About the Course
You are Booking the whole boat with skipper.
Nomad — One Month to Portugal
Set sail from the UK aboard Nomad N1 for a month-long voyage that traces the spine of Europe’s western edge. This is not a holiday. It’s a passage—unhurried, elemental, and stitched together by cultures, coastlines, and the steady pull of the sea.
Across the Channel — France in a New Light
We begin by slipping south toward France, watching the familiar fade into something softer. Harbours, markets, cafés—each stop a small immersion in coastal life. Days unfold in a rhythm of sailing, wandering ashore, and letting the world slow down.
The Channel Islands — Tide, Stone, and Story
We weave between islands shaped by centuries of tide and trade. Jersey, Guernsey, Sark—each with its own character, its own hidden anchorages, its own quiet magic. Clear water invites a swim if weather allows; evenings settle into golden light and the creak of timber at anchor.
The Bay of Biscay — The Long Crossing
Then comes the deep breath: the open-water stretch across the Bay of Biscay. Days at sea, nights under vast starlight, the boat moving with a confidence born of tradition and craft. You learn the rhythm of offshore sailing—the watch system, the quiet camaraderie, the way the horizon becomes your companion.
Spain and the Rías — A Coastline of Warmth
Landfall in northern Spain feels like stepping into another season. We explore the rugged Galician coast and its beautiful rías—deep, sheltered inlets where villages cling to the water’s edge and seafood is as fresh as the tide. Life slows even further here. Swim, wander, taste, breathe.
Portugal — A Southern Arrival
The final stretch south carries us toward Portugal, where the light turns golden and the air grows warm. Harbours rich with history, coastlines carved by wind and time, and a sense of arrival that feels both external and internal.
By the time we reach Portugal, you’ll have travelled through countries, climates, and states of mind. A month that feels like a chapter. A voyage that stays with you long after landfall.
Nomad — One Month to Portugal.
A journey shaped by wind, water, and wonder.
Your Instructor
Dan Shaw
Dan Shaw has spent a lifetime drawn to the sea. What began as childhood fascination grew into decades of hands‑on sailing, gentle cruising, and a deep respect for traditional seamanship. Today, he brings that experience — and a calm, steady presence — to every voyage aboard Nomad.