The maritime world of the Canary Islands unfolds its entire scenic beauty within the scope of this one-week island hopping trip. From Lanzarote, the "Island of the Fire Mountains", we set the course on Tenerife, the "Island of Eternal Spring".
Blue-water sailing on the Atlantic Ocean with volcanoes as landmarks, wild wind acceleration zones and glassy calms in the lee of steep cliffs -this is a voyage of great contrasts. The islands are breeding grounds for pilot whales and dolphins as companions are common. Ashore are mountain walks and sunny spots for a coffee or a beer. At night the stars are brilliant as there us minimal light pollution here.
Arrecife, Lanzarote
Tenerife
Berths and voyage availability
Arrecife, Canary Island of Lanzarote
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By Road & Parking
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Rail & transfers
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Air & transfers
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Discount airlines
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Feeling Guilty? - Carbon Offsetting Schemes
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Classic Sailing invites to a private facebook group where you can connect with other sailors who have booked with us. If you want to find a travel companion or share ideas on accommodation options before your trip, then posting a request on this is this is a safer option than our public facebook page. (due to data protection laws we cannot pass on contact details for other sailors on your trip directly)
Passports and Visas***
*** “Classic Sailing cannot cover every possible visa scenario as customers may have dual nationality, or be working or living in a country different from their passport nationality.
To avoid any last-minute stress, we advise you to contact the local embassies of the countries you will be visiting in your country to find out which travel documents you need. Please start early, obtaining a visa can take some time. It is your responsibility to have the right travel documents for all countries you visit during your stay on board.
If you plan to travel onto other destinations please check you have a right to stay in the country too as you may be classed as arriving in a country as ‘yacht sailors in transit’ and not have same rights as a tourist.
Even if you don’t need a visa, please check your passport expiry date is sufficient for country entry requirements.”***
Travel, Health, Vaccinations and Safety
Security for tourists in certain countries, regions or cities can change rapidly. Please check with your own Government Foreign Office for their latest advice for travellers.
UK travellers check under specific destination at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Likewise we suggest you check if there are any recommended or required vaccinations well before departure as some take more than one jab. For UK travellers check out ‘Fit for Travel’ http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations
Travel Insurance
It is compulsory that you have travel insurance to sail on any of our voyages, but you do not have to buy the insurance from us. If you purchase your own please make sure it covers sailing as an activity, and racing if you are racing crew. Most our voyages sail further than 3 miles from the shore so check that you will be covered sailing outside territorial waters.
Classic Sailing recommend Topsail Insurance http://www.classic-sailing.co.uk/travel-insurance They have policies designed for sailing crew on yachts or tall ships, whether you want an annual policy or a single trip. These are suitable for UK based sailors but the page also has links to alternative companies and recommended insurance companies for non UK citizens.
Santa Cruz, Tenerife
There are cheap flights to Tenerife from all over Europe as it is a major winter sun holiday destination. You can probably find a flight from regional airports too. There are too many discount airline options to mention.
The harbour in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is huge, with two marinas and miles of harbour wall and quaysides for cruise ships and bigger tall ships. Berths for tall ships are small fry for the port authorities as the bigger more profitable ships get priority, so the sailing ships captain will have to go where ever the port authority puts them, and they may not get to stay there for very long. Please book a flight that gets in at a sensible time for you to get to the ship on time, even if it means getting there the day before and booking into a hotel.
If your vessel is small enough to get into one of the marinas then we can usually be a bit more specific as to where to find the ship beforehand.
The ships exact location in port is often controlled by the port authorities and they will only allocate a docking position a few days before. You will be informed as soon as possible of their exact joining location.
Any changes will be communicated to you before your voyage start date. Make sure you make a note of the ship's number found in your confirmation email in case of any problems on the day.
Take a Photo of your Ship
We recommend you take a photo of your ship with you to show taxi drivers so they can get to to the right ship!
You can usually see the ships masts on the other side of the harbour, but the taxi drivers will know the shortest route to get to that berth. If you are the independent type with a rucksack walking from the bus depot, chose your route with care, or ask a local, or you could end up walking miles without finding the cruise ship / public entry to the dock.
Air & transfers
Transfers to the port of Santa Cruz can be pre-booked if you prefer certainty over your travel. However, there are plenty of local taxis that will be waiting for you if you would rather leave it till you get there. Transfer times from Tenerife South are around 45 minutes and will cost around £50 for a car with two people. (This is from http://tenerife-airport-transfers.co.uk/) From Tenerife North, the transfer time is around 20 minutes and costs around £20.
Bus Service (Public)
Tenerife has an excellent and extensive modern bus service throughout the island.
Company Name TITSA (green buses) Buy your ticket inside the terminal building.
Departure from South Airport to Santa Cruz (Bus Terminal) every hour.
Distance: 65km Current cost of ticket: 7.00 EUROS
The road is quite fast so bus journey time should be under an hour.
On arrival at Santa Cruz Bus Terminal it is approx 3km to the port, but a taxi is only approx 3.50 EUROS
Santa Cruz bus station is a pleasant modern building, it would be nice to have some like it in the UK.
Classic Sailing invites to a private facebook group where you can connect with other sailors who have booked with us. If you want to find a travel companion or share ideas on accommodation options before your trip, then posting a request on this is this is a safer option than our public facebook page. (due to data protection laws we cannot pass on contact details for other sailors on your trip directly)
Passports and Visas***
*** “Classic Sailing cannot cover every possible visa scenario as customers may have dual nationality, or be working or living in a country different from their passport nationality.
To avoid any last-minute stress, we advise you to contact the local embassies of the countries you will be visiting in your country to find out which travel documents you need. Please start early, obtaining a visa can take some time. It is your responsibility to have the right travel documents for all countries you visit during your stay on board.
If you plan to travel onto other destinations please check you have a right to stay in the country too as you may be classed as arriving in a country as ‘yacht sailors in transit’ and not have same rights as a tourist.
Even if you don’t need a visa, please check your passport expiry date is sufficient for country entry requirements.”***
Travel, Health, Vaccinations and Safety
Security for tourists in certain countries, regions or cities can change rapidly. Please check with your own Government Foreign Office for their latest advice for travellers.
UK travellers check under specific destination at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Likewise we suggest you check if there are any recommended or required vaccinations well before departure as some take more than one jab. For UK travellers check out ‘Fit for Travel’ http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations
Travel Insurance
It is compulsory that you have travel insurance to sail on any of our voyages, but you do not have to buy the insurance from us. If you purchase your own please make sure it covers sailing as an activity, and racing if you are racing crew. Most our voyages sail further than 3 miles from the shore so check that you will be covered sailing outside territorial waters.
Classic Sailing recommend Topsail Insurance http://www.classic-sailing.co.uk/travel-insurance They have policies designed for sailing crew on yachts or tall ships, whether you want an annual policy or a single trip. These are suitable for UK based sailors but the page also has links to alternative companies and recommended insurance companies for non UK citizens.
Eye of the Wind
'Eye of the Wind' is one of the most photogenic and well loved tall ships in the world. She has sailed around the world to legendary locations like Pitcairn Island, New Zealand and Cape Horn, been the star of films like White Squall' and has spent decades as an adventure charter vessel and expedition ship. Today she sails 12 months of the year, offering a mix of adventure and themed travel holidays. Tropical and offshore island paradises feature strongly in her winter sailing programme as well as being the most photogenic ship at summer tall ship festivals and entering some of the great waterfront cities of Northern Europe.
- Length overall: 40m (132ft)
- Length on deck: 32m
- Year built: 1911
- Vessel rig: Brig
- Guest berths:12
- Crew berths: 10
- What the vessel does best
- What to expect
- Accommodation
- Ships specification
- Skippers and crew
- Gallery
Ocean Wandering & Island Paradises
Eye of the Wind has a tried and tested formula for winter sun escapes. Following the old trade wind routes you would expect for a square-rigger that likes to sail as much as possible, she heads South for a short season in the Canaries. The North East Trades whisk her across the Atlantic for those who fancy a classic ocean passage in the sun as a way of digital detoxing for a month.
Christmas and New Year are usually spent in the Caribbean. With only 12 guest crew on a 132ft ship the experience is pretty exclusive and there are plenty of places to seek some space, so Eye of the Wind is a good choice for couples and romantics.
Beautiful Wooden Interior
She wears her 100 years well, having undergone several quality restorations, all of which have helped create a ship interior full of beautiful wood and salvaged antique fittings. Her square rig is totally traditional and all sails are hoisted by human power and blocks and tackles.
Englishman Tiger Timbs and a bunch of tall ship enthusiasts started the story when they converted her to a brigantine. The ship's hull is steel, but the whole feel of the ship is wood. The deck was created from a teak dance floor, the benches in the saloon where salvaged from a church. A wealthy Danish owner lavished money on turning her into a luxury private sailing ship capable of global cruising, but kept the square rig totally authentic and human powered. Today she is available for all to sail again with German owners who love tall ships, team building and old style adventuring on the seven seas.
A Stylish Way to See Europe
The Baltic is a hot place in summer and steeped in maritime history. Bounded by Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia you can visit more than one country in a voyage easily. There are hundreds of islands, intricate navigation and some of the most iconic waterfront cities in Europe. If you are looking for a unique way to understand European culture and history, then sailing between ports on a multi-nationally crewed ship that once carried cargoes through the 1920's and 30's all around the Baltic.
There is a huge fleet of wooden sailing ships around the Baltic, as well as numerous large windjammers so tall ship festivals here are well attended. Outdoor parties, music and parades of sail are a colourful way to see ports like Hamburg, Copenhagen or any historic city with enough dock space to create a tall ship gathering. Let Eye of the Wind show you here home sailing ground during the summer, or try out a short taster in preparation for a more exotic adventure on her further afield.
Sailing Style
No sailing experience is needed as full training is given so you can learn take part in sailing this well maintained and authentically rigged sailing ship. With square sails on both masts and stun'sails for ocean passages you have a great square rig classroom for those who want to learn as much as they can. She has 8000 square foot of sail (750 sq metres) which is quite a spread of red canvas, so good speeds are possible.
Life on Board
Guest crew are all encouraged to take part in the active assistance in sail handling and on board routine of watches and steering the ship. No one is obliged to co-operate. It is your holiday and there is a professional crew of up to 10 for 12 guests. If you are in the mood for a challenge climbing the rigging is possible but don't worry if you have never been up before. You will always be under the guidance of the ships crew and is a great thrill.
The ships crew are typically 20-40 and a mix of all nationalities. They are pretty dedicated to the lost art of traditional seamanship and rope work so you will have plenty of teachers if you want to help maintain the ship.
If you just want to chill on a deck cushion or hope for dolphins in the bowsprit netting that is ok too. The ship has a library and characterful spaces to relax below decks too.
Social Areas on Board include:
There is a lower saloon with a library and skylights above for natural light.
The upper saloon is close to the galley for meals
There is a sun deck area to relax on deck
There is a ships bar to purchase drinks
Guest Cabins
There are 6 luxurious cabins, all with en suite bathrooms. All have air conditioning and bed linen is provided. There are 230v sockets (British? or Euro pin?)
There are 16 berths within these 6 cabins, but generally, she only takes 12 guest crew so the cabins are ideal for couples, friends or solo travellers happy to share a cabin with a guest of the same sex.
Sole occupancy.
If you do not want to share a twin cabin they are available for sole occupancy, there is an extra charge of 50% of the voyage fee subject to availability.
Eye of the Wind - Full Ship Specification
Year built: 1911 in Brake, Germany
Rig: 3 masted Gaff rigged Schooner
Length overall: 40.23m (132ft)
Beam: 7.01m (23ft)
Draught: 2.7m (8.9ft)
Sail Area: 750 m² (8000 sq ft)
Areas of operation: Worldwide
Number of guests: Up to 16
Number of permanent crew: 8-10
Berth types: 6 Luxury cabins with ensuite bathroom and air conditioning. Typically cabins used for 2 people only but some have more than 2 berths.
Generators - 240v
Navigation & Comms:
Radar, VHF, MF and HR (worldwide) and GPS
Fax and Satellite coms
British flagged vessel.
The ship has a crew and relief crew for a proper crew rotation
Captain Fabian
I've been sailing since I was five years old, even though I grew up far from the seashore: I'm from Munich/Germany.
After my boatbuilding apprenticeship, I spent a lot of time on the water, mainly I delivered yachts from A to B. With the completion of my nautical studies came the opportunity to eventually sail on larger ships. I am very much looking forward to meeting interesting people on every new sailing trip, from whom I can learn something, and in return I can teach them a little bit about sailing a windjammer.
My dream destination with the Eye of the Wind would be the island world of Micronesia in the western Pacific Ocean. Maybe one day we will even go there together ...?
Captain Pitt
Since the age of 26, I am working in seafaring. In Enkhuizen, the Netherlands, I attended the Seafaring School, and at the end of my entire training, I earned the title "Master (all ships)". After a long time on mechant ships, my way now led back to sailing - finally!
I've known the Eye of the Wind for a long time, because a colleague from the Nautical School was her captain for nine years - so my predecessor. Sailing is a beloved and lived passion for me. The special thing about this ship is: I am the captain on board, but I can not sail alone from A to B - here everyone works together.
My dream destination with the Eye of the Wind? - The island world of the South Pacific!
1st Mate Megan
Megan from Australia is now First Mate of Tall Ship Eye of the Wind. She joined the crew in 2014 and brings a lot of sailing experience with her. She introduces herself:
I'm from Western Australia, where my father took me sailing as a child. As I got older, I sailed on an Australian sail training ship as a volunteer watch leader - that was in 2008.
Before I attended the Sailing Academy in Fremantle/Australia, I worked on several ships. After finishing my education there, I sailed overseas for the first time and took part in Tall Ships' Races in European waters.
I first saw the Eye of the Wind in 2013, when she was cruising off the Caribbean island of Saint-Barthélemy under full sails, and I instantly fell in love with the ship. One year later, I joined her crew as a deckhand, today I work as a first mate. As a Master, I am allowed to operate vessels up to a size of 200 GT, as a Chief Mate up to 300 GT (Gross Tons).
I would love to sail around Cape Horn with the Eye of the Wind one day. Until then, I love to share my experience with our fellow sailors. I hope that I can make you feel as passionate for sailing as I do!
1st Mate Moritz
Chef Alex
Chef Esme
Engineer Jarek
Engineer Xavier
Bonjour, I'm from Rouen in French Normandy. At the age of 19, I began to study Naval Architecture in England for four years.
I discovered sailing in 2007 - I was so enthusiastic that I spent an entire year on a yacht in the Caribbean. After that, I went back to France, where I attended the Merchant Navy School for another two years. After five years as an engineer on different supertankers, I switched to a private yacht in 2016, where I worked as a machinist.
In the meantime, I also worked for the marine conservation organization Sea Shepherd before volunteering aboard a cargo ship, sailing into Barbados. There I met the Eye of the Wind for the first time in 2019. The decision to join her crew was easy.
On board, I'm often "invisible" when I'm in the engine room, because I like to work thoroughly - and that may take a little bit longer. I look forward to meeting you aboard! Visiting the port city of Valparaiso in Chile one day with the Eye of the Wind ... that would be the fulfillment of a dream for me.
Deckhands vary but currently we have:
Ayla, Lea and Manja
Eye of the Wind - Kit List
Working Language on Board
German and English
What is Included
- Sailing Instruction
- All meals to include refreshments throughout the day
- Duvet, pillow and sheets
- Hand towels
What is not Included
- Waterproof jackets and trousers
- Alcoholic drinks but there is a bar on board
- Any entry visas required
What to Bring
Suitcases take up a lot of room in a cabin, so it is better to uses soft bags in a ship. A small rucksack for going ashore is useful.
- Eye of the Wind does not supply waterproof jackets and salopette type trousers. Please bring your own waterproof clothing.
- A mix of warm and wind proof clothing.
- Lots of thin layers is better than one thick layer in cold destinations.
- In tropical countries - long sleeves and long trousers to protect you from the sun
- Footwear on board needs a good grip and soft soles- the decks are wood or steel.
- Ashore stout, waterproof walking boots are best if you are in remote places.
- Eye of the Wind has electric sockets in all the cabins 240 V
- Cameras, spare batteries, chargers if you need them
- Binoculars are handy for bird watching etc.
- Suntan lotion, hats, sunglasses
- Dont forget any regular medication, persciption glasses and spare
- Euros for bar bill
- Passport, travel insurance, tickets etc
- To get ashore is usually by dinghy so be prepared to get wet feet. Rubber boots or quick drying sandals - depending on the location.
- The ship provides hand towels but please bring a beach towel
- snorkel and mask for caribbean if you like snorkelling (travel tip: swimming goggles pack up smaller than a facemask)
- Bring insect repellant for Caribbean as can get mosquitos ashore in evening (rare at anchor)
- ear plugs can be handy
Electricity
All the power to your plug sockets comes from the ship's generator which runs on deisel. The less the generators have to run to top up power, the nicer it is for the guests on board and also greener for the planet. Please don't bring loads of hairdriers, electric devices to charge.
There is no internet on board whilst at sea.
Eye of the Wind - Reviews
Eye of the Wind is an experienced operator with many happy customers, but she is new to Classic Sailing website. We will post the first Classic Sailing guest feedback from 2019-2020 voyages as soon as we have some, it but here are a few from last year.
Facebook Reviews currently 5 out of 5 stars Oct 2019
Tortola to the Azores! What a great time. Thanks to Captain Pit and the crew. An awesome adventure with awesome people!" F Coutreau, New England
What a wonderful, lovely, great, awesome trip we've had from Malaga to Lanzarote! I loved and enjoyed every minute.
Thanks again for this wonderful experience. I miss you guys! Andrea Schwartz