Windjammer Sailing in the Baltic Sea this summer

FULL VOYAGE DESCRIPTION

This short cruise is an excellent way to get a taste of seafaring adventure without huge tossing seas. The Baltic has land an islands all the way around offering flat seas but it can still be windy. Starting from our berth in Kiel, we will explore the Danish South Funen Archipelago and the lovely Schlei Fjord, while we will sail within sight distance of the coast most of the time. At this time of the year, plenty of fresh spring air can be expected in this area of the Western Baltic Sea. Even in these few days at sea, you will enjoy the comfort and excellent on-board cuisine, experience genuine traditional seamanship, and get a taste of how it feels being back on shore after a day at sea. 

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.

Join in Holtenau – Lighthouse walk or Watch the ships go by 

Our crew will welcome you on board in Holtenau, on the western shore of the Kiel Fjord. Embarkation will take place at 19:00 hours. Holtenau marks the Baltic end of the 100 kilometer Kiel Canal After a welcome drink and dinner in the deck lounge, you will have the opportunity to observe the lively coming and going at the locks of the Kiel Canal. During the day, vessels of all kinds and sizes – from small sports yachts to ocean liners – can be seen passing by on the world’s busiest artificial waterway.

Walking to the small Holtenau lighthouse (pictured left), you will get a taste of the nostalgic harbour atmosphere – numerous old cargo ships and schooners are often anchored on the quay at dusk.

Day 2: Kiel Bight and the South Funen Archipelago

After breakfast, it will be time to “cast off!”. On the eastern shore of the fjord, we will see Laboe’s naval memorial; soon afterwards we will reach the open Baltic Sea at the Kiel lighthouse. After a day’s sailing, we will cross the invisible German-Danish maritime border and find ourselves in the sheltering harbour of Marstal in the southeast of the Danish island of Ærø, which will be our mooring for the night. The reputation of this seaport as Denmark’s sailing ship hub is not exaggerated. At the turn of the 20th century, a fleet of more than 300 commercial ships was based here. Even today, the port is still a busy place with steel and wooden shipyards, engine factories and a ferry port. The seamen’s houses are built close to the harbor, spreading an atmosphere of typical Danish tranquility. In between, the narrow streets and alleys twist and wind in a charmingly disordered manner. The harbour is home to the internationally renowned Maritime Museum, which houses more than 200 ship models and other exhibits from all seven seas.

Explore the Schlei Fjord

We will leave Marstal in time and head in the direction of the hidden Schlei Fjord’s outlet: Fresh air and sailing off Schleswig-Holstein’s Baltic Sea coast once again. In good weather and calm seas, it will be possible to take a photo tour around the ship with the Eye of the Wind’s dinghy. A possible destination for the day is the Baltic Sea fjord Schlei, whose mouth is marked by the well-known green-and-white lighthouse. In the fishing village Maasholm or in the harbor town Kappeln there are good opportunities for a shore leave. During a walk along the banks of the Schlei you have a great panoramic view of this beautiful sailing area and the nature of the coastal landscape.

Captains Dinner

Instead of the side trip to the Schlei, there will be an alternative opportunity to spend a night anchored in front of Strande off the western shore of the Kiel Fjord – another highlight of every sailing trip and a great seafaring-experience, too! The culinary finale of this last day at sea will be the traditional “Captain’s Dinner” in a relaxed atmosphere with all crew members and fellow sailors.

Disembarkation in Kiel

In the morning, we will reach our destination and port of departure, KielHoltenau; disembarkation is scheduled for 10 am. Make the most of your stay by exploring the Kiel Fjord, spend a day at the Falckenstein beach or take a trip to the world of sailing in the nearby marinas of Schilksee and Strande.

WINDS, WAVES & WEATHER

There are places with fast tides so you can get some exciting choppy water in very localised spots but mostly this is sailing in flat waters without big swell.

The climate on the shores of the Baltic is more continental than maritime so summer temperatures can be hot but spring and autumn will be colder than Britain or Atlantic facing countries.

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

German and English

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, but she is new to Classic Sailing website. We will post the first Classic Sailing guest feedback from 2019-2020 voyages as soon as we have some, it but here are a few from last year. 

Facebook Reviews currently 5 out of 5 stars Oct 2019

 

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

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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