Join a classic North Atlantic passage as you sail from the Azores to La Rochelle, France, with the opportunity to continue all the way to the Netherlands.
It’s not every day you find the opportunity to sail a traditional tall ship across the North Atlantic. This 14-day voyage from the Azores to France forms part of a remarkable homecoming series as the ship makes her way back to the Netherlands after years exploring the world’s oceans. On its own, it offers a rewarding offshore sailing adventure across more than 1,200 nautical miles of open ocean, including the challenge of crossing the Bay of Biscay before arriving in the beautiful historic port of La Rochelle.
If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can also extend your journey by joining the preceding Atlantic crossing from Namibia via St Helena, or continue beyond La Rochelle on the coastal voyages to Bordeaux and finally Scheveningen in the Netherlands. Whether you choose one leg or several, you’ll become part of the voyage crew and experience the unique rhythm of traditional ocean sailing.
This is a genuine sail training voyage, which means you’ll join the ship as part of the voyage crew. No previous tall ship experience is required—just a sense of adventure and a willingness to get involved. Before departure you’ll receive a full safety briefing and introduction to life on board.
Throughout the voyage you’ll stand watch alongside the professional crew, take the helm, help handle the sails, assist with navigation and weather observations, and learn traditional seamanship as you settle into the natural rhythm of life at sea. Every day offers opportunities to build confidence, develop practical sailing skills and become part of the team, with your level of participation guided by your experience, interests and physical ability.
Life at sea quickly finds its rhythm. Between watches you’ll have time to relax on deck, read, swap stories with your fellow crew, watch the ever-changing ocean and enjoy the simple pleasure of being completely immersed in the voyage. It’s amazing how quickly strangers become friends when you’re sharing an adventure like this.
After nearly two weeks at sea, the excitement builds as you cross the Bay of Biscay and make landfall in La Rochelle, sailing between its iconic medieval harbour towers into one of France’s most beautiful maritime cities.
Whether you’re looking to build offshore miles, develop your sailing skills or simply experience the magic of traditional ocean sailing, this voyage offers an unforgettable Atlantic adventure.
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 volcanic islands of the Azores to the historic French port of La Rochelle on a rewarding 14-day North Atlantic passage. Become part of the voyage crew aboard a traditional tall ship as the prevailing westerlies carry you across open ocean towards mainland Europe. The voyage concludes with an exciting crossing of the Bay of Biscay before arriving between the famous medieval harbour towers of La Rochelle. If you have time and a taste for adventure, you can also combine this voyage with the preceding Atlantic crossing from Namibia or continue onwards to Bordeaux and eventually the Netherlands as part of this remarkable homecoming series.
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 Passage: The Azores to La Rochelle
"*" 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
