Sailing in the Azores

Blue water sailing in the Azore Islands

The Atlantic Islands of The Azores, lies at just far enough north to catch the prvealing South West wind and carry sailing ships towards Europe and the English Channel. Thus the Azores have been a staging posts for square rig sailors and yachtsmen through the centuries, these mountainous island landfalls with lush vegetation are a welcome reward on our 10-14 day ocean passages.

There is more to becoming a deep water sailor than swapping oilskins for shorts, but a winter suntan certainly helps. Ocean sailors happily adapt to a watch routine and the constant motion of the ship day and night. Experience all the ships moods from glassy calms to white capped swells launching flying fish from crest to crest.

Azores Mini Brochure

Azores for Island Hopping

The Azores has welcomed Ocean travellers and sailors for centuries. It is a unique place and will bring out the explorer in you.

Azure Seas and Lush Volcanic Flora

The Azores are Portuguese, and there are 9 islands in 3 distinct groups – all volcanic with ancient Caldera craters. Only Pico still has an original cone over 2351m high. From June – October the weather is dominated by the Azores High. Summer temperatures typically reach 23 degrees centigrade. Evenings are cooler than the Caribbean. The shorelines are often steep cliffs and the vegetation is lush with much tropical fruit as well as fresh dairy products. Fishing, green tourism and whale watching are an important part of their economy and in the past Whaling was a major industry.

Azores - Whale Hunters turned Environmentalists

Whale hunting was historically a major source of income in the Azores. The local island communities continue to reap the benefits of being on the migration trail but now they have turned to whale watching and cetacean research, replacing their bloodier past. A tall ship (like a whaling ship) has a great advantage over island boats for cetacean spotting – a crows nest vantage point. If you are on the royal yard and you see a pod of whales spouting, we don't think you will be able to resist the Captain Ahab / Moby Dick moment. Yes, both Classic Sailing directors have been caught shouting  "Thar she blows !"

The best whale watching route in Europe

Sail from Azores to the UK on tall ship Bessie Ellen for a 1250 mile ocean passage that covers some of the best* places in the world to see dolphins and whales (* as recommended by the Dolphin & Whale Conservation Society) . The voyage starts off as a true blue water passage with ocean swells and a nice climate and chance to gain a tan.  The ship may stop somewhere like Cadiz or Lisbon or anchor in one of the deep rias off the North Potuguese coast but it all depends on the winds.

Crossing the Bay of Biscay is a bit more notorious but it is not always rough. When you reach the continental shelf the currents from the deep ocean upwell creating a rich source of plankton from the depths feeding all levels of marine life. Off the North Coast of Spain, is another hotspot for Dolphins. You will experience many hours night sailing under incredibly bright stars in unpolluted dark night skies, and you can even spot dolphins at night in calm weather as they leave a glowing trail of phosphorescence.

Azores Mini Brochure

Tenerife - Azores 11 day ocean passage for £799 - trade wind beam reach with luck - 15-26 March 2011

Azores - Azores - 7 day island hopping & whale watching on Bessie Ellen for £699 - 28 March - 4 April

Azores - UK - 17 day Epic Ocean Passage on Bessie Ellen for £899 - 6-23rd April 2011