From the Canary Islands to Cape Verde aboard the barque EUROPA

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An open-sea crossing from the Canary Islands to Cape Verde

The crew on board is international, so English is predominantly spoken.

From Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the barque EUROPA sets a south-westerly course across the open Atlantic to Mindelo on the island of São Vicente (Cape Verde). It is a true ocean crossing: around 900 nautical miles and roughly eight nights at sea, during which the ship becomes your whole world.

You will sail as part of the ship's crew. As soon as the ship leaves Tenerife, you will take your turn on watch: you will steer, keep a lookout and handle the lines together with the permanent crew, day and night, until the islands of Cape Verde finally rise out of the sea ahead of you.

Embarkation in Santa Cruz, Tenerife

Your voyage begins on Tenerife, the largest of Spain's Canary Islands, known for its volcanic landscapes and its rich maritime history. The island has always served as a port of call for sailors crossing the Atlantic, just as we will be doing. On the day of embarkation, our crew will welcome you on board and help you with your first steps on the ship. It is time to get to know your fellow travellers and settle in on board and in your cabin. Embarkation takes place on 25 September at 5:00 pm. You will spend the first evening and the first night on board in port, a good opportunity to settle into your bunk, get to know your fellow travellers and find your bearings before the ship puts to sea.

Disembarkation in Mindelo, Cape Verde

After more than a week on the open sea, reaching land is a moment that stays in the memory of many sailors. Our destination is Mindelo on the island of São Vicente, which belongs to the northern Barlavento Islands and lies on the wide natural bay of “Porto Grande”. In the 19th century the town developed into a coaling station for steamships on the long ocean routes; today it is best known for its music, as the home town of the singer Cesária Évora. Disembarkation takes place on 5 October at 9:00 am, after we have spent a last night on board together. If you would like to explore São Vicente or the other islands of Cape Verde further, we recommend planning a few extra days after the voyage for an individual extension.

Route

From Tenerife we set a course to the south-west, leave the Canary Islands behind us and head out into the open Atlantic. This is the classic southern route for sailing ships. With a little luck we will pick up the north-east trade wind, which blows from astern on this course, and as soon as it fills the sails, EUROPA settles into a long, steady rhythm. The days are measured in watches, miles and shared meals; the nights in stars and the rush of the sea. Every crossing writes its own story, until at last the islands of Cape Verde appear ahead of us.
What is included:

A small, personal sailing experience with a maximum of 42–46 fellow sailors
Sail training and exciting talks given by our permanent crew
Delicious meals prepared by our experienced cook; coffee and tea are available without limit
Spend your free time in the onboard library, the lounge, the poker corner, the deckhouse or at the bar on board

Special Features

The watch system

The EUROPA is operated around the clock, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As a manoeuvre can be called at any time, the crew must organise itself and sail on a watch system. This means that part of the crew is always awake and sailing the ship, while the rest of the crew is off duty. The watches change after four hours.

The Barque EUROPA is a so-called sail training ship, and as such every participant becomes part of this crew and sails as a trainee. This means that everyone on board is introduced to the safety procedures and that everyone is expected to take an active part in the watch system. Active participation in all sailing manoeuvres is what makes these voyages so special. How far you are involved in everything depends on your own interest and physical fitness.

On deck, you work closely with the permanent crew. During a watch you assist the permanent crew for four hours and then have eight hours off. The watches are named after the colours of the Dutch flag. During a watch, you have to take the helm, stand lookout and help with setting and taking in the sails.

Requirements for the voyage:

Health certificate and health and international travel insurance
A valid passport. Please ask your consulate about visa regulations for the countries to be visited, and make sure you have adequate vaccinations for these countries yourself
Personal medication
For work on deck: waterproof shoes with non-slip soles
Swimwear and sandals
Clothing for every kind of weather

For clothing, the “onion system” is recommended, in which several layers are worn on top of one another. Bear in mind that it can get cold at sea, especially at night.

Unsuitable on board

Your bunk has a duvet with cover, a pillow with pillowcase and a bed sheet.
You do not need to bring a sleeping bag.
Towels are provided.
Suitcases are unsuitable for stowing in the cabin. Please bring a holdall or a kit bag instead.
It is not permitted to bring large quantities of food or alcoholic drinks on board.
Valuables