Yacht sailing (1 final spot)

Overview

1 final spot for the slower boat (€100)t!! Book now if the system shows 1 spot available,
but also call 0495-345144 afterwards so we know you are coming.

Just come straight to the Oostende train at Midi Station at 8h34. No ticket required for the train (we travel as a group).
We’ll be waiting for you at Java coffee in the middle of the terminal until about 8h25, then we go to the platform.

Our next sailing trip is on Sunday 8 September, click here ≫
We also go kayaking on Sunday 1 September, click here ≫

On Belgium’s National Holiday we travel to Oostende for an exciting sailing trip on the North Sea. Our first sailing boat De Nele is already fully booked for this Sunday. Therefore we decided to arrange another sailing boat, but not just any kind of sailing boat!  In fact, this 14-meter beauty can be called a true sailing yacht! It goes much faster and therefore also offers a much more exciting ride, but only for a small group.

If you really love sailing, are not afraid of “hanging” a bit in the boat, then this is going to be your ultimate sailing experience. Depending on the wind conditions we set sail for either Nieuwpoort or Blankenberge, where we will have lunch before returning to Oostende. A return train ticket with reserved seats to/from Oostende is already arranged for you, so the only thing you have to do is to take your sunglasses and sunscreen and let us do the rest. There is a maximum of just 10 guests, so don’t wait too long reserving your spot!

Program

Like any Expat Club trip, we carefully planned the program. You won’t have to do anything, except show up on time and in good spirit at Brussels Midi. All below times are approximate. Actual departure times by train will be communicated to the participants by email.

08h30 – Departure to Oostende
09h45 – Arrival in Oostende
10h00 – Boarding De Nele & Arenal
10h15 – Departure for Nieuwpoort (or Blankenberge)
13h00 – Arrival Nieuwpoort (or Blankenberge)
15h00 – Departure by sailing boat to Oostende
17h45 – Arrival Oostende
18h40 – Departure to Brussels
20h00 – Arrival in Brussels

De Arenal sailing ship

Today we sail South from Oostende to the historic city of Nieuwpoort . With its many fish shops and restaurants it is the perfect destination to walk around and have lunch. You could even take a tram to the beach area of Nieuwpoort and enjoy some time there. As an alternative we may sail also to Blankenberge to the North, but this depends largely on the wind conditions. In previous years we organised this trip several times and almost every time it was quickly fully booked. So don’t wait too long joining us!

From the train station it is just a few minutes walking to where we board the boats. We first receive safety instructions as well as sailing instructions. Indeed, as a group we must do some work to get this ship going. Of course the friendly and helpful staff will show us what to do, but it’s a big ship and some extra pairs of hands are necessary to hoist the sails. No worries, sailing experience is not necessary! Everybody can join us on this memorable trip and if you don’t feel like helping out, you can just relax while others do the work. But be aware that our second boat De Arenal goes much faster and will be “more sporty”. 

De Arenal
This is a new ship (2016) of the Hanse type that offers space to “just” 10 people. It is 13,95 meters long and 4,38 meters wide with a sail surface of 103 m³. It’s a modern fast sailing ship.

Sailing experience is not necessary, but everybody is invited to actively participate when the skipper needs our help (e.g. for changing the sails). Note, you should wear proper shoes that do not leave stripes. White soles or transparent ones are best.

Nieuwpoort
After a few hours sailing we will reach Nieuwpoort. This little town has a long history. Besides, it boast Northern Europe’s largest yacht harbour. We will spend some time here to walk around and have lunch before we board our boat again and sail back towards Oostende. Lunch is not yet included in the trip fare, but you can easily get lunch in Nieuwpoort (from something cheap and quick to something fancy, there is something for everyone).

The arrival time in Oostende is about 17h45, but of course this depends to a great extend on the wind conditions. We make a short walk through Oostende and finish the day with a nice drink and maybe a quick snack before we head back to Brussels by train. The estimated arrival time is around 20h00. Note that we must travel as a group. If you would like to return earlier (if possible) or later, you are responsible for getting your own train ticket.

Trip specific comments
* The trip will take place irrespective of weather conditions, unless it is not safe to sail. This decision will be made by the ship’s Captain.
* Life vests are available on both boats (required for children)
* Make sure to get proper clothes (wind- and watertight jacket/pants, the Decathlon has this)

Train to Oostende

We leave Brussels by train around 8h30 from Midi Station. Your 2nd class train ticket is included in the price, so don’t worry about standing in line or figuring out how that ticketing machine works. You will receive all information about where we meet and what you need to bring on this trip a few days in advance. After a comfortable ride in a reserved section of the train we arrive in Oostende, the largest coastal city in Belgium.