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

Funchal, Madeira (PT) - Funchal, Madeira (PT)

23 December - 28 December 2026

5 days, Santa Maria Manuela

From € 1225,-

Book this journey

Sail Training

in a shared cabin M/F: € 1225,-
in a bunk cabin (1 person): € 2125,-
in a bunk cabin (2 people): € 2800

Book this journey

No commitment yet – your booking becomes binding only after payment. Cancellation terms apply.

Santa Maria Manuela:
Funchal, Madeira (PT) - Funchal, Madeira (PT)

23 December - 28 December 2026

Celebrate Christmas in a truly special way aboard the Santa Maria Manuela, sailing between the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo. This unique voyage blends the festive spirit with the excitement of traditional sailing, creating unforgettable moments at sea and ashore. Your journey begins in Funchal, where you’ll experience the iconic “Noite do Mercado” on December 23rd. This is one of Madeira’s most exciting nights, with streets filled with music, colours, and traditional flavours. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere, taste local delicacies, and enjoy the contagious energy of this unique celebration. The following morning, you’ll set sail for Porto Santo, where you can explore the serene landscapes, stroll along the 9 km stretch of fine sandy beach, or simply relax and take in the peaceful surroundings. On the crossings from Funchal to Porto Santo and back, you are invited to take part in the sailing, learn about maritime traditions or simply enjoy the Christmas cheer between crew and passengers. A truly unique and memorable way to spend the holidays!
For Windseekers aged 14-80 years (trainees younger than 18 have to be accompanied by an adult).
There are different cabins available, both for single and double occupancy – contact info@windseeker.org for details.

Ports

Funchal is the capital of the Portugese Madeira Autonomous Region in the Atlantic. Vistit Quinta das Cruzes – an old Madeiran manor house turned museum, lively local market Mercado dos Lavradores and botanical garden Jardins Botânicos da Madeira. If you’re looking for a thrill of an adventure you must take a ride in the Toboggan – a wooden sled that guided by the drivers who will push you down steep hills.

  • Funchal, Madeira (PT)

  • Funchal, Madeira (PT)

Key points

  • Dates: 23 December 2026 - 28 December 2026
  • Embarkation: 16:00 / Disembarkation: 10:00
  • For Windseekers aged 14-80 years, 14-18 accompanied by an adult
  • Windseekers joining: maximum 36
  • No sailing experience required!
  • Official language on board: English
  • Price includes: accommodation and meals, excludes drinks at the bar
  • Price excludes transportation costs to-and from the ports. Our travel counsellor can advise you and book your transfers
  • Possible diets: regular, vegetarian, gluten-free, some allergies
  • Windseekers need to have a health insurance and a travel insurance
  • Bedding and towels are provided on board

  • "An amazing adventure that teaches you things you will never learn somewhere else."

    Claire (20)

You sail on the Santa Maria Manuela

Santa Maria Manuela
Shipping type: Grand Bank Schooner
Homeport: Aveiro (PT)
Date built: 1937
Trainees: 50
Length: 68,64m
Height of mast: 37 m
Sail: 1130 m2

Santa Maria Manuela is is serving as a Sail Training  Ship. Unlike in the past, she will no longer bring fishermen to the fishing banks of Newfoundland and Greenland. Instead, these days she brings a new touristic offer, which stands …

Read more

Windseeker logs

  • A Gentle Reminder of How Far We’ve Come

    Gulden Leeuw, August 2017

    Halifax - Le Havre Atlantic Crossing

    – by Trainees

    August 3rd Hannson Paul, Phil Truchon Second day ocean sailing in Rendez-Vous 2017, all is going well so far. Yesterday we had to take down all the sails and begin to use our engine towards the next checkpoint due to the lack …

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  • Vega Gamleby Trainees and Crew before Esbjerg Crew Parade 2018

    “We all live in the Vega Gamleby, Vega Gamleby, Vega Gamleby”

    Vega Gamleby

    Sunderland-Esbjerg

    – by Trainees

    Date – 14/07/18 Watch / Trainees – 8-12 – Chris Dow and Cecilie Olsen We woke up at 8 am British time, then at 8:15 am we gathered in the galley as breakfast was served. Shortly after breakfast, during a minor briefing, we …

    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.