Tall Ship Adventure Sailing the Baltic Sea to Bornholm

Gdańsk, Poland to Stralsund, Germany

Join Eye of the Wind in the harbour of Gdansk, Poland, where the Baltic meets a city shaped by centuries of trade and shipbuilding. As the ship leaves the harbour and threads out through the Bay of Gdańsk, the coastline falls away, the warehouses, cranes and church towers give way to open water. Ahead lies a broad stretch of the Baltic Sea, where the sailing activity will settle into longer legs as this adventure sailing to Bornholm begins.

Out on the Bornholm Sea, the ship and guests start to find their stride as the miles pass beneath the keel, heading toward the Danish island of Bornholm, a key highlight of this Baltic Sea passage.

The Danish island of Bornholm features a varied coastline of granite cliffs, pale beaches and small working harbours. Fishing boats move in and out of port, smokehouses sit close to the water’s edge, and the island has a distinct, self-contained feel. If conditions allow, a stop here offers the chance to step ashore, stretch your legs and get a sense of life on one of the Baltic’s most characterful islands.

Beyond Bornholm, the coastline opens into a mix of Swedish and German waters, where the route becomes more fluid as the weather dictates the onshore visits.  A possible call into Ystad brings a different atmosphere, with its low half-timbered houses and long sandy shoreline stretching away from the harbour.

The harbour town of Greifswald, by contrast, offers a quieter arrival through sheltered waters, with a long maritime history and a strong connection to traditional sailing. Each of these places feels distinct, and which are visited depends on the conditions, allowing the voyage to adapt naturally as it unfolds.

As the ship approaches the German coast, sailing becomes more strategic, with shallower waters and busier coastal routes.

The final approach to Stralsund leads through the Strelasund, where the island of Rügen lies just beyond, and the water narrows toward the harbour. Another possible place to pause for an onshore exploration, Sassnitz on the island of Rügen, sits beneath striking white chalk cliffs that rise sharply above the sea, a clear landmark long before the harbour itself comes into view.

Church towers and brick Gothic buildings rise above the shoreline, marking your arrival in Stralsund, one of the Baltic’s great Hanseatic cities and a fitting conclusion to this Baltic Sea and Bornholm sailing adventure.

Getting involved

The professional and experienced crew will teach you everything you need to know as you will sail with and become part of the crew, hoisting sails, taking the helm and getting involved with all aspects of sailing a tall ship. You’ll never be without a crew member and the watch system will be worked out once everyone has boarded to gauge guest abilities.

From plotting our route on the chart to cooking together, some celestial navigation skills, hoisting and trimming sails, and rope work and repairs, there is always something for everyone to do while on watch. The rest of the time is free to enjoy the inky black of the night sky, reading a book or three or playing cards together; the ocean allows guests to switch off from the demands of the modern world and fill their souls with vitamin-Sea.

Weather

Part of the beauty of an ocean-going adventure is experiencing all the elements. From wind, rain and sun, we will certainly see them all. Whatever comes our way, the crew will use weather radar technology to plan our route as best they can to ensure we cover the most miles as safely as possible. Expect strong winds and big waves, perfect sailing to glassy seas with not a breath of wind and everything in-between. 

Things to note

Sailing vs Shoretime

Night Watches?

Travel insurance notes

As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard in addition to standard travel insurance which would cover you in the time between making your booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined so please check with your travel insurance provider.

Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.

This voyage will be not more than 12miles offshore.