An epic Atlantic crossing on a world-class tall ship where you are the crew.
Experience one of the world’s great ocean passages as you sail from Namibia to the Azores aboard a traditional three-masted square-rigged tall ship.
This extraordinary 50-day voyage combines the isolation of the open Atlantic with the camaraderie of life at sea, offering a rare opportunity to become part of the working crew on a genuine offshore expedition.
After departing the Namibian coast, you’ll set course for the remote island of St Helena before embarking on five weeks of deep-ocean sailing. Carried by the southeast trade winds, you’ll cross the equator, celebrate one of sailing’s great milestones, and watch the night sky transform as the Southern Cross gradually disappears and Polaris takes its place overhead.
Life quickly settles into the rhythm of the watch system. Alongside the professional crew, you’ll help steer the ship, handle sails, keep lookout, and learn traditional seamanship while sharing unforgettable sunrises, star-filled nights and the satisfaction that comes from crossing an ocean under sail.
The voyage finishes in Horta, the colourful harbour on Faial Island in the Azores, long regarded as one of the world’s great landfalls for ocean sailors. From here, you can either hop off or continue the adventure by joining the next voyage north to La Rochelle, France, extending your time at sea and following this remarkable homeward journey towards Europe.
Enquire for details!
Why you'll love this adventure
- Full digital detox! Truly switch off, there's no phone reception in the middle of the ocean
- Learn the ropes or brush up your skills traditional sailing
- Perfect for solo travellers, friends and family
Dates
Itinerary
.Sail from the dramatic coast of Namibia to the Azores on an unforgettable 50-day Atlantic crossing via the remote island of St Helena. Along the way you'll become part of the working crew aboard a traditional three-masted tall ship, standing watch, handling sails and experiencing the unique rhythm of life at sea as you cross the equator and journey from the Southern Hemisphere into the Northern Hemisphere. The voyage finishes in Horta, one of the world's most celebrated harbours for ocean sailors. From there, you can either end your adventure in the Azores or continue north by joining the next voyage to La Rochelle, France, completing an even greater section of this remarkable homeward journey.
What's included
- All meals on board plus tea, coffee and water
- Sailing instruction from the ship’s crew
- Bedding and towels
Not included
- Travel to and from the ship
- Drinks from the bar
- Travel and medical insurance (specialist policy required)
Trip notes
Price
Min age
Accommodation
The ship is ideal for ocean crossings and longer voyages, with various places for relaxing: library, lounge, poker corner and deckhouse. These different areas allow you to do your own thing. Perhaps some quiet reading or a more active role in the social life in the deckhouse.
In the aft of the ship you have the library. This is usually the most quiet place of the ship so ideal to read a book or work on your own logbook. On tweendeck level you will find the lounge. Breakfast is served here but this room also is used by the guides to have their lectures and show their movies. In the deckhouse you will find the ships bar and nice benches to meet your fellow crew.
There are four 2-person cabins, four 4-person cabins and four 6-person cabins. The classic bunks are very comfortable. Every bunk has its own sheet, duvet and covers. You do not have to bring your own sleeping bags. Towels will be provided too. All cabins are provided with ensuite shower and toilet.
Meals
At sea it is very important to eat and drink well. An experienced cook and cooks mate prepare excellent meals every day. You will be suprised by the variaty of dishes. The cook will often use local ingredients from the ports we visit. And if allowed a fresh caught fish will be on the menu as well.
The general meal times on board are:
- Breakfast: 07:00 – 09:00
- Lunch: 13:00
- Dinner: 19:00
- Coffee and tea: 10:00, 14:00, 16:00, 20:00
Baking of bread and cookies is done at night. At sea, midnight snacks are prepared, usually during the dog watch (24:00-04:00)
Drinks
During the day there are fixed coffee and tea breaks (10h00, 14h00, 16h00 and 20h00). Of course coffee and tea is available to you all the time. Meals usually are served with dairy and juice. We recommend you to bring a waterbottle from home which you can use to (re)fill with water.
Extra drinks like softdrinks and beer and wine can be ordered at the bar. You will pay your barbill at the end of the voyage (in cash).
Dietary requirements
If you are vegetarian or suffer from a food allergy please let us know on the booking form. The cooks on board the ship are very creative and serve a broad variaty of menu’s. However due to the size of the galley, the possibilities are limited and for example, the ship is not able to cater for vegans. It is possible to request a vegetarian meal.
If you suffer from a food allergy, please let us know as soon as possible and the ship will discuss with the cooks to see what is possible.
Keep in mind several ingredients are used in the gally like nuts and gluten. If you allergic to this the cook will provide for seperate dishes and menu’s. However on board and in the galley these ingredients are present.
Who is this trip for?
- All ages 18-73 (an additional health statement for all guests from the age of 65)
- All nationalities (main language spoken on the ship is English)
- All levels of sailing experience from complete novices to experienced sailors
Additional notes
The Watch System
The ship sails 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Sail handling can happen at any moment, so the crew takes turns in being a wake and sailing the ship.
The is is registered as a sail training ship and as such you will be mustered as voyage crew. More so than on a passenger ship, you will get extensive safety instructions and we ask you to join in the watch system. Participating in sailing and running the ship is part of the overall experience on board. The level of participation will depend on your interest and physical condition. On deck you work together with the permanent crew.
Permanent crew
The permanent crew is divided in two watches, called Port and Starboard. Depending on the Captain in charge, the crew follows a watch system divided in four shifts of six hours (six-on-six-off) during 24 hours or the Swedish Watch system. These Swedish watches work alternating shifts of four hours during the night (2000 – 0800 hrs) and six during the day (0800 – 2000 hrs).
Voyage crew/ trainees
The trainees are encouraged to participate in a three- watch system, with four hours on and eight hours off and a split ‘platvoets’. Following this system you will have watch at different times every day so you will see a sunrise one day and a sunset the next.
The watches are named after the colours of the Dutch flag and follow up in the same sequence. While on watch you will take turns at the helm, stand lookout and help with sail handling and maintenance.
Tour operator
Originally built in 1910, this beautifully restored Dutch tall ship has been crossing oceans and seas on a regular basis since 2000 and has a reputation of a ship that really sails.
Following the favourable winds of traditional sailing routes has brought her to all the continents sailing both the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean, thus earning her nick name ‘ocean wanderer’.
Crew and guests join the ship from all over the world and all ages. As a sail training vessel, everyone on board is assigned to the watch system to help sail the ship - navigating, taking the helm and handling the sails. Sailing experience is not required just a desire to sail to new horizons and experience all aspects of a sailor’s life on board: The wind, the sea, new friends and adventure.
Enquire today
Atlantic Crossing: Namibia to the Azores via St Helena
"*" indicates required fields
Please complete the enquiry form above with as much detail as you can and we will send you all the trip information and connect you with the operator so you can make a booking directly.
If you have queries and questions about the trip include those in your form and we’ll personally reply to you within 24 hours.
Why Book with Another World Adventures?
Book direct with the tour operator. No mark-ups, no fees.
Save time by browsing our handpicked collection of the best adventure travel experiences.
Claim free travel gifts when you use our site to find your next trip.
A most helpful, friendly and knowledgeable travel company!
Very helpful and provided lots of research material and excellent personal perspectives on the tall ship sailing trip I was interested in taking.— Martin
Excellent thoughtful service.
They were prompt and friendly, and so thorough and helpful in connecting me with my adventure.— Tina
One of a Kind Service!
From the very beginning of reaching out to AWA, they were super helpful, enthusiastic and informative.— Matt
