South Atlantic Expedition - Leg 1 from Cape Town to Saint Helena

Leg 1 - Cape Town to St Helena Island Set sail on one of the world’s most extraordinary ocean voyages – a true adventure that few sailors will ever experience. This is your chance to cross the South Atlantic Ocean, discover the remote island of St Helena, and gain the skills, confidence, and miles you need for future offshore expeditions. Whether you’re joining for one leg or the full return journey, this voyage combines hands-on seamanship, incredible destinations, and moments that will stay with you for life. Your adventure begins in Cape Town. You’ll join the crew at the Royal Cape Yacht Club for an intensive “Boat Prep” – learning everything from passage planning and weather routing to provisioning, safety systems, and watch-keeping. It’s an ideal foundation for anyone serious about ocean sailing. We then set sail northwards along the Namibian coast, stopping in the historic port of Lüderitz, where shifting sands hide the haunting desert “ghost town” of Kolmanskop. From there, we turn westward and head out across the South Atlantic Ocean – a true blue-water passage of more than a thousand nautical miles. You’ll experience the rhythm of life at sea and the incomparable beauty of night skies undimmed by land lights. Throughout the voyage, you’ll log valuable ocean miles, including 60 nm skippered passages, ideal for building towards RYA qualifications. Our landfall is St Helena, one of the most remote inhabited islands on earth. Once a key stop for explorers and the final home of Napoleon, today it’s a sub-tropical paradise of emerald valleys, volcanic peaks, and crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life. You’ll spend several days ashore, with comfortable self catering accommodation included, exploring the island’s history, swim with whale sharks, hike through cloud forests, and meet the friendly local “Saint” community. You can choose to fly back from St Helena to Johannesburg or continue with Leg 2 – the adventurous return passage via Tristan da Cunha. This is where ocean sailing becomes pure exploration: powerful seas, celestial navigation, and true self-reliance under expert guidance. It’s challenging, exhilarating, and deeply rewarding – the perfect environment to hone your offshore skills. Whether you join for one leg (around 3 weeks) or the full return (around 6 weeks), this voyage is much more than a sailing trip. It’s a journey of discovery, personal growth, and connection with the ocean at its most inspiring. The full trip covers almost 5,000 nautical miles of sailing.