VOLUNTEERING
RAFAEL VERDERA
LEARN, SHARE, SAIL
Step aboard the Rafael Verdera and become part of something bigger. Our volunteer programme offers a unique experience: you’ll learn to sail, help care for the oldest active Spanish sailing vessel, and live alongside a crew whose life is shaped by, and dedicated to, the sea. There are no spectators here. Every day is a lesson in seamanship, sustainability and shared living. You’ll take part in sail handling, maintenance, watches, and in those quiet moments, when all you hear is the wind in the sails. This isn’t just any volunteering opportunity: it’s a life-changing journey where you can leave your mark, and take away far more than you give.
rafael verdera
A SCHOOL OF SEA AND LIFE
The Rafael Verdera is more than a ship: she’s a floating teacher. You will learn by doing, feeling, living – from tying a sailor’s knot to understanding wind patterns and the language of the sea. Every task, no matter how small, is part of something greater. The sailboat will teach you patiently: how to work as a team, how to trust and to respect the rhythm of nature. There are no formal lessons, but you’ll learn every day. And you will be an essential part of the crew.
RAFAEL VERDERA
HANDS THAT BUILD, HEARTS THAT BEAT
Every plank sanded, every rope spliced, every sail hoisted carries the pulse of those who believe in something more. Aboard the Rafael Verdera, manual work becomes an act of love for the sea, and for the history this ship embodies. It’s not just about repairing or maintaining. It’s about building with intention, giving something back to the sailboat that offers us refuge, learning and freedom. Here, it’s not just about work; it’s about connection, dreams and leaving a mark.
rafael verdera
THE CRAFT OF THE SEA, PASSED ON WITH LOVE
Aboard the Rafael Verdera, every day is an opportunity to learn. Knots, sails, wood, wind… everything is shared. Volunteers give their time and in return they gain knowledge, experiences and a piece of living history. This is an honest exchange, unhurried, where seafaring knowledge is passed on with respect, just as it has been for generations. You’ll learn by doing, and, what you build with your hands, you’ll carry with you forever.
THANK YOU FOR COMING THIS FAR
NOW IT'S TIME TO STEP ABOARD
rafael verdera
LIVE THE EXPERIENCE
Everything’s ready to set sail
