Cape Verde Sailing Adventure

Getting Involved

Guests are invited to get involved with all aspects of sailing on Noorderlicht. The trade winds of Cape Verde are among the most reliable in the Atlantic, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to get the sails up and feel the ship come alive under canvas. When the wind fills in, it is all hands on deck to hoist the sails manually. Guests can also take the helm and help plot the course on charts with the crew. Between islands, the passages are rewarding and often fast – this is genuinely hands-on sailing in some of the Atlantic’s finest conditions. Guests can also climb out onto the bowsprit to help prepare the sails as Noorderlicht sets course for the next island.

Sleeping and Relaxation

The interior of Noorderlicht is authentically decorated, giving it an informal, cosy and nautical atmosphere. There are spacious cushioned seating and dining areas in the upper and lower deck saloons, providing enough space for 12 guests to enjoy meals, swap stories from the day ashore or simply relax and watch the Cape Verde coastline drift by. The upper saloon is also where the bar sits, and the coffee pot is always on, and guests are welcome to use the bar as they wish, with an honesty tab.

The sleeping area is located on the lower deck, with 10 twin cabins. All cabins have bunk berths, plenty of built-in storage, a washbasin, a mirror and charging ports. All bedding and towels are provided, so there is no need to bring your own. There are four communal toilets and showers throughout the ship, cleaned daily when guests are ashore. Each bathroom has dispensers for shampoo, conditioner and body wash.

A Typical Day

Wake up to the smell of fresh coffee as the warm Cape Verde sun climbs above the horizon and the trade winds begin to fill. After a continental breakfast, the morning is usually spent under sail, making the most of the reliable winds between islands. Arriving at a new anchorage, the crew will prepare the zodiac for a shore landing — time to explore a harbour town, walk a volcanic ridge or simply sit on a quiet beach and take it all in.

Back aboard for a hearty lunch, the afternoons are usually a relaxed affair — reading in the shade, watching the ocean go by or chatting with fellow travellers on deck. Noorderlicht aims for two shore landings a day where possible, though these are never mandatory. The second landing is usually in the late afternoon before dinner, leaving the evenings free to enjoy the warm Atlantic air from the deck as the sun goes down.

Dining Aboard

Good food is an essential part of life on board, and Noorderlicht’s professional cook serves excellent meals from the international kitchen three times a day. Breakfast is a continental spread with fresh bread, cooked eggs, meat, cheeses, yoghurt, cereals, muesli and fresh fruit. Lunch is served around 1 pm, flexible depending on time spent ashore. Coffee, teas and soft drinks are available from the honesty bar throughout the day. Fresh fruit and biscuits are on hand between meals, and dinner is usually served at around 7.30 pm. Guests with dietary needs are encouraged to have a quick chat with the cook on the first day.

Your Safety

Noorderlicht sails with a rotation crew — a Captain, first mate, cook, deckhand and engineer — all experienced in offshore and island sailing. Safety briefings are given on the first day, covering all aspects of life on board, zodiac landings and behaviour ashore. The crew’s knowledge of Cape Verde’s waters, anchorages and island conditions ensures guests are in capable hands throughout the voyage.