Tall Ship Sailing Across the Atlantic to the UK
Sail across the Atlantic with tall ship Blue Clipper, from the Caribbean island of Antigua to Penzance, Cornwall.
To sail across the Atlantic aboard tall ship Blue Clipper is one of the great sailing adventures. Leaving the Caribbean island of Antigua, Blue Clipper follows the northeasterly trade winds north across the open ocean, with a stop in the Azores before making landfall in Penzance, Cornwall.
With 41 days at sea, a watch system, celestial navigation, and hundreds of miles of open ocean, this is a voyage that will stay with you for life. This voyage is perfect for the avid adventurer with some sailing experience and a serious appetite for open water.
- Trade wind ocean crossing
- Antigua to Penzance under sail
- Night skies far from light pollution
- Stopover in the Azores
- Celestial navigation and seamanship
Need some help?
Talk to the team
Telephone: +44 (0)1872 487288
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 7804 472592
An Atlantic Crossing Sailing Holiday Aboard a Tall Ship
Antigua → Atlantic Ocean → Azores → Penzance, Cornwall
To sail across the Atlantic is to experience the ocean in its fullest sense. Blue Clipper is a traditionally rigged tall ship, built for exactly this kind of passage, and this 41-day voyage from Antigua to Penzance is as real as sailing gets. Using the northeasterly trade winds to fill her sails, Blue Clipper will cover hundreds of miles of open ocean, with only a four-day stopover on the Azorean island of Faial between the Caribbean and Cornwall.
This is not a voyage for the faint-hearted. We recommend prior experience on the water before joining, whether that is a taster sailing weekend, time at a dinghy sailing club, or simply hours spent on a boat. Once you leave port, there is no turning back. What awaits is one of the most rewarding experiences a sailor can have: the open ocean, the stars, the rhythm of the ship, and days measured in wind and wave rather than meetings and screens.
Life at Sea: Getting Involved Aboard
Blue Clipper sails continuously on this passage, with a full watch system running throughout. Everyone is invited to join the watch system but it is not mandatory as the ship is fully crewed. The professional crew will teach you everything you need to know as you become a working part of the team. From hoisting and trimming sails to taking the helm, plotting routes on the chart, rope work and repairs, and even trying your hand at celestial navigation, there is always something to do on watch. The rest of the time is yours. Read, play cards, watch the ocean, and let the demands of the modern world fall away.
Far from any coastline, the night sky opens up in a way that is hard to describe. With no light pollution for hundreds of miles, the stars light the sky from horizon to horizon. Celestial navigation using the stars to plot your position is an age-old skill, and there will likely be the chance to try it for yourself on this voyage.
- Hoisting and trimming sails
- Taking the helm on open ocean passages
- Celestial navigation by the stars
- Rope work, repairs and seamanship
- Cooking together and life as part of the crew
The Azores: A Mid-Ocean Stopover
Roughly halfway between Antigua and Penzance sits the Atlantic archipelago of the Azores, and Blue Clipper will stop for three to four days on the island of Faial. It is a chance to find your land legs, explore ashore, and take in one of the most dramatic island landscapes in the Atlantic. Guests are welcome to stay aboard during the stopover, with B&B board included in the ticket price while in port. From Faial, the final stretch of ocean lies ahead, with the coast of Cornwall drawing closer with every watch.
Life Aboard Blue Clipper on an Ocean Passage
Blue Clipper is a classic tall ship crewed by experienced professionals who know ocean passages well. On a voyage of this length, the boat becomes your world, and the small crew and guest numbers mean the atmosphere on board is warm, close-knit, and genuinely communal. Full board is included throughout the Atlantic crossing, with B&B board during the Azores stopover. If you arrive in Penzance ahead of schedule, Blue Clipper becomes your base as you find your land legs and explore ashore.
- Where you sleep: cabins below deck for the full duration of the crossing
- Food: full board at sea, B&B board during the Azores stopover
- On-deck experience: fully hands-on, join the watch system and become part of the crew
- Sailing experience: recommended before joining this voyage
- Atmosphere: close-knit, communal, and genuinely adventurous
[Read more about Blue Clipper]
Things to note
Sailing vs Shoretime
Do I need to take part in night- watches?
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.
Need help with flights?
If you require some expert help with sourcing the right flights to meet the boat, please get in touch with Jenny at the Flight Centre via this form, she will be able to send you a quote within 24 hours.
Sailing with tall ship Blue Clipper is certainly an enjoyable, hands-on experience and guests are encouraged to get involved with all aspects of sailing this magnificent tall ship. Spending her summers exploring Scotland and the Hebrides and her winters sailing in the Caribbean, Blue Clipper is the perfect tall ship experience.
Getting involved
From hoisting the sails to taking the helm, the friendly and knowledgeable crew always shows you the ropes. Part of the beauty of sailing with such a magnificent vessel is the opportunity to get involved in a safe and supported environment! The permanent crew are all professionally trained, so as much as guest involvement is encouraged, if you just want to sit back and take in the view or are concerned about your physical ability to hoist ropes, there are plenty of other boat jobs such as coiling ropes, preparing lines and keeping watch! For those more adventurous, climbing the rigging or the bowsprit can also be a great experience.
Dining aboard
For her coastal voyages, Blue Clipper has a dedicated chef on board, too, so you don’t have to worry about cooking after a day of sailing in the salty sea air. Think locally sourced produce, fresh fish, homemade bread with hearty home-cooked meals, and plenty of tea, coffee, and cake!
For her expedition and Atlantic crossings, there will be a boat cook on board.
Sleeping and relaxation
Below decks, Blue Clipper has a large, comfy saloon perfect for sharing sea-faring tales, hearty home-cooked meals or even a game of cards! Rest up after a day of adventure in your spacious private en-suite cabin. With twin bunks, sailing with Blue Clipper is undoubtedly one of comfort and is the perfect choice for couples or solo travellers.
Blue Clipper has two kayaks and paddleboards on board, which guests are welcome to use to explore the nooks and crannies of the coast! There is no extra charge for this, and buoyancy vests are also provided.
A Typical Day
On her coastal voyages, a typical day starts with a good, hearty breakfast before preparing the boat to hoist the sails. Once the sails are set to the next destination, there will be time to relax, read a book, chat to your fellow travellers or simply find a quiet corner and take in the view. Lunch will likely be served underway or at the next anchorage as you spend your afternoons exploring ashore.
Generally, on her expedition crossings and longer voyages, she will spend more time under sail. The day will still be punctuated by regular meal times, and there will likely be a watch system running throughout the voyage as she sails through the night. Stargazing on these longer voyages is spectacular with no light pollution and a complete view of the horizon.
Sample menu
All food is made on board, and local, fresh produce is at the top of the shopping list. Please note that this is an example of what you may be served.
BREAKFAST
- Poached/scrambled eggs, bacon, vine tomatoes, mushrooms
- French toast, bacon, maple syrup
- Porridge, fruit selection
- Toast, preserves and cereal selection
- Tea, fresh coffee and fresh fruit juice
AFTERNOON CAKE
- Tea, coffee, home-made cakes, scones, jam and cream, shortbreads
LUNCH
- Spinach and ricotta tortellini, blue cheese sauce and cherry tomatoes
- Open sandwiches, salad, and crisps
- Cous cous salad, goat’s cheese, roasted red pepper
- Wild mushroom risotto with rocket and herb oil
- Fish goujons, new potatoes, tartar and salad garnish
DINNER
- Starters: Tomato bruschetta, Ardennes pate, salt-baked beetroot, curry aioli, gremolata sesame praline, hot-smoked salmon crostini
- Fillet of coley, crushed new potatoes, asparagus, beurre blanc, dill mayo
- Pork belly, maple-glazed celeriac, turmeric curr, rice and salsa, basil pesto
- Roast chicken thigh, sauteed new potatoes, squash puree, braised carrots, kale, red wine jus
- Spiced bean stew, rocket, herb oil
- Chicken breast, celeriac puree, mash, parma ham crisp, miso mayo
Dessert
- Coffee and cake
- Cheeseboard
Blue Clipper
Guest berths: 12 Rig: Gaff Schooner
Tall ship Blue Clipper has spent many years sailing all over the world and currently spends her summers sailing Scotland and the Hebrides, her autumn months heading south to Spain and Portugal, then setting sail across the Atlantic for some winter sun in the Caribbean.
Built in Sweden in 1991, tall ship Blue Clipper is an impressive three-masted gaff rig schooner. With a clipper bow, original teak deck and elegant stern, she mixes a traditional tall ship feel with a relatively modern build, giving guests an authentic experience with all the mod cons.
On deck, she boasts ample space for her guests to become fully immersed in hands-on sailing, heaving the ropes, hoisting the sails, learning ropes skills, and even taking the helm. She has three kayaks and three paddle boards for guest use while on anchor, so you can explore even further inshore.
She offers voyages to suit all ages and abilities. From taster sailing breaks to week-long explorations in the Hebrides, she also takes those looking for something a little more adventurous across the Atlantic to the Caribbean. From the mystical, moody Scotland to the warm winter sun in the Caribbean, the crew aboard are on permanent rotation, so you’ll be in safe hands whichever voyage you choose.
A spacious saloon, wheelhouse and galley also sit at deck level, while below decks have been well-considered with six spacious ensuite cabins. All cabins have full-size bunks, a small desk, a porthole for natural light and heating/air conditioning.
Deck plan
More about Blue Clipper
More holidays in Azores, Portugal or The Caribbean
Luxury Caribbean Sailing; Martinique, St Lucia & the Grenadines
Tall Ship Sailing in Antigua, Caribbean
Luxury Caribbean Sailing; Martinique, St Lucia & the Grenadines
Sailing around the Central Azores
More holidays on Blue Clipper
Remote Scotland: Outer Hebrides & St Kilda Tall Ship Explorer
Tall Ship Sailing in Antigua, Caribbean
Scottish Island Hopping & Tall Ship Sailing in the Hebrides
Sailing the North Sea from Norway to Orkney & Scotland
Inspiration for your voyage
Be inspired to discover the world under sail! Read our latest journals below. Be inspired to discover the world under sail! Read our latest journals below.
JOURNAL
