Sail Around the Atlantic on SV Twister, 2026/27

Yes, and you get a multi-leg discount for doing so:
– 2 legs: €200 off total
– 3 legs: €400 off total
– 4 or more legs: €600 off total

Yearly Ocean Nomads members get an additional €100 off per leg on top of that.

Ocean Nomads Expedition legs (Leg 2, 3, 4): curated crew, discovery call before booking, Julie onboard as trip host, active community engagement, ON vibes and values at sea. We walk the extra mile to align this trip as much as possible with our slow, eco, adventure minds and drive, uniting a likeminded crew.

Twister crew spots (Leg 1, 5, 6, 7, 8): Twister sails these legs and Ocean Nomads opens crew spots on them. Lighter screening (application form only, we email if we have questions), no dedicated ON trip host onboard, more of a milebuilder / passage vibe. Still on the same beautiful Twister with the same professional crew. People from other agencies may also join.

People who want a real hands-on sailing adventure. You’re curious about the ocean, ready to be part of a crew, and open to leaving land behind for a while. 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. The professional crew is happy teaching you the ropes.

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

A few voices from earlier Twister legs and Ocean Nomads trips.

“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

“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, and the member stories page. Watch the film of the last Atlantic expedition, or send yourself the trip brochure for the full details in your inbox.

Fair question, and worth answering straight. Running voyages on SV Twister takes real resources. Offshore sailing, done safely, legally and well, is not cheap, and it is not where we cut corners.

Twister is over 100 years old. Keeping her safe and ocean-ready takes constant upkeep, dozens of certificates, and yearly checks. We only sail with highly experienced captains and crew who have made these passages before, under the Dutch flag, with at least four professional crew on board. That is exactly what lets us take people with little or no experience safely offshore.

We also put real hours into choosing and preparing the crew, so the people beside you are part of what makes the trip. That care sits in the price too.

Can you cross the Atlantic for less? Yes. Suzanne wrote a whole step-by-step book on sailboat hitchhiking, Ocean Nomad. It works, and plenty of people love that route. It also takes far more time and research to land a ride that is safe, happy, and going where you want, and you carry a lot more of the risk yourself. On Twister, that part is handled.

If you want to save the search, sail a legendary boat with people you will still be sailing with years from now, and learn to sail instead of being a passenger, coming with us pays back many times over. It is hands-on, and for a lot of our crew it changes what they do next.

Want to build the skills first, or bring the cost down?
– Learn the ropes with Zero to Ocean Nomad, our crew course, so you step on board already knowing your way around.
– Ask us about scholarships and grants. If money is the only thing standing between you and the ocean, tell us. Sometimes we can help you find funding.
– Keep an eye on the Ocean Nomads network for crew spots on a shared-cost basis, a lighter way to get your offshore miles.

Ocean Nomads yearly members (€75/year) get:
– €100 off every leg
– Priority application, so members are looked at first while spots last
– Full access to the community and network, before, during, and after the trip
– Plenty more member perks beyond this trip

Membership is €75 for the year and pays for itself on a single leg. If you are sailing with us, it is worth becoming a member first.

Multi-leg discounts stack on top: €200 off (2 legs), €400 off (3 legs), €600 off (4 or more legs).

Become a yearly member.

Anyone can apply for any leg. Fill in the application form and mention which leg (or legs) you’re interested in. For Leg 3 and Leg 4 we set up a 15-minute discovery call. For other legs we follow up by email if we have questions.

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

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. We can only run the expedition is we have secured enough participants.

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.

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 skills you develop, and a certificate of participation after the trip.

You arrange your own flights to the start port and from the end port of each leg. Exact meeting point and marina details are shared after booking confirmation.

Start / end airports per leg:
– Leg 1: Amsterdam (AMS) to Madeira (FNC)
– Leg 2: Madeira (FNC) to Tenerife (TFS/TFN)
– Leg 3: Tenerife (TFS/TFN) to Cape Verde Mindelo (VXE or via Sal/SID)
– Leg 4: Cape Verde Mindelo (VXE) to Martinique (FDF)
– Leg 5: Martinique loop South (FDF)
– Leg 6: Martinique loop North (FDF)
– Leg 7: Martinique (FDF) to Azores (PDL)
– Leg 8: Azores (PDL) to Amsterdam (AMS)

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.