Ocean Life Sailing Trips FAQs
Here, you will find the most frequently asked questions and answers about MCO Ocean Life sailing trips.
Who are our sailing trips for?
If you’re looking to combine an interest in flora, fauna, and geology with a love of sailing at the highest level in pristine natural areas, then you’ve come to the right place.
Our sailing trips aim to bring you closer to nature, and to observe and record the flora and fauna in a team.
These special sailing trips call for a very special boat. Our Garcia 52 “POLARIS” is a genuine expedition yacht, so sailing is a key focus of our sailing trips. If you wish, you can get involved in plotting the course and/or handling the boat and learn a great deal about sailing and seamanship.
What happens on an Ocean Life sailing trip?
WELL STRUCTURED, INFORMATIVE, VARIED – AND LOTS OF FUN.
You can look forward to a genuine, professionally managed sailing safari. Explore coastal habitats together with us, and we’ll show you all their special features.
At the start of the trip, you will be given an overview of the days ahead as well as a detailed safety and boat briefing. Depending on the daily route, the day starts with a joint breakfast between 8 AM and 9 AM. Another highlight: if possible, and if you feel up to it, Barbara, our certified yoga instructor, offers morning yoga sessions on the beach.
We provide you with high-quality observation equipment from Swarovski. You can choose from: 4x CL Companion binoculars, 3x EL Range Orange, and 1x spotting scope (20–60 zoom).
After discussing the day’s course, we set out to sea for 4 to 8 hours. Lunch is usually prepared on board. We plan some time for dolphin or whale watching, snorkeling, sailing maneuvers, and birdwatching.
Boat chores are shared, and each member of the crew contributes equally. We are scheduled to be in a different harbor or anchorage every night. The time we spend on land depends on the spot: we go on coastal walks and hikes in special places. Time for swimming, snorkeling, a private harbor exploration or, if desired, a dive (please let us know in advance) is also included.
In the evenings, we usually dine in local restaurants to get a taste of the area’s cuisine and culture.
Do I have to be a sailor to take part?
Not necessarily! Whatever your previous sailing experience, Ocean Life sailing trips in the Canaries are ideal for all sailing and/or nature enthusiasts, since the stretches there are rather short.
The further north we sail (Hebrides, Scotland, Lofoten, North Cape), the more sailing skills are an advantage. If you are unsure, please just call and ask. Crew members can get involved in the sailing as much as you like.
I already have a lot of sailing experience. Will an Ocean Life sailing trip still be interesting for me from a sailing perspective?
Ocean Life sailing trips always visit areas of special interest from both a nautical and a natural history perspective. Navigation, area knowledge, boat handling, and tide calculation are always covered. We remain instructors, including on Ocean Life sailing trips, and are happy to share our experience.
I am a sailor and would like to learn more. Can I get actively involved on deck to hone my skills?
Yes! You can get as involved as you like and learn a lot. As die-hard professional instructors, we can’t help but pass on our knowledge and experience.
I need more experience in tidal waters. Are Ocean Life sailing trips the right choice for me?
We sail in tidal waters, so the experience will also be important and right for you. However, please keep in mind that the primary focus of these trips is on nature rather than the route.
Do I need prior knowledge of biology or natural history?
No! But you can rest assured that after our Ocean Life sailing trip you will be fascinated by maritime nature and have a lot of stories to tell. So beware: HIGHLY ADDICTIVE!
I am a nature photographer or biologist. Are Ocean Life sailing trips relevant for me in terms of content?
Absolutely! You will witness nature from a completely new perspective from the boat. You will be accompanied by two experienced biologists who will certainly be able to tell you many more details about the area. However, you are welcome to share any special knowledge you have about the area beforehand.
Are Ocean Life sailing trips suitable for children?
Supporting young people is very important to us. Therefore, we are very happy to welcome children and/or young people on board.
We leave it to the parents or guardians to decide. Please read the description of the Ocean Life sailing trips carefully.
Why is there such a large price range between the berths?
You can either book a berth in the double cabin (standard price) or a cabin for yourself (standard +80%).
What should I take with me?
Please check our MCO packing list in the respective event announcement.
