Challenging Ocean Passage on a three masted schooner - All the Way to Cape Verde

Oosterschelde - Blue Water Ocean Passage to Cape Verde

Oosterschelde, like several European tall ships (including Bessie Ellen) will head South like the migrating birds in Autumn, but few are sailing as far in search of a perfect winter sailing ground. This impressive three masted schooner is sailing from her home port of Rotterdam to the tropical islands of Cape Verde off Senegal which lie on the same Latitude as St Lucia in the Caribbbean.

You can join her for the full 27 day voyage at a discounted price (€1650 euros for 28 days) , or choose to join her as ships crew for either the 14 day leg from Rotterdam to Vigo in Northern Spain or pack your shorts and join her in Northern Spain for a 14 day blue water ocean passage from Vigo to Cape Verde.

Oosterschelde - Round the World charter vessel

Oosterschelde was built in 1918 and is an extremely tough ocean going ship. She carries a worldwide operating licence and has sailed to the Arctic, Antarctica, Indonesia and around the world as a charter vessel. She carries a skipper, mate, engineer, 2 deckhands and a great cook, but the rest is down to you as guest crew, so if you want hands on sailing where your contibution to the ship is highly valued, or you are looking for sea time for a sailing career then this is a seriously good voyage to sign up for.

Milebuilder Voyage - Get into the rhythmn of passage-making

This long voyage offers you the chance to experience the true life of a sailor on a proper ocean passage departing from a Southern European port in winter but quickly reaching warmer seas, and ending up amongst the flying fish and trade wind of the tropics.

The full voyage from Rotterdam to Cape Verde is 2500 miles which is is the same distance as a Trans Atlantic crossing from the Canaries to the Caribbean. Vigo to Cape Verde is approximately 1700 miles which will go a long way towards the 2500 qualifying miles needed for a RYA yachtmaster exam, but in considerably more comfort than a large yacht. If you really want to be flamboyuant en route, there is a piano in Oosterschelde's saloon.

A mile maker voyage is principally to get a ship from A to B. Oosterschelde is quite a fast ship so it is possible you may reach Cape Verde a day or so early. There are amazing white sand beaches to relax on and maybe you can enjoy some fresh fish from the local fishermen.

Blue Water Sailing via Canaries

Both Oosterschelde and Bessie Ellen will set off from Vigo on the same day heading for the Canaries as the first likely stop. The voyage down the Portuguese coast to Cape St Vincente may still be quite cool but after the Straits of Gibraltar the winds and current should be favourable and the climate gets warmer and warmer. Oosterschelde will make a stop in the Canaries and then it is a further 850 miles to Cape Verde.

If you plan to stay on in Cape Verde, see our Cape Verde voyages for ideas on what you could do if you stayed on for the next voyage or travelled independantly through the islands. (Cape Verde visas required)

Watch Keeping & Working Aloft

During the voyage you will be spilt up into watches, the normal duty rota is four hours on duty and eight off but this may vary with circumstances and crew abilities. This is a deep sea voyage and you will get into the rhythm of an Ocean Passage with time to unwind and enjoy the sheer beauty of the Atlantic. If you like to keep busy then there is always ships maintenence to help with.

Oosterschelde has square sails so the brave can help the crew aloft to stow sails, but it is never compulsory.

Ocean Seabirds & Cetaceans

There are islands off Vigo, several of which are bird reserves and rather beautiful anchorages. The rugged surf swept coastline and drowned river valleys (rias) are a haven for sea birds which wheel about in vast numbers and chase the local fishing boats down the Portuguese coast.

In addition to bird life it is more than likely that you will see dolphins and whales as they too travel the coast of Western Europe and can often be seen in vast schools where the Continental shelf comes close to the tip of Northern Spain. The next hotspot for cetaceans is amongst the Canaries where again the seabed rises from great depths around each volcanic island. Nearer to Cape Verde the ship may be followed by bonito and tuna, and you may spot turtles in the lee of islands where the sea is calmer.

Trade Wind Sailing with Exploration Ashore ?

Oosterschelde may arrive early in Santa Maria on the ilsnad of Sal and certainly no later than the 12th November for a 13th November departure.  See our port details for information on flights and ports.

If you would like some good trade wind sailing on the ocean but would prefer a bit more exploring ashore - why not look at our 11 day Cape Verde based voyages. UK to Cape Verde Return flights from £480.

One of Oosterschelde's Captain's has personal connections with the islanders and the crew explored Cape Verde last year so they are becoming the Cape Verde sailing adventure experts with each seasons new discoveries. (see our 11 day Cape Verde Sailing Expeditions)