Blue Water sailing courses
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's sailing vessel Milagro offers six offshore sailing courses in autumn 2026, from late August to early November. Routes cover an Atlantic crossing from the Azores to Southern Brittany, a Celtic Sea passage to Dublin, a full circumnavigation of Ireland, and two short Bay of Biscay courses to the Basque Country. As an FFVoile-affiliated sailing club, Karukinka welcomes sailors of all levels, with berths limited to 6 participants per crossing and a minimum of 3 required.
2026 Course Schedule
Azores to Southern Brittany (Atlantic Crossing)
August 22 – September 5, 2026 · 1,300 nm · 15 days. Departure from Horta (Azores), arrival in Saint-Nazaire or La Turballe.
Southern Brittany to Dublin
September 12–18, 2026 · 470 nm · 7 days. Crosses the English Channel into the Celtic Sea, with a possible stop at the Isles of Scilly.
Tour of Ireland
September 19 – October 3, 2026 · 800 nm · 15 days. Departs and returns to Dublin, sailing around Ireland's dramatic coastline.
Dublin to Southern Brittany
October 4–10, 2026 · 470 nm · 7 days. Return passage south to Saint-Nazaire or La Turballe.
Southern Brittany to Hendaye (Bay of Biscay crossing)
October 24–28, 2026 · 230 nm · 5 days. A short offshore course for first-time blue water sailors;
Hendaye to Southern Brittany (Biscay Bay crossing)
November 4–8, 2026 · 230 nm · 5 days. Return leg through the Bay of Biscay.
What You Will Learn
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Offshore safety principles and life aboard a yacht
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Night watches, ocean navigation, and changeable weather management
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Sail handling, helming, mooring, and navigation electronics
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Skills for long-distance cruising independence, validated by FFVoile logbooks
Course Details
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Maximum 6 participants, minimum 3 required per crossing
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Supervised by a highly qualified sailing instructor and a first mate
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Booking and fees via contact@karukinka.eu or WhatsApp (+33 6 72 83 03 94)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people can join each course?
Each crossing takes a maximum of 6 participants, with a minimum of 3 required.
Who supervises the sailing courses?
A highly qualified sailing instructor, assisted by a first mate, supervises every crossing.
What is the Tour of Ireland course like?
A demanding two-week circumnavigation from and to Dublin, featuring spectacular cliffs, wild anchorages, night watches, and strong currents — suited to those seeking a genuine expedition.
Is there a shorter option for beginners?
Yes, two 5-day Bay of Biscay courses between Southern Brittany and Hendaye are designed as a first blue water sailing experience.
Azores - 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
Crossing
Azores - Brittany
Dates
August 22 - September 5, 2026
Berths
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.
Crossings
Southern Brittany - Dublin
Dates
September 12 - 18, 2026
Berths
Dublin - Southern Brittany
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.
Round Ireland
September 19 - October 3, 2026
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.
Crossings
Southern Brittany - Basque country
Dates
October 24-28, 2026
Berths
Basque country - Southern Brittany
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.