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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, Excelsior

From € 1200,-

Book this journey

Tall Ships Races Sail Training

15-25: € 1200,-

Book this journey

Excelsior:
Dunkirk (FR) - Aberdeen (GB)

12 July - 21 July 2025

*FULLY BOOKED – consider another vessel for this leg.* The Tall Ships Races 2025: Race 2. Climb aboard Excelsior and experience the excitement of a thrilling new journey! Depart from Dunkirk with a stunning Parade of Sail, and set off across the open sea as you work with a diverse crew to navigate and steer the ship. Take the helm, learn to navigate, and collaborate with fellow trainees as you sail towards your destination – and hopefully, towards winning the race! Arrive in Aberdeen and enjoy two days of celebration filled with exclusive crew events, parades, and opportunities to swap stories with international trainees of other vessels. Between sail training, meeting new people, and harbour events, this voyage promises to be an exhilarating and memorable experience.
Open to young Windseekers aged 15-25.

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 15-25 years
  • Windseekers joining: maximum 12
  • 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, pillowcase, and towels

  • "It is an adventure you don’t want to miss! Being a sailor only takes passion and motivation."

    Axel (23), France

You sail on the Excelsior

Shipping type: Traditional fishing smack
Homeport: Lowestoft (UK)
Date built: 1921
Trainees: 12
Length: 23,6 m
Height of mast:
Sail: 8-10 sails

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Windseeker logs

  • Almost Home

    Oosterschelde

    Cape Verde - Netherlands

    – by crew Oosterschelde

    In a way we’re having bad luck: the English Channel is an area with a lot of traffic. Unfortunately we cannot see it. On our last day at sea the temperature dropped till 7 degrees (above zero, fortunately) and the …

    Read log

  • We Learned How to Work Together While Setting Sails

    Gulden Leeuw, July 2018

    Sunderland-Esbjerg

    – by Ola

    My name is Ola. I’m 15 years old and I come from Poland. It was a big pleasure for me to be a part of The Tall Ships Races 2018 on the Leg from Sunderland (England) to Esbjerg (Denmark). I …

    Read log

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.