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Ocean Passages - 10 days to 71 days

Crossing an ocean on a square rigger - real voyages of discovery

It is possible to live ashore comfortably, and dare we say boringly, but you will never know your true strengths and weaknesses, or what you can achieve working with others. Crossing an ocean on a square rigger is a challenge and a lifetime ambition you should seize whilst you still can. It is also a very ethical way to go between continents - powered by the mighty trade winds - as part of your world travel plans.

The beauty of the open ocean

Is it boring ? What will I do ? Paint a sunset, mend a sail, follow an albatross, help the cook bake bread, climb higher up the rigging each day, switch to ocean time, breathe deep and take stock of your life.

What did civilisation do before TV, facebook, the internet. They talked, entertained each other with stories, co-operated with their fellow humans to achieve things, taught each other new skills, read books, shared dreams for the future, set each other challenges, lived in fear and wonder of nature. Without Google you turn to each other and books for information. Let the people onboard surprise you with their indepth knowledge of  very diverse subjects. All our ocean going vessels have a collection of reference and inspirational books on board.

 You establish a routine that is relaxing and comfortable but keeps you occupied. Sailing at night with absolutely no light pollution makes the night sky brilliant. Experience all the seas moods from glassy calms to white capped swells launching flying fish from crest to crest.

Am I up to extended offshore or ocean sailing ?

These longer voyages are ideal adventure sailing holidays for the ambitious sailor, world traveller or determined romantic. Some love the physical challenge of being hands on crew, others muck in but their real passion might be ocean bird spotting or just finding time for themselves.

Though no experience is required, you do need to know you enjoy sailing and be reasonably confident about your health and stamina.  It can be a long way from the nearest hospital - days rather than hours. These voyages are long and you will be part of a watch system helping sail the ship day and night (typically 4 hours on, 8 hours off type rota). The ship will be in constant motion so things like getting into a top bunk or eating meals at an angle can be hillarious but also exhausting. Sleep is not usually a problem, once you get used to the pleasant concept of naps in the daytime, whilst the ship rushes on through the waves. 

Mile Building Voyages

The beauty of sailing through the day and night on a reasonably large sailing ship is you can notch up thousands of miles without too much effort, whilst gaining a wealth of experience if you fully immerse yourself in sailing, watch keeping and navigating duties and take time to learn as much as you can from the professional crew.

Barque Europa - Circuit from Antarctica to South Africa, Europe, South America.

Barque Europa is a classic three masted square rigger with a reputation for ocean wandering, In tropical seas she can really spread her wings with stun'sails and skysails which extend her canvas to an amazing 30 sails. She typically spends summer in the Northern Hemisphere for Tall Ships Races and sails thousands of miles back to the Southern Hemisphere for an Antarctic Summer Season.

There are usually discounts if you sail on several legs on Europa, so you could spend a substantial part of a career break or GAP year signed on as crew  'before the mast.' 

Europa Ocean voyages travelling North for tall ships race start in May 2012 Leg 1: Cape Town - St Helena - Ascension. Leg 2: Ascension - Azores(Horta). Leg 3: Azores to St Malo in France to join all the other tall ships from around the world for the International Tall Ships Race Series 2012.

Barque Europa Ocean voyages 2012- 2013  - dates, prices, itineraries

>> For more on the Tall Ships Race voyages in Summer 2012 on Europa and Lord Nelson

Europa Big North - South Voyage Starts Sept 2012 with legs from 14 to 27 days. Ports are Amsterdam - Lisbon-Las Palmas in the Canaries-the accross the Atlantic and the equator to Salvador in Brazil and finishing in Punta Arenas in Chile (perfect if your next plan is to go treking in the Andes).

2012-13 Antarctic Voyages involve some impressive ocean passages including sailing in the Roaring 40's, Southern Ocean in the wake of Shackleton, Scotia Sea, Weddell Sea and the infamous Drakes Passage below Cape Horn. The longest Europa Antarctic Expedition is 52 days and 5500 miles.

Brigantine Soren Larsen - South Pacific 2012

Soren Larsen is our only wooden sailing ship that has sailed around the world. She has made her name for herself in the Southern Hemisphere specialising in voyages of discovery amongst the South Pacific islands and their communities.  She has enthusiastic new owners in 2012 determined to make her mix of island hopping and ocean sailing even better.

Barque Tenacious - Accross the Caribbean Sea & Trans Atlantic 2012

Tenacious is the largest wooden tall ship built in the UK for a hundred years and has made the voyage 'accross the pond' several times to enjoy winter sailing in the Caribbean. This time on her Trans Atlantic crossing she heads for Guadaloupe from Tenerife.  Other longer passages on Tenacious include 1000 miles from Antigua to The Bahamas, island hopping half way up the Caribbean chain, and an ocean voyage from Nassau, Bahamas accross the Sargasso Sea to Bermuda.  The epic 3000 mile voyage home in April 2012 from Bermuda to the UK will go via the Azores.

Tenacious Ocean and Caribbean voyage details, dates & prices Winter & Spring 2012

Ocean Voyages on tall ship Bessie Ellen

If you really want to be a valuable part of a small, close knit team on the open ocean, then our smallest tall ship Bessie Ellen has a maximum of 12 guest crew.  This 1904 historic wooden ship once carried cargoes around Europe and Africa and now safety coded for ocean sailing worldwide. A gaff ketch with 4 headsails, she has a more versatile rig than a square rigger to sailing in all wind directions. If you want a genuine ocean sailing experience without expensive air fares then Bessie Ellen has a 700 mile blue water passage between the Canaries and Azores, as well as an epic trip back to Cornwall from the Azores again this spring.

Bessie Ellen ocean passages - dates and prices 2012

We are always adding more voyages of discovery so please watch our News and Updates for the latest information, or tell us what you are looking for below and we will e mail you.