Bark Europa

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Bark Europa World wanderer and adventure seeker! Join us for a once in a lifetime experience. In a light breeze 30 sails billow from EUROPA, taking her towards the horizon.

Since 1994 the barque EUROPA has roamed the seas of the world and built up the reputation of a ship that really sails. A professional crew of 14 and a complement of 48 voyage crewmembers of all ages and nationalities sail her. Tall Ships enthusiasts, some with no sailing experience, take the wheel, hoist the yards, navigate, etc.

The sea was calmer today and the sun rose into clear skies. A band of cumulus clouds was hanging low above the horizon. ...
21/10/2026

The sea was calmer today and the sun rose into clear skies. A band of cumulus clouds was hanging low above the horizon. These conditions meant painting and scraping work was on the agenda and many of us were eager to help. The ventilation pipes were painted yellow. The cabin top of the wheelhouse was scraped and sanded. Lizze brought out potatoes to be peeled.

In the afternoon, the plankton net was brought out, a net with small-sized mesh, a circular opening and a cod end to collect the plankton. We lowered the net from the p**p deck and trawled for half an hour. Down in the Southern Ocean waters a trawl of just 5 minutes will give a good sample, but here in the tropical Pacific, the waters are a lot less productive and so we need to trawl for longer to get a good sample. Here the plankton are also smaller in size, adapting to a life with scarcely available food. And what an exciting result. Under the microscope we could identify several different types of zooplankton: tubularian worm, polychaete larvae, foraminifera, snails and copepods. A favourite was the deep blue-coloured copepod. This tiny creature lives in the top millimetre of the sea surface, a harsh environment of high fluctuations in temperature and strong UV radiation. The blue colour is found to be of the same wavelength as the light the surrounding sea water is reflecting, making it perfectly hidden from predators.

With many of us excited and patiently investigating the little creatures under the microscope, others of us joined Clara for another type of trawling from the p**p deck. Back in the days before modern navigational instruments, the speed of a ship was measured with a rope of equally spaced knots thrown overboard and counted. This is where the speed in knots comes from.

For the 8 o’clock a special surprise was waiting for us. Sue’s birthday was celebrated with carrot cake and the Danish birthday song led by Jonna. And if that was not enough of a celebration, a deep orange-coloured, nearly full moon was on the rise outside. Slowly she rose higher in the sky, lighting up the clouds, the wave tops, and the sail canvas, greeting us and leading us into the night.

✍️ Johanne, Expedition Guide, September 28 2026
🌊 Find all our updates: www.barkeuropa.com/en/logbook

The open ocean is a spacious place, both in the sea and in the air.There are not many birds around, but the list of spec...
20/10/2026

The open ocean is a spacious place, both in the sea and in the air.

There are not many birds around, but the list of species we may see is longer than we would expect. Some of us started the eBird bird survey, noting down the coordinates of our location and whether we observe any birds and, if we do see some, trying our best to identify which ones we see. They all look very similar at a distance, and when the juveniles can look identical to a different species, this is not an easy endeavour.

The sun was out more often now as we were heading slowly into an area of high-pressure systems. And we could see it in the measurements. The barometer showed 1014 hPa before we approached Vava’u, now it had risen to 1019 hPa. Going through some meteorological tables in the wheelhouse, we found that the humidity was around 72% before Vava’u and now down to 63%. Lower humidity means denser air, a counterintuitive fact as humid air feels denser to breathe and our skin feels stickier. The scientific explanation is that as the water vapour molecules take up space in a parcel of air, the heavier oxygen and nitrogen molecules are displaced, resulting in more of the lighter water molecules. It is exciting to see how the theory shows up in the measurements.

Higher pressure often means drier air and fewer clouds. And we could feel how the return of the sun gave us more energy and enthusiasm. Johanne gave a lecture on surface ocean currents and how the wind is driving the large-scale circulating gyres of the ocean. The South Pacific Gyre is helping us on our way to New Zealand, leading the way down south, making our speed faster than when only led by the wind itself.

A spectacular sunset was on display as the day came to a close. Music was flowing with the wind as we enjoyed the setting sun and orange sunbeams stretching out between the low clouds.

✍️ Johanne, Expedition Guide, September 27 2026
🌊 Find all our updates: www.barkeuropa.com/en/logbook

Musings from Moana.Standing at the helm, I always have music in my head. From Rarotonga to Tonga, it’s often been a song...
19/10/2026

Musings from Moana.

Standing at the helm, I always have music in my head. From Rarotonga to Tonga, it’s often been a song from Moana about ocean voyages.

“Away, away.”

We steer by the compass and I wonder what it would have been like to steer by the stars and discover a new island, as the Polynesian people did many years ago. It’s been cloudy most nights and drizzly days for us, so not ideal for star-based steering.

It’s mind-boggling how many miles are wide open ocean with nothing to see. There are always two people on lookout at the very front of the ship and rarely anything to report.

“Away, away.”

How exciting it would have been for the voyagers to spot birds and then land after many days, weeks, months at sea. It was definitely a highlight when we first spotted Tonga. I woke up at 4am for my watch and there was a shadow of an island on portside.

As the sun rose, the dark island grew green. Trees blanketed sheer cliffs. I was on lookout and, for once, saw something to report: humpback whales. I saw the little cloud of their spouting and their flukes as they dived deeper. Small boats would race towards them so their passengers could leap in and swim alongside them.

“Away, away.”

We saw the whales again as we left Tonga, and soon it was open seas again with nothing much to report. While I slept that night, some people saw a volcanic island with sulfureous steam and a glow. So cool!

Now we’re heading south from Tonga towards Auckland, the swell is much bigger than it was. We no longer steer by the compass, now we steer by the wind.

“Away, away.”

We steer 60 degrees to the wind with our square sails braced. There’s an iPad that tells us the apparent wind and which direction it comes from. The first mate teaches me to feel the wind on my face and steer that way, steering the ship towards or away from the wind as we ride the waves.

It feels like proper sailing now. The ship is heeled to starboard, which means the right side of it is much lower than the left side and we’re always walking on an angle. It’s so funny to turn on a tap and see the water go down diagonally. It also rolls around with the waves, which sometimes splash over the deck and give us a saltwater shower.

“Away, away.”

In the deckhouse we play card games and chess. One evening we sang sea shanties, which was so fun. I’m so keen to teach my kids a song about pirates that goes “It’s all part of being a pirate. You can’t be a pirate with all of your parts!” That’s another song I get in my head when I’m on the helm.

Other songs include “I’m on a boat” and, oddly, “Scotty doesn’t know.” As the gusty wind sends us south, I’m reminded of the chief who voyaged from Rarotonga to New Zealand, then turned around and went back home after a few cold winters. The place he left is still called “turn around” in Māori, at least that’s what I was told.

I’m very much enjoying my time onboard and the friends I’ve made. Sending love back to my wife Elle and kids Logan and Riley. I think about you when my head sings “Away, away” to me.

✍️ Sarah Adams, Voyage Crew, September 26 2026
🌊 Find all our updates: www.barkeuropa.com/en/logbook

After a short but eventful stay in Vava’u, it was time to leave and head out to sea again. As we were leaving Neiafu por...
18/10/2026

After a short but eventful stay in Vava’u, it was time to leave and head out to sea again. As we were leaving Neiafu port and Vava’u, Vai was waving from the pier. We felt fortunate and grateful for our stay in this incredible place, for Vai’s hospitality and for her sharing her home with us these days.

Not far from the port, we headed straight into stronger winds. The sails were set, and we gained good speed. This was exciting sailing, keeping us sharp as we made our way out of the Vava’u islands. In the afternoon we passed the uninhabited cone-shaped volcanic island Late, rising 1500 meters up from the seafloor and reaching 540 meters above the sea surface. In the twilight of the early evening, we could glimpse the reef Home Reef, a fleeting island that has risen above the sea surface and been eroded away several times.

In September 2022 there was a stronger eruption here, and since then the island has lifted out of the sea, now reaching 70–80 meters tall and 1 km across. In the evening after 8 o’clock, we could discern some smoke above the island in the darkness, and some of us had also seen some slight glowing in the dark. And then the smell of sulphur passed us with the wind. Excited about this special sighting, we carried on into the night.

✍️ Johanne, Expedition Guide, September 25 2026
🌊 Find all our updates: www.barkeuropa.com/en/logbook

We woke up to wind and drizzle and a change of plans. Europa stayed alongside the pier throughout the day with some of u...
17/10/2026

We woke up to wind and drizzle and a change of plans. Europa stayed alongside the pier throughout the day with some of us continuing exploring the town of Neiafu, enjoying coffee and Wi-Fi in the small coffee places along the seaside. Others were sending post cards and buying souvenirs. Dylan brought a group down below on a dungeon tour exploring the hidden machineries essential for our ship to function and for us to thrive onboard.

The zodiacs were lowered and a group joined for snorkelling the reefs outside some smaller islands. We dove down under the surface enjoying reef fish in all kinds of colours, sea stars in blue and pink and corals in various shapes and forms.
In the afternoon some of us went out for dinner in town while most of us got ready for Betty’s feast. Vai had invited us for an eventful evening with her family and grandmother, Betty. We were welcomed with brass band, a demonstration of weaving coconut leaves, and stands with all kinds of handicrafts made by family members.

Then food was served, a whole roasted pig and a variety of dishes all prepared for us. Some of the bravest of us joined one of the traditional dance performances, trying our best to follow the dance steps. And in the end, the impressive fire dance was performed. The night went on with music and games. Many of us joined in on the dance floor showing our best dance moves. It was a special evening experiencing the Tongan culture, and especially emotional for Vai, who has worked onboard Europa for many years. Tonight her Europa family and her own Tongan family were joined together, and we could learn about her culture and where she comes from.

✍️ Johanne, Expedition Guide, September 24 2026
🌊 Find all our updates: www.barkeuropa.com/en/logbook

Our Land tour started with a hike up to Mt Talau. It was quite a steep climb up a staircase before we were rewarded with...
16/10/2026

Our Land tour started with a hike up to Mt Talau. It was quite a steep climb up a staircase before we were rewarded with a beautiful view of the Vava’u islands and the Neiafu harbour with Europa resting in the middle. Next stop was another impressive viewpoint, Esi o Salote, with cliffs and beaches and the vast ocean covering the horizon. We had a quick look at the Veimumuni cave before we headed off to the highlight of the day, the Ene’io botanical garden.

Lucy guided us excellently around the botanical garden talking us through a variety of Tongan species of trees and plants. Many of these species were brought with the Tongans as they migrated from Taiwan to Indonesia before reaching Tonga. The plants were used for food and medicinal purposes. One type of leaf helped for tummy ache, another for infections, and one was used as a spice in cooking. And the tree of life, the coconut tree was the most important of them all. The coconut provides both food and water, and the nut itself can be used as cups and decoration. The leaves are used for weaving baskets and as plates. Nothing is wasted of the coconut tree. We got to taste and smell the various leaves and plants, before a whole variety of fruits were served. Pineapple, papaya, watermelon and then the coconut cake, which was amazing, and is also served when the King is visiting the botanical garden.

Our tour ended in the holy place of Pouono. This is the place where the chiefs and the King met to agree on what to do with the problem of western occupation. The King at the time decided to declare Tonga land of God and not let any of the western nations occupy Tonga. Ceremonies are still taking place here with the King and Chiefs, but for those occasions it is not allowed to film and document the event, so most locals have never seen the ceremony. We considered ourselves lucky to experience this holy and important place for the Tongans. Back in the harbour we thanked our guides and the bus driver before we were back onboard for lunch prepared by Gjalt and Sasha.

In the afternoon we drove down to Ano beach to participate in a beach clean-up. We were a bit surprised that the area we were about to clear was not along a beach, it was more a grassy BBQ area. We went about our task, and an hour later we had visually cleared a good portion of the rubbish, measuring 11 kg! Regardless of the amount, Sue and Wolfgang (voyage crew members) could report improvements in Vava’u since the time they had visited 10 years ago.

✍️ Johanne, Expedition Guide, September 23 2026
🌊 Find all our updates: www.barkeuropa.com/en/logbook

It was early morning. The lookouts could finally discern something in the distance. The first spit of vegetated land was...
15/10/2026

It was early morning. The lookouts could finally discern something in the distance. The first spit of vegetated land was in sight. Soon after, the lookout had something else to report, humpback whales. Closer to the first island, several smaller whale watching boats were hovering along the coastline trying to get a glimpse of the whales. We were still sailing as we came close to the coast and had plenty of time to take down the sails before the pilot came onboard. He manoeuvred Europa safely into the port area where we got busy preparing the mooring lines and fenders. Slowly we approached the pier where Vai, our agent in Vava’u and previous deckhand onboard Europa was waiting for us. For many of the permanent crew this was a happy reunion with Vai since Europa was in Vava’u last time in 2024.

With clearance out of the way and the gangway nicely fit to the pier, we were free to explore the town of Neiafu. In the afternoon, the sails were furled and the yards braced in the correct position for stability in the wind. After yet another lovely dinner onboard and the plans for tomorrow laid out, Lizze gave us a wonderful show singing La Vie en rose.

✍️ Johanne, Expedition Guide, September 22 2026
🌊 Find all our updates: www.barkeuropa.com/en/logbook

Two days in one. Today we changed the time to Tongan time, which meant one day forward at 14:00. The dateline was celebr...
14/10/2026

Two days in one. Today we changed the time to Tongan time, which meant one day forward at 14:00. The dateline was celebrated with speed dating. Meike had the questions ready and we got 20 seconds to answer and chat a bit before moving on to the next person. And what a success! The good moods continued through the afternoon. As the sun went down the deckhouse was filled with shanty singing with Clara leading the way.

We also crossed another special line, or rather, trench. At the surface the ocean surface seemed the same, but underneath us the seafloor had made a drastic dip from the roughly 4500 meters of the abyssal plane now dipping down to around 7000-9000 meters below us. The Tongan trench is the second deepest trench in the world with 10885 meters at its deepest point, very close behind the famous Mariana trench. The Tongan trench marks the place where the Pacific continental plate dives under the Indo-Australian plate. This convergence of continental plates has the fastest tectonic velocity in the world, of 15-24 cm per year. The Tongan Arc is a result of this impressive geological feature and the Tongan islands including the Vava’u island group is spread along it. Tomorrow early morning we would be there, amongst green lush islands of Vava’u after a week at sea.

✍️ Johanne, Expedition Guide, September 20 2026
🌊 Find all our updates: www.barkeuropa.com/en/logbook

The morning started drizzly and wet. Now the humidity had moved up the scale as well, making the bracing and sail handli...
13/10/2026

The morning started drizzly and wet. Now the humidity had moved up the scale as well, making the bracing and sail handling both wet on the outside and the inside of the rain gear. By 8 we approached a frontal system which meant some sails were dropped and later hauled up again.

As the day went on, the weather changed to the better. The sun came out and we were making good speed across a relatively smooth ocean surface. Some smaller persistent swell waves from behind made the ship roll a little, but in general it was very pleasant sailing. In between the bracing and sail handling, we kept busy with activities. Some played music, others were reading, the eager ones were doing squats and push ups, while others were stretching or playing games in the deck house. In the late afternoon the chips came out once again, and Lizze’s music list was on.

✍️ Johanne, Expedition Guide, September 19 2026
🌊 Find all our updates: www.barkeuropa.com/en/logbook

13/10/2026

What if this were the ship you called home for 57 days?

From Antarctic ice to the coast of Africa, join Bark EUROPA on her Cape to Cape voyage. Take the helm, help set her sails and get to know the people sharing your watches as you cross the ocean together.

Ushuaia to Walvis Bay via Antarctica, South Georgia and, weather permitting, Tristan da Cunha.

27 February–24 April 2027. No sailing experience needed.

🌊 www.barkeuropa.com/en/our-voyages/cape-cape-expedition

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