Sail Around the Atlantic on SV Twister (Overview)
Atlantic ocean crossing on a 1902 schooner. Hosted by Ocean Nomads with the SV Twister team. Winter 2026/2027.
What makes this special
- Four months around the Atlantic on an ocean worthy 1902 Classic schooner
- 7 legs to pick from. Join one, several, or the whole thing
- 8.650 nautical miles from Amsterdam via Madeira, Canaries, Cape Verde, Caribbean, Azores and back
- Selected value & vibe sharing crew. Newbies welcome
- Travel powered by wind and purpose driven ocean people
The Journey
What it feels like
Twister leaves Amsterdam in November. She sails south, past the Channel and Biscay, down to Madeira. From there she winds through the Macaronesia archipelago to the Canary Islands, then out into the open Atlantic via Cape Verde to the Caribbean. She loops the Windward Islands, then turns north and east for the return crossing via the Azores back home. Four months, two ocean crossings, seven legs, and a crew that changes with every port. Few things are more exciting than leaving countries, and arriving in countries, by sail.
The 7 legs
Each leg stands on its own. The three Ocean Nomads Expedition legs (⭐) come with curated Ocean Nomads crew, a discovery call before booking on the bigger legs, and our one and only Julie onboard as trip host.
Note that dates can still fluctuate depending weather and variables that come with sailing. This is the current planning:
| Leg | Route | Dates | Days | NM | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amsterdam → Madeira | 18 Nov – 8 Dec 2026 | 20 | 1.500 | €2.100 |
| 2 ⭐ | Madeira → Tenerife | 12 – 22 Dec 2026 | 10 | 300 | €2.750 |
| 3 ⭐ | Tenerife → Cape Verde | 3 – 14 Jan 2027 | 11 | 850 | €3.250 |
| 4 ⭐ | Cape Verde → Martinique | 17 Jan – 6 Feb 2027 | 20 | 2.200 | €5.250 |
| 5 | Caribbean loop | 8 – 18 Feb 2027 | 10 | — | €3.500 |
| 6 | Martinique → Azores | 23 Feb – 17 Mar 2027 | 22 | 2.300 | €3.000 |
| 7 | Azores → Amsterdam | 19 – 29 Mar 2027 | 10 | 1.500 | €1.600 |
| Full expedition | Amsterdam → Amsterdam | Nov 2026 – Mar 2027 | 103 | 8.650 |
Pick your leg
Full pages with route detail, dates, and what to expect:
- ⭐ Leg 2: Madeira to Tenerife. First taste of offshore sailing without the full commitment of an ocean crossing. Anchorages on the islands in between where weather and permits allow.
- ⭐ Leg 3: Tenerife to Cape Verde. Departing 3 January 2027, most likely together with Koen’s Atlantic Ocean Impact Expedition by kitesurf and SV Windfall as support vessel. Possibly the biggest Ocean Nomads gathering ever leaving a harbour at the same time.
- ⭐ Leg 4: Cape Verde to Martinique. The real Atlantic crossing. 2.200 nautical miles of pure ocean on the trade wind route.
- Combined Leg 3 + 4: Atlantic Crossing. Both offshore legs together, Tenerife via Cape Verde to Martinique.
- Legs 1, 5, 6, 7 (delivery passages and Caribbean loop): pages coming soon. Apply directly via the form and mention which leg.
Experience
Twister carries a small crew, big enough for real community at sea. The speed at which strangers stop feeling like strangers always surprises. Most of us spend more time indoors than outdoors. It’s easy to forget the natural world we’re coming from and living in. On the ocean, you face the wind and water elements and find that connection to nature. Imagine a scene with no traffic, no news, no pollution, no civilisation. Just wind and water, plenty of that. A scene where you can gaze for hours to the millions of stars above you, enjoy the dozens of dolphins sliding through the water at the bow of the boat, admire the pink-orange-red sunrises and sunsets, without any airplane trails changing the fluffy and cauliflower-like cloud patterns.
This is not a luxury charter. It’s a hands-on, team-based way of travelling. We sail, cook, navigate, and live together as one crew. 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.
The Vessel
SV Twister is a schooner built in 1902. Originally a wooden fishing boat, her hull was replaced with steel fifty-five years later so she could keep sailing. She still does. She’s beautiful. She’s fast. She’s solid. She’s big. She’s spacious. She’s super comfortable. She’s got soul. She lasts. Dutch flag, modern offshore comforts, every safety certificate. Last season she sailed 5.000 nautical miles offshore in conditions from champagne sailing to a 9 Beaufort. The only thing that broke were two plates.
- Schooner built 1902, 36 m (118′), 88 tonnes
- 6 sails, 332.5 m² sail area, Mercedes Benz 300 PK engine
- 22 berths in shared cabins, 2 bathrooms
- Dutch flag, full offshore safety certificates
- Home port: Amsterdam, Holland
What stays with you
- The feeling of leaving countries and arriving in countries by sail
- Real offshore sailing miles on a 1902 wooden schooner
- Confidence from being part of the crew, not just watching
- A sense of what it means to travel slowly and live simply
- Connections with people who see the world the same way
- You sailed around an ocean!
Your TRIP HOST
Julie
Julie joined the original Ocean Nomads Atlantic expedition as a novice and never left. She hitchhiked across the Atlantic herself, made the Caribbean home, and has been building her sailing life ever since. She’ll be onboard for the Ocean Nomads Expedition legs (2, 3, 4) as trip host, welcoming you, helping you find your sea legs, and setting the ON vibes and values at sea.
Your TRIP SUPPORT
Brianna
Brianna joined us sailing from Madeira to the Canaries a few years back and continued ocean nomad life ever since. She’s the steady presence behind the applications, communication, and preparation for every leg of the expedition, making sure you arrive informed and ready.
Your TRIP SUPPORT
Suzanne
Suzanne is the founder of Ocean Nomads, a Yachtmaster Offshore captain, and author of the books Ocean Nomad and Salz auf der Haut. She flippered to SV Twister in an anchorage a few years ago to say hi, and here we are sailing the world all together. If there’s one thing she learned from sailing +50.000 NM miles on many different boats, it’s the people who make the trip! And it’s the connection to nature that sets the next course of your life.
Included per leg
- The passage on SV Twister
- Professional crew and skipper
- All food onboard
- Marina, mooring, park, and custom fees
- Safety equipment and life jackets
- Ocean Nomads community access or trip discount if member
- Zero to Ocean Nomad online course access
Not included
- Travel to start port and from end port of each leg
- Personal travel insurance
- Personal expenses on shore
- Visa fees if applicable
Watch the Film of our previous Atlantic expedition on SV Twister
Ocean Crossings impact the way you approach life,
LivE with nature & LOVE the ocean
Additional Info
Ocean Nomads Vibes & Values
Ocean Nomads is about more than travel. It’s about living closer to nature, connecting with like-minded people, and stepping into a different rhythm. These trips are where it starts.
Trips aligned with a more conscious way of traveling
A community you can tap into along the way
Continue beyond the trip through connection and new opportunities
Adventure
Exploration, new places and experience powered by wind and curiosity
Community
Connection at sea goes deeper in one day than months on land
Lifestyle
Tips, tools, and connections to accelerate your journey beyond the trip
Skillbuilding
Seamanship, navigation, resilience, conscious living & learn by doing
Impact
Travel consciously & protect what we explore
It’s the people who make the adventure
“This was one of the most epic experiences of my life so far, and I can tell it is just the beginning. The ocean has taught me so many lessons. To embrace all experiences (even seasickness), not worry so much, and just be in the moment. Weeks without connection to the outside world was absolutely glorious. I feel reset. After a very fragmented life the past few years, being around a crew of 17 people every day was amazing. To interact naturally with each other, feel a part of a family of diverse ages, nationalities and backgrounds. I learned so much from these amazing humans. My heart feels so full.”
— Sael, Atlantic Crossing on Twister
“The sailing with such a beautiful ship. It is absolutely breathtaking to sail a tall ship and minimise the use of the motor as much as possible.”
— Marc, Expedition ON
Ready for adventure?
Four months around the Atlantic on a 1902 schooner. Join one leg, join several, or come along for the whole thing. Ocean Nomads yearly members get priority application until 31 July 2026.
