A Fresh Summer Sail along Europe’s North Sea Coast
Book Your Bunk
Embark
Disembark
Vessel
Duration
Voyage No
Mon 25-08-2025, 12:00IJmuiden, Holland
Sat 30-08-2025, 10:00Hvide Sande, Denmark
Eye of the Wind
5 Nights
EYE25/33
Along the Frisian island chain
This five day sailing adventure aboard Eye of Wind offers a great blend of brisk sailing and stunning scenery. From Ijmuiden, the gateway to Amsterdam, to the beautiful beaches of Denmark’s Hvide Sande, this journey along the picturesque North Sea coast is an ideal escape from the daily grind.
Voyage
Vessel
VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS
Varied and beautiful coastlines
Learn to sail a tall ship!
Enjoy summer sailing on the North Sea
Friendly professional crew
Great opportunities before and after your voyage for land-based exploration of Amsterdam and the surfer’s paradise of Hvide Sande!
Ijmuiden straddles the mouth of the North Sea Canal to Amsterdam. It is only a half hour drive from the centre of the Dutch capital, renowned for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system, and narrow houses with gabled facades. It’d definitely worth taking time to explore before your voyage if you can. A visit to Amsterdam’s Maritime Museum is almost obligatory for any sailor, and the Anne Frank House offers a sobering but important experience. Or perhaps you’d enjoy a canal tour, relishing someone else handling the ropes!
Stepping aboard Eye of the Wind, you’ll get to know your fellow crew over lunch and receive a full safety briefing, plus an up to date itinerary based on the latest weather forecast.
Along the Way
The voyage will carry you along the whole length of the Frisian Island Chain that lies close to the north coast of Holland and Lower Saxony in Germany.
Expect a tapestry of green dunes, historic lighthouses, and an abundant variety of bird life like terns and oyster-catchers. You may even spot seals lounging on sandbanks as you pass by. The land and seascape are very different at low and high water which calls for expert navigation.
Further North, you’ll pass the Wattenmeer Wetland National Park of Schleswig-Holstein, a UNESCO listed haven for bird life.
Arriving in Hvide Sande, Denmark
Sitting astride the canal connecting Ringkøbing Fjord to the North Sea, Hvide Sande is a small town renowned for its beaches and watersports. Hvide Sande literally means ‘White Sand’. The fishing harbour is the absolute heart of the place, and the town has a great atmosphere in summer, when the canal is lined with markets and frequent concerts.
We’d highly recommend staying a few days to soak up the West Jutland charm once you disembark from Eye of the Wind. Relaxed and friendly people, great seafood and spectacular beaches!
WINDS, WAVES & WEATHER
In August, the North Sea is at its most calm and stable, but the winds can still be pleasantly brisk, with daytime temperatures averaging around 12°C to 17°C out on the water. The winds are generally north-westerly, ranging from moderate to fresh. While it’s summer, keep in mind the North Sea is never to be underestimated; it can throw in a good swell and choppy conditions. Layers and waterproofs are your friends.
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.
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.
Start & End Port
IJmuiden, Holland
The North Sea gateway to the Dutch capital of Amsterdam
Hvide Sande, Denmark
A town on the canal connecting Ringkøbing Fjord to the North Sea, Hvide Sande is renowned for its beautiful beaches and watersports.
Kit List
What to pack for a sailing holiday on the Eye of the Wind
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.
Review
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
Vessel Gallery
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.