Google review
Logo Bark Europa diapositive Home Bark EUROPA

Tenerife to Cabo Verde

11 days voyage

Next voyage: Sep 25 - Oct 5, 2027

Starting from €2.475,- pp

Map Key Tenerife – Cabo Verde

Ocean voyage

An open-ocean passage from the Canary Islands to Cabo Verde

Opening soon

Dates & prices

From Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Bark EUROPA sets a course southwest across the open Atlantic to Mindelo, on the island of São Vicente in Cabo Verde (Cape Verde). It is a real ocean passage, roughly 900 nautical miles and around eight nights at sea in which the ship becomes your whole world.

Bark EUROPA photographer Fraser Edwards
Bark EUROPA photographer Fraser Edwards

You will sail her as voyage crew. From the moment the ship leaves Tenerife you will be standing watch: steering, keeping lookout and hauling on lines alongside the permanent crew, by day and by night, until the islands of Cabo Verde rise out of the sea ahead.

Bark EUROPA photographer Fraser Edwards

Destination

Embarkation in Santa Cruz, Tenerife

Your journey begins in Tenerife, the largest of Spain's Canary Islands, known for its volcanic landscapes and rich maritime history. The island has long been a stopping point for sailors crossing the Atlantic, just like we will be doing. On the day of embarkation, you will be welcomed on board by our crew, who will guide you through the first steps on board. Time to meet your fellow voyage crew and settle in on board and in your cabin. 

Embarkation is on 25 September at 17:00. Your first evening and night are spent on board in port: time to find your bunk, meet your shipmates and get your bearings before the ship puts to sea.

Disembarkation in Mindelo, Cabo Verde

After more than a week of open ocean, making landfall is a moment many sailors remember. Our destination is Mindelo, on São Vicente in the northern Barlavento islands, set around the wide natural harbour of Porto Grande Bay. In the 19th century it grew as a coaling station for steamships on the long ocean routes, and today it is best known for its music: it is the hometown of the singer Cesária Évora.

Disembarkation will be at 09:00 on 5 October, after a final night on board together. If you would like to explore São Vicente or the other islands of Cabo Verde, we recommend planning a few extra days independently after the voyage.

Route

From Tenerife we set a course southwest, leave the Canary Islands astern and head out into the open Atlantic. This is the classic route south for sailing ships. With a bit of luck we pick up the northeast trades, which on this heading blow from astern, and once they fill the sails EUROPA settles into a long, easy rhythm. Days are measured in watches, miles and shared meals; nights in stars and the sound of the sea. Every passage writes its own story, until the islands of Cabo Verde rise ahead.

Map Route tenerife – Cabo Verde

Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome on board

From nearly all corners of the world, our guests will arrive in Tenerife, Spain. 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 crossing the Atlantic on a tallship.

Bark EUROPA photographer 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 photographer Fraser Edwards

Itinerary

Sail training

No experience is needed. From day one, the permanent crew teaches you the art of square-rig sailing: steering a compass course, the names and purpose of the lines, sail handling, weather and navigation. They teach in the Dutch style, without shouting, whistles or uniforms, and with eight nights at sea there is time for the lessons to sink in.

Bark EUROPA photographer Fraser Edwards

Itinerary

Day 2–9: At sea

Seven full days on the open ocean, with no planned land in between. The days take their shape from the watch rhythm, the meals and the weather. You may find yourself on the helm at dawn, hauling a brace in a passing shower or on lookout under a sky full of stars. Between watches there may be time to help the permanent crew with maintenance or to join a lecture on board, depending on conditions. As the passage goes on, the routine becomes second nature and the watch becomes a team.

Bark EUROPA photographer Fraser Edwards

Itinerary

Day 10–11: Arrival in Mindelo

After days of nothing but horizon, the islands of Cabo Verde come into view. The last night of the voyage is spent together on board in port: one final evening as the newest Bark EUROPA family, with a passage of around 900 miles behind you. On the morning of 5 October, disembarkation is at 09:00. Time to say goodbye to the ship, her crew and your new friends.

Bark EUROPA Cabo Verde

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.

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.

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.

Watching out over the horizon

Why choose us

  • A real ocean passage

    About eight nights at sea with no planned stops and no internet. A long enough passage to settle into the watch rhythm properly, short enough to fit into two weeks away, and an introduction to what EUROPA's longer ocean crossings feel like.

    Bark EUROPA photographer Fraser Edwards

  • Traditional sailing

    With no land in sight, you'll have ample time to master the art of sail handling, steer the ship, learn both traditional and modern navigation techniques, making sure that EUROPA keeps riding the waves.

    Bark EUROPA photographer Fraser Edwards

  • Two Atlantic islands groups

    Start among the Canary Islands and finish in Cabo Verde, two very different archipelagos at either end of a passage south. Add a few days before or after the voyage to explore Tenerife or São Vicente independently.

    Bark EUROPA Mindelo Cabo Verde

Dates & prices

Sailing West in 2027: Netherlands - Portugal - Tenerife - Cabo Verde -Piriápolis

Embark on an unforgettable southbound journey as Bark EUROPA sets sail from Scheveningen in autumn 2027! This voyage will take you along the Atlantic coast, from the historic ports of Porto and Cascais to the volcanic landscapes of Tenerife and the islands of Cabo Verde, before heading deep into the Southern Hemisphere toward Piriápolis.

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
  • 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
Tenerife, Spain
To
Mindelo, Cabo Verde
Days
11
Nautical miles
915
€2.750,-
Early bird until 22/11/2026 €2475
€3.265,-
Early bird until 22/11/26 €2950

Opening soon

FAQ

To all FAQ
What temperatures can I expect sailing from Tenerife to Cabo Verde?

Expect warm days, with extra layers useful for night watches. As a guide, average daytime highs in Santa Cruz de Tenerife are around 28°C in September and 26°C in October, with night-time lows around 20–22°C. In Mindelo, average highs are around 29–30°C, with lows around 25°C. These are long-term averages ashore, not a forecast for the voyage. Conditions at sea vary, and wind and spray can make it feel cooler on deck, particularly at night.

Will we stop anywhere along the way from Tenerife to Cabo Verde?

There are no planned intermediate stops between Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Mindelo. This voyage is a continuous ocean passage, with daily life centred on sailing and the watch system.

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 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!

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.

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!