Baltic Tall Ship Sailing: Eckernförde to Lübeck | Eye of the Wind

Setting Sail from Eckernförde

Eckernförde sits at the head of a long Baltic bay on the Schleswig-Holstein coast. The town harbour provides an appropriate starting point for a voyage aboard a traditional sailing ship.

If you arrive a day early, much of the town can be explored on foot. The harbour promenade leads towards the town centre, while Eckernförde’s long sandy beach is only a short walk away. The old town has narrow streets, shops and restored historic buildings. St Nicolai Church dates from the medieval period and is one of the town’s principal landmarks.

Eye’s friendly crew will welcome you aboard and help you get settled in. There’s time for mingling and getting to know your crewmates before dinner is served.

Along the Way

In the morning the crew will give you a safety briefing ahead of setting off. At sea, you become part of the guest crew and there will be opportunities to help handle lines, set and trim sails, steer and take part in the everyday routines of a traditionally rigged ship. There is also plenty to watch beyond the deck. This part of the Baltic combines busy shipping routes with islands, low lying coastlines, fishing harbours and open water. Spring brings increasing bird activity to the Baltic, particularly around its islands and coastal areas.

Once clear of Eckernförde, the voyage heads into the western Baltic. You’ll head out through Eckernförde Bay and towards the Fehmarn Belt, the stretch of water separating the German island of Fehmarn from the Danish island of Lolland. The route is deliberately flexible, guided by wind direction and sea conditions. Suitable conditions may allow the ship to call at a harbour in southern Denmark!

Arriving in Lübeck

Eye of the Wind is scheduled to reach Lübeck on Friday morning, 16 April, meaning you have the rest of the day available to explore the city without needing to book another night’s accommodation simply to see it.

Lübeck was one of the great cities of the Hanseatic League, and its historic old town is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its skyline of church towers, red brick buildings, narrow lanes and waterside streets makes it well suited to exploring on foot.

The European Hansemuseum is particularly relevant after arriving by sailing ship. Its exhibitions examine the trading network that linked ports around the Baltic and North Sea for centuries.

You can also walk to the Holstentor, explore the old town or visit the Niederegger Marzipan Museum. Lübeck remains closely associated with marzipan, so sampling some before heading home is almost obligatory.

WINDS, WAVES & WEATHER

April is early in the Baltic sailing season, so this should be approached as a proper spring sailing voyage rather than a warm weather cruise.

Conditions can vary considerably. There may be bright, clear spring days, but cold air, rain and brisk winds are also possible. Temperatures on deck can feel considerably lower than those ashore, particularly when sailing into the wind.

The western Baltic is relatively enclosed compared with the North Atlantic, but that does not mean it is always calm. Strong winds can create short, steep seas, while sheltered stretches and favourable weather can produce much easier sailing. The route gives the captain several options. The precise passage, overnight stops and any visit to Denmark will therefore depend on the conditions at the time.

Bring waterproofs (you don’t need expensive sailing gear, good hiking waterproofs are adequate and affordable) and warm layers. A warm hat is sensible even if the forecast ashore looks mild.

For sailors who enjoy genuine passage making, changeable conditions and taking part in the operation of a traditional ship, April can be a rewarding time to explore the western Baltic.

A NOTE ON VOYAGE DESCRIPTIONS

On a sailing voyage we never use the word itinerary, as skippers will always be aiming for the best and safest sailing routes for the forecast. They are as keen as you to include some of the highlights described above, but when it comes to sailing, you have to go with Mother Nature, not fight her. The description provided is based on what we think might be possible, based on past trips, or prior experience, but nothing is guaranteed on a sailing voyage. As such, the scheduled joining ports, routes, activities and/or destinations may be altered. Due to the complexities of weather systems, this may be at very short notice. 

HANDS ON HOLIDAYS

Whether you are an experienced sailor or a complete beginner, the professional crew will train you to be guest crew from the moment you arrive, with the intention that everybody works together to sail the ship. The common thread to all Classic Sailing holidays is ‘Hands on’ participation on ships that use ropes, blocks and tackles and ‘people power’ to set sail. For more on this, see our article ‘What is a Hands-On Sailing Holiday?’

SAILING STYLE & LIFE ON BOARD

We cater for a wide range of ages and physical abilities and how much you are expected to do varies a bit between vessels. See the vessel tab above which explains all about the ‘sailing style’ and what to expect in terms of hands on participation. There is a lot of information about day to day life, the ships facilities and accommodation on the vessel pages.

What to pack for a sailing holiday on the Eye of the Wind

Working Language on Board is German and English

Practical Advice for Eye of the Wind   

Practical Advice for Covid 19 and Eye of the Wind

What is Included

• Sailing Instruction
• All meals to include refreshments throughout the day
• Duvet, pillow and sheets
• Hand towels

What is not Included

• Waterproof jackets and trousers
• Alcoholic drinks but there is a bar on board
• Any entry visas required

What to Bring

Suitcases take up a lot of room in a cabin, so it is better to uses soft bags in a ship. A small rucksack for going ashore is useful.

• Eye of the Wind does not supply waterproof jackets and salopette type trousers. Please bring your own waterproof clothing.
• A mix of warm and wind proof clothing.
• Lots of thin layers is better than one thick layer in cold destinations.
• In tropical countries - long sleeves and long trousers to protect you from the sun
• Footwear on board needs a good grip and soft soles- the decks are wood or steel.
• Ashore stout, waterproof walking boots are best if you are in remote places.
• Eye of the Wind has electric sockets in all the cabins 240 V 
• Cameras, spare batteries, chargers if you need them
• Binoculars are handy for bird watching etc.
• Suntan lotion, hats, sunglasses
• Dont forget any regular medication, persciption glasses and spare
• Euros for bar bill 
• Passport, travel insurance, tickets etc
•  To get ashore is usually by dinghy so be prepared to get wet feet. Rubber boots or quick drying sandals - depending on the location.
• The ship provides hand towels but please bring a beach towel
• snorkel and mask for caribbean if you like snorkelling (travel tip: swimming goggles pack up smaller than a facemask)
• Bring insect repellant for Caribbean as can get mosquitos ashore in evening (rare at anchor)
• ear plugs can be handy 

Electricity

All the power to your plug sockets comes from the ship's generator which runs on deisel. The less the generators have to run to top up power, the nicer it is for the guests on board and also greener for the planet. Please don't bring loads of hairdriers, electric devices to charge.

There is no internet on board whilst at sea. 

The Captain's style was excellent.. so skilled, authoritative but never shouty, always caring, kind, funny & interested in people. I was So impressed that the crew were majority of girls, so strong, brave, knowledgeable & keen. 20yrs ago there might have been 1 or 2 token girls in crew & now they run the ship! 

Boys also wonderful of course & chef Dennis was excellent. Im old enough to be Granny to most, but no ageism, sexism or patronising attitudes so thankyou for that. 

The stops on the Danish islands were good use of time. So clean, green, pretty, & v.friendly. Unfavourable wind meant we couldn't sail as much as hoped but last day we got 12 of 15 sails up. Helming a tall ship in full sail is such a privilege. Wow.!

What a beautiful experience. Memories are priceless. 

Naomi - Baltic Sea Spring 2026

Hello all at Classic

The trip went very well and was a great experience.

Everything was very well done, great captain, crew and guests.

Sea shanty singing lead by Matthew from the King's Pond Shantymen!

Best wishes, Bob. Eye of the Wind, Cadiz to the Canary Islands November 2024

A fabulous adventure! Words cannot convey the experience.

John, Tortola to Bermuda

Tortola to the Azores! What a great time. Thanks to Captain Pit and the crew. An awesome adventure with awesome people!"

F Coutreau

What a wonderful, lovely, great, awesome trip we've had from Malaga to Lanzarote! I loved and enjoyed every minute.

Thanks again for this wonderful experience. I miss you guys!

Andrea

Now that was a voyage! The EYE crew - all 10 - five women and five men - embody two words:

COMPETENT and KIND

And such a beautiful ship. Thank you beyond measure

Susan

With red sails against a blue sky, Eye of the Wind is a photogenic ship. If you have any new images we would love to see them since Eye of the Wind has only recently returned to our website. 

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