifty Sailors is a stirring tribute to the power, peril, and poetry of the sea. This latest collection of maritime folk songs brings to life the voices of sailors braving the elements, navigating treacherous waters, and finding solace in song. Featuring rousing sea shanties, haunting ballads, and rich harmonies, the album transports listeners into the heart of maritime adventure. With a blend of traditional and contemporary nautical tunes, Howling Gales, Raging Seas captures the untamed spirit of ocean life—where fierce storms meet the camaraderie of shipmates and the timeless call of the waves. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or a landlubber at heart, this album immerses you in the deep, rolling tales of the sea.

Howling Gales, Raging Seas

The Shifty Sailors

"Howling Gales, Raging Seas" (2024) by The Shifty Sailors is a powerful collection of maritime songs celebrating the adventure, danger, and camaraderie of life at sea. With rousing shanties, haunting ballads, and rich Read more

1

Howling Gales, Raging Seas 3:11
Howling Gales, Raging Seas
by The Shifty Sailors
Share link
0:00/3:11
2

Wellerman 2:50
Wellerman
by The Shifty Sailors
Share link
0:00/2:50
3

Climb Aboard 3:14
Climb Aboard
by The Shifty Sailors
Share link
0:00/3:14
4

Santiano 2:27
Santiano
by The Shifty Sailors
Share link
0:00/2:27
5

Keep Haulin' 3:02
Keep Haulin'
by The Shifty Sailors
Share link
0:00/3:02
6

Lovely Schooner Suva 4:54
Lovely Schooner Suva
by The Shifty Sailors
Share link
0:00/4:54
7

Fisherman's Gamble, The Lonely Sea 5:10
Fisherman's Gamble, The Lonely Sea
by The Shifty Sailors
Share link
0:00/5:10
8

Northwest Passage 3:48
Northwest Passage
by The Shifty Sailors
Share link
0:00/3:48
9

Joli Rouge 3:02
Joli Rouge
by The Shifty Sailors
Share link
0:00/3:02
10

Ballad Of The Merry Ferry 1:34
Ballad Of The Merry Ferry
by The Shifty Sailors
Share link
0:00/1:34
11

Farewell Lolita 2:59
Farewell Lolita
by The Shifty Sailors
Share link
0:00/2:59
12

Longing The Island Life 3:18
Longing The Island Life
by The Shifty Sailors
Share link
0:00/3:18
13

Sailor's Prayer 2:26
Sailor's Prayer
by The Shifty Sailors
Share link
0:00/2:26
14

Birthday Polka 1:16
Birthday Polka
by The Shifty Sailors
Share link
0:00/1:16
15

Shifty Sailors We'll Always Be 4:17
Shifty Sailors We'll Always Be
by The Shifty Sailors
Share link
0:00/4:17
16

Whidbey My Home 5:24
Whidbey My Home
by The Shifty Sailors
Share link
0:00/5:24

Want more choices? The Shifty Sailors have a total of 7 albums to choose from. Click this link for more.

Click Here to see all 7 Shifty Sailor Albums

Howling Gales was recorded in 2024 at the amazing Robbie Cribbs sound studio on Whidbey Island. A fun time was had by all.