A true Cape to Cape Voyage encumbers all the best of all the Southern Ocean voyages.
In 2024 an ex-herring drifter built in 1915 and lovingly restored with a full refit in 2021, will set sail across the Southern Ocean from Chile to South Africa via Antarctica, South Georgia, Tristan de Cuna.
The 52 day route is incredible and they’ve got berths available for guest crew to join them.
It’s a serious route for a serious adventure – with long offshore passages and the opportunity to visit remote islands and communities it’s a rare and exciting opportunity for 12 adventure seekers.
You’ll join the ship in Puerto Williams, Chile for an evening of introductions, to the crew, the expedition members and to safety on board. The next day you’ll set sail for the Antarctic peninsula, crossing the Drake Passage which may take up to six days sailing. The infamous Drake Passage is known for having too much wind or not enough, and you’ll not know which until you’re ready to sail! Either way, it’s an exhilarating and challenging experience whether it brings fierce winds, towering waves or calm seas – the welcome sight of breathtaking views of Antarctica’s pristine wilderness awaits.
You’ll spend the next week exploring Antarctic surroundings. The Antarctic Peninsula is a mountainous and ice-covered landmass that juts out from the continent towards South America. Sailing there for a week at this time of the year and you’ll witness stunning scenery, including towering icebergs, vast glaciers, and snow-capped peaks. You may encounter diverse wildlife such as penguins, seals, and whales while navigating through narrow channels and fjords. The sunlit skies at this time of year offer long days for exploration and stunning sunsets that reflect off the icy landscapes. It is a unique and unforgettable adventure, in one of the world’s last great wildernesses.
Between days 15-20 you’ll set sail for South Georgia. This is real ocean sailing. Expect a challenging and exhilarating adventure. The journey covers approximately 1,400 kilometers across the notoriously rough waters of the Southern Ocean so you’ll earn your sailor stripes!
Once you reach the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, you’ll be greeted by dramatic landscapes, including rugged mountains, glaciers, and fjords. South Georgia is known for its abundant wildlife, including vast colonies of king penguins, elephant seals, and fur seals. You’ll explore South Georgia for a week until day 23. You can also visit the historic whaling stations, which offer a glimpse into the island’s fascinating past. Overall, sailing from the Antarctic Peninsula to South Georgia is an unforgettable journey, combining the thrill of adventure with the beauty of some of the world’s most remote and pristine environments.
For history buffs bring some reading about Shackleton. South Georgia is famously associated with the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s epic expedition in 1916. After his ship, the Endurance, was crushed by ice in the Weddell Sea, Shackleton and his men made a perilous journey to South Georgia to seek help. It’s a gripping story!
From there you’ll set sail (days 22-44) to Tristan da Cunha. If possible landfall will be made.
Tristan da Cunha is the world’s most remote inhabited island. Visiting offers stunning scenery, unique wildlife, a rare cultural experience, and adventure. The small population of friendly locals is welcoming to visitors. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit one of the world’s most isolated places and although a landing may not be possible due to weather the crew will do everything they can to make it possible.
The final days 45-51 will be spent on the ocean voyage to Cape Town.
Sailing from Tristan da Cunha to Cape Town in a tall ship is an adventure of a lifetime. Leaving the remote island behind, you’ll navigate the rough waters of the South Atlantic, battling strong winds and powerful waves. The journey takes about two weeks, during which you’ll experience the thrill of sailing on a traditional tall ship, working alongside the crew to handle the sails and navigate the ocean.
As you near the coast of South Africa, you’ll be greeted by stunning scenery, including towering mountains and sparkling beaches. Finally, you’ll arrive in Cape Town, one of the world’s most beautiful and cosmopolitan cities, where you can enjoy a well-earned rest and explore the local culture and attractions after saying goodbye to your crew.
Sound like your kind of adventure?
Complete an enquiry form for full details!
Why you'll love this adventure
- Make a stop at the infamous Cape Horn
- Explore the wilderness and wildlife of the Antarctic peninsula
- Sail a beautiful traditional tall ship where you are the crew
Dates
Itinerary
Day 1 : Welcome on board in Puerto Williams, at 18:00 local time. First evening will be spend with introductions, to the crew, the expedition members and to safety on board.
Day 2-6 : Set sail for the Antarctic peninsula, crossing the Drake Passage.
Day 7-14 : Explore the Antarctic surroundings.
Day 15-20 : Set sail for South Georgia. Ocean sailing.
Day 16-23 : Exploring South Georgia.
Day 24 – 44 : Ocean Sailing to Tristan da Cunha. If possible landfall will be made.
Day 45 – 51 : Sail to Cape Town.
Day 52 : Disembark in the harbour of Cape Town at 10:00 local time.
What's included
- Accommodation and food
- One bunk per booking in a two person cabin
- Coffee and tea
- Blanket, sheets, pillow and covers
- 3-4 crew members guiding the group
Not included
- Soft and alcoholic drinks (during sailing no alcohol will be served)
- Towels
- Paid excursions ashore
- Transfer to and from the vessel
- Visa if needed
Trip notes
Price
Min age
Accommodation
There are 6 cabins, each for 2 persons. The cabins are situated in the middle of the ship, which makes them as stable as possible.
Your bunk is inside one of the two person cabins. Your bed will be either the high or the lower bed of a bedbunk. All beds are over 80cm wide and 2 meters long. Each bed has a reading light for the evening hours. The cabins are ensuite. In a wet cell you will find a shower, of course with hot and cold water, and a toilet, that when possible flushes with outside water. In the cabin itself you will find a fountain and mirror. Your clothing can be stored in closet and your bag or suitcase can be stored under the bed.
Meals
The menu is developed on board with influences of her surroundings. We try and cook with as many local fresh products as possible, this means that around the Canary Islands we eat a lot of tapas, peppers, plantanas (banana’s). In Brazil we eat a lot of fresh fruit, cow meat and rice. And around the North Sea, when it gets colder you will find some ‘stamppot’ (Dutch mashes potatoes specialty) with smoked sausage on your plate.
During a longer stay on board you will hardly ever see the same dish come by. Most of our meals are served with a salad or fruit on the side. During longer trips we take good care of our vegetables and fruit to ensure that you will enjoy fresh food as long as possible.
If you have an allergy or cannot eat certain food, please contact us with your dietary concerns. We provide a healthy menu were you will have enough choice.
We do not provide a vegan diet and on certain voyages we do not provide a lactose intolerant or gluten free diet.
We do provide sweet, savory, hot and sometimes somewhat fat delicious food, but there is always a healthy choice next to it.
Additional notes
Starting in Tierra del Fuego, you will embark the Tecla in Puerto Williams. The most southern village there is. From here you set off for the Antarctic Peninsula. This means crossing the Drake Passage. A stretch of water, where all the water and weather of the Southern Ocean, gets pushed through a relative narrow part. Wind can be strong as low pressure area’s race by. As far as possible a weather gap will be found to make this part as pleasant as possible. Which could also mean you are sailing in a breeze with all sails set.
With stops on Elephant Island, passing the South Shetland islands and visiting some of them, this place speaks to the imagination. Explorers have left their footsteps here once.
The onboard library provides you with some amazing books on explorers, good for those days out sailing in between your watches.
After the Antarctic Peninsula we head for South Georgia. There will be some days at sea in-between, so settle into your watch and enjoy the wide ocean views.
Today South Georgia, like Antarctica is highly protected! It is only permanently inhabited by scientist. This enabled the flora and fauna to start to recover. The Elephant seals are again king on the beach!
Few places beat South Georgia when making landfall. If the weather is clear the white alpine tops of Mount Paget (2900m) can be seen from miles away. South Georgia lies just with in the Antarctic conversion zone. This means the surrounding waters are filled with ice bergs. Some of huge proportions! The wild live is simply breath taking! It is the worlds most important penguin and sea bird breeding area. Over 7 million pinguins of varying species call the Islands home. Over 25 million sea birds including the Wandering Albatros nest on the cliffs and in the barrows. On top of that there are 2 million fur seals and 360 000 Elephant seals! The many different nesting birds enjoy a rodent free environment. They are the main attraction of our visit.
Our complete voyage takes 52 days. Our 7 day cruise around South Georgia starts at Grytviken. This is where we clear in and do our bio security check. The weather dictates our itinerary, for not all the sites are all weather proof. It is a truly wild place.
Grytviken is the only place where we can visit one of the many whaling factories. It is also the last resting place for Sir Ernest Shackelton. You will find the grave yard amongst the elephant seals and king pinguins! The old church is more than worth the visit as is the post office with the suiting souvenirs!
Cobbler’s cove is our next stop. The Cove gets its name from the white chinned petrels that nest here. They make a chimming noise at night at the entrance of their burrows! A short but intense hike brings us to the Macaroni Pinguin rookery. These colorful clowns put a smile on all faces! From Cobbler’s Cove we set of for Fortuna Bay, the start of the Shackelton walk to Stromness. This 6 km walk is the last leg of the trip Shackelton made when coming from Elephant Island after wrecking the Endurance in the Weddel Sea.
From Stromness we set of for Prion Island. The boarded walk ashore gives a spectacular view towards the coast as you stroll along the nesting Wandering Albatrosses. If sea conditions allow, we will land on Salisbury Plain. This is the largest breeding area for the King pinguin and Elephant seal! After a night at Rossita harbour we are of for Prince Olaf Harbour, the site of an old whaling factory.
Our last stop will be Ocean harbour. Here we will share our anchorage with the wreck of the Bayard who was blown ashore in 1911. The beach is full of fur seals and King pinguins. A magical setting for our last meal on South Georgia!
From south Georgia we will start our crossing of the South Atlantic ocean with one more possible stop before Cape Town South Africa, the Island of Tristan da Cuna, a tiny dot in the middle of the ocean!
Tour operator
An old Herring drifter (Logger) built in 1915, the ship is 28 meters long over deck (38 meters overall) and takes 16 trainees on her voyages. No previous sailing experience is needed and experienced and new sailors love her equally.
A family of four professional sailors have owned and run this vessel since 2006 and sail her with true passion. Built for the North Sea she’s a fast sailor and her rigging is as traditional as it gets.
We love that the boat’s appearance is kept as traditional as possible yet combined with modern techniques and equipment. Everyone on board is part of the informal sail training program that is designed to get the best out of everyone whether you join for 2 days or a longer ocean crossing.
On September 13th she and her crew were the first traditional sailing ship to complete the North West Passage after Roald Admundsen with his ship Goya in 2013.
Enquire today
Sail Cape to Cape Chile to South Africa via Antarctica, South Georgia and Tristan da Cuna 2024
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
