Exceptional Darwin Leaders to drive global change over the coming decades
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
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.
press releases
Tonga Highlights 🐋🌊⛵️
After departing Tonga yesterday we are left reflecting on our time within this beautiful country.
We experienced everything from stunning sunsets and swimming with humpback whales to diving through caves and exploring the remote surrounding islands.
To find out how you could be a part of our global voyage, visit the link in our bio.
📸 @tomdixonfilm @joshclarkephotos
#darwin200 #oosterschelde #Darwin200 #TallShipVoyage #SailingAdventure #HistoricJourney #Circumnavigation #CharlesDarwin #ExploreTheWorld #JoinTheCrew #AdventureAwaits #SailingExperience
While departing from Vava’u we made a couple more stops, the first being Swallows cave. A beautiful cave formation with crystal clear waters creating the most magical light on the inside.
With a steep drop off outside the cave the ship was brought very close to the the entrance. From the inside of the cave this view was stunning!
📸 @tomdixonfilm
#darwin200 #oosterschelde #Darwin200 #TallShipVoyage #SailingAdventure #HistoricJourney #Circumnavigation #CharlesDarwin #ExploreTheWorld #JoinTheCrew #AdventureAwaits #SailingExperience
Yesterday, as the sunset we got the most amazing send off from the humpbacks of Vava’u with multiple groups breaching and jumping all around the ship.
Thank you for having us, it was a very special experience!
📸 @joshclarkephotos
#darwin200 #oosterschelde #Darwin200 #TallShipVoyage #SailingAdventure #HistoricJourney #Circumnavigation #CharlesDarwin #ExploreTheWorld #JoinTheCrew #AdventureAwaits #SailingExperience
Join us for the next episode of The World’s Most Exciting Classroom this Thursday, September 5th at 7pm UK time / 2pm ET!
Tune in live or catch the replay on YouTube via the link in our bio.
We have an incredible lineup: 🌏 The Oosterschelde has set sail toward Tonga! We’ll get a live uplink from the ship where the crew’s been having adventures like rope swings and snorkeling with humpback whales. 🐋 Our host Joe Grabowski from @ebtsoyp will take us on a deep-sea journey with footage from Bob Ballard’s research vessel, Nautilus. Plus, we’ll reveal the answer to last week’s Curiosity of the Week and introduce the next one!
Don’t miss it! 🎉 #Darwin200 #WMEC #OceanAdventure #LiveExploration
During our visit to Vava’u we were lucky enough to be able to take a trip to go and swim with the magnificent humpback whales.
After spending the austral summer in Antarctica these humpback whales return to Tonga around June to give birth and rear their young.
The warm waters of Tonga act as the perfect nursery ground for these gentle giants. Come October, the whales will start to make their way south again, with the same population returning to Tonga every year.
📸 @tomdixonfilm
#darwin200 #oosterschelde #Darwin200 #TallShipVoyage #SailingAdventure #HistoricJourney #Circumnavigation #CharlesDarwin #ExploreTheWorld #JoinTheCrew #AdventureAwaits #SailingExperience
We’re thrilled to share that DARWIN200 has been featured in the The Explorers Journal! 🌍 You can pick up a copy of this months to reach the full feature.
@joegrabowski
@ebtsoyp
@dutchtallship
Thank you to The Explorers Journal for highlighting our global voyage, mission and the impact we’re striving to make! 💙
#DARWIN200 #OceanConservation #Exploration #MarineScience #Inspiration #oosterschelde
After 1 week at sea we have made landfall on the islands of Vava’u, Tonga.
As we make our way towards Tongatapu over the next few days we will continue to explore these beautiful islands!
📸 @joshclarkephotos
#darwin200 #oosterschelde #Darwin200 #TallShipVoyage #SailingAdventure #HistoricJourney #Circumnavigation #CharlesDarwin #ExploreTheWorld #JoinTheCrew #AdventureAwaits #SailingExperience
This week, we welcomed new guests aboard the Oosterschelde as we set sail from Rarotonga to Tonga! It was an adventurous start with a passing storm, but once the seas calmed, we found our rhythm and made great progress. As the winds shifted, we adjusted our course south to keep the sails full and steady. The crew and guests are in high spirits as we continue this incredible journey across the Pacific.
📸 @tomdixonfilm
#DARWIN200 #Oosterschelde #SailingAdventure #RarotongaToTonga #OceanJourney #WindInOurSails #exploretheworld
Even in our down time when we’re not sailing we will always try to find an excuse to jump on some ropes! 🌊
#darwin200 #oosterschelde #Darwin200 #TallShipVoyage #SailingAdventure #HistoricJourney #Circumnavigation #CharlesDarwin #ExploreTheWorld #JoinTheCrew #AdventureAwaits #SailingExperience
Did you know that DARWIN200 runs free weekly online events called the "World`s Most Exciting Classroom". These educational broadcasts include live interviews (beamed by satellite) with conservationists in exotic locations around the world, live uplinks with the researchers and cameramen on the DARWIN200 ship, custom-designed experiments, identification of “natural history curiosity of the week”, kahoots quizzes and £200 in weekly prizes to be won! Each experiment consists of an instruction video followed by results broadcast two weeks later.
Last week’s experiment focused on investigating bioluminescence. We delved into the glowing wonders of the deep sea, exploring how and why certain creatures light up their dark ocean world.
Take part in this week’s experiment to unravel the science behind nature’s living lights and have a chance to win prizes!
#DARWIN200 #Bioluminescence #WeeklyExperiment #OceanMysteries #ScienceInAction #NatureGlows
Join us at 7pm today for the next episode of The World`s Most Exciting Classroom today, Thursday, August 29th at 7pm UK time / 2pm Eastern time. Join us live or catch up later via the link in our bio.
We`ve got a jam-packed program for you:
🚢 The Oosterschelde has set sail and is heading towards Tonga! We`ll have a live uplink from the ship to see how the journey is going and share a video of the leg from Papeete to Rarotonga.
– Grant will give us an update on his hunt for endemic birds in Rarotonga, while Josh will share some breathtaking diving adventures.
-Don`t miss the answer to last week`s Curiosity of the Week and check out the new challenge!
…and much more!
We can`t wait to see you there!
#DARWIN200 #WorldsMostExcitingClassroom #SailingAdventure #LiveFromTheOosterschelde #WildlifeExploration #JoinUsLive #oosterschelde
Last week we had another opportunity to explore underwater…
This time, in the depths of Rarotonga, Cook Islands.
The reef here was spectacular. With many different species of coral and fish.
📸 @tomdixonfilm
#darwin200 #oosterschelde #Darwin200 #TallShipVoyage #SailingAdventure #HistoricJourney #Circumnavigation #CharlesDarwin #ExploreTheWorld #JoinTheCrew #AdventureAwaits #SailingExperience
Magical Moments Beneath the Waves 🌊
Up close with these majestic manta rays, capturing their grace and beauty. 🐋💙 They paint the waters with their graceful movements. Tag someone who would love this!
Video credit: Josh Clarke
#UnderwaterMagic #MantaRays #OceanLife #MarineWonder #DiveIntoNature #ConservationInAction #Darwin200 #oosterschelde
Rocking and Rolling to Rarotonga! 🌪️
The journey from Tahiti to Rarotonga has been anything but smooth sailing! As we set course across the open ocean, we were met with some seriously rough weather. The Oosterschelde was rocking and rolling as we navigated through towering waves and fierce winds. 🌊
But this is all part of the adventure on the #DARWIN200 voyage. The crew pulled together, securing the ship and making sure everyone stayed safe as we pushed through the storm. Despite the challenges, there’s something incredibly exhilarating about battling the elements at sea.
Now, as we approach Rarotonga, we are welcomed with much calmer weather.
📸 @joshclarkephotos
#Darwin200 #SailingLife #OceanAdventure #RoughSeas #Rarotonga #MarineConservation #SailorsLife #oosterschelde
Throwback to this incredible shot of Tim and Chris from @oxfordflyguys on board in the stunning waters of Tahiti. They were hard at work flying drones to map coral reefs as part of our ongoing mission to protect and preserve these vital ecosystems. The lush green mountains and clear blue waters made for the perfect backdrop on this leg of the #DARWIN200 journey. 🌍
#Darwin200 #CoralReefs #OceanConservation #Tahiti #Sailing #DroneMapping #SaveOurSeas #oosterschelde
Throwback to just over a month ago when we were on route to Mangareva for a deeper dive into the fascinating Canoe Bugs project Jut has been working on! He has been exploring how Ancient Polynesians might have inadvertently spread invertebrates across Polynesia. These ancient voyagers often carried plants on their journeys, potentially transporting soil-dwelling invertebrates to new islands.
After extensive research in Rapa Nui, Jut moved on to Pitcairn and Mangareva, where collected invertebrates from various sites. The next step is to analyse these samples to see if there’s a genetic connection between species from these islands.
If we discover the same species in Rapa Nui, Pitcairn, and Mangareva, it would strongly support the Canoe Bug hypothesis. This could revolutionise our understanding of how these ancient navigators influenced the ecosystems of Polynesia.
Check out the video for an inside look at Jut’s fieldwork and the progress of the Canoe Bugs project. Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we uncover new insights into these historic voyages! 🔬
#Darwin200 #CanoeBugs #PolynesianVoyages #Biodiversity #ScienceInAction #Oosterschelde #ResearchJourney #InvertebrateStudies #polynesianhistory
New Leg, New Adventures! 🌴 This week, we set sail from Tahiti to Rarotonga, Cook Islands with an incredible new group of guests aboard the Oosterschelde! Before diving into the action, everyone received a comprehensive safety briefing from our crew.
Once that was complete, our guests fully immersed themselves in the experience, getting hands-on with sailing and science! Swipe through to see them in action as they embrace every moment of this epic journey.
Photo credit: Josh Clarke
#Darwin200 #SailingAdventure #Oosterschelde #TahitiToRarotonga #SeaExplorers #LifeAtSea #ConservationInAction #ExploreWithUs
Leg 19 Recap: Society Islands 🌊
Leg 19 took us on a breath-taking journey through the enchanting Society Islands, where every day felt like a postcard come to life. We sailed through turquoise waters, anchored in hidden lagoons, and marvelled at the lush, green peaks that define this incredible region.
From snorkelling with vibrant marine life to exploring remote, unspoiled beaches, this leg was filled with magical moments. The islands’ rich culture and stunning biodiversity added layers of depth to our experience, making each stop feel like a discovery.
📸 @joshclarkephotos
#SocietyIslands #VoyageLeg19 #IslandExploration #SailingAdventures #Darwin200 #HiddenGems #OceanJourney #oosterschelde
It’s been one year since we set sail! 🌍
Today marks a year since DARWIN200 set off from Plymouth, UK, aboard the beautiful Oosterschelde! Over the past 12 months, we’ve navigated 19 incredible legs, visiting inspiring locations like Cape Verde, Rio de Janeiro, the Chilean Fjords, Easter Island, the Galapagos, Tahiti, and more.
We’ve trained over 80 Darwin Leaders globally, each working on impactful conservation projects with local partners. Our 50 episodes of the World’s Most Exciting Classroom have reached children worldwide, bringing the wonders of our planet to their screens. We’ve also welcomed over 300 members of the public sailing onboard, offering them the ultimate sailing adventure.
We’ve been lucky to witness so many incredible species from all over the world.
As we sail on to Rarotonga, we remain dedicated to inspiring action and protecting our planet. Thank you to our crew, scientists, partners, sponsors, and supporters for making this journey possible! 💚
📸 Edited by @joshclarkephotos
#Darwin200 #GlobalVoyage #OneYearAnniversary #SailingForScience #SaveOurPlanet #DarwinLeaders #WorldsMostExcitingClassroom #Oosterschelde
Join us today for the next World`s Most Exciting Classroom episode today, Thursday, August 15th at 7pm UK time / 2pm Eastern time.
Join us live or catch the replay via the YouTube link. Click the link in our bio to watch.
This week, we’ve got an incredible line up:
– The Oosterschelde has set sail and is heading towards the Cook Islands! We’ll have a live update from the ship, plus a special video from the leg sailing through Tahiti.
– Darwin Leader Maria Fernanda Carmona will be sharing her inspiring conservation work in Peru.
– Find out the answer to last week`s Curiosity of the Week and discover what’s new!
…and so much more! 🌿
Don’t miss out on this free online event. See you there!
#DARWIN200 #WorldsMostExcitingClassroom #Conservation #AdventureAwaits #oosterschelde
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