Cross part of the Atlantic from Spain to the Canary Islands

FULL VOYAGE DESCRIPTION

An ideal ocean voyage and sailing holiday for beginners as the Eye of the Wind sails from mainland Spain across the Atlantic to the Canary Islands. A true deep ocean passage with warm weather and great sailing.

Relax at sea with all your land based worries behind you and over the horizon. 

You’ll join the ship in A Coruna, embarking at 7pm, but we recommend arriving early to give yourself time to explore the city. Once on board, the captain and crew will greet you with a tour and a briefing, covering safety information, the latest weather forecast and the itinerary. You’ll also enjoy dinner aboard getting to know your fellow sailors.

The following morning sees you slip the lines and set sail. Depending on the forecast there may be some coast hugging and port stops in the first few days, or you may strike straight out into the deep blue.

Life on board will settle into it’s watch system, and you can be as involved as you like, under the supervision of the professional crew, or just sit back, enjoy the wildlife, the vast open ocean and the phenomenal night skies.

Once in the Canary Islands the aim is to explore for a few days, visiting the varying landscapes of Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria before circling back round to Lanzarote and your final port of Arrecife.

You’ll have time to celebrate with the rest of the crew, toasting a successful passage, before your last night aboard. Disembarkation is at 10am, after which you can explore the island at your leisure before making your onward journey.

If you like your sailing voyages to be proper journey-making then the Canaries are ideal. It is easy to get return flights to as it is a popular winter sun destination. Whilst the tourism ashore is predictable, exploring the islands as tall ship crew is totally different. You could be climbing the rigging in the moonlight, whilst your square rigger slips along the dark shores of the uninhabited parts of the coast. When you grow tired of sunbathing and looking at red skies against a bright blue sky you can stroll the wooden decks, help the crew with a maintenance job, or go looking for a bit of sail handling action. If the ship needs to manoeuvre, the crew will be looking for volunteers to down their books and haul on blocks and tackles. 

Awesome Astronomy for Star Gazers

Our tall ships and traditional boats sail at night without any deck lights. As you steer the ship the only light comes from the compass light glow as the ships port and starboard navigation lights point out to sea. Enjoy starry nights and perhaps learn about how to take a star sight at dawn or dusk. Half of Europe’s astronomy telescopes are based on the summits of islands like La Palma because there is no significant light pollution.

WINDS, WAVES & WEATHER

The NE trade winds just touch the Canaries. They bring a pleasant winter climate that generally means sailing in shorts and t-shirt and light jumpers. If the ship is sailing fast or you sail into some of the wind acceleration zones between the islands, you might need waterproofs for the spray and windchill.

Even in the ocean deep between the islands (3000 metres plus) is warm enough to swim off the ship. It is not uncommon for brigs to hove to (stop with sails up) and launch ships boat and swimming ladder for a blue water dip.

Average water temperatures in winter here are 20 degrees centigrade for air and water.

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 

A fabulous adventure! Words cannot convey the experience.

John, Tortola to Bermuda, Feb- March 2023

 

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. 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

•