Sail Canaries & Change a Young Life: Tall Ships Youth Trust Winter Sun Voyages

Chase the winter sun, sail the Canaries and change a young life with Tall Ships Youth Trust (TSYT).

“Winter warmer. Clear skies. Full sails. And not a single thought of work.”

That’s how one adult sailor described their experience just five days into a Tall Ships Youth Trust (TSYT) winter-sun voyage around the Canary Islands. 

But these voyages aren’t just about escaping the grey UK winter. It’s real offshore sailing. From the moment you step on board, you’re trimming sails, taking the helm, standing watch, and navigating a course through some of the world’s most beautiful seascapes. 

TSYT’s winter-sun voyages offer an exhilarating sailing experience through the Canary Islands’ acceleration zones (natural wind tunnels between the islands), stunning volcanic landscapes, and the energy of a brilliant crew – all in warmer, sunnier winter weather than the UK’s.

Beyond the adventure and rigorous sail training you get; these voyages make a lasting Impact.

When you sail on a winter-sun voyage with Tall Ships Youth Trust, you’re also supporting our charitable mission. All proceeds go directly toward providing transformational sailing experiences for young people who simply have not had the same chances as their peers.

Your time at sea helps fund TSYT’s vital youth development work, empowering young people – particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds – to build essential life skills and the confidence to realise their true potential.

It’s sailing with a purpose, and you can be part of it!

Canary Islands Voyages and Destination

This winter, TSYT is offering a range of unforgettable voyages around the Canary Islands for those aged 18 to 80.

Whether you’re an experienced sailor eager to log offshore miles, sail in more demanding high-wave conditions, a keen learner wanting to sharpen your skills, or someone simply looking for a memorable time at sea, TSYT’s winter-sun voyages has something that’s just right for you.

A Snapshot of the Upcoming 2025/26 Itinerary

• The Biscay Challenge (Oct 2025): An intensive nine-night crossing of the Bay of Biscay from Plymouth to La Coruna. Expect advanced navigation, big conditions, and 500+ nautical miles of real offshore experience.

• Sailing South – Spanish and Portuguese Coast (Nov 2025): A gentler six-night coastal hop from La Coruna to Cascais, ideal for leisure sailors looking to broaden their skills under the autumn sun.

• Cascais to Madeira (Nov 2025): Eight nights of open ocean sailing and celestial navigation.

• Madeira to Gran Canaria (Nov 2025): Six nights exploring the Atlantic, ideal for novice offshore sailors looking to widen their sailing experience.

• New Year Island Hop in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria (Dec 2025–Jan 2026): A celebration voyage between volcanic islands with festive port stops and warm Atlantic breezes.

• Winter-Sun Deep Sea Challenge (Jan 2026): The ultimate passage — 1,500 nautical miles from Gran Canaria to Portsmouth over 20 days. Designed for experienced sailors looking to test their limits and sail in high stakes waves.

• For younger sailors aged 18–25, there’s also the Youth-Focused Canaries Adventure (Dec 2025). This is an eight-night island-hopping journey focused on leadership, growth, and confidence-building, with bursaries available to ensure cost is no barrier.

The destinations are stunning: black-sand beaches, volcanic peaks, and subtropical weather that rarely dips below 18°C, even in mid-winter.

“Genuinely had a brilliant experience sailing with TSYT. The crew were so supportive and encouraging. Nothing is too much trouble. The boat is amazing, food was great. Destinations fab. Really couldn’t ask for more. Thank you.” – Elouise (38), adult voyager on TSYT’s Winter-Sun Voyage, November 2024

Ready to set sail? Book your place today at tallships.org/wintersun.

About Tall Ships Youth Trust – A Charity Making an Impact

Tall Ships Youth Trust is a leading UK-based youth development and outdoor learning charity. For nearly 70 years, the charity has been improving the skills and life chances of young people, particularly those facing disadvantage, through powerful, hands-on experiences in an ocean environment. 

The charity supports young people aged 12–25 who face diverse challenges – from caring responsibilities and neurodiversity to struggles with mainstream education, mental health, trauma, or feeling left behind. 

TSYT delivers a unique, progressive three-voyage programme of Exploration, Empowerment, and Leadership. This innovative approach combines outdoor learning in an ocean environment with personal and social development through a series of increasingly challenging residential voyages.

Through the programme, young people are supported on their journey to adulthood and equipped with life and employability skills.

The young people on their personal journey with TSYT develop into strong members of the community, advocates of our work, young leaders, young ambassadors and role models for those just starting out.

Many also go on to a career in the maritime sector, both on and off the water, including electrical engineering, ocean sailors, or the Royal Navy. Their memories and experiences with TSYT help shape their future lives and decision making.

This is the transformation at the heart of every TSYT voyage. And it’s made possible, in part, by adult voyagers aged 25–80 who book a place on our winter-sun voyages.

A Life Changed: Josh’s Story (young person who have been supported by TSYT)

“Sailing with Tall Ships Youth Trust offered respite from my depression and gave me the opportunity to see another side of life. At first, I was petrified, I hated the fact that the boat keeled and the rocking of the waves had me convinced we were capsizing. Come day two and the lesson on tying knots, I learned to attach myself to the boat via sail tie, bowline and stopper knots. By the final day, I felt I was ready to challenge Captain Jack Sparrow himself!

This voyage gave me an insight into a life of enjoyment and fulfilment. A life of educating other young people, who are in similar situations to myself, and giving them a new outlook on life is unimaginably rewarding. I wanted to succeed and help others again, I wanted to make my family proud, and I wanted to mean something to people.” 

To read more of Josh’s story visit the TSYT website.

Our Challengers and Sailing Team

TSYT’s fleet is made up of four iconic 72ft Challenger ocean-going yachts that have raced round the world in two editions of the BT Global Challenge – famously sailing round the world against prevailing winds and currents, through some of the most challenging sailing conditions on the planet.

Launched in 2000, they are tough, safe, and constructed to withstand the Southern Ocean. 

These steel-hulled vessels are the perfect base for winter sun adventures. 

The TSYT crews are professional sailors who come from a wide range of backgrounds and have varying levels of experience, but they all have one thing in common – the motivation to step outside of their comfort zones and sail our iconic Challenger yachts offshore.

Join a TSYT Winter-Sun Voyage – and change a life, including your own.

Book by 30th August 2025 and receive 5% off with code: SAIL5.

Explore voyages and book now at tallships.org/wintersun

Call 02392 832055 or email info@tallships.org for more info

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