Taster Sailing Trip: Lübeck Bay and Wismar Bay

Setting Sail from Lübeck

Lübeck was one of the great trading cities of medieval northern Europe and became known as the Queen of the Hanse. Its old town reflects the wealth and influence created by centuries of Baltic trade.

If you can arrive a day early, the European Hansemuseum is particularly relevant to the voyage ahead. Its exhibitions explore around 600 years of Hanseatic trade, cultural history and seafaring. Lübeck is also a city worth exploring on foot. Its historic centre contains medieval streets, churches, merchants’ houses and the famous Holstentor city gate. An evening night watchman’s walk offers another way to explore the old town.

Then there is Lübeck marzipan. It has been associated with the city for centuries and remains one of its best known specialities.

Once aboard, 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

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. This is a genuine sailing voyage rather than a fixed cruise itinerary. Wind direction and weather will help determine where the ship can sail and where the crew chooses to stop.

A possible destination is Fehmarn, a low lying Baltic island between Germany and Denmark. Another possibility is Wismar, whose historic centre reflects its importance as a medieval Hanseatic trading port.

There should also be time simply to watch the Baltic coastline and shipping. Lübeck Bay is an active maritime area, so traditional sailing ships share these waters with ferries, commercial vessels, fishing boats and yachts.

Birdlife is a regular feature of the Baltic coast. Depending on season and location, you may see gulls, terns, cormorants and other coastal and migratory birds. Harbour porpoises also inhabit the western Baltic, although wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.

With only three nights aboard, the voyage has a different rhythm from a longer offshore passage. Sailing, meals, conversation and possible visits ashore all fit into a relatively short period. It makes this an accessible introduction to life aboard a traditional sailing ship.

Arriving in Travemünde 

The voyage finishes at Travemünde, where the River Trave meets Lübeck Bay. Travemünde combines a working harbour with the character of a traditional Baltic seaside resort. Ferries, freighters, yachts and other vessels pass close to the town as they enter and leave the river.

If you have time before travelling home, walk along the waterfront to the Nordermole at the river entrance. It is a particularly good place to watch ships passing between the Baltic and the Trave. The Old Lighthouse is another local landmark and one of Germany’s oldest surviving lighthouses. Its viewing platform looks across the river, harbour and Lübeck Bay.

For something less energetic, follow the promenade and beach or take the short Priwall ferry crossing for another view across the busy harbour.

After three nights aboard, you will also have a much better idea of whether traditional sailing is for you. You will have lived aboard, spent time under sail and taken part in handling a large traditional vessel. For many first time sailors, that is precisely what a taster voyage should provide.

WINDS, WAVES & WEATHER

Lübeck Bay and Wismar Bay form part of the western Baltic Sea. These are relatively sheltered coastal waters compared with an open ocean passage, although they should not be mistaken for completely protected sailing.

Conditions can change quickly. Wind direction has a considerable influence on both the route and the sea state, particularly where longer stretches of open water allow waves to build.

The Baltic has very little tidal range compared with UK waters. Consequently, the sailing is influenced much more by wind and weather than by the strong tidal streams familiar around much of the British coast.

On a short voyage such as this, the skipper can adapt the route to the conditions. That flexibility is one reason the precise itinerary cannot be guaranteed in advance.

Bring suitable waterproof and warm layers even if the forecast looks settled. Conditions on deck can feel considerably cooler than conditions ashore, particularly when sailing into the wind.

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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