Offshore Ocean Passage from the Azores to Gibraltar

Your Sailing Area

Join luxury yacht Kairos for an adventure sailing holiday in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores on the island of Faial.  A small archipelago in the Atlantic, the Azores is popular destination for sailors on Atlantic crossings to and fro the Caribbean but it is an untouched tourist destination far away from the usual holiday hustle and bustle. The islands are still mostly underdeveloped from resorts and retain their traditional Portuguese island charm.

From here, you’ll spend the next 8 days at sea, sailing across the Atlantic towards to southern coasts of Portugal and Spain to finish in the port city of Gibraltar.

This offshore sailing holiday adventure is great for those wanting to gain sea miles and gain more exposure with longer passages at sea. 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.

After receiving safety instructions and an introduction to sailing from the ship’s crew, you will soon be able to take part in sailing yourself. Hands-on assistance on deck is always voluntary, so if you want, you can just relax and enjoy watching the sailing manoeuvres and the traditional seamanship in action every day.

All voyages for Kairós

Kairós

Guest berths: 16 Rig: Bermuda Schooner

Offering guests a sailing holiday experience with luxury at the heart of everything she does, Kairós is a purpose-built charter vessel designed with the beautifully elegant lines of a classic boat. Spending her winters exploring Cape Verde, Kairos moves into the Med for the summer, offering sailing holidays in Croatia, Corfu and Italy.

This beautiful luxurious schooner was designed by Klaus Röder in 2007, who based his design on a classic yacht whilst keeping up with the modern-day schooners, built for performance sailing and guest comfort. Kairós offers berths for up to 16 guests, a total of six private en-suite double cabins with full walk-in shower cubicles, one twin cabin with a small wet room ensuite, and one small double cabin with a small wet room ensuite; these private cabins all have to air-condition. The well-appointed deckhouse has its very own small bar whilst below decks offers still more space to relax, from the saloon with its plasma TV to its very own library for relaxing while underway.

Built with luxury in mind, the outline on the deck is of teak and mahogany with plenty of space to sunbathe, read a book and enjoy the views. All the sails are electronically retractable, so there is no need to “learn the ropes” here! The crew are, however, more than happy for guests to get involved with the operation and sailing of Kairós as much as they would like!

An admiralty ladder provides the perfect place to jump off into the warm Mediterranean waters, have a swim and climb back aboard with ease. Kairós also offers her guests the option of using her water skiing, wakeboard, tube riding and snorkelling equipment!

The professional crew consists of the Skipper, first mate, mechanic, bosun, cook and two stewards, so you will most certainly be looked after during your time aboard Kairós.

Cabins explained :
Deluxe Cabin: This cabin has one large double bed and an ensuite with a walk-in shower cubical.
Twin Cabin:  This cabin has two twin bunk berths with an ensuite toilet and shower wet room.
Small Double Cabin:  This cabin has one small double bed and an ensuite toilet and shower wet room. It is suitable for solo travellers or two young guests.

Read more about what to expect from life onboard here.

Deck plan

LIFE On board

Sailing with Kairos is certainly an experience of luxury and style. Part of our range of luxury yachts, she has been custom built as a charter vessel from the plans of an original classic so retains beautiful elegant sailing lines, perfect for cruising around the Mediterranean. Unlike some of our more hands on sailing, aboard Kairos, you really don’t have to life a finger if you don’t want to! Her professional 5* star crew are on-hand to assist with everything you need for a truly relaxing sailing holiday. From daily cabin service, a trained chef, onboard water-sports toys and a finale Captains dinner; sailing with Kairos is an experience you certainly won’t forget.

She has a generous communal saloon, ample space on deck for sitting, sun-bathing and dining and all her cabins are private ensuite’s with double or twin bed options. Eating onboard Kairos starts with a rich breakfast buffet, onto a light 2-course lunch at noon, coffee, tea and cake in the afternoon, and a 3-course dinner served in the evening. Upon arrival, you will receive a welcome drink and on the last evening, the Captain’s Dinner will be served. One evening a week, all guests eat at their own expense on land to get to know the local cuisine.

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, all meals* on board are included in the price (breakfast, lunch, dinner and filter coffee and tea) *One meal per week is eaten ashore at the customers own expense.

• Can you cater for dietary needs?

  Meat eaters and vegetarians only please.

• Are there any added extras?

  One meal is eaten ashore at the guests expense. Alcohol and soft drinks are not included but can be purchased on board. Water-sports are not included.

• What are the sleeping arrangements?

  Kairos has 6 Deluxe Double Cabins Ensuite (10m2), 1 Standard Double Cabin Ensuite (8m2) and 1 Twin Bunk Cabin Ensuite (8m2) (latter 2 cabins are really well suited to younger sailors and solo travellers).

• Is there a porthole in my cabin?

  Yes, all cabins have portholes.

• How many toilet/showers does she have?

  All cabins have their own ensuite.

• Are bedding and towels included?

  All bedding, a hand towel, bath towel, swim towel and bathrobe is included per person.

• Is there a hairdryer on board?

  Yes, there is a hair dryer in each cabin.

• Will I be able to wash my clothes?

  No, Kairos does not have laundry on board.

• Is there heating/air conditioning onboard?

  Yes.

• Do I need to tip the crew?

  Tips are not mandatory but are welcomed by the crew! There will be an honesty box available at the end of your voyage (as a general guide, a 5-10% tip based on your ticket price)

• What language is spoken onboard?

  English is the common deck language but there will be international guests and crew.

• Is there WIFI on board?

  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. There is chargeable access to Starlink on all voyages. You can buy vouchers once on board if required.

• Can I charge my phone/Camera?

  Yes, there are 2pin EU sockets throughout the boat so please bring an adaptor if needed.

• What is the currency on board?

  Euro's

• Are there life jackets provided?

  Yes.

• How do I get on and off the boat?

  Kairos is often at anchor so you'll need to be comfortable climbing in and out of the tender dinghy. There is an admiralty ladder and there will always be a crew member to steady.

• Are Waterproofs provided?

  No.

• Do I need sailing experience?

  No, absolutely not!

• Does the boat have any water toys?

  Yes, Kairos has water skis, wakeboard, tube-riding, snorkelling. For activities that require pulling with a dinghy we charge €1 per minute of use.

• 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.

• Is there an age limit?

  Yes. Minimum age of 5, and as long as the child can swim.

Travel Planning

From: Horta, Azores

To: Gibraltar

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

Horta

BY AIR:

Horta airport is an 18 minute bus ride into Horta operated by Farius that runs 4 times daily, Monday-Friday. Flights with changes go to Horta airport from London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, London Gatwick and Manchester with SATA and TAP Air Portugal.

STAY IN HORTA:

There are plenty of places to stay in Horta. Try Monte de Guia, Faial Marina Apartments and Porto Pim Azores Guest House.

Gibraltar

BY AIR:

Gibraltar Airport to the Port of Gibraltar is just a 3 minute taxi ride. Flights go direct to Gibraltar Airport from London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester and Edinburgh with easyJet and British Airways.

STAY IN GIBRALTAR:

There are plenty of places to stay in Gibraltar. Try The Rock Hotel, The Eliott Hotel and Sunborn Gibraltar.