After a challenging passage from Belém, the Schurmanns arrive at Recife Marina and are welcomed by Novotel before heading south to Itajaí.
The Schurmann Family made port in Recife this week aboard the sailing vessel Kat, the flagship of their Voz dos Oceanos (Voice of the Oceans) expedition. The stopover follows a demanding passage from northern Brazil — a route rarely attempted by sailors due to opposing currents along the northeastern coast, but carefully timed to take advantage of a favorable weather window.
A welcome fit for explorers
On March 17, crew members Vilfredo, Heloisa, Wilhelm, and Erica Schurmann welcomed a delegation from Novotel Recife Marina aboard the Kat. The group included Operations Manager Juliana Fonseca, Chef Fernando Cita, Recife Expo Center Director Paulo Cavalcanti Menezes, and Recentro Chief of Staff Ana Paula Vilaça. The visit continued at the hotel, where the crew toured the kitchens and enjoyed a specially crafted surf-and-turf menu inspired by Brazilian cuisine.
“We were impressed by their poise, preparation, and the way they navigate life at sea. Meeting Heloisa was particularly moving — an inspiring woman who has circumnavigated the globe four times. It was also a rich exchange: they got to know our operation, and we learned more about daily life aboard, especially regarding sustainability, which is a core pillar of both the expedition and our own management.” — Juliana Fonseca, Operations Manager, Novotel Recife Marina
Four decades on the open sea
Known as the first Brazilian family to sail around the world, the Schurmanns have accumulated over 40 years of expeditions and four global circumnavigations. The Voz dos Oceanos project completed its first world voyage in November 2025 in Belém, during COP30, after covering more than 42,000 nautical miles — roughly 78,000 kilometers — across more than 140 destinations in 17 countries.
Over four years and two months at sea, the crew documented plastic pollution across multiple ocean regions while also spotlighting innovative conservation initiatives worldwide. The Kat was built as a sustainable expedition platform, capable of up to seven days of energy autonomy, and equipped with composting, an organic garden, and onboard recycling systems.
“Our sailboat was conceived from day one as a sustainable expedition vessel. We built it alongside dozens of partners, seeking low-consumption solutions, clean energy, and waste reuse.” — Wilhelm Schurmann, captain of the Kat
A world-class marina
Captain Wilhelm Schurmann praised Recife’s nautical infrastructure. “The Recife Marina genuinely surprised us. It is an international-standard facility — it holds its own against any marina we’ve visited abroad, and in some respects it surpasses them. The quality of the facilities, the support, and the location make all the difference when you arrive by sea,” he said.
The hospitality at Novotel Recife Marina was equally praised. “Arriving to a welcome like the one at Novotel Recife Marina made all the difference. We had comfort, care, and attentive service from day one — exactly what we need to recharge before heading home,” Wilhelm added.
Recife as a nautical hub
The family has a long-standing connection with Pernambuco, having included the state in previous expedition routes and participated in the Refeno, one of Brazil’s most traditional regattas. Matriarch Heloisa Schurmann, now nearly 80 years old, returns to Recife as the first Brazilian woman to complete four solo circumnavigations by sail — a legacy that continues to inspire and champion women in the nautical world.
The stopover reinforces Recife’s growing reputation as a strategic hub for international nautical tourism. The seamless integration of marina, hotel, gastronomy, and proximity to the historic city center positions it as a premium destination for major oceanic expeditions.
Next stop: Itajaí
The Recife stopover precedes the next leg of the journey to Itajaí, Santa Catarina, approximately 1,400 nautical miles south. Departure timing will depend on weather conditions, particularly favorable winds along the Brazilian coastline.
Photo: Divulgação
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