| Embark | Disembark | Vessel | Duration | Voyage No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 15-05-2027, 19:00Stavanger, Norway | Sat 22-05-2027, 10:00Bergen, Norway | Eye of the Wind | 7 Nights | EYE27/20 |
Explore western Norway’s Fjiords aboard Eye of the Wind, travelling from Stavanger to Bergen in May. This seven-night voyage makes time for fjords, island waterways and possible visits ashore.
The proposed route leads towards Hardangerfjord, where the voyage brings you into the mountain landscape. Enjoy changing views from deck, share meals and explore possible landing places together. Norwegian fjords hands-on tall ship sailing remains an option, with participation entirely voluntary. The captain selects the route and stops to suit conditions.
Finish in Bergen, with opportunities to explore Bryggen and Mount Fløyen. Twin cabin accommodation and meals are included, making this a shared holiday with room for different interests.
| Vessel type / Rig | 2 Masted Brig |
| Guest Berths | 12 |
| Beam | 7.01m (23ft) |
| Draft | 2.7m (8.9ft) |
| Overall Length | 40.23m (132ft) |
| Year Built | 1911 |
Explore western Norway’s fjords aboard tall ship Eye of the Wind, travelling from Stavanger, Norway, to Bergen, Norway. This May voyage allows time to turn inland into the fjord landscape, with mountains rising above the water and island channels opening towards the coast. Norwegian fjords hands-on tall ship sailing is available for those who want to participate, while others can enjoy the scenery from deck.
For couples, the appeal is a shared holiday with room for different interests. One of you might enjoy helping with a sail while the other watches the mountains draw closer. Afterwards, you can share a meal, take a walk ashore or simply spend time together watching the changing view. Participation is entirely voluntary.
Expect a week exploring western Norway by water, with opportunities to enter fjords, visit small communities and enjoy the scenery together. Eye of the Wind provides your accommodation and meals throughout. You can help with sailing if you wish, while the professional crew remain responsible for the ship.
The voyage is planned with time for exploring the waterways between its joining and leaving ports. Its character comes from those excursions: following the water inland, looking up towards mountain slopes and discovering how different the landscape feels from the outer coast.
The proposed route leads through Bømlafjord towards Hardangerfjord, with possible visits to Espevær, Sundal, Rosendal and Kvalvåg on Stolmen. These are possibilities rather than a fixed sequence of calls. The itinerary is subject to weather conditions and the captain’s discretion.
That flexibility leaves room to appreciate the places reached on your particular voyage. You need not measure the week by how many names you tick off. A quiet stretch of water or an unhurried afternoon ashore can be as rewarding as arriving at a familiar destination.
A fjord changes the way you read the landscape. From aboard, the water is your route through it, and the surrounding slopes give a sense of scale. Rather than looking down from a roadside viewpoint, you are travelling within the scene, watching the shore move past at close quarters.
Look ahead along the water, then turn towards the land beside you. A distant hillside gives the broad outline; nearer details reveal the trees, buildings and small stretches of usable shore. Looking in both directions helps you appreciate how people live within this landscape.
In May, the contrast between spring growth near the water and colder conditions higher up can be particularly interesting. The weather and light also affect what you see. A hillside partly hidden by cloud may emerge later, while rain can briefly soften the view into a series of outlines.
There is no need to fill every moment with an activity. Find a comfortable place on deck and give the scenery your attention. For a couple travelling together, this can be the simplest pleasure of the holiday: time to look, talk and enjoy the same view without arranging another excursion.
The islands and coastal waterways provide a different perspective alongside the fjords. Watch the relationship between land and water as channels open out and shorelines overlap. A route that appears straightforward on a small map becomes more interesting when you can see the land around it.
Meanwhile, waterfront buildings, landing places and boats provide signs of everyday coastal life. These are useful reminders that western Norway is more than a collection of viewpoints. The settlements you pass belong to a region where the water remains part of daily life.
For photography, spend time following the changing composition rather than searching only for one grand view. A building beside the water can provide scale; the ship’s rigging can frame the land beyond. Keep your camera ready, but leave room to enjoy the scene without looking through a screen.
Eye of the Wind’s sails are handled by hand, and you are welcome to help under the crew’s guidance. Rope handling, steering and learning a knot can add another interest to the week. You can also watch a manoeuvre and return to enjoying the view.
A sailing holiday works with the conditions available. The captain balances opportunities to sail with the route and safe ship handling. Engine use may be necessary for manoeuvring or when the wind does not suit the passage. Whatever your level of involvement, the crew take responsibility for running Eye of the Wind.
Western Norway combines offshore islands with mountain-lined fjords. Hardangerfjord is one of the region’s major waterways. From water level, the relationship between steep slopes, narrow shores and settlements becomes easier to appreciate. In spring, flowers and fresh growth add another layer to the scenery.
Alongside photography, leave time simply to look. A photograph records one direction and one moment. Travelling by ship lets you watch the view change as a headland slips behind you or a distant hillside comes into clearer focus. The pleasure lies partly in following that gradual change.
You may find the smaller details just as interesting as the larger landscape. Look at how a landing place meets the shore, where houses sit above the water, or how boats are secured. These observations help turn an attractive view into a better understanding of a working coast.
A stop ashore can provide a useful change of pace. Depending on the day’s arrangements, you might take a walk, look around a settlement or find somewhere to sit. Ask about the time available before planning anything ambitious. Keep the return time in mind, especially if you choose to walk independently.
If the route permits a visit to Sundal, Bondhusvatnet is a possible walking destination. The lake lies in Bondhusdalen beneath the Folgefonna glacier area. Treat this as a potential excursion, rather than an included glacier expedition. Trail conditions and the time available will determine what is sensible on the day.
The voyage does not need a famous landmark at every stop. A walk through a small community can be worthwhile in its own right. Notice the waterfront, everyday buildings and boats. Respect private gardens and working areas, and remember that the places you visit remain people’s homes.
Gamle Stavanger stands on the western side of Vågen. Its white wooden houses and narrow streets make a useful introduction to the city before joining Eye of the Wind. The district includes buildings dating from the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Allow time to explore without rushing straight from your journey to the ship.
Arriving ahead of boarding also gives you a margin for travel disruption. If practical, spend the previous night ashore. You can use the extra time for a relaxed meal, a walk or buying anything you have forgotten. Keep the final joining instructions available and check the berth location before heading to the waterfront.
Once aboard, take time to find your cabin and become familiar with the layout. Pay attention to the safety briefing, even if you have sailed before. Each vessel has its own arrangements. Ask about anything you do not understand while the information is fresh.
Built in 1911, Eye of the Wind is a steel-hulled brig measuring just over 40 metres overall. There are six guest cabins with twelve berths. The scale gives you the experience of a substantial traditional sailing ship while keeping the guest group small.
There is time to read, look at the scenery or reflect on the day’s sailing. The onboard brochure describes a lower saloon with a library, providing somewhere to spend time away from the weather. A cup of tea and a quiet seat can be welcome after time on deck.
The voyage includes seven nights aboard, accommodation in a twin cabin and full board, including water, tea and coffee. Cabins have a shower and toilet, with bed linen and towels supplied. Travel to and from the ship, shore excursions, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are excluded.
Before booking, discuss any dietary requirements with Classic Sailing. Explain what you need clearly rather than assuming it can be arranged after boarding. The same applies to questions about sharing a cabin. Knowing the arrangements in advance helps you decide whether the holiday suits you.
For couples, a twin cabin provides your own space at the end of the day. You can enjoy the voyage together while choosing different levels of involvement on deck. Shared meals also provide opportunities to get to know the other guests. If you are travelling alone, ask Classic Sailing about the cabin arrangements.
May is spring in western Norway. Conditions can change quickly, with rain, sunshine and colder spells possible. Coastal weather differs from conditions higher in the mountains. Melting snow feeds rivers and waterfalls, which can be particularly strong in late spring and early summer.
For sailing, prepare for the conditions on deck rather than the temperature beside a sheltered café. Standing in the wind can feel colder than walking ashore. Carry enough layers to adjust your clothing, and have waterproofs accessible. Avoid packing on the assumption that every day will resemble the best photograph of Norway.
Sea conditions also vary with wind direction, strength and exposure. Islands can provide shelter, but a coastal voyage can still include uncomfortable motion. If seasickness concerns you, discuss suitable preparation before travelling. Once aboard, let the crew know early if you feel unwell.
The captain’s decisions will reflect actual conditions. A revised stop can be a sensible part of the voyage rather than a disappointment. Approach the week with an interest in the region as a whole, rather than depending on one anchorage or one walk.
No previous sailing experience is required, and participation is voluntary. Ask the crew for guidance whenever you want to help. There is no obligation to climb the rigging. If you prefer to watch a manoeuvre before becoming involved, explain that clearly.
Consider your mobility as well as your enthusiasm. Shipboard steps, thresholds and moving decks can require care. Discuss any limitation that could affect boarding, moving around or responding to instructions. A specific description of your needs is more useful than asking whether the voyage suits a particular age.
You can choose this holiday for the fjords and the experience of travelling aboard a traditional ship. Interest in sailing is welcome, but you need not make sail handling the focus of your week. If you are travelling as a couple, neither person has to take part simply because the other does.
Pack windproof and waterproof outer layers, warm clothing and secure footwear with a good grip. Sailing gloves may be useful. Choose practical clothes that can cope with contact with ropes and working surfaces. Bring suitable shoes for shore leave as well as those you intend to wear aboard.
Read the joining information before buying equipment. It will help you distinguish what is supplied from what you need to bring. If anything is unclear, ask Classic Sailing before departure. That is easier than discovering a missing item when you are already at the harbour.
Bryggen’s historic waterfront is a useful starting point for exploring Bergen. The UNESCO-listed district reflects the city’s trading history. Nearby, Bergenhus Fortress offers another perspective on the harbour. If you want a wider view, the Fløibanen funicular provides access to Mount Fløyen from the city centre.
Allow room in your travel plans to enjoy the city. A hurried connection can turn the end of a pleasant week into a timetable exercise. If you would like to explore further, consider staying ashore after leaving Eye of the Wind. Check current transport services before making reservations.
The advertised joining and leaving arrangements should guide your travel planning. Intermediate stops remain flexible, and an early arrival in Bergen should not be treated as guaranteed sightseeing time. Ask Classic Sailing to confirm the relevant arrangements before committing to onward connections.
For Norwegian fjords hands-on tall ship sailing, this voyage combines fjord exploration with the option to participate. Enjoy the mountain scenery, possible walks ashore and time together aboard, with a small guest group and a professional crew. If that balance appeals, ask Classic Sailing about the voyage.
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.
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?’
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.
The ships exact location in port is often controlled by the port authorities and they will only allocate a docking position a few days before. You will be informed as soon as possible of their exact joining location.
Any changes will be communicated to you before your voyage start date. Make sure you make a note of the ship’s number found in your confirmation email in case of any problems on the day.
This is a working port with real maritime history. The old Bryggen wharf still shows how the Hanseatic traders operated. Traditional sailing vessels often visit, and there’s usually something interesting happening on the water. Fresh seafood is sold straight off the boats, and there’s a proper seafaring culture here.
Practical Advice for Eye of the Wind
Practical Advice for Covid 19 and Eye of the Wind
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.
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.
Norwegian fjords hands-on tall ship sailing - 7 nights onboard
Embark
Sat 29-05-2027
Stavanger, Norway
Disembark
Sat 05-06-2027
Bergen, Norway
From
€1295.000
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Norwegian fjords hands-on tall ship sailing - 7 nights onboard
Embark
Sat 15-05-2027
Stavanger, Norway
Disembark
Sat 22-05-2027
Bergen, Norway
From
€1295.000