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Join a sailing adventure on a Tall Ship and set course for new horizons!

Rostock (DE) - IJmuiden (NL)

11 August - 19 August 2025

8 days, Iris

From € 750,-

Book this journey

International Exchange@sea Sail Training

15-25: € 750,-
26-28 (at request): € 1000,-

Book this journey

Iris:
Rostock (DE) - IJmuiden (NL)

11 August - 19 August 2025

Sustainable Exchange@sea on board the Iris with the Morgenster: now open to all nationalities! Set course for sustainability with this unique, 2-ship project. Join the Iris or Morgenster for an exciting adventure, sailing from Rostock in Germany to IJmuiden, near Amsterdam. Sail the ship, conduct plastic research with The Ocean Movement scientist, and make international friends, supported by helpful mentors. Have regular meetings with trainees from the other vessel, getting together on shore to exchange sea stories and share activities like beach cleanups and games. Learn new things about plastic in the ocean, other countries, and yourself – and have an unforgettable experience!
For young Windseekers aged 15-25 (ages 26-28 at request) from all nationalities.
Important: you are registering for a whole project, which will be held on two vessels. We will ask for your preference, but we do not guarantee that you’ll end up on your first choice of ship.

Ports

Rostock is a large city on the Warnow River, and home to one of the oldest universities in the world. One of the most picturesque places in Rostock is the Neuer Markt (New Market Square), with the Town Hall – that was originally built in the 13th century in Brick Gothic style. The square also preserved six original, carefully restored gable houses from the 15th and 16th centuries. There are a lot more historical and cultural sights to see in this city. So go ahead, and explore!

IJmuiden, on the west coast of the Netherlands, is the water gateway to Amsterdam. Cruise ships, cargo vessels and pleasure yachts pass through its busy locks every day while the IJmuiden marina provides an excellent shelter from the North Sea storms. IJmuiden offers a wide, sandy beach that is popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers. Behind the dunes you’ll find a small nature reserve, perfect for a hike or a run. IJmuiden’s restaurants serve fresh fish, straight from the local market.

  • IJmuiden (NL)

Key points

  • Dates: 11 August 2025 - 19 August 2025
  • Embarkation: 17:00 / Disembarkation: 10:00
  • For Windseekers 15-25 years, age 26-28 at request
  • Windseekers joining: 12
  • No sailing experience required!
  • Official language on board: English
  • Price includes: accommodation and meals, excludes drinks at the bar
  • Price excludes transportation to and from the ports.
  • Windseekers need to have a health insurance and a travel insurance
  • Need to take with you on board: towels

  • "Pushed me out of my comfort zone, got to meet people I'd never get to meet and made lifelong friends."

    Jeremy (23)

You sail on the Iris

Shipping type: Herring Logger
Homeport: Rotterdam (NL)
Date built: 1916
Trainees: 12
Length: 36 m
Height of mast: 26 m
Sail: 400 m2

Liv and Jans have been sailing together for many years, from the North Sea and Baltic to the Atlantic. They got to know many different ships before becoming the proud owners of Iris, giving the Ship their heart and soul. The …

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Windseeker logs

  • Arrival Kristiansand

    Vega Gamleby

    Skarhamn - Kristiansand - Aalborg

    – by Jeroen (18) and Anouk (16)

    Jeroen After being the most seasick person on the whole boat, today I felt better again! So happy with this, had a lot of fun in my watch. This watch we got the chance to climb in the mast. First I …

    Read log
  • Trainees at the Vega Gamleby

    It feels like we have been out for a lot longer than we actually have

    Vega Gamleby

    Gothenburg - Blyth - Gothenburg

    – by the Trainees

    Logbook trainees Vega Gamleby 2016 Gothenburg-Blyth-Gothenburg Part 2: 25-26 August   25- August-2016 Today we have learned what all the sails and ropes are called, and what they do. We also saw dolphins again and a whale for the first time. We are getting …

    Read log

Photos

  • Trainee
  • Sørlandet
  • Sørlandet

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STO Garant

This Journey is covered by the STO Garant guarantee. You can find the conditions for this guarantee scheme on STO Garant’s website (www.sto-garant.nl/en/downloads).

This process is automatic and you do not need to do anything else. After receiving your booking, Windseeker will send you detailed information on how and when to pay for your journey – together with all the other important details.

 

What does it mean?

In short: you do not pay the booking amount to Windseeker but instead into an escrow account. This trust account holds your payment in reserve until your journey’s end. The booking amount is then released to Windseeker on the day after your trip ends. If Windseeker or the Ship should become financially insolvent before the end of your trip, STO Garant will implement the guarantee. The Guarantee Scheme details how you can make a claim under the guarantee in such cases. You can read more about this here.