Starting in Easter Island, the OOSTERSCHELDE departs for crossing the Pacific Ocean to French Polynesia. Along the voyage, we make a stop at the famous Pitcairn Island, where the descendants of the Bounty mutineers live. We will admire the famous Polynesian petroglyphs and the unique birds here. Then, we sail through the coral-rich waters of French Polynesia to Mangareva, where we are back on European territory for the first time in a year.

The wind is unpredictable in this area. So, we will have a lot of work on deck. Set sail, remove it, reef the sails, set the sheets, and always keep a close eye on the course. We will not be bored for a second during this voyage! On most maps, it only looks like a small distance we must cover, but that is mainly because the Pacific Ocean is so immense. It is still about 1100 miles to Pitcairn. We hope to cover that distance in about 9 days or less. Pitcairn is a so-called British Overseas Territory and is the only inhabited island of a group of four islands. The population is less than 100 people. There is no port and going ashore is not easy. Few visitors come here and if we manage to land, we are sure that we will receive a warm welcome.

During the last part of this voyage, about 300 miles to Mangareva, we will again enjoy the southeast trade winds. This steady wind means that we have less and less work on deck. We now have more work to do with navigation, because we are sailing through areas with countless reefs. Mangareva is the largest island of the Gambier group and here, we drop anchor for the end of this very special voyage.

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.

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.