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Join a sailing adventure on a Tall Ship and set course for new horizons!

Dunkirk (FR) - Aberdeen (GB)

12 July - 21 July 2025

9 days, Esprit

From € 750,-

Book this journey

Tall Ships Races Sail Training

18-25 (15-17 at request): € 750,-

Book this journey

Esprit:
Dunkirk (FR) - Aberdeen (GB)

12 July - 21 July 2025

*Places at request.* The Tall Ships Races 2025: Race 2. Join the Esprit for an adventurous crossing from France to Scotland! Step on board in Dunkirk and leave the harbour in a Parade of Sail, before joining a thrilling race across the North Sea. Set the sails, steer, and navigate, as you sail to win the race with international vessels of all classes. Then make your way to Aberdeen, where you will get to celebrate a successful voyage with two days of events. Join the Crew Parade, Crew Party, and the award ceremony, and make friends from other vessels, swapping your stories from the sea. Are you ready to join the adventure?
Open to Windseekers aged 18-25, ages 15-17 at request (email “info@windseeker.org.

The Tall Ships Races 2025

Every year, a diverse array of Tall Ships, small Ships, and Yachts gather to promote Sail Training and foster international frienship among young people. With a stipulation that mandates at least half of the participants fall within the age bracket of 15-25, these vessels engage in Races and Cruise in Company legs, navigating between various host ports and engaging in vibrant harbour festivals.

Each journey includes a cheerful sail-out of the harbour in a spectacular Parade of Sail, followed by several days at sea, and ends with the last two days spent in the destination port. Here, trainees paricipate in a series of events including the Crew Parade, award ceremonies, Crew Party, as well as games and competitions. Are you ready to embark on this exhilarating journey?

Ports

Dunkirk is the northernmost city in France and one if its biggest harbours. It lies very close to the Belgian border and dates back to middle ages when it was a fishing village. Dunkirk's maritime heritage is clearly visible, and celebrated. You can visit the Port Museum (Musée Portuaire), climb to the top of Le Beffroi de Saint-Eloi for unforgettable views or relax in one of the multiple seafront cafes and bars.

Aberdeen, the silver city with the golden sands, lies on the Scottish east coast. The city has been settled for over 8000 years, so you’ll find plenty of historic landmarks as you amble across town. Aberdeen is also famous for its many parks and gardens. The city hosts several festivals year round, so check out the cultural agenda while you’re there. And take some time to spend in one of the many wonderful pubs, where you can strike up a conversation with the locals. But don’t peek under kilts!

  • Aberdeen (GB)

Key points

  • Dates: 12 July 2025 - 21 July 2025
  • Embarkation: 17:00 / Disembarkation: 10:00
  • For Windseekers age 18-25 years, age 15-17 at request
  • No sailing experience required!
  • Official language on board: English
  • Price includes: accommodation and meals, excludes drinks at the bar
  • Price excludes transportation costs to-and from the ports. Our travel counsellor can advise you and book your transfers
  • Windseekers need to have a health insurance and a travel insurance
  • Need to take with you on board: sleeping bag, pillow, sheets and towels

  • "A very fun, refreshing but also a very challenging trip that really moves your comfort zones."

    Angelina (17), Denmark

You sail on the Esprit

Sailing Vessel Esprit under sails
Shipping type: schooner
Homeport: Bremen (DE)
Date built: 1995
Trainees: 12
Length: 19.92 m
Height of mast: 21.25 m
Sail: 180 m2

The Esprit is a two-masted wooden boat with a modern schooner rig, gaff fore and Bermuda main. On board it is hands on for everyone! As a trainee you will actively take part in all of the sailing and harbour manoeuvres. …

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Windseeker logs

  • Bon Voyage, Plastic!

    Thalassa, July 2021

    France

    – by Trainees

    Sunday, 11th of July Once we arrived in Boulogne sûr Mer we had to wait until 9 o'clock before the embarkation on the Thalassa. So we walked a bit around the festival and the harbour. Then we met more people who …

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  • A Gentle Reminder of How Far We’ve Come

    Gulden Leeuw, August 2017

    Halifax - Le Havre Atlantic Crossing

    – by Trainees

    August 3rd Hannson Paul, Phil Truchon Second day ocean sailing in Rendez-Vous 2017, all is going well so far. Yesterday we had to take down all the sails and begin to use our engine towards the next checkpoint due to the lack …

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Photos

  • Dolphins
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OTHER JOURNEYS YOU MIGHT LIKE

STO Garant

This Journey is covered by the STO Garant guarantee. You can find the conditions for this guarantee scheme on STO Garant’s website (www.sto-garant.nl/en/downloads).

This process is automatic and you do not need to do anything else. After receiving your booking, Windseeker will send you detailed information on how and when to pay for your journey – together with all the other important details.

 

What does it mean?

In short: you do not pay the booking amount to Windseeker but instead into an escrow account. This trust account holds your payment in reserve until your journey’s end. The booking amount is then released to Windseeker on the day after your trip ends. If Windseeker or the Ship should become financially insolvent before the end of your trip, STO Garant will implement the guarantee. The Guarantee Scheme details how you can make a claim under the guarantee in such cases. You can read more about this here.