Replica of historic Spanish galleon to dock in South Devon this weekend

A full-scale replica of a 17th-century Spanish galleon is due to arrive in Dartmouth on Friday as part of its 2025 European tour.

The Galeón Andalucía will be docked at the Town Pontoon from 16 to 18 May and will be open to the public during its stay. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the ship and learn about the maritime history of the Spanish vessels that once sailed global trade routes between the 16th and 18th centuries.

Constructed with historical accuracy in Punta Umbría, Huelva, the 55-metre ship features six decks, seven sails, and more than 900 square metres of sail area. It is made from iroko and pine wood and has already travelled over 100,000 nautical miles, visiting ports across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

The Galeón Andalucía is modelled after the legendary galleons that played a key role in global trade and exploration, connecting continents via the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Organisers describe the ship as a “floating museum” of Andalusian maritime heritage.

Dartmouth is one of several scheduled ports of call on this year’s tour, which includes stops in Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. The vessel will later cross the Atlantic to begin a tour of the Americas.

During its stay in Dartmouth, visitors will be able to explore its decks, learn about life at sea, and speak with the crew, many of whom are young sailors with experience of ocean crossings aboard the vessel.

Tickets can be purchased at the ship or online at tickets.velacuadra.es.