Offshore Ocean Passage from the Azores to Gibraltar

Your Sailing Area

Azores to Gibraltar

Join luxury yacht Rhea 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 a 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 10 days at sea, sailing across the Atlantic towards to southern coasts of Portugal and Spain to finish in the port city of Gibraltar. If the wind is in our favour, we’ll spend some time on the Algarve coast before heading for 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 Rhea

Rhea

Guest berths: 26 Rig: Bermudan Ketch

Elegant yacht Rhea offers guests a sailing holiday experience with luxury at the heart of everything she does. She spends her winters sunshine sailing in the Caribbean before moving to the Mediterranean in the Spring.

Like her sister Chronos, Rhea was built and designed in Bodrum, Turkey but is registered in Holland. Luxury yacht Rhea was purpose built as a charter vessel in 2016 and finished in 2017 as a two-masted, 54m staysail ketch.

Rhea was designed by Klaus Röder, who based his designs on the lines of a classic yacht whilst keeping up with the modern day ketch; built for performance sailing and guest comfort. The classic rig of a Bermuda Ketch with a large boom was conceptualised and designed by Klaas Huizinga.

The outline on deck is of teak and mahogany with plenty of space to sun-bath, read a book and enjoy the views. All the sails are electronically retractable, so no need to learn the ropes here! The crew are, however, more than happy for guests to get involved with the operating and sailing of Rhea as much as they would like!

An admiralty ladder provides the perfect place to jump off into crystal clear waters, have a swim or snorkel and climb back aboard with ease. Rhea also offers her guests the options of her water skiing, wake-board, tube riding, banana boat, 2 kayaks, 2 stand up Paddleboards, snorkelling equipment and even a sail dinghy (QubaRS).

The deckhouse offers its very own small bar whilst below decks offers still more space to relax with another dining area, as well as her on-deck dining area. Her private cabins, offering both double and single beds, all have air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms.

The professional crew consists of the Skipper, first mate, mechanic, bosun, cook and 4 stewards, so you will most certainly be looked after during your time aboard Rhea.

Read more about what to expect from life on board here

Deck plan

Kit List

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! We recommend you bring a foldable bag or suitcase since hard cases are difficult to store in the cabins.

• Flight tickets
• Identification cards: Personal ID card and/or passport, driver’s license recommended
• Money: Cash, credit card
• Personal medicines
• Telephone card, mobile phone
• Sun protection gel, after-sun/sunburn lotion, sunhat or equivalent
• Glasses, sunglasses
• Your favourite book/games

CLOTHING

• Swimwear
• Warm jumpers/thermal layers
• Wind/rain jacket
• Cap/hat
• Full waterproofs (oilskins)
• Soft-soled trainers (We kindly ask you to only wear anti-skid sport/boat shoes on board.)
• Waterproof sailing boots
• For trips to the shore, we recommend you wear sturdy shoes

Bed linens, bath and swim towels, life jackets, diving goggles and fins are all provided on board.

• Private travel pharmacy (painkillers/antipyretics, cold medicine, anti-sickness, seasick tablets, bug spray)
• Private toiletries

Medical Certificate

Atlantic sailings on Rhea do require all guests to provide a medical certificate signed by their doctors. This can be provided after you have completed the booking.

What’s included

• Full Board (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and filter coffee and tea)
• All bedding (pillow, sheets & duvet), wash and swim towels per person
• Full crew plus tuition
• Marina and fuel fees
• All tender trips to and fro the boat
• Lifejacket
• Adult snorkelling equipment
• Stand-up paddle-boards

What’s not included

• Alcohol and soft drinks
• 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
• Water toys

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.

*Please note passengers sailing on Chronos, Rhea or Kariós do not require personal accident cover, only health insurance. 

Need help with flights? 

Medical Certificate

Atlantic sailings on Rhea do require all guests to provide a medical certificate signed by their doctors. This can be provided after you have completed the booking.

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?

  Rhea has 3 Standard Double Cabins Ensuite (11 m²) and 10 Deluxe Double Cabins Ensuite (12-13 m²) all sleeping 2 people.

• 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 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, Rhea 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?

  Rhea 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!

• 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.

• What water-sports can I do once aboard?

  Rhea has a multitude of water-sport activities and equipment available for guests. Stand-up paddle-boards and adult-size snorkelling equipment is free for guests to use. Water-skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, QubaRS dinghy sailing, banana boat and tube riding are all chargeable* once on board. * Free on Deluxe Plus voyages only

• 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.

GETTING THERE

Horta, Azores

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.

GETTING HOME

Gibraltar

BY AIR

Flights go direct from Gibraltar International Airport (GIB) to London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester and Edinburgh with easyJet and British Airways. Gibraltar International Airport (GIB) from the Port of Gibraltar is just a short taxi ride.