South Africa · January - October
St Helena 2024
An epic crossing of the South Atlantic Ocean from Cape Town, including five days exploring Saint Helena Island
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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. 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 five weeks 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 3 weeks in length. If you join the both legs, the full trip is 48days and covers approximately 4,500nautical miles.
Highlights
EPIC OCEAN SAILING
Sail the Atlantic. The REAL Atlantic - not the North Atlantic that “everyone” does – This is the South Atlantic. Massive, desolate and isolated. The return trip is over 4,500 incredible sea miles.
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.
AMAZING STOPOVERS
Two wonderful stops. The sleepy desert town of Luderitz with time to visit the ‘ghost town’ of Kolmanskop (Leg 1) and five days on St Helena island, with accommodation included - a “must see” Island. Visit Napoleon's tomb, see the world's oldest living animal or hike the islands subtropical forests. Wavysail crews are always welcomed.
Skippers
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 and many years as an RYA instructor to Ocean level, you will be in capable hands from start to end.
Itinerary
Previous
Next
Cape Town
Leg 1: Day 1 to 7 - 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
Atlantic Ocean
Leg 1: Day 7 to 14 - Sail Cape Town to Namibia
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.
St. Helena Island
Leg 1: Day 15 - 17 Three days exploring Lüderitz
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
South Atlantic Ocean
Leg 1 : Day 17 - 29 Sailing to St Helena island
We set sail for 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.
Saint Helena island
Leg 1 & 2: Five days on St Helena island
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.
South Atlantic Ocean to Cape Town
Leg 2 : Sailing the South Atlantic Ocean to Cape Town
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
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 24th March '25 Cape Town. End 20th April '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 19th April '25, St Helena. End 12th May '25 Cape Town
Leg 2 is big swells and dynamic sailing conditions. It's all proper sailing. Wet feet and big smiles
Full Trip, 24th March '25 - 12th May '25 - 48 days
The full works - 48 days of epic sailing adventure!
Gallery
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.
Exploring St Helena island
By boat to St Helena. Exploring the island and making friends for life
Arrival at St Helena
Daily Blog of the Cape Town to St Helena adventure sail - October 2021
On our way home (just 20 days to go!)
Island adventure on St Helena and prepping for home
Calm winds, chocolate brownies and a bit of food safety
The crew discover why food rotation is important
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.