Offshore Ocean Passage from the Azores to Amsterdam

YOUR SAILING AREA

Expedition Sailing

Through seemingly endless seas, the trade wind pushes us through the azure water of the ocean from the Azores to the Dutch capital of Amsterdam. The soft, steady up and down of the ship’s hull in the waves, the expanse of the sea, and the permanent gentle creaking of the rigging are the perfect ingredients for a relaxing and at the same time, adventurous holiday experience.

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Take the helm, become a member of the deck crew, and settle into the watch system, as life at sea takes over. You will learn every aspect of sailing a classic tall ship on this ocean sailing voyage.  As you leave the islands of the Azores in the horizon, fully immerse yourself into life on the ocean, with golden horizons and deep blue waters.

Nestled in the Atlantic Ocean, depart the island of Horta on the Azores leaving the luscious mountain skyline on the horizon. Horta is a bustling harbour town where sailors from all the world cross paths and share sea-faring tales. Spend many days at sea with clear horizons before you spot land on the coast of Spanish coast. Exactly where you stop over will depend on the wind and progress but could see you on the Spanish or French coast or perhaps even somewhere on the East coast of the UK! Finish your Atlantic sailing adventure in the Dutch capital of Amsterdam which is well worth spending a few days exploring after your sailing holiday.

All voyages for Eye of the Wind

Eye of the Wind

Guest berths: 16 Rig: Brig

With incredible amounts of character, Eye of the Wind has all the modern amenities and an authentic interior, with a teak maritime décor. Oozing with maritime history, the opportunity to sail on Eye of the Wind is one in a lifetime. This beautiful ship is as eye-catching as they get and she has even featured in several movies, including White Squall, due to her breath-taking appearance as a 1911 brig.

This windjammer offers luxurious holidays on board, cruising some of the most stunning locations in the world.

Although the ship has a large, capable engine, traditional sailing is naturally the preferred mode of travel so there is plenty to get stuck into on deck. The crew are extremely experienced and ready to teach you the workings of a classic tall ship, so no prior knowledge is necessary. Join the crew at any number of the large maritime festivals they appear at, cruise the European coast, or relish some winter sun and climb aboard for their voyages in the Caribbean – including a transatlantic crossing back from the Caribbean to Portugal.

Thanks to the 6 luxurious cabins, all with ensuite bathrooms, Eye of the Wind can sleep a total of 12 guests ensuring ocean passages can be travelled in true comfort. A large dining area, library and sun deck offer a multitude of different spaces to unwind and to get to know your fellow guests and crew.

Deck plan

More about Eye of the Wind

Life on board

Sailing with Eye of the Wind is an experience that will sit close to your heart as you learn the ways of traditional, authentic sailing and explore breath-taking destinations. Sailing with such a historic vessel is a wonderful privilege and the pride that the crew have for working with such a vessel, is truly inspiring.

Getting involved

With her impressive red sails and traditional square rig, guests are actively encouraged to get involved with all aspects of sailing Eye of the Wind. The crew are friendly, professional multi nationals, who are well-versed in showing guests the ropes, so you don’t need any experience to climb aboard her voyages. There is no expectation to get involved with sailing this magnificent vessel but guests are encouraged to take part in sail hoisting, navigation and taking the helm. A good sense of humour and a sense of adventure is a must and if guests just want to sit back and relax with the harmony of the sails, that’s fine too!

A Typical Day

Most of Eye of the Wind’s voyages are designed to sail by day to explore new destinations and spend the nights in harbour or on a sheltered anchorage. The day to day itinerary is not set in stone so the Captain can make best use of the weather and winds. Once you board, a rough plan for the week will be explained and some basic sail functionings explained too! 

Sailing on the high seas is hungry work, and your appetite will be easily satiated by our excellent on-board kitchen. From morning till evening, the chef will surprise you with varied recipes from his gourmet cookbook. Depending on the sailing season, local food and ingredients often end up in the cooking pot or on the plate. From a continental breakfast to lunch served either at anchor or underway. Dinner and drinks are normally served at around 7pm as you relax with your fellow guests and crew. 

The day is a good balance of authentic traditional sailing with time to explore secluded bays, different cultures, cuisines and history ashore. Down-time is as encouraged as hands-on sailing, with air-conditioned bunks, comfortable lounges and a sun-drenched deck, ensuring that there are plenty of spaces to relax on board.

Sleeping and Relaxation

Thanks to the 6 luxurious cabins, all with ensuite bathrooms, Eye of the Wind can sleep a total of 16 guests ensuring voyages can be travelled in true comfort. A large dining area sits with the galley at deck level offering 360 degree views of the horizon. A library and cosy saloon sit below decks – the perfect place for relaxation and sharing sea-faring tales after a day at sea.

Above decks there’s cushioned bench seating, sun decks and a multitude of different spaces to unwind. Out at sea, you have time for yourself and time to get to know the ship as a place of rest, where you can leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life behind you. Stress has no place on the ocean, and you will find yourself unwinding in harmony with the wind and the sea on board Eye of the Wind.

SAMPLE MENU FOR Eye of the wind

All food is made on board and local, fresh produce is top of the shopping list! Please note that this is an example of what you may be served.

BREAKFAST

• Continental meat platter
• Cheese platter
• yoghurt, fruit salad
• Muesli, cereals, breads and jams
• One day, hot option – fried eggs

ELEVENSES/AFTERNOON CAKE

• Tea, coffee and home-made cakes

LUNCH

• Aubergine and feta tart
• Mediterranean cous cous
• Green salad

DINNER

• Pork cassoulet served with rice
• Coconut, spinach and chickpea curry served with rice
• CAPTAINS DINNER – starter; Bruschetta served with balsamic. Main; Pan-fried salmon served with herb cous cous, pineapple salsa and garlic sauce. (V) option; stuffed pepper with the same sides

DESSERT

• Dark chocolate and orange mousse
• CAPTAINS DINNER – Lemon mascapone cheesecake

What’s included

• All inclusive (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and soft/hot drinks)
• All bedding (pillow, sheets & duvet) and a wash towel
• Full crew plus tuition
• Marina and fuel fees
• All tender trips to and fro the boat
• Lifejacket

What’s not included

• Alcohol
• Swim towel
• Waterproofs
• 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.

FAQ

• Are all meals included?

  Yes. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Hot and Soft drinks are included in your ticket price. Alcohol can be purchased as extra onboard

• Can you cater for dietary needs?

  Yes, please let us know when making your booking.

• What language is spoken on board?

  English and German

• Do I need to tip the crew?

  Tips are not mandatory but are welcomed by the crew!

• What are the sleeping arrangements?

  There are 6 cabins and a total of 16 guest bunks.

• How many bathrooms does she have?

  Each cabin has its own ensuite.

• Is there an age limit?

  No! Please double check for under 8's.

• Is there WIFI?

  No, but you should easily reach 3/4G from the shore, just make sure your phone is set up for international roaming. There may be some locations that will not get good signal.

• Can I charge my phone/camera?

  Yes, 12V sockets are available

• Are there life jackets provided?

  Yes.

• Are Waterproofs provided?

  No, please bring your own.

• Do I need sailing experience?

  Not at all. We give everyone who joins us on board the choice to do as much or as little as they like.

• Will I be seasick?

  Everyone reacts differently but if you are unsure, we recommend taking tablets up to 24 hours travelling.

• Is there air conditioning?

  Yes, Eye of the Wind has air con in each cabin.

Travel Planning

From: Horta, Azores

To: Amsterdam, Netherlands

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

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Horta

BY AIR:

Flights with stops/connections go to Horta Airport (HOR) from London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, London Gatwick and Manchester with SATA and TAP Air Portugal.

Horta Airport (HOR) is an 18-minute bus ride into Horta operated by Farius that runs 4 times daily, Monday-Friday.

Amsterdam

BY RAIL:

Get the Eurostar direct from Amsterdam Central to London St Pancras International which takes about 4 hours.

BY AIR:

Direct flights go to the following UK airports from Amsterdam Airport (AMS);

London Luton (LTN), London Stansted (STN), Belfast (BFS), Bristol (BRS), Liverpool (LPL), London Gatwick (LGW), Birmingham (BHX), Edinburgh (EDI), Glasgow (GLA) and Manchester (MAN) with easyJet.

Belfast (BHD), Southampton (SOU), Cardiff (CWL), Leeds (LBA), Aberdeen (ABZ), Durham (MME) , Inverness (INV), Kirmington (HUY) , Newcastle (NCL), London City (LCY), London Heathrow (LHR), Birmingham (BHX), Edinburgh (EDI), Glasgow (GLA) and Norwich (NCI) with KLM.

London City (LCY), London Gatwick (LGW) and London Heathrow (LHR) with British Airways.

Amsterdam Airport (AMS) is about a 20 minute train journey operated by Dutch Railways (NS) from the city centre.