South Africa · January - October
ST HELENA
An epic crossing of the South Atlantic Ocean from Cape Town, including five days exploring Saint Helena Island
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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. The trip is split into two legs - you can join either leg, or the full return trip. Both legs include approximately five days exploring St Helena Island itself with accommodation on the island included in the price. Leg 1 starts in Cape Town, where you will join "Prep week" at the Royal Cape Yacht club - learning everything you need to plan and execute a major Ocean voyage. We then sail up the coast of Africa to Lüderitz, in Namibia. During this leg, you can log your 60nm skippered passages if you are working towards a qualification. We stop a couple of days in Lüderitz and you can explore the desert 'ghost' town of Kolmanskop. We then head across the South Atlantic to St Helena island and you will spend five days with bed and breakfast included, exploring this magical Sub-tropical island. You then have the option to fly back from St Helena Island with direct flights to Jo'burg, or continue with us to leg 2. Leg one is approximately four weeks including time on the island. Leg 2 crew fly onto the island about five days before the return journey. You will stay on the island and explore all that there is to see and do - You will see Aurora arrive and can assist in preparing for the voyage ahead - you can also meet the incoming crew and enjoy exploring the island with them. We depart St Helena Island and route West initially, heading deep into the South Atlantic before turning South towards Tristan Da Cunha. This is a wild and isolated part of the world with dynamic and changing weather and big seas. This is real adventure sailing where you will be challenged, but rest assured we have huge experience out here and will keep you safe. Leg 2 is perfect for practicing Celestial Navigation and, at over 1,500nautical miles counts as your "mileage" trip if you are working towards an RYA qualification. Leg 2 is approximately 5 weeks in length. If you join the both legs, the full trip is 48days and covers approximately 4,500nautical miles.
Highlights
Skippers
Itinerary
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What's Included
What's Included
Safety equipment including life-jackets.
All mooring and port entry fees for the boat.
Sailing instruction from a world leading skipper and first mate
Celestial Navigation training and practice
Five nights bed & breakfast on St Helena island
What's Not Included
Transport to the boat
Insurance
Shore excursions
Booking options
Leg 1 - Start 13th Jan '25 Cape Town. End 9th Feb '25 St Helena Island
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)
Leg 2 - Start 8th Feb '25, St Helena. End 3rd March '25 Cape Town
Leg 2 is big swells and dynamic sailing conditions. It's all proper sailing. Wet feet and big smiles
Full Trip, 13th Jan '25 - 3rd March '25 - 48 days
The full works - 48 days of epic sailing adventure!
The Route
Our Sailing route
LEG 1 : After prep week in Cape Town, we head to Lüderitz before striking out across the South Atlantic to St Helena island. We will spend five days on the island.
LEG 2: After exploring the island, leg 1 crew fly home while leg 2 crew follow the St Helena weather system south towards Tristan da Cunha before turning East, arriving back at Cape Town.
You'll Be Staying Here
Aurora
"Aurora" is an "Atlantic 49" - a fully kitted out 50foot expedition vessel, based in Cape Town. She is built for crossing oceans rather than luxury but is spacious and comfortable below and above deck.
Your will have your own berth with plenty of space for luggage. “Aurora” has four cabins, Each cabin has two berths (bunk style) and it’s own ‘heads’ (toilet and basin).
Blue Lantern Bed & Breakfast
We will stay with our 'friends' Dustin and Keith at the Blue Lantern bed and breakfast. Situated in the middle of Jamestown, just minutes from the harbour and town centre.
The welcome is always fantastic and, if we're honest, Wavysail crews are always especially well treated. We will share a list of things to see and do on the island, or you are welcome to simply relax.
Related Blog Posts
Our Skipper will write a daily blog from the boat each day so Friends and Family can also track progress of the yacht and hear about life on board. They can also send messages for crew to our shore support staff, who will forward to the Aurora via Satellite link once per day.
FAQs
Do I need to be experienced in sailing?
We design the trips for a wide range of experience which that means that even if you’ve not sailed, our experienced Skippers will ensure you have a fantastic time
Longer legs will suit “mile builders” who already have some sailing qualifications, and we can spend time supporting you with everything from helming to celestial navigation!
Before you join, we’ll ask you about your previous sailing experience and what you want to get out of the trip. That way, we’ll tailor the adventure to your specific needs
What equipment do I need?
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
What's the cancellation policy?
The group size is kept very small on our trips which gives you a real ‘masterclass’ with our highly experienced Skippers However, that means each place is valuable and we need full groups
We ask for a 10% deposit to secure your berth, with the balance being due 6 weeks before departure
If you cancel your place over 6 weeks out, we’ll retain the deposit, but no other fees will be due
If you cancel 6 weeks or less, the full price will be payable (unless the cancellation is covered by our Covid policy)
Can I keep in contact with friends and family during the trip?
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!
Can I extend my stay on St Helena island
Included in the price of the trip is 5 or 6 nights accommodation, bed and breakfast at the Blue Lantern Hotel.
If we are delayed in departing St Helena island, Wavysail will cover additional accommodation costs.
If Leg 1 Crew wish to extend your stay, or leg 2 wish to arrive earlier, please let us know in advance. We will book the additional nights for you directly with Blue Lantern at our discounted rate (approx. £50 per person per night). Note that accommodation tends to book up very quickly on the island, so please let us know well in advance.
Likewise, if you wish for friends to join you on the island, let us know and we will arrange this directly with Blue Lantern so everyone is together. You will need to pay Wavysail directly in advance for us to secure the additional times for you. Full details will be shared nearer the time.
What are the best flights to or from the island?
Flights too and from St Helena island are operated by Airlink. They fly direct to Jo'burg twice per week. Flights do get booked up far in advance so our recommendation is to book the Airlink flight as soon as you book the Wavysail trip. We are not responsible for your flights too / from the island but of course, will do our best to help in case of any questions.