CHANGE THE WORLD

Join us as we embark on a journey of discovery to re-trace Charles Darwin’s voyage around the globe.


CHANGE THE WORLD

Join us as we embark on a journey of discovery to re-trace Charles Darwin’s voyage around the globe.

OUR MISSION

DARWIN200 is a planetary conservation initiative which aims to change the world for the better.

We are sailing a historic tallship around the world following Charles Darwin’s voyage aboard HIMS Beagle two centuries ago.

Using our ship as a floating laboratory and media platform, we will harness the legacy of Charles Darwin’s passion for natural history to engage worldwide audiences and advance global conservation.

Discover our project goals below & join our mission.

Where are we on our Global Voyage?

Our journey will consist of 32 voyage legs and we will be making landfall at key locations where Charles Darwin stepped ashore. But where are we now….

50.3755° N, 4.1427° W


DEPARTED
15th AUG
2023
FROM
PLYMOUTH UK

01
GOAL 1

EMPOWER

Train exceptional DARWIN, LEADERS, one from each of 200 countries and states around the world. These young conservationists will become tomorrow’s environmental leaders.

02
GOAL 2

INSPIRE

Create the WORLD’S MOST EXCITING CLASSROOM to reconnect global audiences with nature, science and conservation.

03
GOAL 3

solve

Undertake citizen science RESEARCH PROJECTS tackling many of the world’s most critical environmental problems to engage global audiences in practical solutions.

DARWIN Leaders

DARWIN200 is selecting the world’s top young (18+ year old) conservationists – one from each of two hundred countries and states around the world.

These exceptional young conservationists (known as ‘Darwin Leaders’) are carefully chosen for their abilities, initiative and determination. Many have already accomplished inspiring conservation feats (such as setting up projects to save endangered species or efforts to educate audiences in their home countries). All show the raw, burning passion to protect the natural world and drive positive change for a better future.

From August 2023 to July 2025, groups of 4-8 Darwin Leaders will travel to our ship in each of the ports Charles Darwin visited, using our ship as a floating laboratory and media platform.

World’s Most Exciting Classroom

During the DARWIN200 2023-2025 Global Voyage, our goal is to engage with millions of students at schools across the planet via continuous streams of free online activities, research projects, experiments, lectures, competitions and weekly ‘nature hour’ events.
We call these outreach activities ‘the world’s most exciting classroom’.
All our outreach activities will be completely free of charge for students, teachers and the general public. Our goal is to engage 200 million students worldwide during our two-year global voyage and for years to come.

Research

In continuation of Charles Darwin’s work aboard HMS Beagle, the DARWIN200 ship will offer a unique platform to support 8 research projects into many of the world’s most critical environmental problems. Results will be displayed via live data feeds, results presentations, online lectures and interviews with the professional teams of researchers behind each initiative.

12.02.1809 – 19.04.1882

CHARLES DARWIN

In 1831, at the age of 22, Charles Darwin stepped aboard HMS Beagle in Plymouth, England to being a five year journey around the world. DARWIN200 builds on Charles Darwin’s legacy to educate global audiences about the threats our planet faces and the inspiring conservation work that can save the natural world.

FACTS &
FIGURES

200

Exceptional Darwin Leaders to drive global change over the coming decades

200
Million

Reaching 200 million students worldwide

50
Meter

Historic tall ship Oosterschelde

32

Voyage Legs

8

Interactive Citizen Science Research Projects

2023

Voyage starts

The Global Voyage will be undertaken aboard the historic 50 metre long tall ship Oosterschelde. Built in 1918, this uniquely restored, three masted schooner is one of the most beautiful historic vessels afloat.

Conservation is not about what we have lost but what we still have. Countless species and even entire ecosystems can be brought back from the brink. DARWIN200 will empower tomorrow’s conservation leaders and the global public to change the world for the better to build a brighter future.
Stewart McPherson, Project Leader
Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will
we help. Only if we help, shall we be saved.
Jane Goodall, DARWIN200 Patron
I am very supportive of this incredible project. Using Charles Darwin’s voyage on HMS Beagle as a framework to highlight environmental change as well as the beauty of nature is a timely and noble ambition.
Dr. Sarah Darwin, Charles Darwin’s Great-Great Granddaughter

press releases

Legendary Dutch Tall Ship Oosterschelde en route to Cape Town, Marking a Historic Milestone in the Global DARWIN200 Conservation Mission

Having successfully rounded the treacherous waters of Cape Horn, the historic Dutch tall ship Oosterschelde is currently exploring on the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia en…

Press Releases 13-03-25

Historic Dutch Tall Ship Oosterschelde Triumphs Over the Treacherous Waters of Cape Horn during DARWIN200 Conservation Voyage

The historic Dutch tall ship  Oosterschelde achieved a remarkable maritime milestone, successfully reaching Cape Horn during the DARWIN200 conservation mission.

Press Releases 12-02-25

DARWIN200 reaches Hobart, Tasmania aboard historic tall ship Oosterschelde

December 2nd 2024 Hobart, Tasmania, Australia: Today, the iconic DARWIN200 conservation mission aboard historic Dutch tall ship Oosterschelde sailed into Hobart ahead of a programme of…

Press Releases 02-12-24

DARWIN200 arrives into Sydney Harbour midway through its two-year global conservation voyage aboard historic tall ship Oosterschelde

November 12th 2024 Sydney, Australia: Today, the iconic DARWIN200 conservation mission aboard historic Dutch tall ship Oosterschelde sailed into Sydney Harbour for a programme of conservation…

Press Releases 11-11-24

DARWIN200 Expedition Reaches New Zealand

The ship arrived in Whangarei in early October where it underwent some well deserved rest recuperation having sailed over 22,500 nautical miles since its departure.

Press Releases 22-10-24

DARWIN200 Arrives in Fiji Amplifying Conservation Efforts Across the Pacific

The DARWIN200 project arrives in Fiji on 17th September 2024, joined onboard by two Darwin Leaders from Australia & New Zealand.

Press Releases 17-09-24

DARWIN200 is Halfway Through It’s Voyage Around The World

AUGUST 15th 2024 marks one year since the departure of the iconic DARWIN200 voyage which set sail from Plymouth Harbour, UK, on an epic two year planetary conservation…

Press Releases 15-08-24

Rapa Nui Port Visit for Tall Ship Oosterschelde and DARWIN200 Darwin Leaders.

On June 4th 2024 DARWIN200, the two-year planetary conservation mission aboard the magnificent Dutch tall ship Oosterschelde, arrived in Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

Press Releases 11-06-24

Instagram live feed

Many people know that the Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean on Earth – but the true scale of it can be hard to comprehend.
The one body of water covers a staggering 32% of the Earth’s surface – nearly a third of the entire planet.

From April to October 2024, we voyaged across this vast ocean, hopping between remote islands, sailing thousands of miles, learning about the unique wildlife and conservation issues.

Each island brought something different – unique landscapes, diverse cultures, incredible wildlife.

We covered over 10,000 nautical miles, travelling from Ecuador to New Zealand, visiting:

The Galapagos, Easter Island, Pitcairn, Mangareva, the Tuamotus, Tahiti, the Society Islands, Rarotonga, Tonga and Fiji.

And in October 2024, we arrived in New Zealand – the country that lies furthest from the UK on the planet.

Crossing the Pacific was a big endeavour, and it’s hard to believe that we have since crossed back across this ocean, the Atlantic and are almost home.

#darwin200reflections #darwin200 #oosterschelde #charlesdarwin #worldvoyage #historicjourney

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With French Polynesia in our wake, our voyage continued westward to more islands.

We sailed first to Rarotonga, and then on to the island kingdom of Tonga.

Both of which treated us to some incredible encounters with one particular species: the humpback whale.

Both these islands lie on the migration route of these whales, making them hotspots for sightings.

Tonga, is world renowned for being able to get in the water and swim with these gentle giants.

We were fortunate enough to do just that.

Being in the water with such a massive, peaceful creature, hearing the sounds of call as the mother and calf communicate, it was such a special experience.

Even as we continued our journey south from Vava’u to Tongatapu, the encounters didn’t stop. We set sail beneath a glowing sunset, and just as the last light dipped below the horizon, multiple humpbacks surfaced beside the ship, as if to bid us farewell

#darwin200reflections #darwin200 #oosterschelde #charlesdarwin #worldvoyage #historicjourney #humpback whales

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Join us for the next episode of The World`s Most Exciting Classroom — streaming LIVE TODAY, Thursday, June 12th at 9am Eastern / 2pm UK! 🌍📚

– Watch live or later via the link in our bio.

– Follow the Oosterschelde and the DARWIN200 team as they sail from Ascension to the Azores — their final stop before returning to the UK!
– Meet Marcelo Rheingantz, biologist and wildlife hero, reintroducing native animals to Brazil’s Tijuca National Park.
– Try a brand-new experiment in your classroom.
– Play Kahoot for a $50 gift card prize!
– Discover the latest Curiosity of the Week.

It’s science, exploration, and inspiration — all in one incredible hour. Don’t miss it!

#Darwin200 #STEMeducation #WildlifeConservation #WorldsMostExcitingClassroom

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Our time sailing through the Strait of Magellan was full of wildlife – from colonies of sealions and seabirds to the largest animal on Earth, the Blue Whale.

But one species became a regular companion on this stretch of the voyage:

Peale’s Dolphins (Lagenorhynchus australis)

These agile cetaceans inhabit the cold coastal waters of southern South America, and we were lucky enough to encounter them frequently during our passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific back in January 2024.

Often, they would ride the bow wave of the ship. But every now and then, they’d surprise us with an acrobatic display: bursts of energy and leaps from the water.

We remember one young dolphin in particular doing six jumps in a row!

#darwin200reflections #darwin200 #oosterschelde #charlesdarwin #worldvoyage #historicjourney #pealesdolphin

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What better way to celebrate World Oceans Day than with the largest animal to have EVER lived on Earth:

THE BLUE WHALE (Balaenoptera musculus)

Among all the wildlife we’ve encountered on this voyage, this moment stands out as one of the most unforgettable

As we finished our journey in the Chilean Fjords and exited into the Pacific Ocean we were joined by not one, but 3 Blue Whales who stayed with us for over 2 hours. Toward the end, Humpback Whales even joined, making their own display in the distance.

We were completely awestruck, surrounded by this natural marvel developing around us.

On World Oceans Day, the planet celebrates the oceans and draws attention to the growing need to protect them.

These gentle giants represent just one part of the intricate, complex, beautiful web of ocean life – that we risk to lose.

Let this be a celebration of not just awe – but responsibility.

We all have a role to play. Whether that be by reducing plastic consumption or by simply sharing your own awe of the natural world with others, to get them to care.

A message that we hold close is from the Senegalese Conservationist Baba Dioum:

“In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.”

#darwin200reflections #darwin200 #oosterschelde #charlesdarwin #worldvoyage #historicjourney #southamerica #worldoceansday #bluewhale

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