On 14 November, Marina del Sur in Las Galletas (Tenerife) welcomed the arrival of a very special voyage: the first Atlantic Star Adventures (ASA) experience, a new tourism product that combines sailing, stargazing and discovering the natural heritage of Europe’s outermost regions. This new product is being promoted on the different islands involved in the project by local companies that contribute to the promotion and adaptation in each territory of the TWINNEDbySTARS project, funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).
The voyage, promoted by Xavier Martínez of Nautic Ocean, departed from Barcelona, the symbolic starting point of this journey. Madeira, where they met with the companies already participating in the project, marked the first stop in the outermost European regions participating in the TWINNEDbySTARS project. Heading to Tenerife, they took part in a whale watching activity with hydrophones and a tour of the eastern coast of the island, one of the richest areas in marine biodiversity in the archipelago, together with Misael Morales, director of BIOSEAN and also part of the project.
Madeira was the first stop in the European outermost regions participating in the TWINNEDbySTARS project. Tenerife then became the first stop in the Canary Islands within the network of outermost regions that form part of the Atlantic Star Adventures product, marking the continuation of a journey that combines sailing, science, nature and local culture.
A voyage inspired by the trade winds and the stars
The route is sailed aboard the Misus B, a 14-metre Sun Odyssey 44.
The journey, covering more than 400 nautical miles mainly under sail, follows the same route once taken by Christopher Columbus, guided by the trade winds and stars that today inspire this contemporary voyage across the Atlantic.
During their voyage from Madeira to Tenerife, the crew and participants enjoyed guided stargazing, using Starfinder laser pointers to recognise constellations and learn about the importance of preserving dark skies.
Heading for Gran Canaria
After passing through Tenerife, the Misus B sailing boat will continue its route to Gran Canaria, where the final event of the voyage will be held on 15 November in Puerto de Mogán, in collaboration with SEO/BirdLife, including trips out to sea to see the stars and a presentation open to the public on the importance of conserving marine ecosystems and promoting environmentally friendly tourism.
A journey that connects regions and perspectives
Atlantic Star Adventures symbolises the union of the Atlantic territories under the same starry sky.
Through sailing, astronomy and cooperation between companies and organisations, the project promotes new forms of experiential tourism that integrate science, education and sustainability in the marine environment.
Thanks to the collaborative initiative promoted by the various entities mentioned above, this experience has established itself as an example of Atlantic collaboration that connects cultures, knowledge and destinations through the sea and the stars.
The routes and experiences of Atlantic Star Adventures are available on the official platform www.atlanticstaradventures.com.