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

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

CONNECTING GALAPAGOS CHILDREN and YOUTH COMMUNITY with DARWIN200 PROJECT

During the Darwin200 project visit in Galápagos, creating a strong link to the local community is important given the vital message that connects the boat’s journey,…

Press Releases 08-05-24

The World’s Most Famous Dutch Tall Ship Oosterschelde and DARWIN200 en route to Galápagos, the jewel in the crown of Charles Darwin’s historic expedition that inspired his Theory of Evolution.

Tall ship Oosterschelde will be in Galápagos 25th April – 19th May 2024 having sailed over 13,000nm since departing the UK last August on the DARWIN200.

Press Releases 25-04-24

Instagram live feed

🌊 Each port that we visit has a completely different character. Some are remote islands with only a few inhabitants, others are large bustling cities with millions of people.

📍Since setting sail from Plymouth we have visited over 25 different major ports from around there world. Each one, acting as a new hub to host new Darwin Leaders.

What a privilege it is to always be welcomed with warm hearts and curiosity, a new opportunity to share our mission with individuals from all over the world.

Thank you to everyone who we have met along the way for being part of DARWIN200.

Do you know what the largest natural port is in the world?

Let us know below!

#darwin200 #oosterschelde #worldvoyage #charlesdarwin #sailingadventure #adventureawaits #conservation #exploretheworld #globalvoyage #historicjourney #sailingexperience

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Join us for Episdoe 70 of the World`s Most Exciting Classroom! 🌍

Get ready for another thrilling episode this Thursday, February 6th at 2 PM UK / 9 AM Eastern!

Watch live or later via the link in our bio.

What’s in store this week?

🌊 Live from the Oosterschelde! Tom & Mara update us on their stormy Pacific crossing.

Meet Sandra Guy! A Sydney Wildlife Rescue volunteer who raises orphaned flying-fox pups – meet some of her rescues!

Conservation in action! A Darwin Leader shares their experiences from the field.

Hands-on experiment! A fun science activity to try in your classroom.

Kahoot challenge! Win a $50 gift card for your class!

Curiosity of the Week! And so much more!

Don’t miss out! Tag a fellow educator and get ready for an adventure! 🚢

#Darwin200 #WorldsMostExcitingClassroom #ScienceAdventure

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Natural selection is the mechanism by which organisms that are better adapted to their surroundings are more likely to survive and therefore pass on their genes to their offspring, leading to a population gradually evolving to express those advantageous characteristics

Both Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace came up with this idea, publishing it in 1858.

Natural selection is often explained by the term ‘survival of the fittest’. However, this can bring misconceptions, as some people may interpret “fittest” to mean the best individual, in terms of health and shape, that is able to survive. But when Darwin used the term, he meant “fittest” to mean the individual/s best suited for the immediate environment.

Can you think of any examples of natural selection?

Let us know below!

#darwin200 #charlesdarwin #sailingadventure #adventureawaits #conservation #exploretheworld #historicjourney

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With only 2000 miles left of our 7000 mile voyage across the South Pacific, we only have about 2 weeks of sailing left.

After settling into the rhythm of living at sea days seem to roll into the next – 5 weeks at sea has gone by in a heartbeat.

From what might seem as a monotonous journey has actually been full of variety with no day being exactly like the last. One morning may be perfectly calm with whales coming to say hello, followed by the clearest night sky permeated with stars. The next day, strong winds arrive and all hands are on deck to change the sails.

There is also plenty of time with not a lot to do. But, where better than the middle of the ocean to contemplating, read, or simply take in the expanse of the open ocean.

We still have some challenges ahead, namely the Drake Passage, one of the most notorious bodies of water in the world. But, once through the passage and around Cape Horn we will be back in the Atlantic Ocean – where we haven’t been for over 12 months. A reminder !

📸 @tomdixonfilm

#darwin200 #oosterschelde #charlesdarwin #sailingadventure #adventureawaits #conservation #globalvoyage #exploretheworld #historicjourney #sailingexperience

167 2

Nautical mile…. Mile… What’s the difference? Is there a difference?

Yes, there is a difference. While 1 miles equates to ~1609 metres, 1 nautical mile is 1852 metres.

The statue mile evolved from the Roman mile – defined as 1000 paces of a Roman solider. This later standardised to 5280 feet in England. This unit worked fine for a long time as distances over land didn’t need to account for the Earth’s curvature.

However, since sailors needed to navigate across the global, they needed to factor in the Earth’s curvature to ensure accurate navigation.

The nautical mile was officially standardised in 1929, but the origins of this unit date all the way back to the 17th century.

Did you know there was a difference?

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30 seconds of sailing in a storm at sea 🌊💨⛵️

#darwin200 #oosterschelde #charlesdarwin #sailingadventure #adventureawaits #exploretheworld #globalvoyage #historicjourney #sailingexperience

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30000 miles, 17 months sailing and nearly 100 Darwin Leader projects, we have been lucky to have had countless amazing wildlife encounters.

Only a few days from leaving Plymouth we saw a Northern Fin Whale (the second largest whale on earth).

This was then followed by a White-faced storm petrel falling into our shower overnight, which, ornothologist @granttoinette then safely released.

In Tenerife, we filmed Pilot Whales – which dive to 1000 metres!

When we reached Cape Verde we documented the Santa Luzia Mountain Lizard – which was presumed lost only until recently.

And in Rio, the bright orange Golden Lion Tamarin captured everyone’s hearts.

Many incredible species like these worldwide are threatened and at risk of being lost – we are always inspired by the young conservationist and NGO’s who dedicate their lives to protecting and rescuing species from the brink of extinction.

What is your favourite animal or plant?

Let us know below

Stay tuned to see more of our wildlife highlights!

#darwin200 #oosterschelde #charlesdarwin #sailingadventure #conservation #adventureawaits #exploretheworld #globalvoyage #historicjourney

76 1

We all knew it would come at some point, we were crossing the southern Pacific Ocean after all – one of the most notorious waters for storms. 🌊

But when it actually arrived, to be punched by a gust of 50 knot winds, almost knocked over by a blue wave crashing over deck, hammered by a hailstorm. You really get to experience first hand the force of nature.

Despite only having one, small sail hoisted we were making speeds over 7 knots – which gives you a sense of the power behind the wind and waves.💨

Occasionally, you would get a freak large wave, which hits the ship just at the right angle to send a wall of water over the entire ship. Sometimes it hits when the ship is already at a steep list engulfing the leeward side of the ship, bringing water up to the knees of those standing at the helm – keep in mind this is usually 3m out the water!

For about 36 hours, we remained in the heart of these conditions. The crew of @dutchtallship Oosterschelde did an awesome job at keeping the ship and those onboard safe in such wild weather.

It is beginning to calm again, offering a well earned respite. We are left wondering what it must be like to experience this 100s of years ago.

What do you think Darwin thought of these conditions on the Beagle?

Let us know below!

Stay tuned for more wet and wild content!

📸 @tomdixonfilm

#darwin200 #worldvoyage #oosterschelde #dutchtallship #sailingadventure #charlesdarwin #conservation #adventureawaits #exploretheworld #historicjourney #sailingexperience

332 16

❄️ Braving the Cold at Sea! ⛵️🌊 The winds are biting, the chill is setting in, but nothing stops a true sailor! As we push onward toward the Falkland Islands, we’re layering up, staying active, dancing and keeping warm with plenty of hot drinks and good company.

Sailing isn’t just about sunshine and smooth seas, it’s about embracing every challenge the ocean throws our way. Through the cold and the spray, our crew, guests, and team are taking it all in stride, keeping spirits high and the adventure alive! ⚓️

#ColdWeatherSailing #OceanChallenge #TallShipAdventure #StayWarm #Darwin200

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Join us for the next episode of the WORLD’S MOST EXCITING CLASSROOM! 🚨

📅 Tomorrow, Thursday, 30th January
🕑 2 PM UK | 9 AM Eastern

Watch live or later on YouTube via the link in our bio.

🌍 The Oosterschelde is in its 4th week sailing across the Pacific, and we’ve got an action-packed session:

– Live update from the ship with camera operator Tom & researcher Mara
– Explorer Club researchers Tim Lann & Chris Hull share how they mapped coral reefs with drones
– A new experiment you can try in your classroom
– Kahoot challenge – Win a gift card for your class!
– Curiosity of the Week
+ much more!

See you there!

#Darwin200 #LiveExploration #STEMeducation #worldsmostexcitingclassroom #oosterschelde

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Towering waves, howling winds, and an unrelenting sea, this is sailing at its wildest! 🌪️ As we push through one of the world’s most notorious passages, the power of the ocean reminds us who’s really in charge. 🌊

Hold tight, next stop, the Falkland Islands! ⚓

#CapeHorn #SailingStorms #TallShipLife #OceanPower #Darwin200

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🌎 On a global sailing voyage, the travel between destinations takes days, weeks, sometimes even months.

⛵️ After sailing for these long periods seeing nothing but ocean, it is always a special moment when you get that first glimpse of land on the horizon, and then you watch over the following hours, as you move closer, the land get bigger and the view clearer.

⚓️ When you finally arrive, the anchor dropped, or the lines thrown ashore, the voyage ends but this marks the beginning of the exploration of a new port. For us, Darwin200, this also marks the beginning of a Darwin Leader week, welcoming the young conservationists and meeting the inspiring local NGO’s.

Throughout our voyage so far we have visited over 25 different ports, each with their own unique character. Shown above is the first 12 ports of our trip. Stay tuned to see the rest!

#darwin200 #oosterschelde #sailingadventure #charlesdarwin #conservation #adventureawaits #globalvoyage

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