Starting in the wonderful Papeete, we sail towards the Cook Islands, named after the famous British captain James Cook. We are in the area where the southeast trade winds rule, so we have a favorable wind direction. In July and August this trade wind is at its strongest and therefore the waves can be high. So, we can roll quite a bit, but it also means that we are making good speed! In that case, we can make the crossing within six days. We will use the time that is “left” well!

Bora Bora is about 24-hour nautical miles northwest of Tahiti. The Dutchman Jacob Roggeveen ‘discovered’ this island about 50 years before James Cook landed. Bora Bora is our first stop after a day of ‘dancing on the ocean’. The island is popular with newlyweds and tourists who have a lot to spend. Apparently, it has a lot to offer! From Bora Bora it is another 550 nautical miles to Rarotonga, a distance that we can cover in 4 days. After we have seen Bora Bora, the captain may decide to visit one of the neighboring islands before starting the crossing to Rarotonga. During the crossing we can expect a strong wind and accompanying sea, but the OOSTERSCHELDE has no problem with that, the ship comes into its own here and we make good speed through the deep blue water. We’ll be there before we know it. Of course, we make sure that we also have some time to see the island in Rarotonga. On land, attend a traditional fire dance ceremony or sample how the locals cook tropical fish in a Polynesian hot stone oven, and don’t miss the breathtaking coral reefs and beaches. The waters around the Cook Islands are calm, allowing for snorkeling and swimming among the coral and marine life, as well as diving for pearls!

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 2

Level 2-voyages are suitable for anyone in good health and a reasonable level of fitness, without mobility issues. On these voyages, you can expect days with strong winds or high waves, but most of the time the conditions will be good. A harbor is not always nearby and (medical) help from shore is therefore not always 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.