Explore ancient ports as you sail from Iceland to the Netherlands following the old route of the Vikings.
Embark on a 25-day maritime odyssey that traverses the untamed beauty of the North Atlantic, from the rugged shores of Iceland to the serene waters of the Netherlands. Joining a small crew aboard a traditional tall ship, you’ll experience the thrill of hands-on sailing while exploring some of the most remote and captivating islands along the way.
Setting sail from the vibrant harbor of Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, you’ll immerse yourself in the rich culture and natural wonders of this volcanic island. Take time to explore its museums, indulge in local cuisine, and unwind amidst its breathtaking landscapes before beginning your seafaring adventure.
As you bid farewell to Iceland, your first port of call is the Westman Islands, a volcanic archipelago famed for its abundant puffin colonies and geological marvels. Witness the dramatic aftermath of Eldfell’s eruption in 1973, which reshaped the island’s terrain, before venturing onward to the remote Faroe Islands.
Navigating the treacherous North Atlantic currents, you’ll reach the Faroes, a windswept haven of rugged cliffs and untouched beauty. Feel the raw power of nature as you gaze upon Europe’s highest sea cliffs and explore quaint villages nestled amidst breathtaking fjords.
Continuing southward, Lerwick in the Shetland Islands welcomes you with its rich maritime history and picturesque landscapes. From ancient Norse settlements to pristine nature reserves, each stop offers a glimpse into the region’s storied past and abundant wildlife.
As you sail onwards to the Orkneys, ancient ruins and pristine beaches await, offering a chance to delve into Scotland’s fascinating history and natural wonders. Explore Neolithic sites, encounter diverse marine life, and marvel at the towering cliffs that dot the island’s coastline.
Finally, as the journey draws to a close, you’ll navigate the North Sea towards the tranquil Wadden Islands of the Netherlands. Sheltered from the waves, these idyllic isles provide the perfect setting to reflect on your voyage and savor the last moments of adventure before reaching the charming port of Harlingen.
Join the crew on this unforgettable expedition, where every moment aboard our tall ship is a chance to connect with the elements, embrace the spirit of adventure, and discover the hidden gems of the North Atlantic.
Why you'll love this adventure
- Discover the Orkneys, Shetlands, Faroes, and Outer Hebrides all in one remarkable voyage
- Learn about life on a tall ship or brush up your sailing skills
- Be part of the crew - past experience not needed
Dates
Itinerary
Day 1 : Welcome on board in Reykjavik, at 18:00 local time. First evening will be spend with introductions, to the crew, the expedition members and to safety on board.
Day 2 : Set sail for Vestmannaeyjar. If winds and waves are favorable the small harbour of the island is the perfect place to start exploring this volcanic island.
Day 3-6 : Sail across to Faroe Islands. Some proper blue water sailing, with all the possibilities of seeing whales and killer whales underway!
Day 7-9 : Exploring some of the islands of Faroe.
Day 10 : Sailing to the Shetland islands.
Day 11 – 14 : Exploring some of the Shetland islands, including Fair Isle if wind and weather permit.
Day 15 : Sail to the Orkneys.
Day 15-17 : Discovering the Orkney islands.
Day 18-24 : Sail to the Wadden Islands.
Day 25 : Disembark in Harlingen at 10:00 local time.
What's included
- Full board including three meals a day
- Coffee and tea
- Blanket, sheets, pillow and covers
- Sail training program
- 3-4 professional crew members guiding the group
Not included
- Soda and alcoholic drinks (during sailing no alcohol will be served)
- Towels
- Excursions ashore
- Transfer to and from the vessel
- Visa if needed
Trip notes
Price
Min age
Accommodation
There are 6 cabins, each for 2 persons. The cabins are situated in the middle of the vessel, which makes them as stable as possible.
Your bunk is inside one of the two person cabins. Your bed will be either the high or the lower bed of a bedbunk. All beds are over 80cm wide and 2 meters long. Each bed has a reading light for the evening hours. The cabins are ensuite.
In a wet room you will find a shower, (hot and cold water), and a toilet, that when possible flushes with outside water.
In the cabin itself you will find a fountain and mirror. Your clothing can be stored in the closet and your bag or suitcase can be stored under the bed.
Meals
The food
On board, there’s no set menu. The menu is developed on board with influences of her surroundings. The cook tries to use as many local fresh products as possible. Around the North Sea, when it gets colder you will find some ‘stamppot’ (Dutch mashes potatoes speciality) with smoked sausage on your plate.
During a longer stay on board you will hardly ever see the same dish twice. Most meals are served with a salad or fruit on the side. During longer trips they take good care of the vegetables and fruit to ensure that you will enjoy fresh food as long as possible.
The meals
Breakfast depends on the sailing situation. When underway breakfast is at 8, a buffet where you will find fresh baked bread when we are underway for longer periods, with cereals and sometimes even porridge. When the crew are anchored or in harbour you can eat breakfast outside in fine weather, or inside together on a table with an egg, or ‘wentelteefjes’ (French toast), or a fresh smoothie.
Lunch is almost always served with something warm or special, can be soup, sausage rolls, fresh fruit or special bread.
Dinner is at 18:00 hours when you are sailing. When the weather is good and it is still nice and light outside they will serve dinner in a buffet style outside. If this is not possible you will find a buffet downstairs with the possibility to eat inside or outside. When you are not sailing and eating inside you will find a set table where everyone can enjoy the meal together.
The cook on board is one of the crew.
When you go sailing, you will go on a culinary trip around the world. You will find influences of all the places they have visited and will be surprised with a beautiful meal every night.
Who is this trip for?
Adventure seekers, sailors, nature lovers, solo travellers, couples, friends, families
Crew
The crew consists of three or four permanent professional sailors. This crew is partially made up of the family and completed with some dedicated sailors that we have met around the world.
The crew give their heart and life to sailing and can show all the tricks of trimming the sail to the fullest and teach anybody how to bake some amazing homemade bread.
Additional notes
You should always bring
- The right clothes for the right weather – always expect rain!
- Swimming clothes!
- Camera
- Two pairs of footwear
- Sense of humour
- Open mind
The Watch System
The ship offers a hands-on sailing experience which means by joining a voyage you work as ‘voyage crew’ and help to sail the ship. There is a three watch schedule on board, which means you will be on ‘watch’ for 4 hours, have 8 hours off watch and then on watch again for 4 hours. So within 24 hours you will be on watch for 8.
The watches are divided into the Red, White and Blue watch, after the colours of the Dutch flag.
Red: 00:00 – 04:00 and 12:00 – 16:00 hours
White: 04:00 – 08:00 and 16:00 – 20:00 hours
Blue: 08:00 – 12:00 and 20:00 – 24:00 hours
Each watch has a watch leader, one of the permanent crew. The watch leader will give you instructions and your first watch will be filled with instructions on what watch keeping is. You will be told what is expected and you will be informed about the navigational equipment on board.
Watch keeping means being out on deck, awake and without music or books. You maybe be ‘looking out’ on the aft or the front of the ship, handling the sails or steering the vessel in turns and writing down the position of the vessel every hour. Three watches means that the watches are never bigger than 6 people. So all watch members will get a chance do some navigational work.
Every watch has an own set of chores to do on board. One watch is responsible for making the dinner and doing the dishes of the lunch, another will make breakfast and do the dishes of dinner and another watch will prepare lunch and do the dishes of breakfast.
We have a daily routine we work with and we will keep to this routine. This way you know what to expect and you know when to work or sleep. We do not change watches, so you will have the same routine every day.
FAQs
What is the language spoken on board?
The language spoken on board is English. The crew on board speak Dutch, English and German. The ship’s crew is mainly Dutch, but sometimes international.
I am traveling with someone. Can we book the same room?
Yes, as long as there are two person rooms available, you can book your voyage on board and say you are traveling with someone. You will be placed in the same room.
What kind of clothes do I need?
The ship does not provide sailing clothes on board, so please bring your own waterproof clothing. This does not have to be a sailing suite, waterproof and warm clothing will suffice. Please be prepared for some rainy days, but also hopefully for some sunny days!
Tour operator
An old Herring drifter (Logger) built in 1915, the ship is 28 meters long over deck (38 meters overall) and takes 16 trainees on her voyages. No previous sailing experience is needed and experienced and new sailors love her equally.
A family of four professional sailors have owned and run this vessel since 2006 and sail her with true passion. Built for the North Sea she’s a fast sailor and her rigging is as traditional as it gets.
We love that the boat’s appearance is kept as traditional as possible yet combined with modern techniques and equipment. Everyone on board is part of the informal sail training program that is designed to get the best out of everyone whether you join for 2 days or a longer ocean crossing.
On September 13th she and her crew were the first traditional sailing ship to complete the North West Passage after Roald Admundsen with his ship Goya in 2013.
Enquire today
Sail Iceland to the Netherlands via Faroes
Please complete the enquiry form above with as much detail as you can and we will send you all the trip information and connect you with the operator so you can make a booking directly.
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