Sail the Beautiful Gulf of Riga

Setting Sail from Tallinn

No previous experience required

Tallinn is a fascinating port from which to start your voyage, with a beautiful medieval old town to explore before you step aboard ship. The Gulf of Finland has been a commercial and strategic sea for a thousand years. The Hanseatic League’s trade routes ran through Tallinn — then known as Reval — making it one of the most prosperous cities in northern Europe during the medieval period. The warehouses and merchants’ houses lining the lanes below Toompea Hill were built to store the goods crossing between east and west.

Stepping aboard Eye of the Wind, you’ll get to know your fellow crew over dinner and receive a full safety briefing, plus an up to date itinerary based on the latest weather forecast.

Along the Way

From the first evening aboard, guests on Eye of the Wind are part of the crew. The professional captain and crew will teach you what you need — how to handle lines, how sails are set and trimmed, how the watch system works and why it matters. You take the helm, put your weight into a halyard, and learn to read the water ahead. The physical demands are moderate, and the pace is set by the sea rather than a printed schedule.

Taking Your Place in the Crew

Eye of the Wind carries square sails on her foremast — the striking red canvas that has made her recognisable across a career spanning film productions, Atlantic crossings, and Caribbean winters. Seeing those sails set and drawing in a steady Baltic wind is a different experience from anything a modern yacht charter offers. This is one of the reasons guests choose traditional sailing over a chartered boat: the scale of the rig, the character of the vessel, and the particular satisfaction of a ship that moves under canvas the way Eye of the Wind does.

There are various routes between Tallinn and Riga, and the Captain will choose which way to weave through the islands according to conditions, the possibilities the coastline offers, and — where practicable — the wishes of the crew aboard. There are plenty of lovely anchorages amongst the Western Estonian Archipelago, which allow you to swim, explore ashore, or simply sit on deck with the engine off and the water still.

Arriving in Riga

Your voyage ends in Latvia’s capital Riga. There is plenty to see here and it’s well worth extending your stay to soak it all up. Riga has the oldest maritime museum in the Baltic! The Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation was founded in 1773 and holds over 500,000 items, including naval artifacts and navigational instruments from the 12th century to the present. There are also some fabulous national parks and coastal walks within easy reach, if you need to stretch your legs after your voyage!

WINDS, WAVES & WEATHER

The route runs south from Tallinn, hugging the Estonian island chain (past Saaremaa and Hiiumaa) before entering the sheltered Gulf of Riga — a beautiful stretch of sailing. Late summer sees the tendency over the open sea shift more towards westerly winds, with average strengths around 10–12 knots. The most challenging conditions in the Baltic typically occur from October to March so August is very much the sweet spot. August days in Riga average around 21–22°C, with nights around 14°C. Tallinn runs a degree or two cooler, so you will feel the warmth build as you head south, although it always feels cooler out on the water.

Average water temperature in the Gulf of Riga in August is around 19°C- refreshing but not truly warm. There is virtually no rise and fall of tide in the Baltic, and wave heights depend mainly on local winds, making this a great trip if you’re not sure of your sea-legs as its easy to find shelter from any short-lived choppiness. Brief squalls are possible — but these pass quickly. Visibility is good on around 80% of occasions in summer, and fog is relatively rare in August.

Overall, this is a genuinely lovely time to do this passage — warm, long days, settled winds, and spectacular Baltic scenery.

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 Eye of the Wind’s vessel page.

For daily tall ship news and voyage updates, follow Classic Sailing on Facebook — over 65,000 sailors already do.
facebook.com/ClassicSailing

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. 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

•