Exploring the Islands from Lanzarote to Tenerife.

FULL VOYAGE DESCRIPTION

If you like your sailing voyages to be proper journey making then the Canaries are ideal. It is easy to get single flights to the two different islands of Lanzarote and Tenerife as they are both popular winter sun destinations. Whilst the tourism ashore is predictable, exploring the Eastern and Western Canaries 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.

On a sailing voyage we never use the word itinerary and this voyage is no exception. This is relaxed sailing, making the most of the wind, and with plenty of time ashore in the varying landscapes of the Canary Islands.

Lanzarote – Island of Fire Mountains

Barren, wild, stark landscape and miles of sandy beaches, Lanzarote is famous for windy weather and great beach life. Popular with windsurfers and kite surfers and a great backdrop for an evening anchorage. Normally the skies are blue and cloudless but if the winds blow off the Sahara, then it gets a bit hazy. The dust can create awesome sunsets so bring a camera. The Eye of the Wind rigging makes a perfect frame for landscape photographers.

The crew will welcome you aboard in Arrecife and then a sociable dinner on board for everyone to get to know each other. Names and faces soon become familiar as you are being introduced to the ship and the square rig skills needed to travel through the Canaries powered by the wind.

Sailing through Fuerteventura & Gran Canaria

Your sailing route may sail either side of Fuerteventura – another island famed for good sailing winds. There may be opportunities to anchor or visit port here or on the island of Gran Canaria on the journey. The interior of all these islands is well worth a group taxi expedition or even the bus or hire car. Walk the rim of dormant volcanic craters, breathe in the smell of pine forests, stop for coffee in villages with terraces of fields and houses cut into the rock. There is plenty of ocean too if the captain decides to go for a blast chasing flying fish.

Tenerife – ‘Island of Eternal Spring’

There are a few interesting anchorages around this mountainous volcanic island. The main tourism strip is in the South but the North West has high mountain walking and big sea cliffs. Between the delightful La Gomera and Tenerife is a local population of pilot whales who are present in the surrounding waters all year round. 

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. 

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