Horta – Ullapool · 22 April – 6 May 2027

We cast off from the charismatic harbour of Horta, on the island of Faial, where sailors from all oceans have traced their stories into the paint-layered walls of the waterfront. Before departure, we follow the tradition of generations before us and visit the world-famous Café Peter Sport, sharing a drink beneath the flags, logbook notes and salty signatures that bind seafarers across time. As soon as wind and weather allow, we set our course Northwest and leave the shelter of the islands astern, trading cobbled streets for the open horizon.Between the islands, the ocean comes alive. Spring is a remarkable time in the Azores, as nutrient-rich waters lure an impressive variety of marine giants close to shore. We keep watch for blue whales, fin whales, sei whales, and the ever-majestic sperm whale—all frequent visitors in May. Pods of pilot whales may surface nearby, while acrobatic bottlenose, Risso’s, and common dolphins ride our bow wave or appear unexpectedly at sunrise. Whether calm or wild, this corner of the Atlantic offers a sense of wonder that never fades.Beyond the last green peaks of the archipelago, the sea opens wide. Roughly 1,200 nautical miles stretch ahead to the Outer Hebrides. Days and nights find their rhythm in watches: the quiet of dawn, the silver-blue sweep of midday, the great slow burn of sunset. Some evenings, the sky blazes crimson; others, the stars flood the deck with hard white light, guiding us north. There is time here—time to learn the ropes, trim sail, steer by compass, or simply watch the endless swell rise and fall beneath the bow.As we approach the Hebrides, the rugged outline of Scotland rises from the sea, often veiled in mist or shining in sharp, clear sun. If the winds have been kind and our progress swift, we may explore coastal anchorages along the Scottish shore. Fishing villages, quiet lochs, and weather-shaped cliffs tell stories as old as the tides themselves.Our voyage concludes in Ullapool, a small harbour town sheltered on Loch Broom. After 12 days at sea, we step ashore with salt still in our hair.