Sail from New England to Nova Scotia, by tall ship.
Tall-Ship Passage: New England to Nova Scotia
This five day voyage begins in the historic harbour town of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where the captain welcomes you aboard an iconic Dutch tall ship following her visit to the intimate Sail Portsmouth festival. Arrive a little early to enjoy the celebrations before settling into life on board, meeting your fellow guest crew, and sharing your first meal together as preparations are made for sea.
The following morning, with a pilot aboard, lines are slipped and the ship glides down the Piscataqua River toward the Atlantic. Once offshore, sails are set and the course turns north for Canada. Days at sea quickly fall into a steady, satisfying rhythm: standing watch, helming, learning traditional seamanship, navigating, sharing hearty meals, and swapping stories on the aft deck. With minimal shipping traffic, these open waters are rich in wildlife — seabirds overhead and dolphins often appearing at the bow.
After several days, the rugged green coastline of Nova Scotia emerges. Sailing past Cross Island, the ship enters Mahone Bay and makes landfall in Lunenburg. Arrival is celebrated with a relaxed final evening on deck. Disembark the next morning, with time to explore this UNESCO-listed maritime town, famed for its colourful wooden houses and deep seafaring heritage.
Why you'll love this adventure
- A true open-ocean passage on a traditional tall ship
- Hands-on sailing as part of the watch system
- Finish in UNESCO-listed Lunenburg, one of Canada’s most beautiful maritime towns
Dates
Itinerary
Sail from historic New England to Nova Scotia on a hands-on tall ship passage, crossing open ocean and arriving in UNESCO-listed Lunenburg. Full details available on request!
What's included
- The voyage fee and all sail training on board
- 3 meals a day
- Coffee and tea
- Each bunk comes with a comforter and sheets.
- A towel is provided for each guest, but we recommend that you bring your own extra towel.
Not included
- Flights to and from the vessel
- Transfers from the airport to the vessel
- Insurance
- Visas
Trip notes
Price
Min age
Accommodation
All cabins are equipped with a hot and cold tap sink, bedding and towel, European sockets, heating, and forced ventilation for a comfortable night in the tropics. Toilets and showers are communal and separate for men and women. The living area is spacious and comfortably furnished, with large tables, games, musical instruments, a projector and screen, and a library – perfect for relaxed social evenings after an active day at sea or wandering the islands.
Meals
An experienced chef prepares three well-balanced meals a day. Snacks are served between meals. Coffee, tea and milk are included, and other drinks are served at regular bar prices.
Who is this trip for?
This is a short but action packed voyage that the operator rates as Level 2 which are often heavier or further from home. You must be able to cope well under sometimes challenging conditions, but in case of need, the ship can be in a port within 24 – 48 hours. There is no age limit, but you may be asked to provide additional proof of fitness or health.
Additional notes
There is no age limit, but you may be asked to provide additional proof of fitness or health.
Tour operator
For over 30 years, this operator has been creating incredible tall ship voyages, enjoyed by new and experienced sailors alike. Most recently they completed a historic two-year expedition in the wake of Charles Darwin called Darwin200.
The aim of their voyages is to have a hands-on, active experience, immersing yourself into life at sea, the rhythm of sailing and the culture of the regions you travel between.
Based out of the Netherlands they have two ships and work with a third providing sailing experiences around the world.
Their Three-masted topsail schooner
The last remaining representative of the large fleet of schooners that sailed under the Dutch flag at the beginning of the 20th century.
The ship is furnished comfortably and supplied with all modern conveniences. All the cabins are fitted with a washbasin with hot and cold running water and there are separate sets of showers. In the spacious and stylishly appointed salon there are reading tables, seating areas and a piano. Life on board is made even better by delicious meals prepared by a professional chef to fuel you up for a day’s sailing.
It is one of the world’s finest, fully restored historic tall ships and the largest sailing vessel ever to be restored in the Netherlands. She is registered by the Dutch Government as a monument of great cultural and historical value. The ship is one of the oldest and most authentic ships in the international fleet of Tall Ships.
Over the past 30 years she has welcomed thousands of sailors and adventure seekers on board including royalty, politicians, presidents and pop stars, even once hosting a birthday party for Sir Tom Jones!
The first Dutch commercial tall ship to sail to both the north and south poles and successfully tackle the infamous Cape Horn.
Their Two-mast clipper-brig
Built in 1919 and thoroughly stripped and rebuilt to modern standards in 1983. The tall-boat brig style was developed by the Americas during the war of independence to evade the much heavier English Man o' War. As such, the ship combines traditional design with fast speed. Since 2008, she has operated as a sail training vessel, undertaking her regular Atlantic circuit through the Canaries, Cape Verde and the Caribbean.
Below deck there is a spacious saloon which is the heart of the ship and each cabin has a basin with hot and cold running water. Showers and toilets are separate – outside the cabin.
Enquire today
Tall-Ship Passage: New England to Nova Scotia
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