A full-size replica of the ship that completed the first-ever circumnavigation of the world is berthing at St. Katharine Docks for two weeks from 30th June.
If you’ve ever wondered what it took to sail the world in the 16th century—before GPS, before weather apps, before anyone even knew the planet’s true shape—here’s your chance to find out. The Nao Victoria, a full-size replica of the ship that completed the first circumnavigation of the world in 1522, is berthing at St. Katharine Docks from 30th June to 12th July.
A Journey 500 Years in the Making
The original Victoria was part of Magellan’s Armada de Especería, a five-ship fleet that left Seville in 1519 with 245 men aboard. Three years later, just 18 returned. They’d crossed three oceans, discovered the Strait of Magellan, and proved the world was round by sailing all the way around it. This 26-metre replica, launched in Spain in 1992, has since circumnavigated the globe itself, visiting 17 countries across five continents. It’s a working museum, maintained by the Nao Victoria Foundation, and it’s astonishingly detailed.
Step Aboard in Central London
St. Katharine Docks has hosted replica ships before, but there’s something quietly thrilling about seeing an 86-foot carrack moored alongside sleek modern yachts. It’s a tangible reminder of just how far maritime adventure has come—and how audacious those early voyages were. Marina Manager Tom Lord calls it “a genuine piece of maritime history,” and he’s right. This isn’t a static exhibit. It’s sailed oceans, weathered storms, and carries the spirit of exploration in its timbers.
Tickets are available online through the Nao Victoria Foundation website, with early-bird discounts for bookings made before 29th June. Arrival is scheduled for 29th June, weather permitting, with departure on 13th July.
