Historic ships to look out for during SAIL Amsterdam 2025

Sailing through time

The Netherlands is defined by its command of water, both on the open seas and in its countless canals and waterways. With a maritime history that spans a centuries-old formidable navy, an innovative dyke-building system and a global reputation for shipbuilding, this little nation below sea level is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to mastering the sea. It’s no wonder that SAIL Amsterdam, one of the country’s biggest festivals, which has been held every five years since 1975, takes place on the water. 

The true soul of the festival lies in the ships themselves. Each vessel represents a unique moment in maritime history, from momentous barques to robust and elegant schooners. During the SAIL-In Parade, the festival’s grand overture, the ships glide into the city’s harbour. As dawn breaks, take in this stately procession of tall ships from the banks of the IJ. 

Overwhelmed by the sheer number of ships? Here are some of the procession’s highlights:

The Alexander von Humboldt II

Adventurous beauty

2011

With its striking green sails, the Alexander von Humboldt II is an unmissable part of the Tall Ships flotilla. Named after the dauntless explorer and polymath, it keeps von Humboldt’s spirit of adventure alive with an action-packed agenda and a crew ready for anything. Though it looks straight out of a movie, this steel-hulled barque (a traditional ship with horizontal sails reminiscent of a pirate ship) was launched as recently as 2011.

So while its design is a nod to the romance and grandeur of the 19th century, the Alex – as it’s lovingly called by the crew – boasts plenty of top-notch modern technology (a fully computerised engine management system, motorised thrusters that help the ship turn in tight corners, and a water-maker, to name a few). More than just a pretty face, the ship has a clear-cut mission: to foster resilience, teamwork and curiosity during each voyage.

De Eendracht

Strength and purpose

1989

Translating to “unity”, De Eendracht continues a lineage close to 90 years old. This massive Dutch schooner (a vessel with two or more masts) has three enormous steel masts and a classic navy-blue hull, making it a hefty beauty on the seas.

Its sheer size makes it hard to miss, taking the title of the Netherlands’ largest three-masted ship. Due to its royal patronage – no less than Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands – De Eendracht was able to get off the ground in the difficult post-war years, and was even christened by the Queen of the Netherlands on her maiden voyage in 1989.

Operated by Stichting Zeilschip Eendracht, this important sailing institution is committed to promoting accessibility and offering voyages for underprivileged youth. During these trips, strangers become teammates as they see the world and learn valuable hands-on sailing skills. 

The Santa Maria Manuela

Salt and soul

1937

The Santa Maria Manuela is no stranger to the seas, with a worn hull that has seen decades of Atlantic cod fishing in Newfoundland and Greenland. This Portuguese pearl is a nostalgic throwback to an era when Portugal’s “White Fleet” (a traditional flotilla of fishing boats hailing from the prewar period) dominated the seas. Built in 1937 and painted white during WWII to protect it from the threat of enemy attack, the Santa Maria Manuela has seen plenty of strife and struggle since her maiden voyage: navigating the seas during a world war is no mean feat.

Though she survived through these turbulent years, the post-war collapse of the cod fish industry meant she was decommissioned and almost lost for good. Luckily, the ship was reborn in 2010 as a training vessel. Today, she carries students and guests rather than cod, offering a taste of sailing life for all onboard.

The Shabab Oman II

Modern mastery and diplomacy

2014

This three-masted barquentine (a hybrid between a schooner and a barque) is a true sight to behold on the water. With a sleek, streamlined hull and no less than 34 sails, the Shabab Oman II is built for speed, reaching up to 17 knots (that’s over 30 kilometres per hour!). Watch her race across the waves with a crew of young Omanis aboard, specially trained in traditional seamanship and naval discipline.

More than simply a racing boat, the Shabab Oman II is on a floating diplomacy mission, carrying a message of peace and cultural dialogue. Fostering goodwill among the global sailing community, the ship regularly participates in international tall ship events, maritime festivals and tours around the world.

The Europa

Grit and glaciers

1911

It’s no secret that the Europa has spent much of her life on the oceans. Though she’s endearingly called “the little slender lady”, the Europa is in fact one tough cookie, with voyages that have taken her across the Atlantic and Southern Oceans, including regular routes between the Azores, Brazil, Namibia, and Antarctica.

Today, she plays an important role as a platform for oceanic research. The ship regularly participates in expeditions focused on minimising plastic pollution, conserving marine biodiversity and promoting environmental education. From logging humpback sightings in Antarctica to visiting the Vernadsky base in Ukraine, where researchers engage in important tasks such as long-term climate monitoring, Europa’s climate-conscious activities make it a truly special vessel.

The Eye of the Wind

Maritime movie star 

1911

From Prince Charles’ 1970s Operation Drake expedition – an extraordinary two-year round-the-world journey that involved international cooperation with over 400 people – to appearances behind the camera in iconic films like The Blue Lagoon (1980) and White Squall (1996), the Eye of the Wind is something of a star in the sailing world.

This globe-trotting two-masted brig (defined by distinctive square-rigged sails) is over 40 metres long and boasts more than 800 square metres of sail. Her classic wooden hull makes her undeniably photogenic, but she’s also compact and graceful on the seas. More than a cinematic icon, the Eye of the Wind has known both adventure and purpose. She’s been a floating laboratory, a site of international discovery and a training ground for young aspiring sailors.