Step Aboard the Nao Victoria in Scarborough This Summer

This summer, Scarborough Harbour will play host to one of maritime history’s greatest treasures: the Nao Victoria. From 25 June to 6 July, this stunning replica of the first ship to sail around the world will be moored at North Wharf Quay, offering visitors a rare chance to step back in time and experience life on board one of the most storied vessels ever to cross the oceans.

The Nao Victoria is more than just a ship — it’s a living reminder of one of humanity’s most remarkable feats of exploration. In the early 16th century, a fleet of five ships, known as the Armada de la Especiería (the Spice Fleet), set sail from Seville, Spain, with a mission that would forever change the world. Commanded initially by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, the expedition aimed to reach the fabled Spice Islands (the Moluccas in modern Indonesia) by sailing westward — a daring plan that required crossing unknown seas and continents.

Departing Seville on 10 August 1519, the fleet consisted of the Trinidad, San Antonio, Concepción, Santiago, and Victoria. Over three long and grueling years, the crew faced storms, shipwrecks, disease, starvation, and conflict in uncharted waters. They discovered the Strait of Magellan, braved the vast Pacific Ocean, and endured countless hardships. Along the way, Magellan himself was killed in the Philippines, leaving Spanish navigator Juan Sebastián Elcano to complete the voyage.

Of the five ships and 243 men who left Spain, only the Nao Victoria returned, arriving back in Seville on 8 September 1522 with just 18 surviving sailors on board. Against all odds, they had accomplished what no one else had: the first circumnavigation of the globe. Their journey proved, once and for all, the true scale of the Earth and laid the foundations for centuries of global exploration and trade.

Today’s Nao Victoria is a faithful replica of that trailblazing ship. Built in the fishing village of Isla Cristina in Andalusia for the 1992 World’s Fair in Seville, it was constructed using traditional shipbuilding techniques by a dedicated team of carpenters and craftsmen. When completed, it became the star attraction at the EXPO, alongside replicas of Christopher Columbus’s Santa María, Pinta, and Niña. Over three million visitors marvelled at these iconic vessels during the exhibition.

But the story didn’t end there. In 2004, the Nao Victoria replica embarked on its own modern circumnavigation, retracing the original journey. Over two years, it sailed nearly 27,000 nautical miles, visited 17 countries across five continents, and became the first replica ship to sail around the world. This extraordinary voyage brought to life the experiences, fears, and challenges faced by those first sailors, helping a new generation appreciate the courage and endurance that defined the Age of Discovery.

Today, the Nao Victoria is managed by the Nao Victoria Foundation, a non-profit organisation established to preserve and promote Spain’s maritime heritage. As a floating museum, ambassador of exploration, and training ship, it has travelled widely across Spain, Europe, and the United States, welcoming more than six million visitors to its decks.

Now, the people of Yorkshire have the chance to walk these decks for themselves. From the ship’s four working decks to the captain’s cabin and crew quarters, every detail is designed to transport visitors back to the early 1500s. Guides will share stories of epic voyages, lost ships, and the brave sailors who dared to face the unknown.

The Nao Victoria will be open daily in Scarborough from 10 am to 8 pm. Tickets can be purchased either on board or online in advance at tickets.fundacionnaovictoria.org. Prices are £8 for adults and £4 for children aged 5–10, with family tickets available for £20 (covering two adults and up to three children). Children under five go free but must be accompanied by an adult.

Schools and local community groups are encouraged to book special guided tours, priced at £4 per pupil (with a free teacher ticket for every ten children). Older student groups pay £8 per person. To arrange a group visit, simply email ecampos@fundacionnaovictoria.org.

For the truly adventurous, a select few will even have the chance to sail aboard the Nao Victoria as she continues her European tour. Information and booking for this once-in-a-lifetime experience can be found at www.tallshipexperience.com.

Visitors can expect an authentic taste of seafaring life, with over 120 square metres of usable space spread across four decks, three masts, six sails, and an impressive 290 square metres of sail area. With a length of 26 metres and a beam of 7 metres, the ship’s scale and detail make it a breathtaking sight against the Scarborough coastline.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, an aspiring explorer, or simply looking for a memorable day by the sea, don’t miss this unique opportunity to step aboard a ship that changed the course of human history.

The Nao Victoria will dock at North Wharf Quay, Scarborough Harbour, from 25 June to 6 July. Come and discover the spirit of adventure that shaped our world. See you on deck!