South Africa · March 4 - April 20 2024

South Atlantic Expedition

An epic crossing of the South Atlantic Ocean to St Helena island over a 48 day expedition that will live forever in your memory

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experienceoverview

Overview

An incredible adventure sail that will teach you exactly what is needed to plan and sail a major Ocean crossing. Led by an experienced skipper and first mate but so much more than sailing, we stop in Namibia and spend 5 days exploring St Helena Island - you will make friends for life on this epic voyage. Region – South Atlantic / Africa Maximum Crew – 6 Skipper – 1 1st Mate - 1 Minimum Age Required – 18 No Experience Required

Highlights

EPIC OCEAN SAILING

EPIC OCEAN SAILING

Sail the Atlantic. This is not the North Atlantic that “everyone” does – This is the South Atlantic. Massive, desolate and isolated.  You’ll cover over 4,500 incredible sea miles.

EXPERIENCE EVERYTHING

EXPERIENCE EVERYTHING

You’ll get involved in every part of planning and executing a big ocean trip with loads of time for questions and discussion along the way. Perfect for those studying for a qualification, building miles or anyone who wants to experience ‘blue water’ sailing.

TWO AMAZING STOPOVERS

TWO AMAZING STOPOVERS

There are two wonderful stops. The sleepy desert town of Luderitz with time to visit the ‘ghost town’ of Kolmanskop and five days on St Helena island, with accommodation included - surely a “must see” destination where you can visit Napoleon's tomb, see the world's oldest living animal and hike the islands vast subtropical forests. Wavysail crews are always welcomed by the islanders who will go out of their way to make this a highlight of the trip.

Skippers

David (Wavy)  IMMELMAN

David (Wavy) IMMELMAN

Wavy is the co-founder of Wavysail and our lead Skipper. He has patience and experience in equal measure and will ensure you thoroughly enjoy the trip, no matter your previous level of experience. With over 650,000 of Ocean sailing behind him you will be in capable hands from start to end.

Itinerary

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WEEK 1 - Prep Week

Your journey starts in Cape Town at the Royal Cape Yacht Club, where we spend the week fully preparing “Aurora” for the expedition ahead. Over the week you will  get to know your fellow crew and the vessel from end to end. We have a detailed checklist, deciding on a Menu plan, shopping, passage planning and much more - there’s a lot to do, but it’s fun and all under expert supervision.

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WEEK 2 - Cape Town to Luderitz

A gentle sail up the beautiful African coastline. You will get used to the watch system and sailing together. For those who need, you can use this leg for your skippered 60NM passage or just relax and spot the dolphins that often follow us up the coast.

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Day 15 - 17 - Visit the desert and a real “ghost” town

 We stay a couple of days in the historic, desert town of Ludertiz. Time to relax, stock up for the voyage ahead and also perhaps take a trip out to Kolmanskop - an abandoned German mining town where you can get a guide to explain it’s history and then wander the town at leisure, exploring the buildings slowly filling with sand.

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Day 17 - 29

We set out to sail to  St Helena island, more  than 1,000miles in the middle of the South Atlantic. The weather and sea state tends to be gentle, but this is a true ‘blue water’ passage that will take between 10 - 12 days - far from the coast, where Whales are often our only company. 

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Day 30 - 35

St Helena remains one of the world’s most isolated places – only accessible by boat until a couple of years ago and still wonderfully remote and unspoilt.  Arriving by yacht is the best way to appreciate it.  Once ashore, we settle into the cosy Blue Lantern hotel (Bed and Breakfast include in the trip cost). You can visit Napoleon’s house and indeed his tomb or you can say hello to Jonathan the tortoise, the world’s oldest living animal (190years old!). Relax with a beer in the old-world charm of Jamestown or take a hike into the Jungle on one of the ‘post-box’ trails. There is so much to do and see. St Helena always gives Wavysail crew a fabulous welcome – we spend approx. 5 days on the island, before we wave farewell and return to sea. 

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Day 35 - 48

The return to Cape Town is a true expedition sail. Heading out into the wild South Atlantic, routing towards Tristan Da Cunha, you will experience every kind of weather and, at times, this is really challenging sailing where you will make use of everything you’ve learned so far. Out here is the perfect place to  learn and practice Celestial Navigation. We spend time each day on all aspects of sailing theory and practice. We’ve done the trip countless times and know these waters extremely well - so safety will never be a concern but it’s a long leg and when Cape town appears on the horizon, you will know you have achieved a truly “once in a lifetime” ocean adventure.

What's Included

What's Included

Full safety briefing and all safety equipmen

Sailing instruction from a world leading skipper, and experienced 1st mate

Celestial Navigation practice and training

5 nights bed and breakfast on St Helena island

Over 4,500miles of ocean sailing logged

Flights to and from Cape Town

Accommodation during Prep week (but special rates available at local B&B)

Medical insurance - please ask us for advice

Any extra tours or activities done during stopovers

Booking options

Full trip - 48 days

Full trip - 48 days

Your your own berth with plenty of space for luggage in a shared cabin “Aurora” has four cabins, Each cabin has two berths (bunk style) and it’s own ‘heads’ (toilet and basin)

FROM$12,793.60 /pp

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One Way trip

One Way trip

If you don’t have time to complete the full trip, you can do one leg. Either Cape Town to St Helena, or join on St Helena and sail back with us. There are flights from and to St Helena to Johannesburg. Please ask us for details and prices for ‘single leg’ options.

FROM$8,953.60 /pp

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LOCATION

Sailing Route & Boat

We route from Cape Town, up the African coast to Namibia and Luderitz. Then we strike out across the South Atlantic to St Helena island. After a few days exploring the island we follow the St Helena weather system south towards Tristan da cunha before turning East, arriving back at Cape Town after an epic 48 day adventure.

LOCATION

You'll Be Staying Here

48 days - full trip

48 days - full trip

Your your own berth with plenty of space for luggage in a shared cabin

“Aurora” has four cabins, Each cabin has two berths (bunk style) and it’s own ‘heads’ (toilet and basin)

 One way trips

One way trips

If you don’t have time to complete the full trip, you can do one leg. Either Cape Town to St Helena, or join on St Helena and sail back with us. There are flights from and to St Helena to Johannesburg. Please ask us for details and prices for ‘single leg’ options.

FAQs

We supply life-jackets and all safety equipment. You may bring your own foul weather gear, or we can loan you some if required. We send out a detailed kit list before the trip

You should take medical travel insurance for off-shore sailing. We can advise providers. It should cost not more than about £50 for the trip. 

You will also need insurance for St Helena island (this is a requirement from the island) - Best is to get this from Solomons insurance, based on the island - again we will share details of how to do this. The cost is around £20

This is a challenging and major ocean adventure. However, we have taken people before who had no prior sailing experience and they had a wonderful time. With a small group, we can adapt  to each person’s experience level - best is to call us before booking so we can find out more about your specific needs. 

Mobile phones will not work for most of the voyage and Internet connection on St Helena island is very expensive. However, we actively encourage “Supporters” (friends and family) to join in with your adventure. We create a supporters group and each day, share a Blog, written from the boat. Supporters and crew can exchange short messages via our ship’s email account. Each trip has a dedicated shore contact who will be there for the supporters - answering their questions and making sure they keep fully up to date with your adventure - we often have 150 supporters following the trip!

South Atlantic Expedition

South Africa · March 4 - April 20 2024 · 47 nights

$8,953.60 /pp

BOOK NOW