Rounding ‘The Storm Cape’ is for a sailor what reaching the top of Mount Everest is for the mountaineer. Countless books tell of the heroic voyages of sailing ships in earlier times. On this long voyage, we have plenty of time to read all those books again and to imagine the glory days of sailing.

The southern oceans are under the influence of the westerly wind. Water and waves are pushed up by this wind. Because there is nothing to slow down these waves, they can grow into huge mountains of water. The winds are often strong, and these latitudes (from 40 to 50 degrees south) are therefore nicknamed ‘Roaring Forties’. Cape Horn itself, lies even further south, in the ‘Furious Fifties’. The approaching waves are forced through the relatively narrow gap between the cape and the Antarctic Peninsula. Because the ocean here is relatively shallow, this can lead to dangerous seas, especially in stormy weather.

But it really isn’t all doom and gloom. If you want to go from west to east quickly, it’s just smart to do it as far south as possible. The distance to be covered is then smaller and you benefit from the westerlies. We do our voyage not only in the right season (summer), but we also sail from West to East, with the wind at our back. Moreover, with our modern means of communication we have a good overview of how the weather is developing. We can choose to go a little more to the South or to the North and thus avoid too extreme weather. Unlike in the past, we also know exactly where the ice line is.

Nevertheless, it remains a long and challenging journey, in which we are completely on our own. Perhaps that is still the biggest challenge: making sure that we personally do not interfere with each other too much, all these weeks. Fortunately, there is always something to do. Maintenance on the ship will have to be done, as best as sea conditions allow us. And during the long voyage we encounter whales, dolphins, penguins, and many albatrosses. After weeks at sea, Cape Horn looms on the horizon. Once we’ve passed this infamous rock, we can change course and sail on to the Falkland Islands.

Before and after your voyage leg
We strongly recommend you book a few days accommodation in the port of your embarkation (prior to your joining Oosterschelde), and a few days in the port you disembark (after your place on the voyage ends). This will allow you to recover before and after your adventure and will give you the opportunity to explore locations at your start and end points.

Land based tour organized by Redfern Adventures
Redfern Adventures has put together really focused itineraries that offer you the chance to explore the incredible Falkland Islands and the beautiful island of Saint Helena after you disembark or before you embark (depending upon which voyage leg you are joining). These itineraries are specifically designed to take in the best wildlife and historic tourist sites that these locations offer.  The Falkland Islands and Saint Helena Add On Trips are organized separately from the DARWIN200 Global Voyage through the travel operator Redfern Adventures.

To reserve a place, please email sales@redfernadventures.com. 

More than an Adventure!
By taking part in the Global Voyage, you support the DARWIN200 project. As part of your adventure, you will receive the following exclusive benefits:

1. A full color, 300-page, hardback book as a momento of your adventure on board.
2. A short video which will be filmed during each voyage leg.
3. An invitation to the Start of Voyage Party in Plymouth on 13/08/2023.
4. An invitation to the End of Voyage Party in Falmouth on 20/07/2025.
5. An invitation to the DARWIN200 Concluding Award Ceremony in London in summer, 2025. Meet environmental celebrities, the young conservationists (‘DARWIN LEADERS’) and take part in a prize-giving ceremony.
6. Acknowledgement and thanks by name on all DARWIN200 output films throughout the global voyage (although anonymity will be respected, if requested).
7. Free DARWIN200 Global Voyage branded T-shirt!

DARWIN200
Become part of DARWIN200, a planetary conservation initiative that will empower the next generation’s elite environmental leaders and engage millions of students worldwide in conservation projects. By taking part in the Global Voyage, you will be helping to make the DARWIN200 project a reality. For more information visit: www.darwin200.com.

Q & A sessions
Interested in joining? Join our live information session about the 2023-25 Global Voyage. Each Information Session is beamed via Zoom and includes an overview of the global voyage, information about each of the 32 voyage legs, a live walk around Oosterschelde (when her schedule allows) and a Questions and Answers exchange.

Join the next info session via www.darwin200.com/info.

Level 3

Level 3-voyages are only suitable for the experienced and fit (sea)traveler. The weather could be challenging and during a crossing, there a few if not any options to divert to a harbor. We sail out of reach of helicopters and medical care from shore is usually not available.

The shipping company would like the OOSTERSCHELDE to be accessible to the widest possible audience, but you must realize that you are making a voyage aboard a seagoing tall ship. This requires more of your physical ability than a daily walk. Some voyages are more challenging than others. With the different levels, we give an indication of how heavy the voyage can be. If you are unsure whether a voyage is suitable for you, it is important to contact shipping company OOSTERSCHELDE for advice.