If not now, then when?

Are the waves really as high as in the movies? What would it feel like to see land after weeks on the water? Is the Caribbean really like you imagine it to be? There is only one way to find out: to go for it! Discover what it feels like to wake up on the ocean, breathe the ocean air, have the wind in your hair, navigate by the stars, live simple and resourceful, and be eye to eye with dolphins. Day in, day out…

This year we will be sailing across the Atlantic ocean! This is THE classic adventure and we are so excited to finally be able to organize this one. Happy and safe!

We have scheduled 28 days for this voyage. We could be faster, but we want to sail, and go with the best weather, and explore a little in Cape Verde too. 

We interview all applicants to make sure we have a diverse, like-minded and value sharing crew team. 

If you have been dreaming about sailing across the Atlantic, share similar values, and appreciate the crew selection, and safety standards, and schedule is all set up for you, this trip is IT! 

DISCONNECTION

Most of us spend more time indoors than outdoors. It’s easy to forget the natural world we’re coming from and living in. On the ocean, you face the wind and water elements and find that connection to nature. Imagine a scene with no traffic, no news, no pollution, no civilisation. Just wind and water – plenty of that! A scene where you can gaze for hours to the millions of stars above you; enjoy the dozens of dolphins sliding through the water at the bow of the boat; admire the pink-orange-red sunrises and sunsets, without any airplane trails changing the fluffy and cauliflower-like cloud patterns.

You’ll become very aware of the natural world around you. This inspires. And it’s eye-opening. You come to realise how disconnected from nature we are in our daily lives. In the middle of nature, far away from civilisation, you will see human impact. Usually we’re far away. It’s hard to make it tangible. It doesn’t really affect us. Or so we think. But by being out there, you literally broaden your horizon. Experience will make you think, gain fresh perspectives, and may inspire you to act to turn the tide of the ocean challenges.

ROUTE & Destination

The ocean is the real destination of this trip. But let’s be honest, the Caribbean islands are pure paradise! Imagine arriving in the tropics after a long time at sea, and zipping that longed for coconut. 

We set sail from Santa Cruz, Tenerife and most likely (weather depending) our first stop will be Cape Verde (850 Nautical Miles). The arrival destination is Martinique. Sailing Cape Verde – Martinique is 2100 Nautical Miles. 

WEATHER

As sailors, we’re after wind. South of the Azores High the clockwise system have a favourable wind direction bringing boats from Europe to the Caribbean. Trade winds are the prevailing pattern in lower latitudes of 20 degrees north of the Equator (when the butter melts). The trade winds cover a broad belt from West Africa to the Caribbean. They are called ‘trade winds’ because back in the days, these winds made it possible to bring goods to other places for trading.

Since the wind generally comes from the north-east and boats head direction south west, the wind comes mostly straight from behind. It makes the journey a down winder.

During a typical crossing, the trade winds are 3 to 5 Beaufort. There can be days with light wind, days with no wind and periods where the wind speed reaches up to 6 or even 7 Beaufort. 

Roughly every three degrees’ latitude you move south, you can add up one degree Celsius to the mean air temperature. Whereas in the Canary Islands the average air temperature is 19 degrees Celsius, in Cape Verde you already have brought yourself to 23 degrees Celsius. From mainland Europe to about midway between the Canary Islands and Cape Verde, the water temperatures are relatively cold, and so is the air temperature. From where the trade winds kick in, you’ll start to sail over warm waters. Warmer sea water comes with warmer air temperatures.

Every day it’ll get a little warmer as we approach the Caribbean. If the conditions allow, we make a stop and jump in for a refreshment.

SAFETY 

Offshore sailing on SV Twister with us allows for maximum adventure but with minimum risk. Mum will be happy. SV Twister sails under the Dutch flag including professional crew with the necessary qualification and experience to undertake this voyage. On board, there’s an extensive medical kit and we take extra precautions may you have a certain allergy or challenge. The entire voyage we are in contact with our shore contact, always aware of our position. In any case of a medical emergency, actions will be coordinated with a medical team. Ocean worthy lifejackets will be provided.

At sea, we use Iridium for weather forecasts. The number you can give to your friends and family. They can reach us if there’s an emergency. Also you can give us email addresses of people you would like to keep informed. Every few days we send an email who will then forward this to your people. 

ADVENTURE, ACTIVITY & LIFESTYLE ON BOARD

This is a hands-on active expedition. We have a professional captain and crew who’ll be showing us the ropes. Everyone on board is expected to take part in the running of the ship. This includes doing ‘watch’, cooking, cleaning, setting sails, chartwork, and learning and sharing as much as possible from each other.  It’s part of the fun, experience, development and epiphany moment creation. That said, we’ll be many hands on board so there’ll be plenty of room to chill, relax and simply BE.

SV Twister allows us to connect more souls in one place, away from civilization where we disconnect from everything but each other and nature. Instead of just sailing with a few souls, you’ll have around 15 beautiful people to talk with. We also encourage everyone joining to share their superpower, skill or story. So many interesting things to learn from each other.

No wind? No worries! We just jump into 4000 meter deep ocean for a refreshment.

Ocean Nomads trip are beyond ‘the usual’ sailing holiday. It’s and adventure experience aimed at making the dream lifestyle reality, not just for the time with us but beyond all that. Incorporating the Ocean Nomads values, of community, exploration, and positive impact into the elements of the trip. Ocean Nomads trips are always hands-on, everyone helps with the running of the ship. 

Read more about the ON value and trip operations on the big Expedition ON overview page.

This is an active adventure trip. But ofcourse, you’re always welcome to chill and read a book or just do nothing, but BEing.