Sail South America: Ushuaia to Salvador da Bahia
Sailing along the South American Atlantic coastline offers an extraordinary ocean passage through some of the most dynamic waters in the Southern Hemisphere. From the majestic snow-capped peaks of Tierra del Fuego to the tropical, music-filled waters of Salvador da Bahia, these voyages deliver genuine blue-water mileage, active watchkeeping, and rewarding seamanship for adventurous sailors.
Your sailing adventure
Setting sail from Ushuaia, you will experience a true offshore expedition—navigating past Patagonian headlands, crossing the River Plate estuary towards Uruguay, and tracking north along the coast of Brazil. Whether you are building mileage towards RYA Yachtmaster qualifications or seeking an unforgettable blue-water passage, these voyages blend rigorous ocean sailing with rich wildlife and historic maritime stops.
Sailing the South American eastern seaboard is defined by dramatic transitions in climate, oceanography, and scenery. Leaving the cool, windswept reaches of Patagonia behind, the passage moves northwards where southern ocean swells yield to steady trade winds and warmer waters.
Along the route, offshore life takes on a rhythmic pace: standing watches under starry night skies, helming a powerful steel schooner, and honing passage-planning skills. The waters off Argentina and Uruguay are rich in marine life, with regular sightings of wandering albatrosses, dolphins, fur seals, and migratory whales.
Punta del Este provides a welcome landfall and a chance to step ashore in Uruguay before pushing north towards Brazil. As you round the Brazilian headlands into tropical latitudes, oilskins give way to light sailing kit, culminating in a historic arrival in Salvador da Bahia—a vibrant port steeped in maritime heritage.
Route schedule & options
We offer two distinct legs along the South American coast. You can book Leg 1 or Leg 2 individually, or combine both legs for a complete 3,100 nautical mile South American ocean passage.
Leg 1: Ushuaia to Itajaí (via Punta del Este)
26/03 – 15/04 2027 (20 days)
Distance: 2,000 nm
Deep-water offshore passage through South Atlantic waters with landfall in Uruguay and southern Brazil.
This is a serious offshore passage taking you from the tip of South America up through the South Atlantic. Departing Ushuaia, you will head east through the Beagle Channel into the Atlantic Ocean, rounding the eastern flanks of Argentina before making landfall in the chic Uruguayan port of Punta del Este. After a short crew rest and resupply, the leg continues north into Brazilian waters to finish in Itajaí—a world-renowned sailing hub.
Vessel Maintenance & Crew Break (Itajaí)
15/04 – 25/04 2027 (10 days)
Scheduled vessel service, maintenance, and crew rest stop in Itajaí, Brazil. Between legs, Mustamaija will undergo scheduled maintenance and routine servicing in Itajaí. (Crew joining for both legs are welcome to use this period to explore southern Brazil).
Leg 2: Itajaí to Salvador da Bahia
26/04 – 04/05 2027 (8 days)
Distance: 1,100 nm
Warm trade-wind sailing along the Brazilian coast finishing in historic Salvador da Bahia.
A fast-paced tropical offshore passage along Brazil’s emerald coast. Departing Itajaí, you will sail north through reliable coastal and trade-wind conditions, logging solid sea time while adjusting to warmer ocean temperatures. The voyage concludes in Salvador da Bahia, one of Brazil’s oldest and most culturally rich maritime cities.
Combined option: Book both legs sequentially (3,100 nm total) for a full South American offshore expedition experience.
Dates
26th March 2027: Ushuaia, Argentina – Punta del Este, Uruguay – Itajaí, Brazil; 20 days for £1895
Scheduled yacht service, 15th – 25th April
26th April 2027: Itajaí, Brazil – Salvador, Brazil; 8 days for £695
Price
The price as with all our trips, all onboard expenses are included with no hidden costs or surprises. The price includes:
- Onboard accommodation;
- All onboard meals and snacks;
- Fuel and gas;
- Skipper/guide;
- First mate/engineer;
- Marina and harbour fees;
- Bedding (sheet and pillowcase).
Optional items not included in the price: oilskins hire (£3.50 per item per day), sleeping bags (£25 per stay), final cleaning service (£12.50 per person), visitor fees for museums or attractions, flights, travel insurance, car hire, transfers to and from the start or end destinations, meals in restaurants, and other personal expenses, etc.
Classic steel staysail schooner Mustamaija
Latest addition to our fleet, Mustamaija was designed by the renowned Dutch naval architect H. Lunstroo Jr. and built in Finland at the Lappeenrannan Shipyard. Mustamaija represents the perfect union of Northern craftsmanship, strength, and elegance. Conceived by a group of Finnish yachtsmen and businessmen who planned to operate her in syndicated ownership, her construction began in 1981 and she was commissioned in time for the 1984 sailing season.
From the beginning, Mustamaija was designed and built to last — a robust steel vessel created for safe, long-distance voyaging and capable of thriving in demanding ocean conditions. Her hull, deck, and superstructure are all steel, complemented by a long keel, fully supported rudder, and protected propeller shaft — a combination that ensures exceptional strength, directional stability, and safety at sea.
Her design draws on the timeless beauty of the classic staysail schooner form. Balanced proportions, elegant sheer, and well-managed sail handling make her not only one of the most graceful yachts afloat, but also a practical and efficient vessel under sail. Her twin masts and staysail rig provide flexibility in all conditions, with easily managed sail plans for both heavy-weather and light-air performance.
Over her lifetime, Mustamaija has benefited from a comprehensive programme of maintenance, refits, and upgrades. Among her many improvements are a completely renewed teak deck, modern navigation systems, and upgraded onboard infrastructure. Her navigation suite now includes Raymarine Axiom plotters, Quantum 2 radar, and a Simrad autopilot, offering precision and reliability on extended ocean passages. Power is provided by a Perkins Sabre 130 hp diesel engine and a Whisper Power 8 kVA generator, complemented by new electrical systems and batteries to support life onboard.
Her interior combines functionality and comfort in classic Northern style. Warm teak joinery, soft leather upholstery, and finely finished fittings create a calm, welcoming environment for both crew and guests. She accommodates up to twelve people in four twin guest cabins, a private aft owner’s double cabin, and a forward skipper’s cabin, with two large bathrooms and modern galley facilities. The layout is spacious, well-ventilated, and designed for life at sea — elegant enough for harbour life, yet practical and durable for ocean voyages.
Mustamaija is built for distance and endurance. Her construction, equipment, and design philosophy reflect a yacht made for genuine exploration. Decades of careful ownership and professional maintenance have preserved her strength and reliability, ensuring she remains ready to meet the demands of high-latitude sailing.
Key features
-
Classic staysail schooner designed by H. Lunstroo Jr. (Netherlands);
- Steel construction by Lappeenrannan Shipyard, Finland (commissioned 1984);
- Professionally maintained with continuous upgrades;
- Traditional schooner rig, ideal for offshore expedition sailing;
- Spacious, well-equipped interior and ocean-ready systems;
- Proven high-latitude capability with robust build;
- LOA: 19.00 m | Beam: 4.75 m | Draft: 2.50 m;
- Displacement: approx. 40 t | Berths: up to 12;
- Engine: Perkins Sabre M130C 130 hp | Generator: Whisper Power 8 kVA;
- Bow thruster: Sleipner SidePower 11 kW | Air conditioning: Climma DC inverter 50,000 BTU;
- Electronics: Raymarine Axiom plotters, Quantum 2 radar, Simrad autopilot, B&G VHF with AIS;
- Deck: Teak deck (renewed 2020), self-tailing winches, Lofrans anchor windlass;
- Tender: Highfield Ultralite 3.1 m RIB with Yamaha 9.9 hp outboard;
- Recent Refit: Comprehensive 2020–2024 programme including engine overhaul and electronics upgrade.
Preparing your journey
Our sailings are suitable for complete beginners as well as those with previous experience. Our skippers are RYA instructors with extensive sea time, and they will support you whatever your level, offering guidance and practical tips throughout. This is an involved passage and the crew will be part of the boat preparation, general running of life onboard and the watch system that make it happen.
If you have little-to-no experience, please email us at admin@gowestsailing.com so we can chat through sea life with you. We can advise you on what you should pack and bring on board and hire waterproof garments typically worn by sailors. We will let you know everything you need to get to and from the boat based on our previous experience. We strongly recommend travel insurance.
Book your spot below or phone us if you have any questions +44(0)1475 789837, you can also chat to us on WhatsApp.
