Baltic Sea Sailing Island Explorer: Denmark, Sweden, Latvia & Estonia

Your Sailing Area

Germany to Estonia

Join tall ship Iris in the port of Kiel as you prepare to set sail on the Baltic Sea. This sailing adventure offers a great opportunity for a tall ship sailing experience. During this time of the year, the area of the Western Baltic typically experiences low waves and moderate wind speeds.

The exact itinerary will be influenced by the wind and weather conditions, but Iris will sail from the German coast, visiting the Danish island of Bornholm, the Swedish island of Gotland, and perhaps the Stockholm archipelago. She will then make a course for the Estonia archipelago and the coastline of Latvia and Lithuania.

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Bornholm is a picturesque Danish island located in the Baltic Sea, known for its sandy beaches, picturesque cliffs, and charming fishing villages. The island is home to lovely historic round churches, medieval ruins, and the iconic Hammershus Castle.

Gotland is the largest island in the Baltic Sea and is part of Sweden. It is known for its medieval town of Visby, a UNESCO World Heritage site with well-preserved medieval city walls. Gotland’s diverse landscape includes limestone cliffs, sandy beaches, and lush forests, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and history lovers alike.

The Stockholm archipelago is an exquisite cluster of over 30,000 islands, islets, and skerries that extend into the Baltic Sea from the city of Stockholm. This stunning maritime landscape offers a mix of natural beauty, charming fishing villages, and abundant opportunities for sailing, kayaking, and exploring the unique island communities under sail.

The Estonian archipelago is home to over 2,000 islands and islets, located along the country’s western coast in the Baltic Sea. The Kura kurgu hoiuala National Park  is renowned for its unspoiled natural beauty, diverse birdlife, and unique coastal culture. The main islands of Saaremaa and Hiuumaa offer opportunities for outdoor activities, such as hiking, birdwatching, and exploring charming fishing villages.

All voyages for Iris

Iris

Guest berths: 12 Rig: Ketch

Commissioned as a herring drifter over 100 years ago, tall ship Iris has been given a new lease on life and converted into a comfortable charter vessel. She now spends her summers sailing guests on the Baltic Sea. From tall ship racing, taster weekends, offshore sailings and coastal explorations, Iris spends her summer exploring the islands of Denmark, the Swedish coast and the Estonian archipelago.

Her traditional ketch rig, combined with her sturdy steel hull, makes her a great tall ship to learn the ropes and get involved with all aspects of sailing such a historic vessel. Her owners, Jans and Liv, have spent many years living and working aboard traditionally rigged tall ships and they love nothing more than taking guests on exciting sailing adventures.

Iris can sleep 12 guests in 6 private twin cabins and offers generous and considered communal spaces below decks. Guests can relax in the large saloon, which has a dining area, a separate sofa area, and even a small onboard library. Iris is perfect for those seeking an adventurous sailing experience, exploring the coasts and islands of Sweden and Denmark, crossing the Bay of Biscay, or discovering the Breton coast.

More about Iris

Our tall ship sailing holidays on Iris are perfect for the adventure traveller wanting to see amazing destinations while learning the ropes of a traditionally rigged vessel. Sailing with Iris is a journey of discovery, comfort, and goodness. Built in 1916 as a herring drifter, Iris has undergone many transformations over the years and she is now a modern charter vessel exploring the Baltic Sea under sail.

Life on board

Sailing with tall ship Iris is perfect for the adventure traveller looking to explore harder-to-reach destinations under sail. With private cabins, she’s great for solo travellers and active couples alike looking for new adventures and exhilarating experiences.

Getting involved

Iris is owned and skippered by sailing couple, Jans and Liv. They have been sailing traditional tall ships for many years all over the world and are well-versed in sailing the Baltic Sea with guests.

They invite guests to get actively involved with all aspects of sailing the ship. From hoisting the 9 sails, taking the helm, learning some basic navigation and rope work – there is no experience needed to climb aboard!

Sleeping and Relaxation

Below decks, Iris has been carefully considered from her previous life as a live aboard, making her communal spaces generously sized and comfortable. You’d be hard-pushed to associate the space with a historic working cargo vessel! A large sofa area and a bespoke dining table sit in the amidships and thanks to the ceiling hatches, it receives plenty of natural daylight, making it pleasantly bright. The spacious salon provides ample room for group games and evening entertainment on board.

With an impressive and well-equipped open-plan galley, crew and guests work together, taking turns to cook for everyone. Preparing meals on board creates a homely atmosphere, allowing interaction with fellow guests, fostering better connections, and providing a truly traditional ship experience.

Iris’ 6 cabins are havens of cosiness, equipped with two comfortable single beds and a private washbasin. All cabins share two separate toilets and two separate showers and when in port, it is possible for guests to use marina facilities if they wish at a small extra fee.

For extra entertainment, Iris is also the proud owner of a cooled beer tap, an extensive games collection, an accordion, and a guitar! She has a stand-up paddle board for coastal exploration on taster voyages, and if guests are looking for that historic tall ship experience, she even has a few hammocks, too.

Kit list

Iris has limited space for possessions, so please be considerate and travel as light as possible. Each cabin has a small hanging/shelf space, but there is no storage for rigid cases, so please bring your items in a soft bag or rucksack.

We recommend a travelling light principal with lots of lightweight, easy-drying layers. Below is a list of recommended items; these are not mandatory, and those who have sailed before may have their preferences!

• Sailing (or cycling) gloves for pulling ropes
• Walking boots/shoes for onshore & light shoes/trainers (with good grip)
• Waterproof boots or Wellington boots (dependent on weather forecast)
• Wash towel
• Swimsuit and swim towel
• Lightweight, quick-dry clothes (base layers, fleece and synthetic tops are lightweight and quick-drying!)

It can be quite a few degrees colder out at sea, so please bring lots of layers even if the forecast seems like a warm week!

• Warm, windproof and waterproof coat/trousers.
• Sun cream (please use reef-safe, eco products where possible)
• Sunglasses and a warm hat/cap
• Refillable water bottle
• Small personal first aid kit and any medication you may need
• Camera/binoculars 
• Personal wash kit (please use reef-safe, eco products where possible)
• Sleep masks and/or earplugs if sharing a cabin.
• Charging cables for personal devices 
• EU 2-pin adaptor
• A good book to read!
• Consider a small backpack/bag for onshore exploring

Travel Documents

•  Please assume full responsibility for checking and verifying any passport, visa, vaccination, or other entry requirements to the country if/as required.

What’s included

• Full Board (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, hot drinks)
• All bedding (pillow, sheet & duvet)
• Full crew plus tuition
• Marina and fuel fees
• All tender trips to and fro the boat
• Lifejacket
• Use of the small onboard dinghy
• Stand-up Paddleboard

What’s not included

• Alcohol & soft drinks
• Waterproofs
• Towels
• Chef
• Any flights
• Transit hotels
• Travel to and from the boat on the day of joining/leaving
• Travel Insurance
• Sailing Insurance (Please read our Sailing Insurance page for more information)
• Crew tips
• Personal expenses

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 more than 12 miles offshore.

FAQ

• Are all meals included?

  Yes - all meals are included in the price (Breakfast, lunch, dinner, hot drinks). Cooking is a communal effort with all guests and crew working together.

• Can you cater for dietary needs?

  We can cater for vegetarians, but not vegan or gluten-free diets, please check for other dietary requirements.

• Are there any added extra's?

  Please note that alcohol/soft drinks are not included. There is an honesty bar onboard. Excursions ashore are not included.

• What are the sleeping arrangements?

  6x twin bunk cabins each with a sink and storage space.

• Is there a porthole in my cabin?

  Yes

• How many toilet/showers does she have?

  There are two showers and two toilets for guest use

• Are bedding and towels included?

  All bedding is included but please bring your own shower and/or swim towels

• Is there a hairdryer on board?

  No, please do not bring one. The sea breeze makes a great natural alternative!

• Will I be able to wash my clothes?

  No, Iris does not have laundry on board.

• Is there heating onboard?

  Yes.

• Do I need to tip the crew?

  Tips are not mandatory but very much appreciated.

• What language is spoken onboard?

  Dutch/English.

• Is there WIFI?

  No! It's time to disconnect from the modern tech and reconnect with nature! When within shore range, you should be able to reach 4/5G. Please make sure you have international roaming set up on your data plan.

• Can I charge my phone/Camera?

  Yes when connected to shore power or the generator is on, please bring 2pin EU adaptors.

• What is the currency on board?

  Euro's.

• Are there life jackets provided?

  Yes.

• How do I get on and off the boat?

  Iris is often at anchor so you'll need to be comfortable climbing in and out of the tender dinghy and climbing up and over the gunwale - there will always be a crew member to steady.

• Are Waterproofs provided?

  No.

• Do I need sailing experience?

  No, absolutely not! Just a need for adventure.

• Does the boat have any water toys?

  Yes - small dinghy with outboard engine and sail rig.

• Will I be sea sick?

  Everyone reacts differently but we recommend if you are at all worried to take some medication 24 hours before departure. Ginger tea and biscuits also help with sea sickness.

• Is there an age limit?

  Please contact the office if you have under 16's. There is no maximum age limit as long as guests are fit and mobile.

Travel Planning

From: Tiessenkai, Kiel

To: Tallinn

To see where the ports are, along with your likely sailing area, please view the sail area & highlights.

Getting There

Tiessenkai, Holtenau

BY AIR:

For travel to the UK you are best flying to/from Hamburg Airport.

Flights go direct to Hamburg Airport (HAM) from London Heathrow (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW), London Stansted (STN), Edinburgh (EDI) and Manchester (MAN) with easyJet, Ryanair, Eurowings or British Airways.

Hamburg Airport (HAM) is about a 1 hour 45 direct bus ride from Kiel.