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Ocean Passage and Antarctic Exploration from Puerto Williams, Chile to Cape Town, South Africa

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2 Berth Ensuite Cabin Per person

Available

€14560

Embark Disembark Vessel DurationVoyage No
Fri 09-02-2024, 18:00Puerto Williams, Chile Mon 01-04-2024, 10:00Cape Town, South Africa Tecla 52 NightsTC090224

This ultimate Antarctic adventure stretching from Cape Horn to Cape Town visits some of the most pristine and prolific wildlife havens on the planet. You will be an active crew member on tall ship Tecla for 5000 miles so this is an experience for keen sailors, modern day explorers and hardcore wildlife enthusiasts. There are some big ocean passages of continuous day and night sailing, as well as exploration ashore and anchoring overnight in more sheltered waters on Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland and South Georgia.

You’ll form part of a navigational watch for this epic adventure, falling into the rhythm of life on board and savouring every moment. The simple pleasures of sleep, food and good company become paramount in your mind, and you form bonds with your fellow sailors that would take years to forge on land.

From Punta Arenas there may be a chance to land on Cape Horn, before setting of across the Drake Passage. This trip we will not only visit the Antarctic peninsula but also South Georgia. South Georgia used to be home to many whaling factories not so long ago. Today South Georgia, like Antarctica is highly protected! This enabled the flora and fauna to start to recover. The only human inhabitants are scientists. The Elephant and fur seals are again king on the beach! From South Georgia we will start our crossing of the South Atlantic ocean with one more possible stop before Cape Town SA, the Island of Tristan da Cuhna, a tiny dot in the middle of the ocean!

  • Voyage
  • Vessel

VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS

  • Extended time in Antarctica and South Georgia
  • Over 5000 miles of sailing in the Southern Ocean
  • Downwind roller coaster with epic seas and albatrosses
  • Zodiac safaris round icebergs and ice cliffs
  • Shorelines packed with penguins and seals
  • Whale watching
  • Possible landing on Tristan du Cuhna
  • Warmer water sailing towards Cape Town

Tecla

Vessel type / Rig Gaff Ketch
Guest Berths 12
Beam 22ft
Draft 8.9ft
Deck Length 90ft
Overall Length 124ft
Tonnage 92 tons
Year Built 1915
More about the Vessel

Voyage Description

tecla off cape town

FULL VOYAGE DESCRIPTION

Puerto Williams, Chile

Located on an island in the Beagle Channel, Puerto Williams is the world’s most Southerly town, and is known as the staging post for Cape Horn. The town is a busy hub for explorers, fishermen, meteorologists and the Chilean Navy alike, and has a real feel of ‘frontier’ about it.

Stepping aboard Tecla you’ll be given a familiarisation tour by the crew and a briefing from the Captain. This beautiful ship will be your home for the next 7 weeks, and while it might seem daunting learning where everything is and what everything does, you’ll soon get the hang of it!

Exploring the Antarctic

This is true expedition sailing: there are lots of miles to make, but plenty of time to make them in, and so opportunities to explore South Georgia and Antarctica abound. The Captain will plan the exact itinerary according to prevailing conditions at the time, and will keep you informed with regular briefings and updates. You are part of the crew for this adventure, with night watches under incredible starry skies, Antarctic sunsets, phenomenal wildlife spotting opportunities and absolute remoteness.

Cape Town

Cape Town is known for many things, amongst them the Table Mountain. In 2013 the Tecla crew made the journey up on the mountain and reckoned it was certainly worth it! From the harbor waterfront, you can see Table mountain as a back drop of the Tecla while she is moored there. The Waterfront is a beautiful place to be. With many opportunities for shopping, having a drink on a nice terrace and getting into some markets with the finest foods, it’s worth allowing yourself some time after your voyage to give yourself chance to explore.

With so many miles under your keel there will also be a chance to celebrate with the crew, and toast a job well don you!

 

Antarctica by Debbie Purser
Antarctica

WINDS, WAVES & WEATHER

This is a big ocean voyage, and you should be prepared for some swell. Within a few days of being on board you will have become used to the movement of the ship, and how to get around her safely. The crew will be using forecasting and weather routing to avoid the worst of the weather, but sometimes things can be unpredictable, so be prepared for all eventualities.

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.

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.

Tecla

AGILITY & FITNESS

Every customer sailing with us will need to fill in basic medical questions on their booking application. If you are not sure if your current level of fitness and agility are up to a voyage, then please ring the Classic Sailing Office on 01326 53 1234 and we can chat through your concerns and possibly find options that might suit you better.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  •  
  • Berth in a 2 person ensuite bedroom – bunkbed
  • All meals on board (or lunch packs for day trips on shore)
  • Pillow, Duvet and fresh sheets
  • Towels
  • Possibility of washing clothes weekly
  • Ice pilotage
  • Fuel 
  • Berthing costs
  • Dinghy excursions
  • Planned excursions on shore / permits with Inuit settlements
  • Third Party liability insurance

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

  • Travel to Joining Port
  • Travel from end port
  • Alcoholic Drinks but there is a bar on board
  • Waterproofs

I

Start & End Port

Puerto Williams, Chile

Cape Town, South Africa

For vessels using Cape Town, it is likely you will be joining your ship in the Victoria and Albert docks area.

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.

Located on the shore of Table Bay, Cape Town was originally developed by the Dutch East India Company as a victualling station for Dutch ships sailing to Eastern Africa, as such Cape Town is a very historic port of call for a ship such as Europa. Cape Town has continued to be a classic stopping point for many ocean wanderers, from tall ships to modern race boats and commercial shipping. It is now the Provincial Capital of the Western Cape and the second most populous city in South Africa. Legal tender is the Rand and most major credit cards are accepted throughout.

Kit List

Kit List for Tecla 

THIS IS TECLA standard voyage kit list. Specialist Antarctic kit list to follow shortly

Included

  • Sailing instruction 
  • Safety Equipment (Life jackets and harnesses)
  • All meals to including refreshments throughout the day.
  • Bed linen, duvet, pillows and towels. 

What's Not Included

  • Travel to and from the start and end port. 
  • Optional trips or tours taken ashore
  • Meals ashore
  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers
  • Personal towels

 

What to bring

There is limited storage space on Tecla so please pack all you belongings in a soft rucksack or bag.

  • Footwear: Shoes with a good grip e.g. trainers or sailing deck shoes. (Sandals are great for beaches but you do need toe protection for sailing). Tecla has steel decks so waterproof walking boots are fine at sea in moderate winds and dry conditions and great for voyages where you might do some rough terrain walking like Iceland and Scotland. 
  • Rubber Boots or second pair of shoes for wet weather or getting in/out of dinghies. 
  • Swim suit & beach towel
  • Suntan lotion & sunglasses
  • Sun hat / warm hat, scarves, gloves
  • Clothes that dry quickly like fleeces and thermals. Mix of warm, waterproof & windproof layers. Wool jumpers are warm, even when wet, but can take a while to dry. Merino wool type shirts are good for under layers.
  • Small rucksack for going ashore
  • Travel insurance documents/any travel tickets
  • Personal medicines/ spectacles/ seasick tablets –check which brand if you suffer from asthma or are on regular medication.
  • Camera/binoculars etc
  • Modest quantity of alcohol for evening meals
  • You are welcome to bring musical instruments

 

Review

This trip fulfilled my desire for adventure sailing as we transited the north coast of Iceland, along the Arctic Circle. Even though it was rough, the boat and crew performed admirably.

Bruce

An enjoyable week in less than ideal weather conditions. The crew were competent and friendly, the catering excellent. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a voyage on Tecla.

Jonathan

A great mix of sailing in Scottish waters, some super hikes and an opportunity to see some of the immensely important historical sites in the Orkneys and Sheltands.  

Mooring alongside in the Fair Isles was a great privilege.  

The ocean passage to the Faroes was quiet but as a result we were blessed with clear skies whilst slinking in and out of the islands and some of the best coastal views one could hope to see anywhere.  

The ocean passage to Iceland was a bit of a bimble until we were 60 miles off and then it got exciting.  Thanks to a great skipper and permanent crew we snuggled into a fjord whilst the cruise ship ran aground in Reykjavik harbour.  A good holiday, an adventure and fun.

K

Any initial doubts as to the number and experience of the crew were very quickly dispelled and we were impressed with the knowledge and the handling skills of the skipper and the 2 mates. Every opportunity was taken to enhance our enjoyment on both voyages and at every stage we were made to feel relaxed and under no obligation to crew the ship under sometimes testing (but enjoyable) conditions. As an observation, we must congratulate the skipper for her culinary skills under difficult conditions..........the food was perfect for the voyage.

Geoff

A delight. A competent and engaging professional crew, an interesting voyage with some challenges and some great rewards. Good companions to make the log spin around.

Mike

Brilliant. I would do it again tomorrow. And good value too. The food was excellent. I loved the spicy meatballs and my wife loved the fresh langoustines.

Steve

Most enjoyable classic sailing with great food, a true sense of teamwork, great guidance and a good sense of humour. Can't get any better. 

Thomas

Vessel Gallery

Globe trotting Tall Ship Tecla in action and images. This historic gaff ketch is our Iceland Specialist and also has Greenland Sailing Expeditions. Photos from Classic Sailing customers, ships crew and professional photographers. We hope it gives a flavour of her sailing, life on board, the people that come, her beautiful sailing grounds and what it is like to live below decks.

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