A small sailing boat on the open ocean at early sunrise.

How to sail across the Atlantic on a century-old schooner

Rebuilt in 2016 by 160 volunteers, the Avontuur, a revived cargo vessel, sails between Germany and the Caribbean, iniviting passengers to discover a voyage where adventure and sustainability go hand in hand.

The Avontuur — a century-old, wind-powered schooner — carries coffee, rum and cocoa across the Atlantic.
Photograph by Verena Brüning
Story and photographs byVerena Bruening
January 15, 2026
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).
A school of dolphins sailing through the waves from the perspective of a boat's mast.
A farmer's market stand with cardboard boxes filled with green-skinned tangerines, some taster cut open on plastic plates.
The first port after crossing the Atlantic from Europe is Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni. The city is located in western French Guiana on the Maroni River, which forms the border with Suriname. It’s an important border town, where Creole, Maroon, Indian, Chinese and Surinamese influences converge.
Photograph by Verena Brüning (Top) (Left) and Photograph by Verena Brüning (Bottom) (Right)
A smiling young local sitting at the rear of a small boat, steering it with one hand wearing a simple t-shirt and patterned swimming trunks.
Small wooden boats crisscross the river ferrying people, goods and tropical fruits between Suriname and Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni.
Photograph by Verena Brüning
A busy farmer's market scene with multiple, simple stalls selling vegetables and fruit.
The city’s market is a colourful, bustling hub — not only for commerce, but also as a social gathering place where the sights, sounds and scents of the region come alive. From here, the sails are set for Marie-Galante.
Photograph by Verena Brüning
A streetview of a calm residential street with bungalow-style houses.
Often called the ‘island of a hundred windmills’, Marie-Galante is known for its sugar cane fields and traditional rum production.
Photograph by Verena Brüning
A valve of fresh rum filling up an oak barrel.
Since 1910, the Bielle Distillery has been crafting authentic rhum agricole from hand-harvested sugar cane, keeping the island’s centuries-old traditions alive.
Photograph by Verena Brüning
A sailing boat shown in full from the side while anchoring in the middle of the ocean.
The Avontuur anchors off Îlet du Gosier, a small coral islet just off the coast of Le Gosier in Guadeloupe with white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and a historic lighthouse.
Photograph by Verena Brüning
A crew o lowering barrels filled with rum from sailing boat down into the ocean below with ropes.
Here, the crew works together to float full rum barrels from the shore to the ship, hoisting them aboard as a team — a hands-on reminder of traditional maritime labour and the vibrant local trade.
Photograph by Verena Brüning
A dynamic close-up of a woman in glittery and revealing costume, smiling and wearing a feather-like headpiece.
Marigot, the capital of St Martin, bursts into life during the Mardi Gras Grand Parade each March. Music pulses through the streets and dancers twirl in dazzling costumes to showcase the island’s rich cultural diversity and unmistakable Caribbean joie de vivre.
Photograph by Verena Brüning
An elderly man standing in the middle of a street wearing a long priest dress and waving Caribbean flags.
Come evening, the crew strolls to Grand Case, where music drifts through the air and smoke rises from lolos — open-air Creole grill restaurants that form St Martin’s culinary heart.
Photograph by Verena Brüning
An intimate shot of a woman stitching up an already repaired sail.
Cynthia’s Talk of the Town stands out for its authentic flavours, and it’s where the crew eventually bid farewell to the island.
Photograph by Verena Brüning
Published in the Cruise guide, available with the Jan/Feb 2026 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK).

To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).

Sale Extended - Save up to $20!

PLUS, for a limited time, get bonus gifts and issues with all Nat Geo subscriptions.