Offshore sailing, heading for the Isles of Scilly archipelago
In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationEurope / England
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AgeFrom 14 - 80 years
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CO₂-Emissions334.48 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
Take the helm of an unforgettable maritime adventure departing from Lorient! For 7 days , you will embark as a 100% active crew member on board a 21-meter monohull , supervised by two professional sailors.
This semi-offshore sailing trip offers comprehensive training: you will learn anticipation , decision-making , watch management, and complex maneuvers. Experience navigating the famous Raz de Sein, the Chenal du Four, tacking, and night sailing during the English Channel crossing .
Your destination is the Isles of Scilly , a little corner of British paradise. Enjoy a 2- to 3-day stopover to explore its five inhabited islands (St. Mary's, Tresco, St. Martin's, St. Agnes, and Bryher) and its wild islets where you can encounter seals . Be captivated by Tresco's unique microclimate and its magnificent subtropical garden before setting sail again for Lorient. Experience total immersion in life aboard a tall ship!
The highlights
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The discovery of a little corner of paradise, the Scilly Isles
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100% active participation in watch navigation and life on board
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A cross-Channel crossing in an area of high maritime traffic
Photos
Sport
Level
Sailing
The expert's opinion
This semi-offshore course includes day and night navigation with watch navigation.
The crew members must therefore be "at least" seaworthy to be able to hold a course and withstand any adverse weather conditions.
In figures
Sailing
- Average duration/day: 11h
Management
French
English
On board, a crew of two professional sailors supervises the crew. The skipper and first mate are qualified and hold the Captain 200 Sailing Certificate and State Diploma. They are there for supervision, safety, training, and onboard activities.
Program
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Home & Equipment
- Transportation Boat - 06h - 60km
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Departing from the port of Lorient La Base, customer reception at 08:30.
Snack and introduction of the crew.
Round table discussion with introductions and expectations from each person.
Discovering the boat: deck plan and interior.
Presentation of the navigation program according to weather conditions.
The goal is to be able to reach the Scilly archipelago with one or two stops beforehand, giving everyone time to get their sea legs.
Setting up the sheets and headsails.
Rigging and hoisting the sails.
Coastal navigation towards the Raz de Sein.
Preparation and lunch at sea according to departure time from the home port of Lorient.
Anchoring at Glénan or in Douarnenez Bay depending on tide and weather.
Dinner and overnight stay on board.
Day 1 -
Four Passage and Channel Tunnel
- Transportation Boat - 23h - 200kmper day
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 23h per day
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Early wake-up and breakfast at anchor.
Organizing the shifts for the next 48 hours.
Resumption of navigation with passage through the Chenal du Four, Ouessant, etc.
Day and night navigation in watch mode.
Cross-Channel with night navigation, TSS zone, AIS, cargo lanes, etc.
Days 2 to 3 -
Landing on the Isles of Scilly
- Transportation Boat - 01h - 10km
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 1h
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Weather permitting, landing on the Isles of Scilly archipelago.
Anchorage at Ste Mary or Tresco.
Rest, disembarkation on land by tender for visits, pub, etc.
Preparing dinner.
Overnight on board.
Day 4 -
Stopover in the Isles of Scilly
- Transportation Boat - 02h - 10km
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 2h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Wake up and have breakfast at anchor.
According to the tour program agreed upon with the crew, we sailed to another island in the Archipelago.
Disembarkation by tender for a visit, a stroll ashore, a pub…
Anchoring in the evening downwind of the island.
Preparing dinner.
Overnight on board.
Day 5 -
Navigation back to Lorient
- Transportation Boat - 23h - 250kmper day
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 23h per day
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Wake up and have breakfast at anchor.
Weather, navigation plan.
Organizing the shifts for the next 48 hours.
Setting sail for Lorient
Day and night navigation in watch mode.
Arrival in mid/late afternoon at the port of Lorient La Base.
Crew members tidying up and disembarking.
Days 6 to 7
Note
The navigation program is defined according to the forecast weather conditions but also the navigation pace desired by the crew (from 4 to 8 hours per day).
Accommodation
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- Boarding a 21m monohull with a crew of two professional sailors departing from Lorient.
- Single bed in a double or triple cabin
- Full board
- Consumables
- Fuel
The price does not include
- Bedding kit
- Possible stopover in a port
- Personal expenses on land
- "Electronic Travel Authorisation" required (English waters, outside the EU).
Options
- BEDDING KIT : CHF56.72 / unit
- NIGHT ON BOARD : CHF32.02 / unit
- SEAWEAR RENTAL : CHF32.02 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Valid passport and "Electronic Travel Authorisation" required (English waters, outside the EU).
Price in the region of £10.
More information is available from our Lorient office.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- VFI (life jacket) with 3-point tether.
Equipment to bring
- Pair of tennis shoes (rubber sole, not plastic)
- Pair of boots (or a second pair of deck shoes/tennis shoes)
- Sleeping bag
- Bath towel
- Wipes
- Sunglasses
- Headlamp
Clothing to bring
- Sails jacket
- Quarter overalls
- Polar
- Thermal clothing
- Glove
- Cap
- Cap
- Shorts or Bermuda shorts
The Valdo team
Based in Lorient, our local partner, École Française de Croisière, offers the opportunity to embark on exceptional 21m sailboats with crew for coastal, semi-offshore and offshore courses, as well as offshore races (Rolex Fastnet Race, Caribbean 600, Atlantic Rally for Cruisers…).
His professional team accompanies crew members to Brittany, the Isles of Scilly, Ireland, the Caribbean, or New York. He offers a variety of experiences, from training for novices to transatlantic crossings, as well as tailor-made corporate events (team building, seminars) on legendary monohulls.
