Exploration Ashore & Wildlife

Adventure Afloat; Explore Ashore

We chose our sailing locations more for their wildlife, natural scenery and idyllic anchorages, than facilities ashore. Our skippers will awake the natural explorer in you. Be the first to row ashore and make footprints in the sand; sail silently under towering Norwegian cliffs; fend off over-friendly penguins ashore or take a zodiac ride between stranded icebergs in Anarctica. There is nothing wrong in hugging an oak tree after a gale at sea, or re-living your childhood on a Cornish beach....We are not complete wilderness purists though. We do find the pub eventually !

If your charter boat does not have a decent dinghy (or two) to explore ashore, then we think you will have an impoverished view of what sailing is all about. We bring out the explorer in you....

Unspoilt nature around the UK Coast

Unless you are already a sailor or a fisherman you may not be aware how ecologically rich the seas around Britain are - particularly the western edge of the UK with its intricate mainland coastline and islands from the Scillies to the most Northwesterly island shores of the Outer Hebrides and St Kilda.

Fast tides and wave action to stir up the waters, ocean currents like the Gulf Stream sweep creatures from as far away as the Caribbean bringing unusual sightings like turtles or strange jellyfish. The close proximity to the vast Atlantic allows frequent visits by many species of dolphins, whales and ocean seabirds like storm petrels and gannets.

Eve of St Mawes - wildlife spotting voyages in Conwall & Isles of Scilly 2010

Lizzie May and tall ship Oosterschelde - Scottish Wildlife Outer Hebrides & St Kilda 2010

Arctic & Antarctic Wildlife - In the Wake of the Polar Explorers

Classic Sailing offer a unique opportunity to explore both the Arctic Circle (Svalbard archipelago including Spitsbergen) and the Antarctic Peninsula. These are termed sailing and wildlife expeditions because you truely get the best of both worlds....and on a tall ship in the style of 19th Century polar explorers. Bark Europa has become well known as the tall ship that explores Antarctica every Southern Hemisphere summer with 22 day voyages from Patagonia. Tall ship Antigua bases herself in Longyearbyen in Spitsbergen offers 11 day sailing and wildlife expeditions deep into the Arctic Circle.

Spitsbergen - Arctic Summer Voyages 2010

Antarctic & South Georgia Voyages 2010-2011

Islands & Mountains

We prefer an anchorage nestled below impressive cliffs or mountains or rocking gently off a deserted beach listening to the sounds of nature, rather than tied up to a pontoon amongst the rattle of wire halliards on aluminum masts. Archipelagoes, isolated volcanic outposts in the middle of oceans, or mixing with resourceful islanders from Benebecula in Scotland to Cape Verde off Senegal or Tristan da Cuhna in the middle of nowhere are what we look for in our longer voyages.

Mountainous coastlines also feature frequently in our chosen sailing grounds. Scotland, South Georgia, Norway, Spitsbergen, Corsica, Madiera....and many more. A foray ashore to climb the highest viewpoint is a popular activity, but for some anchorages just gazing at the summits with a glass of wine in hand is enough after the exertions of sailing !

Exploring Hot Destinations

Cape Verde is pretty tropical. Schooner Oosteschelde will return to this group of islands next winter for some more exploring. Bark Europa is sailing up the Ecuador Coast through the Panama Canal and accross the Carbbean to Bermuda in 2010. Soren Larsen will return to the Pacific Polynesian islands in our summer 2010. Closer to the UK, winter sun destinations include the Canaries, Azores and Madiera - all volcanic islands with lush, sub tropical flora.

Cape Verde for Christmas ? Winter sun on tall ship Oosterschelde in Cape Verde 2010

South Pacific - Tonga - Fiji - Vanuatu - New Caledonia and onto Australia - June - Nov 2010

In Harmony with Nature

The wind drives us along with minimal sound and zero pollution. Nature is more powerful than we are. On a sailing boat we harness it to our best ability and sometimes its a wild and exhilarating ride. There are those quiet moments that etch themselves into our memory, when the sea and skies provide moments of pure beauty. Apart from encouraging our guests to appreciate the weather systems and restless sea, we hope you will enjoy learning about the marine wildlife we share the oceans with.