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

Rotterdam (NL) - Martinique (MQ) - Rotterdam (NL)

02 January - 07 May 2025

125 days, Twister

From € 19900,-

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Expedition Oceancrossing Sail Training

p.p. in 3/4-person cabin: € 19900,-
p.p. in 2-person cabin: € 25900,-

Book this journey

Twister:
Rotterdam (NL) - Martinique (MQ) - Rotterdam (NL)

02 January - 07 May 2025

To the new world: an epic sailing adventure. Join tall ship Twister for an unforgettable voyage from the Netherlands to the Caribbean and back. Visit Portugal, Canary Islands, and Cape Verde before crossing the Atlantic to Suriname. Then explore the Caribbean – Grenada, Martinique, St. Martin and Bermuda among others – before sailing back East via the Azores. By the end of this bucket-list-worthy journey you will have crossed the ocean twice, and visited some of the most beautiful archipelagos in this part of the world. You will of course learn to sail a tall ship, make new friends, and collect amazing memories.
Open to all Windseekers, trainees younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult (please note that this is not a youth voyage and we expect a big variety of ages on board). Meals on board are vegetarian, but you can indicate if you would like to have the occasional fish or meat dish on the menu.

About the Journey

Start the year right and set sail from the Netherlands on two-masted schooner Twister, following the old trading routes. Crossing the Bay of Biscay in winter is quite a feat, so be ready for a challenge! Soon, you will be rewarded by warmer temperatures of Lisbon, followed by the Canary Islands and Cape Verde.

Let the stable trade winds push you from east to west over the Atlantic Ocean. This is the perfect time to set sail and follow the ancient trade routes. Make your way to South America. Riding the waves on a Tall Ship gives you a deep understanding of the beauty and magnitude of the ocean. Reach the shore and explore the coasts of French Guiana and Suriname.

Then it’s time to slow down a little, and cruise between different Caribbean islands. From exotic rainforests and towering volcanoes, to spectacular coral reefs and relaxing beaches, the region offers stunning landscapes, great sailing conditions, and amazing wildlife encounters. The Captain knows this region very well, and knows exactly where to find the most beautiful islands and at which idyllic bays to lay anchor.

In the spring the conditions on the ocean are favourable to sail East, as you set course for the final trip back to Europe. Along the way you will visit the Azores, as sailors have been doing on this route for centuries. Search the waves for whales and dolphins, which visit these waters often, before making the final crossing back to the Netherlands.

Ports

Rotterdam is the largest port of Europe, and a modern, bustling town. Much of the historic city centre was destroyed during World War II, but extensive rebuilding resulted in a modern, multicultural city with many architectural highlights. Rotterdam has excellent cultural facilities and a diverse nightlife; during the summer the city hosts a large number of events. Discover the city by bicycle and go for a coffee in Hotel New York, the former headquarters of the Holland America Line.

Rotterdam is the largest port of Europe, and a modern, bustling town. Much of the historic city centre was destroyed during World War II, but extensive rebuilding resulted in a modern, multicultural city with many architectural highlights. Rotterdam has excellent cultural facilities and a diverse nightlife; during the summer the city hosts a large number of events. Discover the city by bicycle and go for a coffee in Hotel New York, the former headquarters of the Holland America Line.

  • Rotterdam (NL)

  • Rotterdam (NL)

Key points

  • Dates: 2 January 2025 - 7 May 2025
  • For Windseekers of all ages. Trainees younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • 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
  • This booking is covered by VZR Garant (instead of Windseeker's usual STO Garant).
  • Windseekers need to have a health insurance and a travel insurance
  • "When anchored at sea in the sun, I had not a care in the world."

    Robijn (17)

You sail on the Twister

Shipping type: Two-masted schooner
Homeport: Harlingen
Date built: 1902
Trainees: 12
Length: 35 m
Height of mast: 27,5 m
Sail: 350 m2

The Twister was built in 1902 and renovated in 2012 in order to provide all the new safety features and modern comfort. These days she is a very fast and reliable sailing vessel. The modern rigging system and  gracefully designed …

Read more

Windseeker logs

  • The Tall Ships Races 2020 postponed to 2021

    – by Windseeker

    New dates for the Tall Ships Races 2020 - postponed to 2021   Due to the COVID-19 pandemic The Tall Ships Races 2020 have been postponed by the organiser - Sail Training International. Instead of 2020, the Races will take place in August …

    Read log
  • The Perfect Day on Santa Maria Manuela

    Santa Maria Manuela, July 2018

    Sunderland-Esbjerg

    – by Trainees

      14.07.18. by a Trainee Sailed on the Santa Maria Manuela at 15:00 hours. Bright sunshine and thousands of excited people lining the jetties, docks, hills, homes and piers, waving enthusiastically. On board, all the crew and trainees waved at the onlookers …

    Read log

Photos

  • Trainee
  • Sørlandet
  • Sørlandet

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This Journey is not covered by the STO Garant guarantee.