| Embark | Disembark | Vessel | Duration | Voyage No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 30-10-2023, 19:00A Coruna | Sat 11-11-2023, 10:00Arrecife, Canary Island of Lanzarote | Eye of the Wind | 12 Nights | EYE23/39 |
A Coruna to Arrecife in Lanzarote, with 12 days of deep ocean sailing and island hopping in the Canaries. This is winter sun at its most glorious: a holiday in which you can be as active as you choose, helping the crew set sails and steer the ship, or relaxing and enjoying the expansive ocean horizons and stunning night skies.
Wildlife watching in this stretch of the Atlantic is fantastic, with whales, dolphins, porpoises and sea birds, all varying from deep ocean to coastal. Exploring the Canaries by sea is also a fantastic way to see the differences in landscapes between the islands, and find places hard to reach by land.
Those after their first ocean adventure.
Sailors keen to build their miles.
Beginners after an intensive 12 day getaway.
| Sailing Areas | New Zealand |
| Vessel type / Rig | 2 Masted Brig |
| Guest Berths | 12 |
| Beam | 7.01m (23ft) |
| Draft | 2.7m (8.9ft) |
| Overall Length | 40.23m (132ft) |
| Year Built | 1911 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
The exact location of your ship within the harbour will be given in time for your voyage.
How to Get There
From the UK
The most straightforward way to get to A Coruña from the UK is by plane. Direct flights are available from London to A Coruña Airport, which is about 8 km from the city centre. If you fancy a road trip, you can drive through France and Spain, but be prepared for a journey that could take upwards of 20 hours. Coaches are also available but are the least recommended due to the long travel time.
From Europe
If you’re coming from other parts of Europe, flights are plentiful and usually quite affordable. Alternatively, you can take a train into Madrid and then a domestic train to A Coruña. The Spanish rail system is efficient and offers a scenic journey.
From North America
Transatlantic flights usually land in Madrid or Barcelona. From there, you can catch a domestic flight to A Coruña or opt for a train journey if you’re not in a rush.
From Australia
For our mates down under, the journey is a long one. The most practical way is to fly into a major European hub like London or Madrid and then take a connecting flight to A Coruña.
What to Do in A Coruña
History
The Tower of Hercules, an ancient Roman lighthouse, is a must-see. It’s not just a historical marvel but also offers panoramic views of the Atlantic. The city is also home to several museums like the Museum of Fine Arts and the Archaeological Museum.
Culture
A Coruña is rich in Galician culture. The city comes alive during the Festival of María Pita, celebrating a local heroine. Traditional Galician music and dance are integral to the city’s cultural fabric.
Sites of Interest to a Sailor
The coastline here is a sailor’s dream. Riazor and Orzán beaches offer stunning views of the Atlantic. The coastline is dotted with smaller harbours, and while we don’t care for marinas, these are charming spots to drop anchor. Don’t miss the Punta Herminia and the Monte de San Pedro for some of the best views.
Entertainment
The city has a vibrant nightlife with a plethora of bars and clubs. Live music is common, and you’ll often find traditional Galician tunes being played alongside modern genres.
Eating Out
Seafood is the star of the show here. Octopus, shellfish, and hake are local favourites. For a unique dining experience, try the ‘pulpeiras,’ or octopus stalls.
Nature
Beyond the sea, A Coruña offers lush landscapes and parks. The Garden of San Carlos offers a peaceful retreat, and for those looking to hike, the Fragas do Eume natural park is just a short drive away.
Unique Features
What sets A Coruña apart is its blend of modernity and tradition, its love for the sea, and its warm, welcoming people. It’s a place where every sunset over the Atlantic feels like a personal performance, just for you.
Special Interests
If you have a special interest that you would like to find out about for this port or to tell us about, we would love to hear from you.
Sustainable Travel Carbon Offset Schemes
By selecting sustainable travel options and actively participating in carbon offset initiatives, you can make a positive impact while journeying to or from your voyage.
Here are some suggestions for carbon offset websites.
UK: One popular carbon offset website in the UK is “Clear” who offer a range of carbon offset projects and solutions for individuals, businesses, and organisations. They provide detailed information about their projects and allow users to calculate and offset their carbon footprint online.
North America: In North America, “Terrapass” is a well-known carbon offset website. Terrapass offers carbon offset projects across the United States and Canada. They provide options for individuals, businesses, and events to calculate and offset their carbon emissions. Terrapass also offers additional resources and information on sustainable living.
Europe: A popular carbon offset website in Europe is “MyClimate.” MyClimate provides carbon offset projects and solutions for individuals, businesses, and travel. They offer a carbon footprint calculator and allow users to support various sustainable projects worldwide. MyClimate focuses on promoting climate protection and sustainability.
Australia: “Greenfleet” is a prominent carbon offset website in Australia. Greenfleet focuses on planting native forests to offset carbon emissions. They offer individuals and businesses the opportunity to calculate and offset their carbon footprint by contributing to tree planting projects across Australia. Greenfleet provides detailed information about their projects and the positive environmental impacts they create.
Please note that these carbon offset websites may vary over time, so it is recommended to research and explore multiple options to find the most suitable one for your needs.
If any of these links do not work it would be kind of you to inform us, many thanks.
Content…
Practical Advice for Eye of the Wind
Practical Advice for Covid 19 and Eye of the Wind
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.
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.
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.
Winter Sun Exploring the Canaries by Sail EYE23/40
Embark
Sat 11-11-2023
Arrecife, Canary Island of Lanzarote
Disembark
Sat 18-11-2023
Santa Cruz, Tenerife
From
€2390.00
Winter Sun and Island Sailing SM221123
Embark
Wed 22-11-2023
Santa Cruz, Tenerife
Disembark
Wed 29-11-2023
Santa Cruz, Tenerife
From
€1050
Winter Sun in the Canaries - TNS643
Embark
Thu 07-12-2023
Seville, Spain
Disembark
Mon 18-12-2023
Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
From
£2300
Recently Viewed Voyages
Ocean Sailing and Island Hopping: Northern Spain to the Canaries EYE23/39
Embark
Mon 30-10-2023
A Coruna
Disembark
Sat 11-11-2023
Arrecife, Canary Island of Lanzarote
Fully Booked
