650sm ocean cruise from Gibraltar to Madeira

Tour details:
• Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025, 5:00 PM to Saturday, November 1, 2025, 10:00 AM (8 days)
• Route: Gibraltar - Quinta do Lorde, Madeira, approx. 650nm
• Requirements: First sailing experience and desire to collect miles

On this leg, we'll sail a well-equipped 53-foot ocean-going yacht from the British enclave of Gibraltar to the island of Madeira. We'll cover a total of approximately 650 nautical miles, most of it in one go.
So it will be a real deep-sea cruise with some days at sea where there is no land in sight.
After a comprehensive safety briefing, shopping together, and a discussion of the weather forecast, the route, and the complex current pattern in the Strait of Gibraltar, we set off westward along the coast.
We cross the narrowest part of the Strait of Gibraltar and then follow the Moroccan coast to Cape Spartel. Finally, the coast disappears into the horizon, and four days later, we make landfall!

Plan

In October, the Azores high will continue to stabilize and the trade winds will increase.
On the passage from the mainland to Madeira, excellent sailing conditions can be expected for the most part. With 3-5 Beaufort, a half to broad wind along the entire route, and often enough, even T-shirt weather.
While the prevailing winds for October can be predicted, the weather cannot. To avoid the embarrassment of having to tack against the wind for six days due to a low-pressure system passing through, we've extended this leg of the trip.

The time we are not sailing will be spent either in ports and at anchor in Gibraltar or on the Spanish and Portuguese coasts, or even on Madeira!

This trip is also suitable for less experienced sailors who want to try their hand at deep-sea sailing without immediately crossing the Atlantic.
An experienced skipper and instructor not only steers the vessel, but also involves the crew in all aspects of planning and executing the cruise. The yacht features four double cabins and four bathrooms. The Jeanneau 53 is a fast-sailing yacht in all conditions.

For days with less wind, we have a spinnaker on board. A Starlink antenna is on board for weather updates and phone calls to your grandmother, tax advisor, or shopping for TV. We also have an orca pinger to warn against marine mammals with an appetite for rudder blades.

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Other information

The skipper for this activity speaks english and german. To participate you must speak one of the languages spoken on board.

This cruise is a leg of our Mallorca - Cartagena - Gibraltar - Madeira - Tenerife tour. Feel free to check out our other listings if you'd like to stay on board for longer than a week!
Price (plus arrival & departure and on-board cash)

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Boat details

Our Jeanneau 53 is a well-equipped cruising yacht, just under 16 meters long. It features five cabins, a spacious saloon with a galley, and ample storage space for longer trips. With a hull speed of over 9 knots, average speeds of 7.5 knots are not uncommon in light winds, making long tacks comfortable. If we have less wind, we'll take out the symmetrical spinnaker!

The ship offers plenty of space on and below deck, making it suitable for both leisurely cruising and longer distances. At anchor, there's always enough room for cooking, eating, swimming, and even yoga on deck. The technical equipment includes modern navigation electronics and all necessary safety precautions for coastal and offshore sailing.

Specifications

Model: Jeanneau - 53
Capacity: 11 spots
Length: 16.06 m
Cabins: 5
Year: 2013
Bathrooms: 4

Features

GPS
Radar
Life jackets
VHF
Sounding line
Electric windlass
Autopilot
EPIRB
Generator
Tender
Bow thruster
Shower
Bimini
HI-FI equipment
Wifi
TV

5 · 4 reviews

SKS Ausbildungstörn auf Mallorca

Mathias

August of 2024

A great sailing and water sports school. I obtained my SBF-See, SBF-Binnen/Segel and UBI/SRC here. Friendly, patient trainers who use their experience and skills to get you to the required exam level. Despite the training, there is still plenty of fun and they take the time to respond to special requests/concerns. I would love to come back here to broaden my maritime horizons.

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Julian

August of 2023

The theory compact course (in my case SBF Inland) is really very good and prepares you ideally for the exam and beyond.
I also really liked the friendly trainers during the practical training sessions. This meant I was able to pass both exams straight away.

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Jacob

June of 2023

Very good preparation for the exam and future sailing experiences. You can see that all the trainers are very passionate about what they do.
There are always reports of experiences and additional theoretical background on all exam-relevant topics, so that you feel very well prepared the first time you are alone on the boat.

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Armin

June of 2023

I just did my SBF inland sailing/motor here.
Great people, pleasant atmosphere. The teachers are easy-going, but still competent and can show you what is important when sailing.
If you don't feel completely confident with certain maneuvers, just ask. There is no rigid curriculum that has to be followed. You can decide for yourself where you need more practice.
As you gain experience, you will spend some time on board with just other students. This helps you to feel responsible for the boat and the maneuvers and to coordinate with the other students. But don't worry, a boat with a teacher is always nearby if something goes wrong or you have any questions.

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