Date: May 31 to June 15, 2025, 16 days
Price: 2 560 Euro
Nautical Miles: 1 150 NM
Skipper: Bengt Tarre, mobile +46 706 96 57 03
Start: Ponta Delgada, Azores
End: Lagos, Portugal
On this ocean sailing adventure you will gain experience from true blue water sailing and earn a lot of nautical miles. You will also have the opportunity to explore four of unique Atlantic islands belonging to Portugal. In total we will sail more than 1 200 NM.
As a crew member on board Celeste of Solent, you become part of the team and are involved in everything from making the boat ready for the first passage, provisioning, steering and navigating to cooking. We sail in watch teams where you are on watch for three hours and off watch for six hours.
We start our journey from São Miguel and set course for Santa Maria, the southernmost of the Azorean islands, 100 NM south of Ponta Delgada. There is a very nice hike on the hills along the coast that we will probably do to explore the island.
From Santa Maria, it’s approximately 500 NM to Porto Santo, which is part of Madeira. On Porto Santo, we will take a tour by car or bike and visit the town of Vila Santa for a pleasant dining experience at Apollo 14. From Porto Santo, it is a day sail over to Madeira.
Here, we might rent a car for a day to explore the island. Madeira offers excellent hiking opportunities with diverse landscapes. You can explore mountain trails with breathtaking views, coastal paths along the cliffs, and scenic walks along the island’s unique levadas—historic irrigation channels that wind through lush forests and valleys. Trails range from easy walks to challenging routes, making Madeira a paradise for hikers of all levels.
From Madeira we set sails for Lagos and another 500 NM of of ocean sailing before reaching the mainland of Portugal.
Read more about sailing on Celeste: Sailing with Celeste
Azores
The Azores consist of nine islands in total, featuring fantastic nature and rich marine life. We have encountered whales and dolphins on several occasions during summer sails.
São Miguel is the largest and second southernmost of the islands. More than half of the total population of 240,000 people in the Azores live on São Miguel. The capital, Ponta Delgada, is known for its cobblestone streets and luxurious marina. If you have the time we strongly recommend to spend a few days to explore Sao Miguel before embarking on Celeste for the sailing adventure to Lagos.
Santa Maria was the first of the Azorean islands to be discovered. It is a peaceful island with varied landscapes. The western part of the island is flat, while the eastern part is mountainous. The only town on Santa Maria is Vila do Porto. It was on Santa Maria that Columbus was captured and imprisoned upon landing. He had promised to visit the island, but when he finally arrived, they took him for a pirate and arrested him.
Porto Santo and Madeira
Porto Santo is the smaller island, 40 NM northwest of Madeira. It is best known for its 9-kilometer-long golden sandy beach, which contrasts with Madeira’s rugged terrain. In the capital Vila Baleira you will find Columbus’ former house.
Madeira is a Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean, known for its stunning natural beauty, mild climate, and lush landscapes. It features dramatic mountains, rugged cliffs, and the famous levadas—narrow irrigation channels with scenic walking trails. The island is perfect for nature lovers, offering breathtaking hikes, botanical gardens, and rich marine life. The capital, Funchal, has a charming old town, vibrant markets, and a mix of Portuguese and local culture.
Read more about sailing with Celeste: Sail with Celeste
SAILING ROUND THE WORLD 