Coming on the Europa for 2.5 months was the best decision I've ever made. I hope I'll be back on the EUROPA in the near future.
The past year had us practising in changing directions, adapting to the winds and focusing on possibilities. While manoeuvring within the boundaries of the pandemic and using the time as useful as possible, Bark EUROPA visited several Dutch ports and has received a lot of care and attention in our maintenance periods over the last year. The crew is doing an outstanding job in preparing her to return to the seas and oceans. It will not be long now. While nothing is set in stone yet, we are determined to hoist our sails again and set out to sea from June 2021 onwards if the situation allows us. Our idea is to explore the stunning nature around us, while sailing north. We won't visit any big cities but will focus on more remote areas and will create a responsible travel bubble on board. As the situation is still very uncertain and subject to change we will schedule our summer voyages closer to date. Please join our newsletter on www.barkeuropa.com to get the most recent updates.
Coming on the Europa for 2.5 months was the best decision I've ever made. I hope I'll be back on the EUROPA in the near future.
We are very pleased to have opened our autumn Atlantic crossing for bookings! With a renovated deckhouse, renovated cabins, new drystores and a new laundry Bark EUROPA will be all ready to set sail south in August and resume wandering the oceans and exploring the remotest areas of our world. The crossing from the Netherlands to Uruguay combines great sailing conditions and rougher seas with days with light winds. The perfect voyage for those who are ready to make the transition from pollywog to shellback, who are looking to get really off the grid for two months and who want to experience what it would have been like to cross that same ocean hundreds of years ago. We cannot wait to sail the oceans with you again!
It was a amazing voyage!!! The crew were wonderful in helping us with everything and the cook was absolutely amazing! I think that for a training ship she is handled very well and the organization was great. The captain did a superb job of wrangling the 40 plus landlubbers and keeping a ship shape ship! Thank you to everyone for all the love and effort that goes into this beautiful vessel.
We will start of the 2021 - 2022 Antarctic season with an expedition from mainland South America to South Georgia and Antarctica.
The details of this voyage are still to be decided on. If you want to be the first to hear on our sailingplans and schedule please make sure to sign up to our newsletter on www.barkeuropa.com.
What a marvellous experience I had on this trip. The ship was incredible and the crew were so helpful for those of us who had never sailed on a square rigger before. We swam near the equator, saw dolphins, whales, flying fish and albatross and had perfect sailing weather for most of the trip. I would absolutely recommend an ocean voyage on Europa to anyone looking for a special experience, I can’t wait to do another trip!
The expedition starts in Argentina in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in South America, located alongside the Beagle Channel. From here, the ship must cross ‘the Drake Passage’, renowned by sailors the world over. Albatrosses and petrels will accompany the EUROPA on her way to the Antarctic paradise. After passing the Antarctic Convergence Zone, the ship sails between the icebergs to the South Shetland Islands. The wildlife is overwhelming: seals, sea-gulls, cormorants and petrels use the Antarctic summer to raise their young. In the Antarctic waters, the EUROPA will anchor in sheltered bays practically every day.
Sailing to Antarctica is a unique adventure, on board Bark EUROPA you will experience it all. You will sail the icy waters and spot the many sea birds on your way. You will stand watch and hoist the sails on your way to the white continent.
The crew will take groups ashore in the dinghies to see glaciers, mosses and lichens, seals, birds and penguin rookeries. Ashore, visitors will often be welcomed by different kinds of penguins, such as the Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie penguins. Our experienced guide will give you information about the flora and fauna and will also tell you where to find bird and sea elephant colonies. The ship will sail further south. We expect the most loyal visitors of the Southern Ocean: enormous Humpback whales; Minke whales and even Orcas or Killer whales may well come close to us, curious to see who ventures into their waters. Ice masses will get bigger closer to the mainland. Steep glaciers, walls of ice with magical shapes and surreal colours will surround the EUROPA.
The exact dates of the 2021/2022 Antarctic season are not yet available. If you want to stay up to date on the details of this voyage just sign on to our newsletter and you will be the first to receive news on Bark Europa's sailing plans.
My journey on the Bark Europa, short as it may have been, was an amazing one. The trip was a nice combination of relaxation and exercise. I also learned a lot about the ship and sailing it. I owe this experience to the crew members that were always enthusiastic and eager to explain everything.
This 52-day expedition is a real sailing trip that involves the crossing of the Drake Passage and the Atlantic Ocean, under sail whenever possible. During the many sailing days, you will be joining a watch system, keep Europa sailing 24/7 and take part in steering, lookout and sail handling. You will also enjoy the lecture program put together by our guides and crew. Some subjects covered during these talks are about the rigging, the lines, the different sails, navigation concepts and rope work.
During this epic adventure we will visit Antarctica, South Georgia and Tristan de Cunha!
The Southern Atlantic Ocean is infamous for its roughness, hence the names: “Roaring Forties”, “Furious Fifties” and “Screaming Sixties” corresponding with the degrees of latitude. Sailing from island to island may take around 10 days and you will be able to experience all the aspects of seaman’s life.
The exact dates of the 2022 Cape to Cape are not yet available. If you want to stay up to date on the details of this voyage just sign on to our newsletter and you will be the first to receive news on Bark Europa's sailing plans.
The voyage was an experience few have or will ever have a chance to embrace. Doing such a long voyage brings so much more time to absorb the spirit of open ocean tall ship sailing as close as one can get historically.