The Funchal marina welcomed, on 9 November, the arrival of a very special journey: the first experience of Atlantic Star Adventures, a new tourism product that combines sailing, astronomical observation, and the discovery of the natural heritage of the European Outermost Regions. This new product is being driven across the different islands of the project by companies from the TWINNEDbySTARS community, which contribute to its promotion and adaptation in each territory. In Madeira, the initiative is led by Madeira SunKiss Sailing and Horizonte Celeste; in the Azores, by São João de Deus and Terra Azul; and in the Canary Islands, by BIOSEAN, thus reinforcing the collaborative and multi-destination nature of Atlantic Star Adventures.
The journey, promoted by Xavier Martínez from Nautic Ocean, departed from Barcelona, the symbolic starting point of this voyage. In Madeira, Manolo Borrero from Madeira SunKiss Sailing joined the expedition and continues the route from the island together with Nautic Ocean. Madeira marks the first stop among the European Outermost Regions participating in the TWINNEDbySTARS project, funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).
With this first experience, Madeira becomes the first outermost region to host the launch of Atlantic Star Adventures, marking the beginning of a journey that blends sailing, science, nature, and local culture, and that fosters cooperation among Atlantic destinations.
A Journey that Begins in Madeira
The Atlantic Star Adventures voyage officially set sail from the marina of Funchal aboard the sailing yacht Misus B, a Sun Odyssey 44 measuring 14 metres in length. The route, covering more than 400 nautical miles mainly under sail, follows the same path once taken by Christopher Columbus, guided by the trade winds and the stars that now inspire this contemporary journey across the Atlantic.
During its stop in Madeira, the crew and participants took part in an astronomical observation activity organised together with the Madeira Astronomy Association, led by Duarte Ornelas Oliveira, where they observed the main constellations visible from the Atlantic skies. The session concluded with a traditional Madeiran dinner, held in a natural setting ideal for enjoying the island’s dark and starry skies.
The expedition also included a visit to the Desertas Islands, a Natural Reserve of great ecological value, where participants discovered the area’s rich biodiversity and learned about its importance for marine conservation.
The Voyage Continues to the Canary Islands
After its stop in Madeira, Atlantic Star Adventures continues its route towards the Canary Islands, where new activities focused on marine exploration and astronomical observation will take place.
These include whale and seabird watching in collaboration with BIOSEAN (Canary Islands), the use of hydrophones to listen to underwater sounds, and a final event in Puerto de Mogán (Gran Canaria) in collaboration with SEO/BirdLife, featuring a public presentation dedicated to marine biodiversity and responsible navigation.
These activities will reinforce the multidestination character of the project, connecting experiences, knowledge, and perspectives among the outermost regions.
The routes and experiences of Atlantic Star Adventures will soon be available on the official platform: www.atlanticstaradventures.com