Ocean passage Rotterdam – Tenerife

Three weeks of real sailing: from the Leuvehaven in Rotterdam through the Channel, across the Bay of Biscay and along the Portuguese coast to Tenerife. On board the historic schooner Oosterschelde you stand watch, take the helm and celebrate Christmas and New Year at sea, arriving in the sunshine of the Canary Islands.

THE TRIP AT A GLANCE

Route: Rotterdam – North Sea – English Channel – Bay of Biscay – Portuguese coast – Tenerife
Departure: Saturday 12 December 2026, 17:00, Leuvehaven, Rotterdam
Arrival: Sunday 3 January 2027, 09:00, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Duration: 22 nights
Ship: Oosterschelde, three-masted topsail schooner
Level: 3 of 3

Prices per person

Four-berth cabin: € 3,080
Two-berth cabin: € 3,740

Lowest price from € 3,080 per person in a four-berth cabin. Christmas and New Year's Eve are celebrated together on board.

FROM THE MAAS TO THE CANARY ISLANDS

This is a voyage for anyone who truly wants to get to know the sea. In just over three weeks the Oosterschelde makes the long passage from the wintry Maas to the subtropical Canary Islands. No stops are planned along the way: the rhythm of the watches, the meals on board and the changing sea shape your days.

As the ship sails south, the days grow longer and the temperatures milder. You leave Rotterdam in hat and scarf and arrive in Santa Cruz in a T-shirt on deck. Christmas and New Year are celebrated on the open sea, under a starry sky you rarely see on land.

THE ROUTE

Rotterdam and the North Sea

You board in the Leuvehaven, right in the centre of Rotterdam. After getting to know each other over dinner, the captain explains the plans. The next morning the lines are cast off and the ship sails down the Nieuwe Waterweg into the North Sea, heading south for the Channel.

The English Channel

Between England and France the shipping is busy and tides and currents play a big role. Here you quickly learn how the crew navigates and how the watches work.

The Bay of Biscay

Beyond Brittany the seabed drops from about a hundred metres to thousands of metres deep. The Bay is known for its swell, but it also offers days of glorious sailing with dolphins at the bow.

Along Portugal to the Canary Islands

Along the Portuguese coast the ship rounds Cape São Vicente and sets a south-westerly course. The trade wind takes over and the final days to Tenerife are often the best of the voyage. On 3 January you disembark after breakfast in Santa Cruz.

EXTRA INFORMATION

LIFE ON BOARD

The Oosterschelde is a three-masted topsail schooner from 1918, originally built as a cargo ship and carefully restored to her original state. A permanent crew sails the ship, but you are not a passenger: you help hoist, trim and steer, and you stand watch alongside the crew. There are cabins for two and for four people. A ship's cook prepares the meals, and life centres on deck and in the cosy shared saloon. On this long passage everything revolves around the watch system: you sail in a fixed team, also at night, and gradually learn to read charts, set a course and judge the weather.

WHO IS THIS VOYAGE FOR

For adventurous sailors who want to spend weeks at sea without land in sight and experience the holidays in a completely different way. Level 3 of 3: a true ocean voyage for fit, experienced sea travellers. During the passage the ship cannot divert to a port, is beyond the range of a rescue helicopter and has no medical support from shore. The maximum age is 73; older guests are welcome on level 1 and 2 voyages or can contact us to discuss the options.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Bring warm, waterproof clothing for the first part and summer clothes for the end of the voyage.
• There are daily flights from Tenerife to Belgium and the Netherlands.
• Travel insurance covering medical costs and repatriation is required; cancellation insurance is recommended.
• Travel to the port of departure and home from the port of arrival is not included.
• Ideally arrive a day before departure: the ship cannot wait for late arrivals.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need sailing experience?

Experience is not required, but this is a level 3 ocean voyage. You need to be fit and willing to take part in the watches, also in rough weather.

Do we stop at any ports?

No, no stops are planned. The ship sails straight from Rotterdam to Tenerife.

What weather can I expect?

In December the North Sea and the Channel are cold and sometimes stormy. From Portugal onwards it becomes noticeably milder; Tenerife is around 20 to 22 °C in early January.

How do I book this trip?

Send us a request through the booking form on this page. Together we will check availability, your choice of cabin and the next steps.

The trip description and route are indicative. The programme depends on weather, wind and sea conditions; the captain has the final say on the route and ports.

All services that make up your trip are provided by independent suppliers. When you book, you enter into a contract directly with the supplier, the ship, under the booking conditions of that ship. As an agent, our service consists of promoting the trips offered by the supplier and acting as a facilitator in obtaining a booking agreement between the customer and the supplier. In doing so, we are always at your disposal with our experience and service.

Sailing along on a tall ship is a special experience. The Oosterschelde sailing ship has been sailing the 7 seas since 1917. Today you can sail on a sailing cruise in modern comfort. The sailingship is 50m long and offers a multi-day sailing holiday with 24 guests. With 3 masts and many sails we try to provide sustainable island hopping and ocean crossing. The huge salon and the cozy cabins will put you in a holiday mood. She prefers to sail to the Azores and sail in Cape Verde.