to the new world

The two-masted sailing vessel Twister will weigh anchor and set sail from the Netherlands January 2025, on a virtually emission free trip to South America and the Caribbean. In this season, stable trade winds blow from east to west over the Atlantic ocean. This is the perfect time to set sail and follow the ancient trade routes. First we first sail to South America, where we explore the coasts of French Guiana and Suriname. Then we visit the most beautiful Caribbean islands. In the spring the conditions on the ocean are favorable to sail east and we sail back to Europe.

The trip is divided into 6 legs, along the way we explore the most spectacular places.

Legs can be booked seperately but it is possible to combine stages as well or to make the Grand Tour.

Leg 1: Rotterdam - Lisbon 02-01 to 19-01-2025 more info

Leg 2: Lisbon - Paramaribo 21-01 to 24-02-2025 more info

Leg 3: Paramaribo - Grenada 25-02 to 05-03-2025 more info

Leg 4: Grenada - Martinique 06-03 to 14-03-2025 more info

Leg 5: Martinique - St Marten 15-03 to 27-03-2025 more info

Leg 6: St Marten - Rotterdam 30-03 to 07-05-2025 more info

Grand Tour: Rotterdam - Rotterdam 02-01 to 07-05-2025

On this journey, we follow the ancient maritime trading routes. We head south first, until we reach the trade winds. We drop anchor on the Canary Islands and Cape Verde Islands, before sailing on to Cayenne, the capital city of French Guiana.

Riding the waves on a sailing boat gives you a deep understanding of the beauty and magnitude of the ocean. The waves on this crossing are very long and glide slowly beneath the ship. Relaxing on the slow swell and heave of the Atlantic ocean, you encounter the most amazing animals: shoals of flying fish shooting out of the water, large jelly fish and frolicking whales. Have you ever swum with 5 kilometres of ocean beneath you?

From French Guiana, we continue our trip at “cruise” speed to Suriname. This means we travel fewer miles per day so we have more time for seeing the sights, going onshore or swimming and snorkling. Travelling by ship means you can go places that are otherwise hard to reach from the mainland.

From Suriname we “cruise” on to Tobago. This former pirates’ nest is our southernmost Caribbean destination. From here, we sail due north, towards Saint Martin, where we explore islands and coral reefs. Our captain is familiar with this region and knows exactly where to find the most beautiful islands and at which idylic bays to lay anchor. Most people imagine white sandy beaches, palm trees and an azure sea when thinking of the Caribbean islands, and rightly so. But did you know that many of its islands are volcanic? Their steep hills are covered in luscious, tropical rainforest and mystic cloud forest. The slumbering volcano heats up the mountain streams that wind their way through the jungle and tumble down into stunning waterfalls.

Saint Martin forms the starting point of our return trip to Europe. Along the way, we stop on Bermuda, the Azores and one of the Channel Islands.

This intercontinenal trip is made on the ship “Twister”, a two-master with a lenght of 35 meters and one of the Dutch fleet’s most beautiful ships. This thoroughbred sailing ship is very suitable for crossing the oceans and has done so many times. There is room for 18 passengers on board, who can spend the night in comfortable cabins. Below deck there is also a spacious day area where meals are served and the wheelhouse has comfortable sofas with all-round views. The meals are provided by a professional chef who has a fully equipped galley at her disposal.

Twister and her crew have been to the Caribbean many times, so they know the most beautiful bays and nicest towns to visit. But if you know your way around, you can submit a nice destination yourself!

Sailing across the ocean is virtually emission-free. By organising this trip, we are offering an alternative to air travel and and are making a first step towards truly sustainable intercontinental passenger transport.

This is a trip for active travellers, we sail this ship together. Sailing experience is not required, an active and open attitude is, though. We teach you everything you need to know along the way, from navigating to steering the ship, and you disembark an old sea dog. Naturally, there is also plenty of time to relax, read a book and have stimulating conversations with your fellow travellers. We sail into the night and all aboard are assigned watches. In this manner, we can continue sailing and everybody on the ship has enough time to rest, eat and sleep besides sailing. It is, however, not mandatory to stand all of your watches. The nights at sea are magical, though. Because of a complete lack of light pollution, you are not just stargazing; you can see the whole milkyway laid out before you.

Arriving at port after a long sea voyage is an unparalleled experience; try walking straight on those newly acquired sea legs!