Once in the Azores, we are back in Europe. Long voyages on the ocean are always a bit alienating, but in a few days, we are used to it. However, we are home yet, and the last leg of this Darwin 200 expedition takes the OOSTERSCHELDE to Falmouth in Great Britain.

Before departure, we take a good look at the weather reports, because there is one last crossing on the program in which we have no shelter. The nice thing about this route is that, even if bad weather arrives despite the summer, this always brings a westerly wind. And that is exactly the wind we need. After a week we see a strong increase in shipping traffic when we have arrived at the entrance of the English Channel. In the first week we hopefully saw sunfish, dolphins and maybe a shark. Now we see dozens of fishing vessels trying to catch as much fish as possible on the border of the continental shelf. The hundreds of seabirds around us are trying the same. Now that the water depth goes from a few thousand meters to less than 200 meters, the wave action and the color of the water are also changing. We can literally smell the land and we are almost, almost, home!

Perhaps we’ll make another stop in a French port to prepare for a major homecoming and then make the final miles to the same port as HMS Beagle once did. After a smashing party night and into the wee hours, we close the DARWIN200 Global Voyage!

Before and after your voyage leg
We strongly recommend you book a few days accommodation in the port of your embarkation (prior to your joining Oosterschelde), and a few days in the port you disembark (after your place on the voyage ends). This will allow you to recover before and after your adventure and will give you the opportunity to explore locations at your start and end points.

More than an Adventure!
By taking part in the Global Voyage, you support the DARWIN200 project. As part of your adventure, you will receive the following exclusive benefits:

1. A full color, 300-page, hardback book as a momento of your adventure on board.
2. A short video which will be filmed during each voyage leg.
3. An invitation to the Start of Voyage Party in Plymouth on 13/08/2023.
4. An invitation to the End of Voyage Party in Falmouth on 20/07/2025.
5. An invitation to the DARWIN200 Concluding Award Ceremony in London in summer, 2025. Meet environmental celebrities, the young conservationists (‘DARWIN LEADERS’) and take part in a prize-giving ceremony.
6. Acknowledgement and thanks by name on all DARWIN200 output films throughout the global voyage (although anonymity will be respected, if requested).
7. Free DARWIN200 Global Voyage branded T-shirt!

DARWIN200
Become part of DARWIN200, a planetary conservation initiative that will empower the next generation’s elite environmental leaders and engage millions of students worldwide in conservation projects. By taking part in the Global Voyage, you will be helping to make the DARWIN200 project a reality. For more information visit: www.darwin200.com.

Q & A sessions
Interested in joining? Join our live information session about the 2023-25 Global Voyage. Each Information Session is beamed via Zoom and includes an overview of the global voyage, information about each of the 32 voyage legs, a live walk around Oosterschelde (when her schedule allows) and a Questions and Answers exchange.

Join the next info session via www.darwin200.com/info.

We would like the ‘Oosterschelde’ to be accessible to everyone, but making a sea voyage aboard a sailing ship can be challenging and you must be sufficiently fit and healthy to do so. We divide all trips into three levels with an icon of one, two or three waves. Not every level is suitable for everyone. The shipping company may contact you to discuss your participation. In an extreme case, the shipping company may advise against going on a particular trip. Are you unsure if a particular trip is suitable for you? Then contact our shipping office to discuss it.

Level 1

Level 1 voyages are suitable for anyone with good mobility and health. Often these voyages are in sheltered areas or close to the coast. However, it is still a journey on a sailing ship, at sea and so you must weigh up for yourself whether you can cope.

Level 2

Level 2 voyages are often heavier or further from home. You must be able to cope well under sometimes challenging conditions, but in case of need, the ship can be in a port within 24 – 48 hours. There is no age limit, but you may be asked to provide additional proof of fitness or health.

Level 3

Level 3 voyages are only for the experienced and fit sea traveler. The weather can be challenging and there are no ports to call at, along the way. We are out of helicopter range and medical care  from shore is not available. These trips are open to people up to 73 years of age, and you may be asked to provide additional proof of fitness or health.