Google review
Logo Bark Europa diapositive Home Bark EUROPA

Porto to Tenerife

11 days voyage

Next voyage: Sep 13 - Sep 23, 2027

Starting from €2.380,- pp

Map Key Porto – Tenerife

Ocean voyage

From Portugal to the Canary Islands

Opening soon

Dates & prices

Step on board Bark EUROPA in Porto and sail south towards the Canary Islands, where the Atlantic opens up and the days are shaped by wind, waves and life at sea. This is more than a journey from one port to another. You’ll join the crew on deck, help set the sails, take your turn keeping watch and experience the rhythm of life on board a traditional sailing ship. Leave the everyday behind, discover the vastness of the Atlantic and experience the ocean under sail as you make your way towards Tenerife.

Aitutaki by Fraser Edwards Bark EUROPA
Aitutaki by Fraser Edwards Bark EUROPA

Leaving Porto behind, the signal of your phone gradually makes place for another pace of life. No more phones and laptops, just the ocean, the elements and your fellow crewmates to spend the next 11 days with. The voyage follows natural wind patterns, beginning with the Portugese Northerly (Nortada). Further south, the North East Tradewinds provide a steady breeze, guiding us toward Tenerife. Plenty of time to get to know the ship, your fellow voyage crew and yourself.

Stunsails set sailing from tahiti to the cook islands

Destination

Leaving Porto behind

Our journey begins as you step on board Bark EUROPA, walking up the gangway and leaving the bustle of UNESCO World Heritage city of Porto behind. With its colourful riverside houses, lively winding streets and centuries of maritime history, this Portuguese city has long looked towards the sea. Built along the hills overlooking the Douro river, Porto grew through trade and its close connection to the Atlantic. The story of the city is shaped by generations of seafarers and merchants. 

Now it's our turn to follow the Atlantic Ocean. As the city fades into the distance, we set our sails, the coastline becomes smaller and life on board finds its rhythm. Ahead lies the Atlantic, and the beginning of an unforgettable sailing adventure.

Eleven days at sea, one shared journey

For eleven days, the Atlantic becomes our world. Sailing south from Portugal, we follow the changing winds and currents, adjusting our course as the ocean sets the pace. Some days the sails fill with a steady breeze; at other times, we wait patiently for the wind to return. Every watch brings a new horizon, and every day teaches us a little more about sailing, the sea and one another.

Life on board soon finds its rhythm. We learn to rely on each other, working together as the wind shifts and the ocean stretches endlessly around us. Then, after ten days at sea, Tenerife rises on the horizon. As we approach Santa Cruz, we bring with us more than memories of the passage. We came on board as strangers, but we arrive as a crew, connected by the ocean and the journey we shared.

Route

Leaving Porto behind, we’ll sail south along the Portuguese coast before heading out into the Atlantic towards the Canary Islands. With the Portuguese northerlies and, further south, the Northeast trade winds, we’ll follow the winds and currents that have guided sailors across these waters for centuries. As we leave the European coastline behind, the days grow warmer and the ocean opens up around us. Over eleven days at sea, you’ll gain hands-on ocean sailing experience aboard Bark EUROPA, before arriving in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Map Route Porto – tenerife

Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome on board

From nearly all corners of the world, our guests will arrive in Porto, Portugal. Your ocean voyage will finally start. Embarking via our gangway, you will be welcomed by our crew members. You will be asked to sign in on board and take the luggage to your assigned cabin, followed by a first meeting to introduce the captain and crew to the voyage crew before enjoying your first meal on board. These will be the first exciting moments of your time on board. A first glance of who you will be sharing your experience with. They will be solo travellers, friends or couples, young and old, from various countries and with different backgrounds, all united in their dream of sailing the Atlantic on a tallship.

Bark EUROPA in Papeete Tahiti by Fraser Edwards

Itinerary

Life on board

For some people on board it will be their first time on a tall ship, while others will have done similar journeys. This mix of beginners and more experienced tall ship lovers creates a learning atmosphere on board, where each person can contribute in their own way to keep the ship sailing. Soon after we have cast of our mooring lines, the watch schedule will begin. You will be placed in the Red - White or Blue watch. Each watch will take turns in being 4 hours on watch, to stand on lookout, steer the ship and help with sail handling.

Bark EUROPA on her way to the Cook Islands by Fraser Edwards

Itinerary

Sail training

This ocean voyage offers you a chance to get a first glance of the theory and practice of tall ship sailing and all that it entails - sail handling, rigging, maintenance, navigation and much more. From day one, our experience permanent crew will start to teach you all there is to know about square rig sailing. With 9-10 days of sailing, we'll have time to dive a little deeper into the first basics of sailing a square rigger.

Bark EUROPA sailing from Tahiti by Fraser Edwards

Itinerary

Starry skies

This voyage will offer spectacular starry skies, especially when sailing away from coastal light pollution, and the sky opens up to an incredible display of stars. On dark nights, the ocean itself may also come alive with glowing bioluminescence, as tiny marine organisms create trails of light in the ship's wake. This magical combination of stars above and glowing water below is definitely a highlight for the night watches. The gentle sound of the waves, the ship moving steadily forward and the vast sky above create an unforgettable experience, making the night watches a memory to remember.

Starry skies

Itinerary

Research

We believe in expanding knowledge of our sailors, and to do so we invite scientists on board. Oceanographers, astronomers, marine biologists have joined us in the past and their presence and expertise have been highly valued by both our crew and trainees. By working together with universities and other institutions we hope to connect the scientific world with our world at sea and bring scientific knowledge to a wide audience. Our hope is to broaden the awareness of oceanic and polar issues and make scientific knowledge accessible to a wide audience. During your voyage, you will have the opportunity to assist the researchers with their work, such as helping to collect data using a manta trawl or plankton net.

Bark EUROPA manta trawl research in the Pacific Fraser Edwards

Itinerary

Day 10-11: Arrival to Tenerife

After more than a week at sea, the Canary Islands will come into sight, marking our approach to our destination. The last night of the voyage we will spend in port of Tenerife, commemorating everything you have learned throughout the trip, having created memories for a lifetime and making new friends along the way. The morning after, it will be time to say goodbye to the ship, her crew and your newfound friends. On to new adventures!

Bark EUROPA Raiatea by Fraser Edwards

Reviews

Tracey Abbots - OceanOcean Crossing

The whole trip was just amazing. From the crew to the food to the ship. It was my second voyage on The Europa and would happily do a third. I would however recommend if I may that perhaps a word to everyone at the beginning of each leg about not taking ropes off or pushing in in front of female crew members. We are there too for the whole experience not just to paint our nails. Every member of the female voyage crew experienced this and some of the crew as well. I did point this out to the Captain who took this on board immediately and spoke to her crew for which I was very thankful.

Caren Adams - OceanOcean voyage

What a marvellous experience: The ship was incredible and the crew were so helpful for those of us who had never sailed on a square rigger before. It was good to meet new people, there were 13 different nationalities onboard all of whom experienced their own personal adventure. We swam near the equator, saw dolphins, whales, flying fish and albatross and had perfect sailing weather for most of the trip. A small niggle was that a number of our more experienced fellow male voyage crew were a bit over zealous when it came to rope handling or sail setting and maybe the initial briefing could make it clearer about allowing everyone the opportunity to be involved rather than those who mostly pushed themselves forward. I would absolutely recommend Europa to anyone looking for a special experience, I can’t wait to do another trip!

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.

Sailmaking skills.jpg

Why choose us

  • Traditional sailing route

    Follow the traditional sailing route with northeasterly steady winds, making this the perfect route for a great sailing experience in enjoyable temperatures.

    Ocean sailing

  • Rich wildlife

    Sail under starry skies, witness breathtaking sunsets over the Atlantic and keep an eye out for dolphins, seabirds and possibly even turtles or whales along the way.

    Dolphins close to the ship

  • Become part of the crew

    Share watches, meals and life at sea with your fellow sailors. Twelve days together turn a group of strangers into a crew with stories and friendships to take home.

    A vastness

Dates & prices

Sailing south in 2027: Scheveningen - Porto - Tenerife - Cape Verde - Uruguay

Embark on an unforgettable southbound journey with Bark EUROPA in 2027! From the shores of Scheveningen, we’ll sail along the Atlantic coast to Porto, before heading out into the open ocean towards Tenerife and the Cape Verde islands. From there, we’ll continue south across the Atlantic, crossing the equator and sailing into the Southern Hemisphere towards Montevideo/Piriapolis, Uruguay.

Choose your adventure, join for a single leg or experience the full transformation from the North Sea’s autumn chill to the warmth of the South Atlantic. Whether you’re learning the ropes on a coastal leg or embracing the rhythm of the ocean on a long crossing, each leg offers its own opportunities for adventure, teamwork, and connection. Step on board, become part of the crew and experience the world under sail!

What's included

 

  • Small and personal sailing experience with a maximum of 42-46 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
Porto, Portugal
To
Tenerife, Spain
Days
11
Nautical miles
915
€2.640,-
Early bird until 22/11/26 €2380
€3.190,-
Early bird until 22/11/26 €2875

Opening soon

FAQ

To all FAQ
Can I join a sailing voyage as a solo traveler?

Yes! As a solo traveler, you are more than welcome to participate in a sailing trip aboard the EUROPA. Many of our guests are individual adventurers seeking new experiences and the opportunity to form new friendships during the journey. Our crew and fellow passengers create a close-knit community, ensuring that you will quickly feel at home on board. So, when traveling alone, you can definitely enjoy the camaraderie and unique experience of sailing on the EUROPA.

Is sailing experience required?

When you decide to join us one of our voyages, you will be doing so as part of the voyage crew. This means that EUROPA’s permanent crew will train you to be a sailor. No experience is needed, our crew will learn you everything along the way. Everyone is welcome to take the helm, set sails, assist with maneuvers, navigation, weather observations, furling the sails on the yards and much more. The permanent crew will give lectures and instruct you during the voyage in steering, navigation and sail handling. This will be done in a ‘Dutch’ style, so without yelling, blowing whistles or uniforms.

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.

Are the listed prices for the entire cabin or just a bunk?

The prices listed on our website are per person for a single bunk. You have the option to book a bunk in a 4/6-person cabin or a two-person cabin. Please note that the two-person cabin can only be booked when traveling with a companion. The prices mentioned are also per person.

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.