Meet at the Kapalouest pontoon, just in front of the old port, and start your sailing excursion. Once aboard the Columbus, the crew will give a quick safety briefing before setting sail.

Sail along the channel admiring various monuments on the bay including, the Richelieu tower and the bout du monde lighthouse. Once in the bay, the crew will unfurl the sails and shut down the engines. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and let the waves gently rock you. Chat with the crew and learn about the local environment, history, and the nautical way of life. You will be back at the dock after 3-hours, after a final passage between the two towers.

The Columbus is a sailboat full of history and maritime heritage. This large 18-meter monohull was built in La Rochelle in the PINTA shipyards. Its first vocation was ocean racing since it participated in the Vendée Globe with the skipper and Rochelais owner Jean-Yves Terlain in 1992.

In the early 2000s, the ship was transformed into an expedition sailboat dedicated to safeguarding the marine environment. It is best known for its numerous missions in defense of the environment and oceans with the Sea Shepherd, WWF, and BLOOM. Today it continues to charm and raise awareness among the general public when hosting its passengers in La Rochelle.