🔥Special Ocean Nomads Member offer: 500€ OFF for confirmed bookings before 23/12/'24🔥

How to Apply?

1️⃣ Click 'Book Now' to join the waiting list
2️⃣ Submit your Application Today.
3️⃣ You'll hear from us within 7 days if you've been selected & to confirm your spot

Trip dates: January 25, 2025 until February 8, 2025

One of the most exciting elements of sailing is travelling to a new country! Join us for a real Offshore skill-building adventure trip sailing from the Canary Islands to Cape Verde.  Led by seasoned skipper and boat owner Thomas, this hands-on experience is for those eager to refine their offshore sailing and seamanship skills, get ready for liveaboard life, while experiencing travelling into a new country.

✔ 14 Days of Adventure: A combination of real multi-day offshore sailing & exploring Cape Verde Island vibes.

✔ Learn from the real deal: Guided by expert skipper and boat owner Thomas, who embodies the ocean nomads lifestyle, with 40,000+ nautical miles of offshore experience, including an Atlantic Ocean circle on his own vessel.

✔ Skill Development: Learn and hands-on practice all about ocean sailing and seamanship, including night sailing.

✔ Freedom Lifestyle Design: Learn from and with those designing an ocean lifestyle with purpose. Thomas has been a live aboard since 7 years.
✔ Personalized Coaching: Small crew size for tailored training and mentorship.
✔ Adventure Meets Education: Skill-building blended with exploration.

✔ Community: Share the adventure and learn together with other ocean nomads sharing values and vibes to live conscious with nature.

✔ Impact: Together we make efforts to shine in the sustainability element + part of your contribution goes to an Ocean Nomads Impact Project, which you vote for on the trip. 

✔ The Ripple Effects Connections and insights made on Ocean Nomads trips often open up new paths, opportunities, and life-changing pivots.

Skills we'll go through:

• Chart plotting, electronic systems, and night navigation
• Interpreting weather data and adjusting sails for changing conditions
• Advanced sail trim
• Docking, maneuvering, and engine troubleshooting
• Watch systems, night sailing, and long-distance passage prep and experiencing it!
• Emergency equipment use, drills, and heavy weather sailing
• Decision-making, crew coordination, and conflict resolution
• Eco minded cruising, maintenance, and provisioning
• Insights in boat ownership and what it takes

+ Personalized attention for skills you'd like to learn and practice.

All while being on a real offshore ocean adventure.  Are the waves really as high as in the movies? What would it feel like to see land after a week on the water? There is only one way to find out: to go for it! 

Build confidence and master the skills needed for offshore sailing and developing the ocean nomads lifestyle more resourceful, skillful and sustainable.

For Ocean Nomads who:

✅ Have basic sailing experience (crew or skipper in coastal waters).

✅ Want to build confidence in offshore passages and long-distance navigation.

✅ Value teamwork, sustainability, and adventure.

Ocean Nomads trips focus on hands-on learning and experience surrounding adventure, impact & community rather than formal certifications which we are not able to issue. This trip is ideal if you're eager to level up your sailing and seamanship skills and build confidence as crew or skipper in a real-world setting. Perfect to get you ready for confidently sailing your own vessel or for example, the Yachtmaster Offshore certificate.

It's not for:

❌ Complete beginners with no sailing experience (see our beginner-friendly trips).
❌ Those seeking a laid back luxury cruise—this is an active, hands-on adventure.

It’s the people who make the adventure. We curate a diverse, multi-skilled crew with a similar mindset to create a powerful team mix. It makes ALL the difference. We live beyond the status quo or desire to do so. We care for the planet. Minimize, simplify and cut down on our environmental footprint where we can. We lift each other up and support each other when in need. 

About you:

Adventurer & explorer

Competent crew or Dayskipper

Alternative lifestyle seeker

Striving to do good

Excited to share skills and stories

Eager to learn, share and care

Hands-on mindset

Ambitious

Saying Hell Yeah, that’s me when reading more about the Ocean Nomads community

Please ensure you meet the following criteria before applying

✅ You have prior sailing experience (as crew or skipper).
✅ You are physically fit and able to handle the demands of offshore sailing.
✅ You are comfortable living in close quarters with others for an extended period.
✅ You are ready to participate in watch-keeping and night shifts.
✅ You understand the basics of navigation, safety, and seamanship.
✅ You have a positive and adaptable attitude towards teamwork and problem-solving.
✅ You are eager to contribute to onboard tasks (e.g., cooking, cleaning, provisioning).
✅ You are willing to adhere to eco-friendly and sustainable practices onboard.

✅ You are happy with vegetarian food, and a smoke and alcohol free environment

Note: If you’re unsure about any of these, feel free to reach out with questions before applying!

We share the Ocean Nomads ‘slow sailing’ philosophy. The focus is on simplicity, health, local food, skill sharing, community connection, active, adventure and sustainability mindset.

Ocean Nomads is a tribe of young... at heart,  adventurous ocean lovers who want an active outdoor lifestyle. We will share fun ideas and projects on mindful, self-sufficient, positive-impact ways to live and travel sustainably at sea at any age and budget. This is an action-adventure where everyone participates in creating the vibe and value for a memorable 10 days at sea. 

We have a smoke and alcohol-free onboard policy, as well a vegetarian diet, for maximum superpowers and nature connection.

Watch our film: Sailing in Greece. A Film on Adventure, Impact & Community. A 50-minute Adventure Travel Docu presenting what Ocean Nomads and an Ocean Nomads Lifestyle is all about. Watch it here: www.oceannomads.co/film 

The Atlantic Ocean is the destination of this trip! But arriving in Cape Verde after 850 Miles at sea is quite legendary, too. 

This trip offers exceptional conditions for building offshore sailing expertise:

• Trade Winds: Northeast trade winds provide reliable and dynamic wind conditions for sail handling practice and sailing to Cape Verde
• Acceleration Zones: These areas around the Canary islands create stronger winds, offering real-world experience in handling gusts and varying conditions.
• Varied Sea States: From sheltered waters to Atlantic swells, you'll face diverse conditions ideal for skill-building.
• Breathtaking Landscapes: Sail against the backdrop of volcanic peaks, rugged coasts, and crystal-clear waters, and if we're lucky: Whales & dolphins!

January and February offers ideal conditions for offshore sailing:

• Mild Temperatures: Expect daytime highs of 20-25°C (68-77°F) and cooler nights
• Trade Winds: Northeasterly winds range from 10-20 knots, providing excellent opportunities to practice sail trimming and navigation. 
• Low Rainfall: Generally dry with occasional light showers, so you can enjoy plenty of sunny days on the water.
• Atlantic Swells: Manageable sea states, great for building offshore experience without overwhelming challenges.

A challenging yet supportive environment for mastering offshore sailing that is easy to reach from many other destinations. 

Together we will plan the passage. This is part of the skill development and fun.  This will be based on the current weather, and your preferences.  We have a 2 week window to sail 850 Nautical Miles. Before or after sailing offshore we can explore the Canary Islands and/or more of Cape Verde, depending on the weather and everyone's wishes and exploration spirit.

This is an adventure experience aimed at making the dream lifestyle reality, not just for the time with us but beyond all that. 

We incorporate the Ocean Nomads values of community, exploration, and positive impact into the elements of the trip. We always encourage hands-on trips, where everyone helps with the running of the ship. 

Wherever we go, we leave the places cleaner than we found them. Beach clean-ups and conscious actions are part of the routine, not ‘just’ an event. 

Travelling by sea is a life experience, and some aspects can be challenging. This is not a pre-packed holiday. We create the adventure together, and everything runs rather spontaneously—on purpose. With sailing, things rarely go as planned, and this is the beauty of it. 

All on board duties are shared together. We sail together. We provision and cook together. We adventure together. We get ourselves into and out of situations together. This is what makes you develop the necessary skills to live the ocean nomads lifestyle.

For this trip we choose a 51 foot sailing yacht designed for performance, comfort, and safety. Perfect for offshore training, this vessel features:

The vessel accommodates up to 12 persons, but we will go with a maximum of 10 to guarantee a certain level of comfort, space and intimate group dynamics. 

Key Features:

• Modern Design: Elegant interiors with a well-equipped kitchen, comfortable saloon, and ample storage.
• Performance Sailing: Equipped with a full batten mainsail and furling genoa for superior sailing efficiency and stability.
• Safety & Navigation: Advanced navigation systems, autopilot, and safety gear to ensure a smooth and secure journey.
• Comfortable Living: Airy cabins with ventilation, a large cockpit with seating, and a spacious deck for relaxation.
• Spacious : 5 double cabins and 3 bathrooms, accommodating up to 10 participants comfortably.

You share a cabin (and double bed) with a fellow Ocean Nomad on this trip.

This trip has been in high demand and now we are finally organizing it. It is happening soon! And can only happen if we get enough confirmations soon so we can confirm the boat. Ocean Nomads sustains because of our beautiful members. As a member of the Ocean Nomads community, you get Priority Booking + Special Discount for confirming asap.  Don't miss the chance to secure your spot before they fill up! 

 €50 of your trip fee goes directly into the Ocean Nomads Member Impact Project Grant Fund, where you'll vote for the winning project during the trip!

Not a member yet? Click here to join the Ocean Nomads community! and enjoy the member discount, connecting, and lots more goodies.

Trip Terms

Cancellation Policy

Explore the Ocean Nomads website to explore vibes and values

Is this trip out of your budget, but would you like to join? Apply for a Scholarship. One of our ways to give back is to create scholarship opportunities for small-budget, determined ocean changemakers. Convince us why we should partially fund your trip. We would love to hear your thoughts via the Scholarship form. We prioritize applications from trip alumni and members.

Check out our membership community for pure skill sharing and trading, where more than 300 nomads and more than 70 vessel members meet and team up for ocean impact and adventure.

Stories, Testimonials & Transformations

Join the Ocean Nomads Network

Follow us on Instagram  & Youtube for the vibes.

Coming soon! The film about Ocean Nomads Sailing Greece 2024. Subscribe to our Youtube to get notified.

"I have been a member of Ocean Nomads for over 5 years. The community have been incredible over that time, very supportive and helpful. I have gone from working on an environmental awareness yacht skipper, to sailing school instructor, running trips with ocean nomads members and now having my own yacht that is a part of the fleet." - Andy South Africa

"We joined the ocean nomads meet-up this November in Greece. And even more than over the virtual network we found a great community live on board exploring the Greek islands. 11 days full of inspiration, ocean or nomad life related workshops held by members for members, hikes, workouts, vegan/vegetarian cooking sessions and lots of laughter together. 5 star recommendation for the organisation of the trip with nomads from all over the world (Australia to Austria and everything in between including Hawaii, South Africa, Ireland, and many more.). And 5 star recommendation for the spirit of learning from each other and helping each other to connect to make a positive impact this platform facilitates." Maxx & Sigrid

"It’s amazing how many awesome friends you can make, and how much just one week on an ON trip can change your life" - Marcin from Poland  

“The most unforgettable week. The trip preparation and the crew members turned what would otherwise be an adventure into something a special. I took part in two ocean nomads trips so far. To say it was life changing sounds dramatic but it really was. Being able to share time and experiences with people with different backgrounds but of a similar mindset was incredible. I like to think that I can have and help contribute to a similar experience for myself and others as a member of the Flotilla crew.”  – Ben Clipstone from Australia

“In my opinion Ocean Nomads sailing adventure are: 1. A reward for the senses by discovering incredibly beautiful places and breathtaking sceneries. 2. An unbeatable way to get introduced into the world of a sailing lifestyle 3. An open window to learn watching our world and the people from another more conscious perspective. I see Suzanne as an inspirational person who, with her example, inspire others with ideas and proposals to define or redefine life projects and use inner energy for more noble purposes. Our oceans need strong committed people like her to advocate for our natural resources and leave them intact for the generations to come.”  – Jose Perez from Spain 

"My lifelong dream has been to spend time outside of the US, explore different places, meet new people and just live somewhere different than what I grew up with. If you told me this time last year that I would have spent the better part the last 365 days sailing around The Canary Islands, surfing in Ireland, sleeping in a van ALONE in England and writing this newsletter on an island in the Adriatic Sea, I would have rolled my eyes at you.  But after joining Ocean Nomads on SV Twister a little over a year ago my life has done a complete 180° ( in the best way possible) and I have the network and so many of you to thank for that! – Brianna SV Twister '21

"The experience on twister with other Ocean Nomads was just really beautiful and I felt connected for the first time in decades, I felt part of a community and had companionship. I was so happy that it’s so all inclusive of gender race religion nationality and most importantly age. It has connected me with like-minded people of all ages and being very transformational personally because my life has been incredibly isolated as a single parent Who works from home. I can honestly say October and November I felt happy and free for the first time in maybe 22 years.  It gave me everything I was looking for. It has opened up so many possibilities to meet new people with similar vibes, including connection, companionship, purpose and being one with nature." - Cay, SV Twister '21

Check our more Stories, Testimonials & Transformations

on our website or on our Facebook page. Or Youtube Channel

We are super proud and stoked to have Thomas aka Tomaatje as skipper and instructor leading our Offshore Adventure Sail.  With Ocean Nomads since the very beginning. He’s a legend to learn from, born and raised sailor, Captain & Owner of SV Windfall, ocean activist, and now working full ON to get his boat ready for the next adventure. Many Ocean Nomads have already sailed with him and many more will sail so on an ocean nomads adventure and/or on future adventures on his SV Windfall. 

Hello, my name is Thomas, an ocean lover at heart. My passion for the water and adventure began almost before I could walk, and it has guided my life ever since. Growing up in Almere, the Netherlands, I started my sailing journey on the nearby lakes. Later, I worked with Amorgos, a renowned sailing school, where I honed my skills navigating Dutch waters and the stunning Croatian islands. My experience also includes time aboard the tall ship Twister, deepening my love for traditional sailing.

In 2014, I completed my first Atlantic crossing, a transformative experience that opened my eyes to the pressing issue of plastic pollution in our oceans. This inspired me to establish The Ocean Movement, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ocean conservation through education and research sailing expeditions focused on microplastics.

Seven years ago, I became the proud owner of Windfall, a beautiful 53-foot steel ketch that I now call home. Together, we've explored the North Atlantic Ocean, and I’m preparing her for new adventures, including a planned circumnavigation next summer. My dream? To venture into the Arctic and drop anchor amidst its breathtaking wilderness.

I am a graduate of the Enkhuizer Nautical School and hold a Yachtmaster Offshore certification. Over the years, I have sailed more than 40,000 nautical miles offshore, gaining extensive experience in long-distance navigation and seamanship. For me, sailing represents true freedom—the ability to explore limitless horizons, driven by nothing but the wind and a sense of adventure.
Currently, I dedicate my time to preparing Windfall, leading charters, teaching others, and delivering yachts.

I’m thrilled to be part of the Ocean Nomads Offshore Adventure Trainings where I’ll connect with like-minded sailors and further develop key ocean sailing skills, including boat preparation, navigation, safety, night sailing, and much more.
As one of my favorite mottos says, "You can’t change the winds, but you can adjust your sails." I look forward to embarking on this adventure with you all!