Sailing expeditions, crossings and races

Entry requirements for Argentina depend on your nationality; check the latest conditions with your country's Argentine consulate before booking, as these may change. For most Western European and North American nationalities, a passport valid for the duration of the stay is sufficient for a tourist visit of less than 90 days without a visa. Sailing in Antarctic waters is governed by the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty; the operator must be an IAATO member (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) and obtain authorisation from its national competent authority before departure. No individual permit is required from participants, but this regulatory framework is fully integrated into the programme organisation.

The offshore races take place mainly in the Schengen area (France, Spain). The Fastnet Race calls at Cowes on the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom; EU nationals may enter the UK without a visa for tourist stays of up to 6 months. Nationals of other countries should check their entry conditions with the UK embassy or consulate in their country of residence before booking, as conditions vary by nationality.

Insurance covering maritime specific risks is essential for all programmes: medical assistance and repatriation at sea, and civil liability as a crew member. For expeditions in remote areas such as Antarctica or Greenland, cover for search and rescue operations at sea is strongly recommended, as costs in these isolated regions can be very high. The general terms and conditions of sale specify what cover is included in the price and what remains the participant's responsibility.

The offshore races in which participants join as crew members comply with the safety categories defined by World Sailing (formerly ISAF): 150 N lifejackets, harness and tether, continuous jackstays along the deck, and man overboard drills practised regularly. A safety briefing is held before each departure. The professional skipper manages the boat and coordinates the crew throughout all manoeuvres; participants are supervised at their assigned positions.

The Drake Passage, between Cape Horn and the Antarctic Peninsula, is one of the most exposed stretches of ocean in the world. Frequent depressions during the austral summer can produce winds of force 8 to 10 with significant swell. The crossing generally takes 2 to 4 days in each direction depending on conditions. Seasickness should be taken seriously and appropriate medication prepared in advance. The skipper uses professional weather routing and times departures to available weather windows.

Landings are made within the framework of the Antarctic Treaty and IAATO guidelines. Before each shore visit, footwear and clothing go through a strict biosecurity procedure (cleaning and disinfection) to prevent the introduction of invasive species. Minimum approach distances to wildlife (penguins, elephant seals, seals) are enforced at every landing site. As the Antarctic expedition is offered as a fully private programme, these protocols are applied with the greatest rigour for each group.

No prior sailing experience is required to take part as a crew member in the offshore races listed in the catalogue. Participants sail alongside a professional skipper and an experienced crew who handle the boat and all technical manoeuvres. Motivation, good physical fitness and the ability to work as a team in a confined environment are the main qualities needed.

Offshore races (Fastnet, RORC Transatlantic Race, Drheam Cup, Sevenstar Round Britain) are driven by competition, speed and immersion in the culture of ocean racing. Sailing expeditions (Antarctic Peninsula) and sea kayaking trips (Norway, Greenland, Mediterranean) focus on geographical exploration, wildlife encounters and navigation in harmony with the natural environment. An 8 to 14 day programme suits a first maritime or nature experience; 12 to 20 day races demand greater physical fitness and a higher tolerance for challenging sea conditions.

The programme is designed on a bespoke basis for each group: duration, activities (zodiac coastal exploration, slope skiing from the boat, wildlife watching) and on board comfort level are defined together during the project design phase. A medical certificate of fitness for sailing in a remote environment is recommended. Prior sailing experience or time spent in cold environments is an advantage, but the programme can be calibrated for participants with no previous polar experience if the duration and activities are adjusted accordingly.

The catalogue covers four main areas: the North Atlantic and English Channel for offshore races (from July to January depending on the event); the Mediterranean for sea kayaking in Sardinia (ideally from May to October); Arctic Norway for diving with orcas and humpback whales in November and December when herring attract cetaceans into the Troms fjords; and Antarctica and Greenland during their respective summers (December to February for the Antarctic Peninsula, June to August for Disko Bay in Greenland).

The Rolex Fastnet Race is held every two years, departing from Lorient or Cowes, generally in July. The RORC Transatlantic Race departs from Lanzarote each year in January. The Drheam Cup is organised from Lorient on a schedule set by its own organisers. The Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race is scheduled for August 2030. All race dates are set by independent organisers (Royal Ocean Racing Club and others) and may change from one edition to the next.

Prices on the category page range from €1,500 (Mediterranean sea kayaking, 8 days) to €75,000 (private Antarctic sailing expedition, from 1 participant, 20 days). Offshore races are priced between €4,150 and €7,850 per crew member for durations of 12 to 20 days. Arctic and Greenland expeditions start at around €5,500 for 9 to 14 days. Prices generally include the berth on board, meals during the voyage and professional leadership. International flights to the departure port are not included in any of the programmes.

The Antarctic Peninsula sailing expedition is available as a full private charter only; there are no open group departures. The price from €75,000 covers the full charter of the sailing boat with skipper, expert polar guide, meals and collective equipment on board; this amount is shared among the members of the group chartering the expedition. The recommended duration is 20 days, with private departures available from December to February. A bespoke quote is provided based on the group's objectives and composition.

Programmes are led by certified professional skippers with extensive experience of the areas sailed. Antarctic and polar expeditions are accompanied by an additional expert polar guide, experienced in cold water navigation and shore landing protocols. Sea kayaking trips are led by a specialist in coastal paddling. The combined expertise of the skipper and guide is a key safety factor for voyages in remote areas, where self rescue or outside assistance may not be immediately available.

Groups are deliberately kept small to ensure active participation for every crew member: from 3 to 6 participants for Mediterranean sea kayaking, 5 to 6 for the orca diving trip in Norway, and 5 to 10 for offshore races. The Antarctic expedition operates as a private charter only, from 1 participant. These small crews allow each member to take on a real role on board and to learn directly from the skipper throughout the voyage.

In Antarctica, all sailing activities comply with the Madrid Protocol on Environmental Protection, which prohibits the extraction of natural resources and the introduction of non-native species to the continent. IAATO guidelines require strict biosecurity protocols at every landing, minimum approach distances to wildlife, and waste management with no discharge into protected coastal waters. For programmes in Norway and Greenland, minimum distances from marine mammals (orcas, humpback whales) follow the wildlife protection rules set by local authorities.