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Azores to La Rochelle

14 days voyage

Next voyage: Jun 16 - Jun 29, 2027

Starting from €2.940,- pp

Map key Horta - La Rochelle

Ocean voyage

Sail from the Azores to La Rochelle

Early bird

Bark EUROPA on an ocean crossing.jpg
Dates & prices

This voyage we will bring Bark EUROPA to la douce France! Set sail on an unforgettable voyage from the breathtaking archipelago of the Azores to the beautiful coast of La Rochelle. Starting in the hidden gem in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, you'll find the opportunity to learn how to sail a square rigger.

Ocean sailing on board Bark EUROPA
ocean sailing bowsprit

This voyage isn't just a route, but an experience to sail the Atlantic and cross the Bay of Biscay. From the rugged shores of the Azores to the adventure across the Atlantic, where the rhythm of the waves and the wind in the sails become your daily companions. This is sailing at its purest.

Ocean sailing sunset

Destination

From ocean sailing to maritime celebration

 

From sailing among the volcanic islands of the Azores to making landfall on the Atlantic coast of France, this voyage offers the perfect blend of offshore sailing, seamanship, and exploration. With plenty of time to learn the ropes, stand watch, and become part of the crew, you'll gain hands-on sailing experience while enjoying long ocean swells, star-filled nights, building new friendships during a true ocean passage.

As the French coastline comes into view, you'll complete your voyage by sailing into the historic maritime city of La Rochelle, carrying with you new skills, unforgettable memories, and the satisfaction of having crossed a remarkable stretch of the Atlantic under sail.

Highlights of the voyage

 

  • Starting the voyage in the Azores will give you the chance to explore the surrounding before embark on board Bark EUROPA. Meet other sailors from all over the world and explore the iconic hand-painted crew murals on the marina walls
  • A real hands-on experience: help the crew in navigating and sail handling
  • The rhythm of the Atlantic: this voyage is long enough to settle into the daily watch rhythm at sea, witness Atlantic sunsets and enjoy the unmatched stargazing on quiet night watches
  • Visiting the beautiful La Rochelle as we sail past the 14th century medieval towers, a city that breathes salt air and maritime pride

Route

Navigating from the charming port of Horta, we set sail on a voyage of approx 1250 nautical miles across the North Atlantic. We'll trade land for deep water as we catch the prevailing westerlies. From long ocean swells in the open Atlantic to the legendary waters of the Bay of Biscay, this dynamic route offers a rich hands-on experience. Over the course of two weeks, we reach the French coast, navigate past Île de Ré before arriving in La Rochelle, connecting deeply with maritime traditions, with the rhythm of the sea and with each other to create memories for life.

Map route Horta La Rochelle.png

Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1: The adventure begins

Your journey will start in Horta, the Azores, one of the most beautiful islands in the Northern Atlantic Ocean. The first day on board, you'll meet your fellow travellers, you'll be welcomed by the crew and you get yourself comfortable in your bunk and cabin. Welcome on board! With sails set and the island fading on the horizon, you'll head into the vast ocean, beginning a true adventure at sea.

Setting sail

Itinerary

Day 2-10: The vast expanse of the Atlantic

Sailing on the North Atlantic is a wonderful experience, where the vast expanse of water stretches endlessly and meets the horizon under changing skies. Days are spent adjusting sails, standing watch and soaking in the beauty of open water sailing. The ever-changing moods of the ocean, from serene and calm to wild and stormy, make it an interesting sailing area for sailors, where moments of calm and reflection alternate with exhilarating freedom, and perhaps the sight of pods of dolphins and seabirds.

Participating in the watches

Itinerary

Day 10 - 12: Bay of Biscay

Reaching the European coastline, you'll enter the legendary Bay of Biscay. Renowned for it dynamic conditions, this passage has tested sailors for centuries. It's an exhilarating phase of the voyage, where your new-learned skills will be tested and teamwork will make the dream work. A feeling of the true power of the sea.

Bark EUROPA on the high seas

Itinerary

Day 13 - 14: Arrival at La Rochelle

Arriving in La Rochelle aboard Bark EUROPA is a fitting finale to your ocean voyage. As one of France's most historic maritime cities, La Rochelle has welcomed sailors for centuries, and approaching its iconic harbour under sail is an experience to remember. Passing the famous medieval harbour towers and mooring in the heart of the old port, you'll experience the unique perspective that only a traditional tall ship can offer. Stepping ashore after days at sea, you'll carry with you not only the memories of an Atlantic crossing, but also the skills, friendships, and confidence gained as part of EUROPA's crew.

La Rochelle

Reviews

Jos van der Weele - OceanScheveningen - Cascais

What a beautiful and exciting sailing experience on my trip with Bark Europa to Cascais! We had all types of weather, including a storm on the Atlantic Ocean. The Europa is a steady and safe ship with a very experienced and dedicated crew. It is so nice to be part of the sailing crew and be able to help with sailing the ship. For me it was the first time to sail non stop to Cascais on the Europa and it was an indescribable experience and worth repeating.

Stephanie Fowler - OceanCape Town to Horta

You may imagine what a trip on bark Europa will be like. But the journey is beyond imagination. The sights, the places, the people, the activities were all extraordinary and incredible.

Piet Hein Coebergh - OceanOcean Crossing

The permanent and voyage crew were very pleasant, relaxed and gezellig, the sailing was marvelous, the ship is a sheer beauty, the ocean was magnificent. It was a wonderful, joyful and obviously unforgettable experience. I wish this unique ship and crew indeed many more wandering voyages like these.

Bark EUROPA Fraser Edwards

Why choose us

  • Adventurous sailing experience

    Sail from the tranquil beauty of the Azores, across the dynamic Bay of Biscay into the historic port of La Rochelle. Learn all about the timeless art of sailing from our experienced crew.

    View from the rigging

  • Authentic tall ship community

    Experience life at sea and immerse yourself in the ship's vibrant community of sharing stories, laughter and making music together, creating unforgettable moments.

    Music on board

  • Arrival in historic La Rochelle

    Few travellers can say they arrived in France on board a traditional square-rigged tall ship. Entering one of France's most historic ports under sail offers a fitting conclusion to an authentic ocean voyage.

    La Rochelle

Dates & prices

Sailing north in 2027: Namibia - Azores - France - The Netherlands

Embark on an adventure of a lifetime as Bark EUROPA sails across the Atlantic in 2027! Starting from the wild coast of Namibia, these voyages will take you to the Azores and can be extended with a 2-weeks voyage to the picturesque French harbor La Rochelle, a short voyage to the city of Bordeaux and the voyage back home to Scheveningen.

Choose your own adventure: join us for a single leg or embrace the full experience of life at sea by combining multiple legs. Each voyage offers its own charm, whether it's learning new sailing skills on an ocean crossing, or visiting La Rochelle and Bordeaux. Step on board and become part of our sailing family! Reserve your spot today.

What's included

  • Small and personal expeditions with a maximum of 46 voyage crew members
  • Sail training and interesting lectures from our permanent crew
  • Participate in research projects on board
  • Delicious meals from our experienced cook, unlimited coffee & tea
  • Spend your “off-watch” time in the ships library, lounge, poker corner, deckhouse or ships bar
From To Days Nautical miles Price pp 4/6p cabin Price pp 2p cabin
From
Horta, Azores
To
La Rochelle, France
Days
14
Nautical miles
1305
€2.940,-
Early bird until 15/09: € 2645
€3.640,-
Early bird until 15/09: € 3275
Book now

I'm interested but not sure yet. Block me a voyage for two weeks.

Make optional reservation

FAQ

What does a day on board the EUROPA look like?

Every day on board is different and unexpected, due to continuously changing weather conditions and the watch system, but we’ll try to sketch how a day could look like: you get waken up at 4 am by another watch: It's your turn to stand watch with your watch mates. You check out the weather and put on your sailing gear. Then, you head outside and take turns keeping a lookout, steering, and handling the sails with the crew. After 4 hours, you wake up the next watch and its breakfast time. The cook has prepared a delicious buffet: fresh bread, yoghurt, granola, and all sorts of fruits. Then, you can catch up on sleep or hang out outside, chatting with your fellow travelers or helping the crew with ship maintenance. Once lunch is served, it's back to your watch duty. The weather and course may have changed, so you need to hoist or lower the sails accordingly. After dinner, you can either take a nap or grab a drink – the choice is yours. Read here to learn more about the watch system on board!

What if I get seasick while on the ocean?

It sometimes happens that people experience seasickness while sailing. Fortunately, there are many simple solutions available nowadays that can provide significant relief. Additionally, we have a doctor on board who is always ready to assist you.

What does an optional reservation entail?

If you are interested in a specific voyage and you cannot decide immediately or if you have to make any necessary arrangements we can block a bunk for you for two weeks. That way you will have some time to decide without the risk of losing your berth. Please let us know in which voyage you are interested and how many bunks (male or female) you would like to block and if you prefer a 2-person cabin (can only be booked by couples or duo’s) or a bunk in a 4/6-person cabin. We will contact you as soon as possible to confirm your optional reservation.

 

How can I make a booking?

You are welcome to send in your booking form via our website as soon as you are ready for the adventure! Choose your voyage in the sailing schedule, scroll down to the date you wish to sail with us and click the 'Book now' button. You adventure is just a view clicks away!

How does Bark EUROPA promote sustainability while traveling?

At Bark EUROPA, respecting the oceans is at the heart of it all. We strive to increase the awareness of our trainees and draw attention to the oceans and their vulnerability during our voyages. We inspire our trainees to open themselves up to the beauty and diversity of ocean life. Through onboard lectures, collaboration with researchers, and promoting environmentally friendly products, we aim for a more sustainable future. Read more about caring for the environment aboard Bark EUROPA here.