We look forward to welcoming you aboard at Sutton Harbour, one of Plymouth’s most picturesque locations. After introductions, the captain will provide an overview of life on board and details of the upcoming voyage. The ship’s cook will prepare a delicious meal, and afterward, you might enjoy visiting a nearby pub for a sailor-style cider, just as seafarers of the past once did. The next day, as soon as the dock gates open, we set sail. Plymouth is in one of the largest natural harbors in the world, but soon we will be navigating open waters. The English Channel is vast here, and you’ll already feel the ocean’s gentle swells. We’ll stay close to the coast, waiting for the right conditions to cross the Bay of Biscay.

The Bay of Biscay has a fearsome reputation, and it’s easy to understand why. In earlier times, sailing ships could struggle against southwest winds, often ending up shipwrecked along Galicia’s Costa del Morte. Today, thanks to accurate weather forecasts and auxiliary engines, the crossing is far less perilous. Nevertheless, the journey takes around three days and requires careful planning. As we reach the open ocean, the water depth suddenly increases from 200 to over 4,000 meters, and its color changes from green to deep blue. We’ll steer southwest and begin our watch system. While on watch, the deck crew assists with hoisting and lowering sails, steering, and navigation. We also lend the chef a hand whenever needed. The aft deck becomes a hub for storytelling. Every four hours, we change watches. Between watches, there’s time to relax with a book, enjoy music, share stories, or warm up in the cozy saloon. After approximately three days, we’ll pass Cape Finisterre.

Galicia’s coastline is defined by its deep fjords, known as Rías in Spanish. If our crossing has gone smoothly, we’ll anchor in one of these stunning fjords. Then, we’ll continue southward. The temperature noticeably rises, and with some luck, we’ll benefit from the Portuguese Current and the accompanying northerly winds. Without realizing it, we’ll cross the border between Spain and Portugal and make our next stop at the mouth of the Douro River. Porto is a magnificent city steeped in history, stories, and songs. Once the world’s greatest seafaring nation, Portugal’s maritime grandeur is palpable throughout the city. We highly recommend staying in Porto for a couple of days after disembarking to soak up its rich atmosphere.

The voyage from Plymouth to Porto is the second leg of our mile-maker voyage to Cape Verde. You can also embark in Rotterdam. Or you can continue sailing with us to Tenerife and/or Sal. If you choose to join multiple legs, you get several benefits: 1) A long sailing experience, 2) 15% discount on your voyage fee, 3) You can stay on board in the days in between the sailing legs and you will have more time to explore our destinations.

Level 2

Level 2-voyages are suitable for anyone in good health and a reasonable level of fitness, without mobility issues. On these voyages, you can expect days with strong winds or high waves, but most of the time the conditions will be good. A harbor is not always nearby and (medical) help from shore is therefore not always available.

We would like the ‘Oosterschelde’ to be accessible to as broad and diverse an audience as possible, but you must realize that you are embarking on a sea voyage aboard a sailing ship. This requires more from you than a daily walk. Moreover, some voyages are more challenging than others. With different levels (the waves), we provide an indication of how demanding the trip might be. If you’re unsure whether a particular voyage is suitable for you, please contact our shipping office to discuss it.