STAGE 8.1
28.04—10.05
🇪🇸A Coruña →
🇳🇱Amsterdam
🇳🇱Amsterdam
Navigating the Bay of Biscay and English Channel
This stage combines coastal navigation with open sea passages, taking us from the rugged shores of Galicia through the challenging Bay of Biscay to huge tides of Brittany and into the bustling maritime world of the English Channel.
12 days
2300 €
Start/Finish Cities and Airports:
🇪🇸 A Coruña [LCG], Santiago de Compostela [SCQ]
🇳🇱Amsterdam Schiphol [AMS]
🇳🇱Amsterdam Schiphol [AMS]
Approximate
step by step route:
COST
- Personal safety equipment (lifejackets, lifelines, PLBs)
- Bed in a twin/double cabin with blankets, pillows, clean linens and towels
INCLUDED
- Airplane tickets and transfers from/to the boat
- Ship's fund (food, fuels, marinas)
- Any additional costs outside (restaurants, museums, souvenirs, car rentals etc.)
- Personal insurance
NOT INCLUDED
Please note that the team altogether takes part in grocery shopping and in maintaining the boat clean during the voyage and after it.
- A Coruña → Brest, 380 nm
- Brest → Roscoff, 80 nm
- Roscoff → Cherbourg, 110 nm
- Cherbourg → Fecamp, 80 nm
- Fecamp → Boulogne-sur-Mer, 90 nm
- Boulogne-sur-Mer → Nieuwpoort, 60 nm
- Nieuwpoort → Scheveningen, 90 nm
- Scheveningen → Amsterdam, 40 nm
difficulty of this stage
is 4 out of 5
This means preparation for challenging conditions is essential. We may encounter strong winds, big waves, and potentially rather low temperatures. The stage includes long offshore passages that could last several days.
The Bay of Biscay is known for its unpredictable weather, while the English Channel presents its own challenges with at times harsh winds and strong tidal currents. However, May usually offers much milder conditions compared to winter months.
The Bay of Biscay is known for its unpredictable weather, while the English Channel presents its own challenges with at times harsh winds and strong tidal currents. However, May usually offers much milder conditions compared to winter months.
TRAVEL STYLE
Long offshore passages mixed with coastal sailing and cultural exploration
ROUTE
HIGHLIGHTS
Navigating the notorious Bay of Biscay:
We’ll probably face the challenges of these waters, known for testing conditions and rich marine life. Or it may be mild, nobody knows in advance. Anyway, the Bay offers a true offshore sailing experience.
Exploring the picturesque coastline of Brittany:
We next visit the rugged shores of Brittany, with its historic lighthouses, charming fishing villages, and unique Celtic culture. The region’s strong maritime heritage is evident in every port, providing pillars heading to the sky due to enormous tidal range up to 12 meters.
We’ll probably face the challenges of these waters, known for testing conditions and rich marine life. Or it may be mild, nobody knows in advance. Anyway, the Bay offers a true offshore sailing experience.
Exploring the picturesque coastline of Brittany:
We next visit the rugged shores of Brittany, with its historic lighthouses, charming fishing villages, and unique Celtic culture. The region’s strong maritime heritage is evident in every port, providing pillars heading to the sky due to enormous tidal range up to 12 meters.
Sailing through the busy English Channel:
This stretch presents a different kind of challenge — navigating one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, using the favourable currents. We’ll put our seamanship to the test, plotting our course among cargo ships, ferries, and fellow sailing vessels. Each port here, from French Cherbourg, Honfleur, and Boulogne, to Belgian and Dutch Nieuwpoort and Scheveningen, offers different cuisine, different languages, and different heritage.
This stretch presents a different kind of challenge — navigating one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, using the favourable currents. We’ll put our seamanship to the test, plotting our course among cargo ships, ferries, and fellow sailing vessels. Each port here, from French Cherbourg, Honfleur, and Boulogne, to Belgian and Dutch Nieuwpoort and Scheveningen, offers different cuisine, different languages, and different heritage.
Discovering the unique Dutch maritime landscape:
As we approach the Netherlands, the seascape transforms. We’ll navigate past expansive sand banks, through narrow channels, and finally into the intricate network of waterways that characterizes the Dutch coast. The iconic windmills and low-lying polders offer a striking contrast to our starting point in mountainous Galicia. Next to Ijmuiden, we enter the river through the locks, and head to Amsterdam marina.
As we approach the Netherlands, the seascape transforms. We’ll navigate past expansive sand banks, through narrow channels, and finally into the intricate network of waterways that characterizes the Dutch coast. The iconic windmills and low-lying polders offer a striking contrast to our starting point in mountainous Galicia. Next to Ijmuiden, we enter the river through the locks, and head to Amsterdam marina.
Experience Details
Offshore Sailing:
Extended periods at sea, offering a true blue water sailing experience
Navigation Challenges:
Dealing with varying conditions from open ocean to busy shipping lanes
Cultural Exploration:
Opportunities to visit diverse coastal towns and cities when in port
Maritime History:
Sailing through waters rich in naval lore and trading heritage
This journey provides a comprehensive Northern European sailing experience, from the Atlantic coast to the North Sea. We'll adapt our exact route to weather conditions, prioritising safety while maximising our time under sails.
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