What would it feel like to steer a tall ship across the Ocean? To circumnavigate the globe gliding through the waves. To fall asleep on deck under the countless stars of the night sky or dive from the ship into an azure sea?
Sailing around the world is the travel adventure of a lifetime and in 2022/23 it could be YOUR adventure of a lifetime! It is the kind of journey that is the ultimate dream for the adventurer, wanderer, travel lover or sea farer.
Another World Adventures can make this dream a reality on board one of our favourite tall ships who is planning to circumnavigate the globe in 2022-2023.
The year-long trip is on board a training ship where you can join the crew sailing the trade winds around the world.
Sailing 30,000 nautical miles and putting into ports like Panama, Pitcairn Island, Tahiti, Fiji, Bali, Cape Town, St. Helena, Grenada and Bermuda, all while becoming an accomplished seafarer and learning seamanship skills hands-on through sailing a square-rigged ship is the ultimate voyage.
You become one of the crew. No sailing experience is necessary as you will get plenty of experience on this voyage!
The tall ship is best known for her deep water, ocean wandering, trade wind voyages to legendary ports of call in the tropics of this world.
You can sign on for the full year-long adventure – or for a leg of a few months’ duration.
There is an application process in place so the organisers can put a great gang of shipmates together under the leadership of the Captain and the mates and professional crew.
Read on and check out the trip page here where you can request full details.
NB The video promo below is dated for the original voyage dates which were postponed due to COVID! The rest is as it should be!
How do you sail around the world?
Once the ship is prepared and you have spent some time ‘learning the ropes’, you will set sail from Nova Scotia on the East Coast of Canada. You will head south across the ocean, bound for tropics and the Panama Canal and onward into the Pacific Ocean.
Planned Ports and Route – Sail Around the World 2022-2023
LEG 1 – Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada to Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia – October 3, 2022 to February 12, 2023
- Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada
- San Blas Islands, Panama
- Portobelo, Panama
- Panama Canal
- Panama City, Panama
- Taboga, Panama
- San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands
- Pitcairn Island
- Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia
LEG 2 – Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia to Suva, Fiji – February 13, 2023 to June 16, 2023
- Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia
- Tuamotu Islands including Takaroa, French Polynesia
- Mangareva, French Polynesia
- Raivavae, French Polynesia
- Huahine, French Polynesia
- Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia
- Nuku’alofa, Tonga
- Ha’apai Islands including Pangai, Tonga
- Vava’u, Tonga
- Savusavu, Fiji
- Suva, Fiji
LEG 3 – Suva, Fiji to Bali, Indonesia – June 17, 2023 to October 7, 2023
- Suva, Fiji
- Nadi, Fiji
- Port Vila, Vanuatu
- Malekula, Vanuatu
- Ambrym, Vanuatu
- Maewo, Vanuatu
- Pentecost, Vanuatu
- Bali, Indonesia
LEG 4 – Bali, Indonesia to Cape Town, South Africa – October 8, 2023 to January 15, 2024
- Bali, Indonesia
- Rodrigues Island, Mauritius
- Reunion, France
- Cape Town, South Africa
LEG 5 – Cape Town, South Africa to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada – January 16, 2024 to June 1, 2024
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Luderitz, Namibia
- St. Helena, UK
- Some or all of the following Caribbean islands:
- Grenada
- Carriacou
- Bequia
- Dominica
- Martinique
- Anguilla
- British Virgin Islands
- St. George’s, Bermuda
- Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada
*Itinerary is subject to change for any reason at any time. Particularly with changing travel restrictions and advisories due to COVID-19, flexibility on the part of the tall ship and each individual crew member will be required, even more so than usual.
*Itinerary is subject to change for any reason at any time.
Who can join this tall ship to sail around the world?
Guest crew on this voyage are called ‘trainees’ and must be able to:
- Provide a doctor’s note attesting to good health and physical fitness
- Climb up and down steep ladders and stairways
- Maintain balance on slippery or uneven surfaces
- Lift, push, or carry
- Crouch, kneel, or crawl
- Stand for up to four hours on watch with minimal rest periods
- Distinguish objects and shapes at a distance
- Understand instruction and direction in English
- The ship is an English-speaking ship, and while full fluency is not a requirement, safety requires a minimum level of competency
- React to alarms (visual or audible) and instructions and follow emergency procedures
- Understand and comply with all provided health, safety and security information and directives
- Manage self-care including nutrition, hydration, personal hygiene, dressing appropriately for environmental conditions, health, prescribed medication
- Behave respectfully toward diversity on the ship and/or in the countries the ship visits, which includes people of all genders, sexual identities, races, ages, religions, politics, and cultural differences
This voyage is open to people of all nationalities and genders, ages 18 and up
No sailing experience is required. You will be part of the working crew of the ship, so prepare to roll up your sleeves and dive in cheerfully!
Trainees choose to sail with on voyages like this and specifically on board this boat for a variety of reasons.
Maybe you’re looking for a gap year expedition, either after high school or during or after college or university or because you’ve been working for ages and need a REALLY good break to reassess life and put your skills to the test.
Maybe you want to do something unique for your big overseas experience. Perhaps you’re looking to develop seamanship skills to help start a career as a seafarer. Maybe you are already working in a maritime career and want to gain deep-water sea time and square rig experience.
Or this is the right time to take a break from your job and life ashore to make the voyage in the trade winds you’ve always dreamed of.
Or maybe you’re retired and want to travel and learn and immerse yourself in a South Seas adventure. Whether you’re seeking adventure or a unique way to travel to exotic, iconic places, a foundation from which to launch a maritime career or an authentic square rig sailing experience on a vessel similar to one in the Great Age of Sail, there is a place for you on board.
Whatever your reason, we want to be clear that signing aboard as a trainee crew member is a big commitment.
On this voyage there will be long stretches where signing off is simply not possible. We encourage anyone who is interested and curious to contact request full details to discuss the voyage and whether it might be a good fit for you.
How to Apply
First things first. You need to get the full details. To do that please request them from Another World Adventures by requesting them on the trip page here.
We’ll send you details by email so you can connect with the crew office and make an application online.
Once that’s received by the organisers they’ll request a note from your doctor that says you’re in good health and can do moderately strenuous physical activity on a remote, oceangoing voyage. They’ll also request payment of a deposit which will hold your spot.
On previous voyages they have required applicants to come visit the ship in person for an in-person interview. On this voyage, they’ll save you the time and expense of a trip to Lunenburg and arrange an interview with you by phone or online video conference instead.
It’s still important for you to see the vessel, including what the accommodations are like, how they eat meals, what the bathroom/shower situation is, what you’ll be doing when you stand a watch, and so on, so they’ll recommend some videos for you to watch that give you the full tour.
Individuals age 18+ (no couples, please*).
Anything else?
Know what square rig sailing is? … if you do you’ve a head start.
If not, the ship you will be joining has a professional crew that will be teaching you everything you need to know about how to sail a Tall ship.
Whether you have prior sailing knowledge or not this voyage is designed as a holistic experience, that will not only provide you with internationally recognised seamanship training but invaluable life skills.
Alongside learning sail handling, rigging and even navigation, you will learn how to become a great shipmate.
This voyage could be your gap year expedition, an opportunity to develop your maritime career or to take a break from life ashore, whatever your age or motivation sailing a Tall Ship across the ocean will be an unforgettable experience.
There is an application process to check your medical fitness and fit as a crew member, but there are no qualifications needed to join the voyage.
All you need is a curious mind, a willingness to learn and get involved, alongside a passion for the wide- open sea.
What is life like at sea on a tall ship adventure?
Life at sea will be hard work but filled with new experiences. The ship runs on a three-watch system where you will be on duty for four hours and then have eight hours of free time. Your daytime duties will include handling the sails, rigging projects and steering.
You will also have shared responsibilities for maintaining the ship, including sanding or painting alongside cleaning and cooking.
In your free time, you can enjoy the sheer beauty of your surroundings, revel in some relaxation or spend time with your shipmates. Your crew will become your family on this sailing voyage and you will make lifelong friends.
In the warmer seas of the tropics, you will work, play, and may even sleep on the deck of the ship. You will leave the Ultimate Tall Ship adventure a true sea farer.
Exploring Ashore
As the ship follows the trade winds around the globe, you will journey to paradise destinations like Tahiti, Bali, and Pitcairn Island. Alongside these beauty spots you will drop anchor in iconic ports like the western cape of South Africa, Cape Town.
Visits ashore are an opportunity to discover and explore. If you are not on a designated watch, you can climb aboard the long boat and make landfall. The sheer diversity of destinations from French Polynesia to the Far East to the Caribbean offer vast opportunities to experience rich cultures and stunning natural beauty. This unrivalled travel experience will be a once in a lifetime trip.
Learning new skills
Walking away from this voyage, you will have gained lifelong friends and unforgettable memories but this is also a training ship and offers the opportunity to learn both sailing and life skills. You will be able to take part in multiple workshops including, ropework, rigging, seamanship, celestial navigation, and other nautical subjects. The workshops throughout the journey supplement the hands- on training, where you will really learn to be a sailor.
This voyage is also a journey of personal growth with reliance on intense teamwork, collaboration, and interpersonal skills. Whether you decide to take this voyage on as part of a gap year or as a career break, this experience will provide you with skills to take with you once you have returned to life ashore.
How much does it cost to sail around the world?
Prices for the voyage, in US dollars (USD), are as follows.
Entire Voyage: $68000
Leg 1: $17000
Leg 2: $17000
Leg 3: $17000
Leg 4: $17000
Leg 5: $17000
Uncertain about the fees? Get in touch and we’ll send you more details.
How long does it take to sail around the world?
Depending on the amount of time and money you have available, there are a number of options for signing on. We always say that longer is better, but recognize that not everyone can make a year-long voyage.
Sailing for as long as you can afford, both financially and time-wise, is the best option.
NEXT STEPS: Check out the trip page and make an enquiry if you’d like full details on this epic chance to sail around the world
For further reading if you’re feeling inspired
- This Sunday Times interview with Another World Adventures co-founder Larissa Clark about ocean adventures and long travel for grown up gap years which is very relevant for this trip where the voyage legs are 3 to 4 months each
- A fun post in Wanderlust about sailing round the world, who it’s for and who it’s not!
- Sailing around the world by Kellie Pollock in CNN
- Sailing around the world some notes on Wiki
- And again but this time on circumnavigation
FAQs
How long does it take to get to the other side of the world by boat? ›
How long does it take to sail around the world? Sailing around the world takes between 3 to 5 years. It can be done incredibly fast: the world record is 40 days on a trimaran.
How many weeks does it take to sail around the world? ›If you're interested in sailing nonstop around the world, it will most likely take you around 100 days. However, if you actually want to stop and explore your surroundings, replenish your provisions, and relax a bit, you'll probably want to plan for around 3 to 10 years of sailing.
What is the route of sailing around the world? ›Routes vary, either travelling through the Caribbean and then into the Pacific Ocean via the Panama Canal, or around Cape Horn. From there ships usually make their way to Hawaii, the islands of the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, then northward to Hong Kong, South East Asia, and India.
How many miles does it take to sail around the world? ›Today, we know that the Earth's circumference is 24,901 miles (40,075 km), meaning that the distance Elcano and his men traveled was more than twice the circumference of the planet.
How long would it take to sail from Barbados to North Carolina? ›According to BednBlue, it would take 4 days, 10 hours, and 28 minutes to travel from Barbados to Outer Banks, North Carolina when sailing at 15 knots.
What is the best size boat to sail around the world? ›Modern round-the-worlders most often choose boats between 35 and 45 feet in size. The minimum length is due to the boat's behaviour in open water and, as a result, the desired level of comfort and safety.
How safe is sailing around the world? ›Should yachtsmen think again about sailing round the world, or continuing their voyage? Statistically speaking, sailing is one of the safest ways of seeing the world. But you can make it more dangerous if you're not careful.
Can a beginner sail around the world? ›Wondering whether it is possible for a novice sailor to circumnavigate the globe? The answer? Yes, in a variety of situations! Most novice sailors assume they're on their own when considering circumnavigation, but that's not the case.
How many people have solo sailed around the world? ›And the fact is that sailing single-handed non-stop round the world continues to be a very rare feat. To date, only 199 people in history have ever accomplished it. With good reason: the mammoth skill and arduousness of keeping a boat going in all conditions without any help.
Where is the safest place to sail in the world? ›What's the safest sailing route around the world? The safest sailing route around the world is to stay as close to the equator as possible to make use of the more favorable winds there. This route requires sailing through the Panama and Suez Canals, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the South Pacific, and the Atlantic.
What is the cost of sailing around the world? ›
While the costs of sailing around the world could be high it can help if you split costs with others. You will likely need anywhere between $10,000 to $15,000 per person as a good rule of thumb.
What is the longest sailing route without hitting land? ›The longest straight-line path over water begins in Sonmiani, Balochistan, Pakistan, passes between Africa and Madagascar and then between Antarctica and Tierra del Fuego in South America, and ends in the Karaginsky District, Kamchatka Krai, in Russia. It is 32,089.7 kilometers long.
Is it hard to sail around the world? ›Sailing around the world is a major undertaking, but you don't have to be super rich, athletic, or have salt water running in your veins to do it. I know bluewater cruisers and round-the-world sailors from all walks of life: young couples, single women, families with kids, and an 85-year-old Reverand.
Who is the youngest person to sail solo around the world? ›Laura Dekker, a Dutch sailor, made history in 2012 when she broke Jessica Watson's record and became the youngest person to sail solo around the world. Dekker was born in 2015 and just 16 years old when she finished her journey across the ocean.
How long does it take to sail 1 mile? ›Want to know how long it will take to travel one nautical mile? Divide the number 60 by your sailing speed. Sailing at 4 knots? You'll cover one mile in 15 minutes (60 / 4).
Is it possible to travel the world by boat? ›With a capable skipper, a seaworthy, well-maintained yacht and the right sailing conditions, you can see the whole world. A fully stocked, seaworthy 30-foot sailing yacht will sail about 100 nautical miles in a day, and she can continue up to 90 days without needing to stop.
How long does it take to cross the ocean by boat? ›Sailing vessels and sailing yachts take roughly three to four weeks to perform an Atlantic Crossing. Depending on weather conditions, they can average 4 - 8 kts during the passage.
How long did it take to get to the New world by boat? ›Back in Columbus' day, sailing from England to America could take you anywhere between six weeks and four months, depending on the wind and weather you faced. Without modern-day weather-prediction technology, your voyage time was largely based on luck. Columbus himself was rather lucky, making the journey in 61 days.
How long does it take to get across the ocean by boat? ›In summary, it takes on average 21 days to sail across the Atlantic, depending on things like the wind and weather conditions and the make and size of your boat.