Embark | Disembark | Vessel | Duration | Voyage No |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sat 28-12-2024, 16:00Funchal, Madeira | Thu 02-01-2025, 10:00Funchal, Madeira | Santa Maria Manuela | 5 Nights | SM281224 V29 |
Enjoy a unique New Year’s Eve in Madeira with a fireworks and sailing extravaganza aboard the Santa Maria Manuela. Sail between beautiful islands, enjoy exploring ashore, and see in 2025 with the best seats in the house for Funchal’s famous firework displays.
Vessel type / Rig | Gaff Schooner |
Guest Berths | 50 |
Beam | 33ft |
Draft | 18ft |
Deck Length | 173ft |
Overall Length | 225ft |
Tonnage | 992 tons |
Year Built | 1937 |
We start this unique voyage from Madeira’s capital city of Funchal, a city perched on an ancient volcanic slope, shadowed by a natural park which was nominated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. An interesting island for flora and fauna.
During your passage between the islands, you’ll be invited to fully engage in all aspects of sailing, from helming to trimming sails and from navigation to going aloft.
Santa Maria Manuela will drop anchor off Porto Santo, with it’s famous 9km white sandy beach and crystal clear waters, so you can have a swim and enjoy a piece of perfect isolation. Unwind amidst the sand dunes before returning to the ship for sundowners.
Leaving Porto Santo, you will sail past the Ilhas Desertas Nature Reserve—three uninhabited islands in their purest state: Deserta Grande, Ilhéu Chão and Bugio. Home to two species of Shearwater, which nest on the rocky shores, and a colony of Mediterranean monk seals, also known as sea wolves, the rarest seal in the world.
Santa Maria Manuela will arrive back in Funchal in time to celebrate New Year’s Eve with a feast. Share the festive cheer with fellow guests and crew, and admire Madeira’s volcanic slopes adorned with glittering lights.
When it comes to celebrating the festive season, Madeira is unmatched. New Year’s Day offers a chance for relaxation aboard or, after a hearty breakfast, to walk off night’s celebrations ashore. Explore Funchal’s famous festive markets, adorned with lights and enlivened by countless live bands, or discover the island’s botanical gardens for a serene start to the new year.
The weather in Madeira boasts mostly sunny skies and pleasant temperatures year-round. Average temperatures typically hover around 20 degrees Celsius during December and January. Swells can pick up from the wide Atlantic, and the breezes can be stiff, so expect some exhilarating sailing as well as relaxed time on the beach!
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.
If Funchal is your leaving port then arriving into Funchal by sea, offers stunning views of the city perched on an ancient volcanic slope. Shadowing the city are impressive mountains covered in laurel bushes and banana trees, a natural park which was nominated a UNESCO Word Heritage site in 1999, Laurissilva of Madeira.
If you are flying in to join your ship then you may get a birds eye view of this volcanic jewel in the Atlantic Ocean, unless the trade wind mists are swirling on the summits.
We had the most amazing time. The crew were so friendly and helpful, the food was great throughout, and the cabins were really comfortable. We both climbed the rigging as the sun was setting over Porto Santo to round off a brilliant last day with the new friends we met. Thanks for the wonderful experience.
Ian & Dayna
I have sailed many times on tall ships, this is by far the best yet.
Richard
Terrific crew and ship and a lovely passage to the Azores. Crew and guests were very good and patient with someone who only spoke English. This is a terrifically well run vessel. Excellent accommodation, well serviced by a professional crew. All very friendly, helpful and willing to give information throughout. Many opportunities to get involved in most aspects of the ships operations. Very many thanks.
Keith
An amazing ship and amazing crew.
David
We had a terrific and adventurous time on board during Sachsen Sail in the Bay of Biscay. Thank you to all Santa Maria Manuela crew members!
Mario
Un voilier merveilleux avec un équipage très sympathique. Merci pour tout.
A splendid ship with a very kind crew. Thank you for everything.
Marie-Francoise
Sail SW Greenland & Cape Farewell TC180925
Embark
Thu 18-09-2025
Nuuk, The Capital of Greenland
Disembark
Sat 04-10-2025
Reykjavik, Iceland
From
€3445
Discover Baltic Germany and Denmark EYE25/23
Embark
Tue 01-07-2025
Kiel, Germany
Disembark
Sun 06-07-2025
Aarhus, Denmark
From
€1850.00
Darwin200 LEG 26 Hobart to Christchurch New Zealand OS121224
Embark
Thu 12-12-2024
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Disembark
Fri 27-12-2024
Christchurch (New Zealand)
From
€4000.00
Recently Viewed Voyages
See in the New Year in Spectacular Style SM281224 V29
Embark
Sat 28-12-2024
Funchal, Madeira
Disembark
Thu 02-01-2025
Funchal, Madeira
From
€937.50