Oct 22 – Nov 12 | $4950
This trip is a mixture of offshore passage making and exploring the islands of the North Atlantic.
The itinerary is largely going to be subject to weather and although we have plenty of time built into the trip for waiting for weather windows, it does mean that the exact dates and ports will most likely change. There is a distinct possibility of a different itinerary / timing on the South Coast of the UK, or of needing to omit a stop in either the Ilhas Selvagens or Tenerife or both, depending on weather. However, if the weather cooperates, we’ll be able to do it all!
We’ll start off in Southampton for safety and boat briefings and will set sail to explore a bit of Cornwall. When the weather looks good, we’ll set sail on the longest passage of the trip to the subtropical Portuguese island of Madeira. You’ll have time to take in a bit of Madeira, from gorgeous hiking, the famous street toboggans in Funchal, or just sit back and enjoy some down time after a challenging passage. If the weather looks calm enough, our next stop will be the wildlife refuge of Selvagem Grande, which is part of the archipelago of Ilhas Selvagens. The weather will continue to warm as we sail to the Canary Islands, hopefully having enough time to make a stop at the island of Tenerife for a couple nights before heading to the final port of the trip, Las Palmas on Gran Canaria.
All meals on board Sea Dragon are delicious and vegetarian, with the addition of fish if we catch any along the way.
This is not a trip for the infirm or physically unfit – you MUST be able to go up and down the companionway and move safely about the boat while in rough conditions, have good balance, and be in reasonably good health. Please contact us with any health questions or if you answer “YES” to any of the questions on our health questionnaire prior to signing up for the trip!
Ardent Training is offering a discount on the RYA Day Skipper Theory online course to anyone signed up for this trip. If you’re interested in taking the course, let us know when you sign up and we can give you the discount code!
KEY POINTS
- Distance: 1700 nautical miles
- Cost: $4950
- Date: Oct 22 – Nov 12, 2024 (22 Days, 21 Nights)
- Start: Southampton, England
- End: Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
For more details, please explore the drop down menus at the bottom of the page.
Tentative Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Southampton
Board Sea Dragon on the dock at Ocean Village Marina at 1600. Settle in and get to know your fellow crew members! Spend the night on the dock.
Day 2: Briefings/set sail for Falmouth
Full safety and boat briefings before setting off an overnight sail to Falmouth.
Day 3: Arrive Falmouth
Welcome to Cornwall! Spend the night on the dock.
Day 4: Explore Falmouth
Free time to explore the town, have a nice meal, walk over to the beach, and taste some cider if you’re interested. Spend the night on the dock.
Day 5: Sail to Madeira
Depending on the weather forecast, this will be the date we aim to untie the lines for the long passage of the trip.
Day 6-12: Underway
Everyone will fall into the watch system rhythm and life will be wonderfully simple at sea.
Day 13: Arrive Madeira
After roughly a week underway, Sea Dragon will dock at Quinta do Lorde Marina on the island of Madeira.
Day 14: Madeira Free Time
There’s plenty to do, depending on your mood. Relax by the pool and take it easy, adventure further for waterfall hiking, head into town to ride the street toboggans, the possibilities are endless! The time will be yours to fill.
Day 15: Sail to Ilhas Selvagens
After a couple nights on the dock and enjoying being in port, we’ll drop lines and point our bow SE. This will be an overnight passage.
Day 16: Arrive Selvagem Grande
The wonder and remoteness of this island is apparent immediately. This special stop gives the opportunity to walk around the island to see the flora and fauna in a place virtually uninhabited. The last time we visited, we were extremely grateful for the guided tour from the posted ranger. Spend the night at anchor.
Day 17: Selvagem Grande and Departure for Tenerife
After having the morning to wander ashore or take a nice swim, we’ll up anchor and set sail for Tenerife. It will be a short overnight sail.
Day 18: Arrive Tenerife
This island will be dramatically different from Selvagem Grande and be ‘bright lights, big city’ in comparison with its vibrant waterfront full of shops and restaurants. Spend the night on the dock.
Day 19: Explore Tenerife
Take the day to explore further from the waterfront. Hike near El Tiede, visit one of the oldest Draco trees in the world, or ride bikes. There are so many different areas to explore.
Day 20: Sail to Gran Canaria
It will be a day sail to our final island of the trip. We’ll head off after breakfast and arrive for dinner. Spend the night on the dock at Marina Las Palmas.
Day 21: Explore Las Palmas
Everyone will have the day to explore the island in whatever way suits best. This will be the last night all together and spent on the dock.
Day 22: Departure Day
All guests will need to plan to depart by 0900.
Sign Up Now
The deposit is only $500. It’s non refundable if you back out, but if we cancel or modify the trip we are happy to return your money or apply it to a different voyage. Please review the Crew Contract for full details. The remaining balance is due 60 days before the trip begins. Please contact us with any questions.
Contact Us
Call Us: +1 (305) 330-4212 (Pacific Time) If we don’t pick up, please leave a message and we’ll get back to you ASAP.
– 21 nights accommodation on Sea Dragon
– All meals (vegetarian), snacks, and drinks on board
– Sailing Instruction
– Safety equipment and foul weather gear
Contribution does not include:
– Transportation to Ocean Village Marina or from Marina Las Palmas
– Transportation from London Airport (LHR/LGW) or to Gran Canaria Airport (LPW)
– Additional nights spent ashore
– Personal expenses while in port
It will strat cold, but get warmer! Take a look at our Temperate packing list.
London Heathrow International Airport is just over an hour from Ocean Village Marina and one and a half hours from London Gatwick International Airport. Gran Canaria Airport is a 20 min taxi from Marina Las Palmas.
All Crew members are responsible for their own passports and any necessary visas. You must have at least 6 months remaining on your passport beyond our arrival in the United Kingdom.
Please look into the specific type of visa you need for arriving at these destinations by sea, or contact us directly to discuss.
Holly first started sailing at 19 on what she had thought was a “once-in-a-lifetime” passage from Plymouth, UK, to La Coruna, Spain with a youth sail training organization, but during the voyage she became totally invested in a life at sea. She volunteered for that charity for a few years before becoming a full-time sailor in 2015. Since then she has worked for similar charities around the UK, all of which specialize in providing valuable experiences for vulnerable or disadvantaged young people, and also instructs adults on adventurous coastal and offshore trips anywhere from arctic Svalbard to the Caribbean – with some of the ocean crossings being undertaken by celestial navigation only. Holly has been fortunate enough to sail on Sea Dragon several times in the last 8 years: on eXXpedition voyages researching the prevalence of oceanic plastic pollution from Senegal to Guyana, in the Caribbean, and around Britain, and most recently across the Pacific from Mexico to Tahiti in 2023. Holly is a Yachtmaster Instructor, and holds Yachtmaster Ocean with commercial endorsement and Proficiency in Medical Care certificates. She has sailed 65,000+nm.
Abi Davies, First Mate
Abi grew up in Dorset, UK and exhibited a passion for all things sport and outdoors early on, spending most non school time playing/competing in various sports or being outside along the SW Coastline. Having completed her BSc in Geophysics at the University of Liverpool and an MSc in Exploration Geophysics at the University of Leeds, she decided to join the RAF to seek more adventure. Initially joining as a Fighter Controller, she changed branches to become a Communications and Networks Engineer and has deployed on various operations and exercises, giving her a breadth of experience in different high stress environments. During her time in the RAF she has represented the service in volleyball, athletics, bobsleigh, waterskiing/ wakeboarding… and sailing, both racing and on expeditions. The most memorable expedition was sailing from Iceland to Greenland, having to navigate huge icebergs/shelves and experiencing midnight sunsets. In 2023 she sailed with Sea Dragon from Hawaii to Tahiti via Kiritimati, which was the final confirmation needed to pause the military and pursue life as a professional sailor. Abi holds a commercially endorsed YM Offshore ticket and MCA Medical First Aid qualification.
