During this leg, we will discover the islands of French Polynesia and visit locations where few tourists have been. The remote villages, coral reefs, and pearly white beaches with coconut palms appeal to the imagination. The route from Gambier to Tahiti sails us past the Tuamotus. This archipelago was known as ‘the dangerous islands’, because of the dangerous navigation through this area of low islands, extensive reefs, and unpredictable currents. Much has been improved with the modern navigation tools, but we still must be very careful, because even modern sea charts are not always as accurate as they seem.

One of the first islands we encounter when we leave Mangareva is Mururoa. This island is best known – infamously – for the French nuclear tests that were done here in the period 1966 – 1996. It’s still off-limits. A better place to go is the Marutea Atoll, just north of Mangareva. From this point a whole chain of atolls stretches in a northwesterly direction. Some are inhabited, others are not. Depending on the weather conditions, we will make another stop at one of these places. Fakarava is located at the end of the chain. This atoll has a large lagoon where we can anchor and very good places to dive. Here we make our last stop before setting sail and sailing the last stretch to Tahiti. On Tahiti itself, there are scenic beaches to explore and a mountainous and lush inland.

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.