Sail Madeira to Tenerife on SV Twister

This trip is for people who want a taste of real offshore sailing without the long commitment of an ocean crossing. You’re curious about sailing, drawn to the ocean, and ready to be part of a crew. Whether it’s your first time joining a sailing crew or you’ve done it before, you’re in the right place.

You don’t need sailing experience. We believe and have experienced that a positive mindset and active adaptive attitude is much more valuable. Our captain and professional crew are happy teaching you the ropes. After some days at sea you can sail the ship yourself.

When it’s maybe not for you:
– You’re not excited about sailing and all that comes with it
– You don’t want to share your space with others
– You can’t adapt to a new situation with new people
– You only want to sit back and relax
– You’re not in a positive headspace for this kind of trip

If any of these are true, you might want to pass on an adventure like this for now.

12 December 2026 to 22 December 2026. Around 300 nautical miles, 10 days. See the Trip Facts above for current pricing and deals. Ocean Nomads community members get priority application.

You are part of the crew. That means standing watches, helping cook, helping clean, helping run the ship. This is a shared experience, not a service. It’s what makes the trip!

This is an adventure and on purpose not planned out into detail. We cannot plan the weather and we adjust the sails as we go. Sometimes we sail longer than expected. Sometimes we stay an extra day at an anchorage because it’s too good to leave. Sometimes the weather keeps us at sea. Flexibility is part of it.

Living space is shared. Water and power are limited. Our trips are vegetarian and no alcohol at sea will be consumed. We believe it’s healthier for us, the environment and our wallet. Also, we don’t catch fish.

What you get back: real sailing skills, conversations that get deep faster than you’d expect, and a slower rhythm that often sticks after you step off the boat. Read the recap of the last Atlantic expedition.

It’s the people who make the adventure. We carefully curate a diverse, multi-skilled crew who share a similar mindset, to create a powerful team mix. It makes the difference.

You skip the research, the gambling, and the risk. We’ve sailed, worked, and travelled with over 100 vessels by now. SV Twister hits the sweet spot of authentic, comfortable, and safe. Think toilet buttons, your own comfortable bed, filtered water, real space and community vibes. Very few ocean-worthy vessels take people offshore legally, at this level of comfort, with these safety standards, and for this price.

Around 15 souls, all in. Sailing with 2, 3, or 5 people is fun. We’ve done it. But sailing with around 15 like-minded ocean nomads is where it gets interesting. You’ll always find a few people you click with. Many of our trip alumni are still meeting up today.

The surfboard mission. We pick up old surfboards along the way and deliver them to Cape Verde in collaboration with Clean Ocean Project, where they go to local kids learning to surf. A side mission you only get to be part of by sailing there yourself.

The trip starts in Funchal, Madeira (FNC airport) and ends in Tenerife (TFS or TFN airport). You arrange your own flights to and from the boat.

Around 300 nautical miles of sailing over 10 days. Exact dates of arrival depend on weather and permits. The route and island stops are weather-dependent and we adjust as we go.

Exact meeting point, marina, and arrival details will be shared after booking confirmation. If you want to arrive a day early to settle in or explore Madeira, we can share recommendations.

Many crew combine this leg with the Atlantic Crossing. See the Atlantic Crossing trip page for the full Tenerife to Martinique passage.

Less is more. Pack light. A soft bag or duffel, no hard suitcases.

Essentials: foul-weather gear (jacket and trousers), warm layers for night watches, light layers for sunny island days, swimwear, a hat, sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen, deck shoes, motion sickness medication for the first days, and a head torch with a red light for night watches.

Leave anything you’d be upset to lose or get salty. Everything gets damp on a boat. A full packing list and preparation brief will be shared before departure.

Anyone can apply for any trip. Every booking includes Ocean Nomads community access. Your taste of the wider network.

Ocean Nomads yearly members get priority application access, a discount, and ongoing community benefits. Become a yearly member before booking to unlock.

The voyage is operated by SV Twister and her professional crew under Twister’s terms. Ocean Nomads curates the cohort and the community around the voyage; your trip contract is with Twister.

Booking & payment. After your interview and acceptance, we send you a link to confirm and pay on Twister’s booking portal. The deposit, balance, and payment schedule are set by Twister and shown when you book.

Cancellation. The cancellation schedule is set by Twister and applies through their general terms. Ocean Nomads applies a non-refundable €50 administration fee on any refund. Travel insurance with cancellation cover is strongly recommended from the moment you book.

Pre-trip preparation. All bookings include access to our Zero to Ocean Nomad online course.

Sailing on SV Twister with us allows for maximum adventure with minimum risk. Mum will be happy. SV Twister sails under the Dutch flag with professional crew with the necessary qualifications and experience for this voyage. On board there’s an extensive medical kit and we take extra precautions if you have a certain allergy or challenge. The entire voyage we are in contact with our shore contact, always aware of our position. Ocean-worthy lifejackets are provided. At sea we use Iridium for weather forecasts and emergency contact.

You are responsible for being honest about your physical and mental health, swimming ability, and fitness level. Travel insurance is required and must cover offshore sailing. We adapt to weather and sea conditions at all times. Safety always comes first.

Want to see what this actually looks like? Watch the film from the last expedition with Twister.