Sailing Canary Islands to Cape Verde on Classic Schooner

This trip is for people who want real offshore miles and can flex with the weather. You’re curious about ocean sailing, drawn to the sea, and ready to be part of a crew that lives simply for a week and a half.

No sailing experience needed. A positive mindset and adaptive attitude matter more. Our captain and professional crew teach you the ropes.

This is for you if you want milebuilding before the full Atlantic crossing, or the real thing without the full three-week Atlantic passage.

Yes. Legs 2, 3 and 4 are Ocean Nomads Expedition legs: curated crew, a discovery call before booking, Julie on board as trip host, and the Ocean Nomads community around the trip before and after. For these legs we walk a few extra miles to bring a like-minded crew together. Legs 1, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are Twister crew spots with lighter screening and no Ocean Nomads host on board. See the expedition overview for all eight legs.

Dates to be announced. Around 850 nautical miles total. Open-water passage 5 to 7 days depending on the trade winds, with island exploration in the Canaries and Cape Verde filling the rest of the twelve-day trip.

The weather always rules and shapes the exact route. Open ocean miles, arriving in Mindelo, Cape Verde.

See the Trip Facts above for current pricing.

You are part of the crew. That means standing watches around the clock, helping cook, helping clean, helping run the ship. This is a shared experience, not a service.

The weather rules and we adjust sails and route as we go. A passage can take a day longer, we may shelter, and a planned island stop may go. Come with that in mind.

Living space is shared. Water and power are limited. Our trips are vegetarian and we don’t consume alcohol at sea.

What you get back: real offshore sailing miles, conversations that get deep faster than you’d expect, and a slower rhythm that often sticks after you step off the boat.

The trip starts in Tenerife (TFS or TFN airport) and ends in Mindelo, Cape Verde (VXE airport, or via Sal/SID with a connecting flight). You arrange your own flights to and from the boat.

Around 850 nautical miles total, over twelve days. Open-water passage 5 to 7 days, with island stops in the Canaries and Cape Verde filling the rest.

The weather always rules and shapes the exact route and arrival timing. Book flights with flexibility in mind. Exact meeting point, marina, and arrival details will be shared after booking confirmation.

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 the trades, 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 will be shared before departure.

Anyone can apply for any trip. Every booking includes Ocean Nomads community access.

Every booking includes lifetime access to the Zero to Ocean Nomad crew course. Ocean Nomads yearly members get €100 off and priority handling of their application, and full community and network access.

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

After your interview and acceptance, we send you a link to confirm and pay on Twister’s booking portal. 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.

Minimum crew. A leg only sails when enough crew have booked. If a leg does not reach the minimum, we tell you well before departure and you can move to another leg or have your payment refunded.

All bookings include access to our Zero to Ocean Nomad online course.

Sometimes. A spot can be funded through an employer’s training, development or outplacement budget, or put through your own business when the trip fits the work you do. We provide what an HR department or accountant asks for: a proposal on Ocean Nomads paper, an invoice with VAT details, a description of what you do on board and the skills you develop, and a certificate of participation after the trip.

“I initially signed up for one week, but ended up staying one and a half months, and sailed as part of the crew from Northern Spain to the Canary Islands. I met a lot of like-minded people with similar goals and dreams, and realised it is possible to learn sailing in a low-key, affordable way. After this trip I got so inspired that I decided to buy my own sailboat, a previous boat of an Ocean Nomad friend I had just met. Together we sailed her from Ireland to Spain. Without Ocean Nomads this would not have been possible.” Nadiem, Northern Spain to the Canary Islands

“I felt connected for the first time in decades. I felt part of a community and had companionship. It is so inclusive of gender, nationality and, most importantly, age. October and November I felt happy and free for the first time in maybe 22 years. It gave me everything I was looking for: connection, companionship, purpose and being one with nature.” Cay, Netherlands to the Canary Islands

“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. Weeks without connection to the outside world was absolutely glorious. I feel reset. Being around a crew every day was amazing, part of a family of diverse ages, nationalities and backgrounds.” Sael, Atlantic crossing on Twister

“I went in wanting to learn this and that about sailing. I learned far more that had nothing to do with sailing, and that was the beautiful part of it for me.” Said, Cape Verde crossing 2025

“Still smiling at the memories! Met, and still talking to, some lovely people. Refreshed my nautical skills: helming, navigation, astro identification. Shared great experiences through conversation, music, stories, yoga, cooking together, seeing ocean wildlife, and so much more.” Richard, Expedition ON 2021

“I met nine really beautiful people that I now know will be a part of my life for the rest of my life. There is something really unifying about sailing.” Simon, Tenerife to Cape Verde

“What I love about them is that they do no-alcohol, vegetarian trips only, which completely changes the vibe. It is all about fun, sailing, friendly atmosphere, and being together with pristine nature. From one to five, they get six stars!” Maciej, Wild Canaries

“Good sailing experience that makes me feel more confident on open seas. Made good connections to nice people and got valuable insights for my master plan.” Andi, sailed Twister

“It is absolutely breathtaking to sail a tall ship and minimise the use of the motor as much as possible. I joined the Twister expedition to share my knowledge as a marine scientist studying cetaceans.” Marc, sailed Twister

More: Nadiem’s full story, Julie’s story, the member stories page, and the film of the last Atlantic expedition. Independent reviews on Trustpilot and Facebook.

Twister is a Dutch-flagged traditional sailing ship, certified to carry guests on ocean voyages worldwide. She operates under the ISM Code with a certified safety management system, and she is inspected every year by the Dutch maritime authority (ILT) and by RINA, an international classification society. Every year she is also hauled out so the hull below the waterline can be checked.

Every voyage sails with a professional crew of four, holding the officer, master, safety and radio certificates required under Dutch and international (STCW) rules. You sail alongside them and learn from them. They are always responsible for the ship.

On board: liferafts for 75 people, nearly three times the number on board, lifejackets with lights, man-overboard recovery equipment, EPIRB and SART, AIS, radar, fire detection and firefighting equipment. Four independent ways to reach shore: Iridium satellite (GMDSS), Starlink Maritime, MF/HF radio and VHF/DSC. The crew is medically trained for ocean voyages, the medical kit meets Dutch maritime regulations, and telemedical advice is available by radio or satellite. We run safety drills with everyone on board. Mum will be happy.

You are responsible for telling us the truth about your physical and mental health, swimming ability, and fitness level. Travel insurance is required and must cover offshore sailing. SafetyWing caters for most people’s needs. We adapt to weather and sea conditions at all times.

Want to talk it through first? Ask us and we connect you with the captain of your leg. Want to see what this looks like? Watch the film from the last expedition with Twister.