Price
£1,062
Nights
Eight
Age range
18-65
Start port
Maderia
End port
Gran Canaria
Passport
Yes
DofE
Yes
RYA
Competent crew
Voyage code
CF820
Bursary
Available
Voyage highlights
This voyage from Maderia to Gran Canaria is a great introduction to offshore passage sailing for novice or leisure sailors to widen their sailing experience while enjoying some winter sun.
You’ll cover around 300 nautical miles and spend multiple days at sea, working in a watch system from the outset, before cruising the Canary Islands to Gran Canaria. The weather is likely to turn increasingly favourable the further south we go, and you should be in shorts and t-shirts by the time we reach Tenerife!
Onboard, you’ll meet like-minded individuals, aged from 18–65, who you’ll work together with to form one crew.
Our crews come from a wide range of backgrounds and have varying levels of experience, but they all have one thing in common – the motivation to step outside of their comfort zones and sail our iconic yachts to exciting destinations.
Our Challengers are 72ft ocean-going steel yachts, constructed to withstand the Southern Ocean. Launched in 2000, they raced round the world in two editions of the BT Global Challenge, the route taking them against prevailing winds and currents, through some of the most challenging sailing conditions on the planet.
This means that our Challengers are the perfect vessel for this type of voyage and will make it an exhilarating and memorable experience!
Since 2008 our four Challenger yachts have provided TSYT with a unique and positively challenging platform for our Youth Development and Outdoor Learning programme, which is supported by our adventure voyages for adults.
Previous sailing experience is preferred for this voyage. Please do not hesitate to call us on 02392 832055 if you would like to discuss whether this is the right voyage for you.
Take advantage of our winter-sun early bird promotions. Prices will rise on 1 Feb 2025 and 1 May 2025.
- Super early bird: Price discounted by 20% and will rise on 1 Feb 2025
- Early bird: Price discounted by 15% and will rise on 1 May 2025
Secure your early bird booking with a 30% deposit. Full payment is required eight weeks before the voyage start date.
After your departure from Maderia and initial yacht familiarisation and safety training, your sailing route will be governed by the wind direction.
Heading out into the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll head south towards the dramatic volcanic islands of the Canaries. Depending on conditions you may head to the central islands of Tenerife and La Gomera, with their black sand beaches and volcanic peaks. Or, to the west towards La Palma, the most recently active volcanic island in the group!
With port towns able to cater for travel, entertainment and time ashore, you’ll be able to experience both Portuguese and Spanish hospitality, island style.
Post your departure in Gran Canaria, the boat will undergo safety checks and preparation in readiness for our next Canary Islands adventure, starting on Wednesday 3 December.
If you’re interested in more than one adventure voyage, you can take advantage of our bundle offering and receive an extra 5% off if you book two voyages and 10% off if you book more than two. Contact our Reservations Team for more information: reservations@tallships.org
New skills. Increased confidence. New friendships. Winter sun!
There will be plenty of photograph opportunities to ensure your memories are lifelong, so be sure to pack your camera! In addition to the stunning landscapes, you may also spot marine wildlife such as, dolphins, seals and fin whales.
Over the course of the trip, you’ll learn how to helm a large, powerful yacht offshore, experience the challenge of sail changing at sea and brush up on your navigation, chartwork and knot tying.
There is a sextant on board, along with the sight-reduction tables in case you fancy taking some sun or star sights on passage. This voyage provides the ideal opportunity to learn the basics of passage planning and celestial navigation.
Our adventure sailing voyages are fully participative. Over the course of the trip, you’ll experience steering the yacht, sail handling and ropework, as well as learning how to keep safe on board.
Our crews get involved in every aspect of running the vessel, so expect to be working in a watch system for much of the voyage, and taking your turn at helming, sail handling, cooking and cleaning.
During this voyage, you will work towards achieving your RYA Competent Crew certificate.
The RYA Competent Crew syllabus includes:
- Sea terms and parts of a boat, rigging and sails
- Sail handling
- Ropework
- Fire precautions and fighting
- Personal safety equipment
- Man overboard
- Emergency equipment
- Manners and customs
- Rules of the ‘road’ (at sea)
- Dinghies
The cost of your RYA Competent Crew certificate is included in the price.
RYA logbooks are available for purchase onboard at a cost of £6 (Skippers are only able to take cash for this).
All voyages of four nights or more qualify for residential section of the DofE Gold Award.
Please let our Reservations Team know before sailing if you want to use the voyage for this.
Passport
You’ll be asked to enter your passport details as part of the booking process. If you don’t have these to hand, please contact us as soon as possible after submitting your booking form to let us know your details, as we cannot accept your booking without this information.
You will also need to present your valid passport to the Skipper at the start of the voyage.
Once we receive your booking, we’ll need to review all of the information you’ve provided including your medical history and sailing experience, and so your voyage will not be confirmed until you’ve received an email accepting your booking. Please do not book any travel for the trip prior to receiving this email.
The Skipper will determine the final route depending on weather and other variables.
Once we get south of the Bay of Biscay, the weather generally improves and feels warmer. So, we recommend you pack shorts and t-shirts as well as warmer clothes.
If you share our values and are keen to do more, you may be able to support our mission further by joining the TSYT Volunteer Crew.
Your Skipper can recommend you for our Watch Leader training programme, if they feel you have the skills and attributes that we’re looking for.
All meals on board are included.
