Blue Water sailing
Join Karukinka in 2026 : Azores–Brittany, Ireland circumnavigation, Bay of Biscay. FFVoile-certified training aboard Milagro.
- Azores – Southern Brittany (15 days)
- Southern Brittany – Dublin (7 days)
- Round Ireland (15 days)
- Dublin – Southern Brittany (7 days)
- Southern Brittany – Hendaye (5 days)
- Hendaye – Southern Brittany (5 days)
Introduction
Karukinka Exploration offers blue water sailing courses aboard a fully equipped ocean-going vessel that has completed two circumnavigations. Sail a full round Ireland circumnavigation from Dublin, join a Bay of Biscay crossing between Southern Brittany and the Basque Country, or tackle an Atlantic passage from the Azores to Brittany. As an affiliate of the French Sailing Federation (FFVoile), Karukinka Exploration validates sailing logbooks recognized by international sailing clubs, with courses limited to 6 participants for a genuine crew experience.
Round Ireland Sailing Course
A demanding two-week circumnavigation departing from and returning to Dublin, sailing past spectacular cliffs, wild anchorages, and Ireland’s rugged coastline. This offshore course involves night watches, changeable weather, and strong currents — designed for those seeking a true sailing expedition and real progress in offshore navigation.Bay of Biscay Crossings
Two short 5-day courses (230 nm) between Southern Brittany (Saint-Nazaire/La Turballe) and Hendaye in the Basque Country, ideal as a first blue water sailing experience. These courses cover the basics of offshore navigation, life aboard, and watchkeeping without committing to a multi-week voyage.
Azores to Brittany & Celtic Sea Passages
An Atlantic crossing (1,300 nm) from the Azores to Southern Brittany, followed by a Celtic Sea passage between Brittany and Dublin, with a possible stop at the Isles of Scilly. These routes combine ocean sailing with coastal navigation across the English Channel.
What You Will Learn
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Offshore safety principles and life aboard a yacht
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Meteorology and vessel physics fundamentals
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Sail handling: adjustments, helming, tacking, mooring, knot tying
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Onboard electronics: VHF radio, chart plotters, autopilot, radar, Navtex
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Mechanical and electrical maintenance for long-distance cruising independence
Course Details
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Maximum 6 participants per course, minimum 3 required
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Supervised by a highly qualified sailing instructor and a first mate
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FFVoile-recognized logbook validation, aiding pursuit of a boating license
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the round Ireland sailing course like?
A two-week circumnavigation from and to Dublin, featuring cliffs, wild anchorages, night watches, and strong currents for an authentic offshore expedition.
Are there shorter courses for beginners?
Yes, two 5-day Bay of Biscay crossings between Southern Brittany and Hendaye are designed as a first offshore sailing experience.
How many people can join each course?
Each course is limited to 6 participants, with a minimum of 3 required
Azores – South Brittany
From the Azores (Horta) to Brittany (Saint-Nazaire), an Atlantic crossing (1,300 nm).
After her long voyage up through the South Atlantic, Milagro sets off on the final leg of her return to France: an offshore passage between the Azores and Southern Brittany. Come aboard to experience this landfall from offshore, with night watches, ocean navigation, and life as a crew, before celebrating together on arrival in Saint-Nazaire or La Turballe
Crossings
Azores – France (15 days, 1300nm)
Dates
August 22 – September 5, 2026
Berths
South Brittany – Ireland (470nm)
Departure from Southern Brittany (Saint-Nazaire or La Turballe): a northbound crossing to Ireland. This blue water sailing course takes you across the English Channel and into the Celtic Sea, with its shifting moods and coastal scenery on arrival. Depending on the weather, a stopover in the Isles of Scilly is possible.
Departure from Dublin: heading south for this return passage from Ireland to Southern Brittany. A week of ocean sailing, combining self-sufficiency at sea with a gradual return to more sheltered waters, to conclude Milagro’s Celtic interlude.
6 people maximum per course
Crossings
South Brittany – Dublin (7 days, 470nm)
Dates
September 12-18, 2026
Booking
Dublin – South Brittany (7 days, 470nm)
October 4-10, 2026
Round Ireland (800nm)
The most comprehensive course of the Celtic season: two weeks to sail all the way around Ireland, departing from and returning to Dublin.
Between spectacular cliffs, wild anchorages, local atmosphere, and long offshore passages, this trip offers full immersion in life on board Milagro. It is designed for those who want to experience a true expedition, with night watches, changeable weather, strong currents, and real long-term crew commitment.
A demanding but unforgettable course, to discover one of the wildest coastlines in Europe while making concrete progress in offshore sailing.
6 people maximum per course
Crossing
South Brittany – Dublin (7 days, 470nm)
Dates
September 19 – October 3, 2026
Booking
Southern Brittany – Basque country
From Southern Brittany (Saint-Nazaire / La Turballe) to the Basque Country (Hendaye), two short 5-day courses (230 nm) in the Bay of Biscay, designed as a first experience of blue water sailing. Ideal for discovering the basics of offshore navigation, life on board, and watchkeeping, without committing to several weeks at sea.
6 people maximum per course
Crossings
South Brittany – Basque Country (5 days, 230nm)
Dates
October 24-28, 2026
Booking
Basque Country – South Brittany (5 days, 230nm)
November 4-8, 2026
Sailing courses for grand adventures, designed for everyone
As an affiliate of the French Sailing Federation, Karukinka Exploration offers comprehensive training in sailing aboard a fully equipped ocean-going vessel that has completed two circumnavigations.
Tailored to your aspirations and leveraging our team’s expertise, you will:
– learn essential safety principles for navigating and living aboard a yacht,
– gain insights into relevant disciplines such as meteorology and basic physics related to vessel operation,
– actively engage in various manoeuvres including sail adjustments, helming, changing tack, mooring, and knot tying,
– acquire skills to effectively use onboard electronics like VHF radio, chart plotters, autopilots, depth sounders, anemometers, radar, and Navtex,
– develop a diverse skill set to ensure your independence in long-distance cruising, covering areas such as mechanical and electrical systems, equipment maintenance and repair, regulatory compliance, and documentary resources.
In this context, we provide and validate your sailing logbooks recognised by the French Sailing Federation, which are also acknowledged by numerous international sailing clubs, aiding in your pursuit of a boating license.
Karukinka Exploration
Navigations with a positive impact
Starting this year, the Karukinka association proposes sailing expeditions to help finance its projects in support of indigenous peoples. Founded 10 years ago, Karukinka has carried out many activities, including expeditions and, in 2019, organizing the first visit to France of members of indigenous populations from southern Patagonia.
In 2024 and 2025, we aim to build upon the ideas born from these initial interactions and give these peoples direct access, over time, to the archives kept in France and containing valuable information about the history of the Yagans, Haush, and Selk'nam. This project entitled "Voces de las abuelas" can be discovered here (in French).
Support for expeditions
Aware of the difficulties faced by laboratories, researchers, and creators, Karukinka does its utmost to help and support field activities.
Because it is often very difficult to obtain the necessary funding for research in polar and subpolar environments, we make every effort to ensure that funds obtained from private navigations contribute to support our projects.
With a constant focus on helping our planet and its inhabitants, we are happy to evaluate and consider any request for administrative and/or logistical support for the realization of scientific, artistic, sports, and humanistic expeditions.
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