Atlantic Crossing – Getting to the westerlies.

IDEAL VOYAGE FOR…

Keen newcomers to sailing who want to try their first ocean passage in the sunshine and experienced ocean sailors who know they will revel in the blue ocean swell, peaceful atmosphere and sunshine as you make your way from Tortola in the Caribbean across the ocean to St Georges’ in Bermuda.

Lap up the Caribbean sunshine and cooling trade winds before setting off on a 800 mile journey to Bermuda. Experience true blue ocean sailing, night sailing under the bright stars and help sail this traditional ship to the buzzing waterfront port of St George. 

VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS

• Soak up the Caribbean British Virgin Isles
• Create a spectacle as you sail through the BVI archipelago
• hassle free ocean sailing
• good whale and turtle spotting 
• Avoid the Bermuda Triangle (sailing East of it!)
• 800 nautical miles to Bermuda
• Tropical nights – timeless in warm breeze
• Bermuda and its pink sand beaches & sailors waterfront

 

FULL VOYAGE DESCRIPTION

If you want to escape the world and get into the relaxed rythmn of sailing a small square rigger with only 12 guest crew then this is a great voyage to chill. If you need more action it is always there, from the responsibility of standing a watch or making the ship sail faster to climbing the rigging to fishing for game fish. Enjoy tropical sunsets and getting to know your ship mates from all over the world. Your reward after 1000 miles of starlit tropical nights, fresh air and pulling on ropes will be the archipelago of islands known as Bermuda. Let the barman pour you are dark and stormy rum, and admire the pinky white beaches an colonial architecture.

On a sailing voyage we never use the word itinerary, as skippers will always be aiming for the best sailing and shore landings for the forecast and most idyllic or sheltered anchors and ports. They are as keen as you to include some of the highlights described below, but you have to go with Mother Nature, not fight her. The description below is based on what we think might be possible, based on past trips, or experience, but nothing is guaranteed on a sailing voyage.

Next Stop Bermuda….or one more beach anchorage?

There are a few islands in the British Virgin Isles archipelago to pass, but after that, you are out in the deep blue Atlantic Ocean. The brief spell of sheltered water might be an opportune moment to try out the bowsprit netting or climb the rigging whilst everything is steady. It could be that the crew want to show you a favourite lunchtime anchorage and swim before you set off on this 800 mile journey, but we think they will probably be ‘champing at the bit’ to get to sea once more. In these latitudes who can blame them.

More Hands-On Sailing

The price of this voyage is cheaper than the Caribbean cruising so there is an assumption you are up for an adventure and taking part in a watch. This is an ideal voyage for potential career sailors who want to get their face known to the Eye of the Wind crew. Who knows, you might be back as a deckhand one day.

With decent sunshine, it is a great time to catch up on ship maintenance tasks from marlinespike seamanship to leatherwork and sail repairs. A chance to learn these skills with time on your hands is priceless.

Sargasso Sea & Wildlife

The Sargasso Sea, in the north Atlantic is the only sea to have no coastline and is named after the the free floating golden-brown seaweed known as Sargassum. The North Atlantic Drift current starts here. Due to the ocean current the coastless sea has a vast amount of wildlife so there should be many opportunities to use your camera. 

With experienced crew to show you the ropes, sails and general crew behaviour on board you will also learn how to spot wildlife, learn how to steer the ship, learn why the sails are set a particular way. Watch the pattern of the waves and understand the swell and how it is affected by the weather hundreds of miles away. Always keep an eye to the sky and try to foretell what the weather is going to do next. 

Once out into the ocean, a relaxing and comfortable routine will be established. Night sailing with absolutely no light pollution allows you to see the stars like you have never seen them before and a sight that you will not forget.  All of the seas moods will be encountered, from glassy calms to white capped swells where flying fish are launched from crest to crest.

The Art of Setting Stun’sails

The winds are likely to be light so rollng out the stun sail booms and setting the giant light wind stun sails can occupy a fair bit of the day. It is a good idea to practice getting them down quickly too, as this part of the world can get a bit thundery and squally. No doubt there will be much reference to the movie “White Squall” as Eye of the Wind was the star of that movie with Geoff Bridges.

White Sand Beaches of Bermuda Archipelago

Bermuda is only 21 square miles but comprises of 181 named islands sitting way out in the Atlantic, hundreds of miles from the USA and several thousand from the UK. An elegant destination of perfect sandy beaches palms and colonial old world charm Bermuda is decidedly British compared with the Bahamas. The beautiful colonial town of St George’s is sure to entice you, with it’s waterside bars and restaurants. Don’t forget to try a Rum Swizzle or a Dark and Stormy, the famous Bermudan cocktails.

WINDS, WAVES & WEATHER

Hard to predict the wind direction here. In 800 miles you are likely to experience the whole range of ocean sailing from trade wind blasts to oily calms and days when your best friend is the engineer. Luckily in the modern era you don’t have to wallow in the Sargasso sea. Strategetic use of the engine and the weather forcasts means the captain will be trying to find the most sailing for each section of the route.

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.

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.

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. 

Eye of the Wind is an experienced operator with many happy customers. She sails in Northern Europa nad the Baltic in Summer (Northern Hemisphere) and across the Atlantice to the Caribbean for some winter sunshine sailing holidays.

Facebook Reviews currently 5 out of 5 stars 

 

Tortola to the Azores! What a great time. Thanks to Captain Pit and the crew. An awesome adventure with awesome people!" F Coutreau, New England

 

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 Schwartz

Dear Adam,

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.

Eye of the Wind Faroes to Iceland Summer 2022

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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