Discovering the Nao Santa Maria: A Unique Maritime Experience in London

If you’re looking for a unique adventure in London, the Nao Santa Maria replica ship offers an exciting opportunity to step back in time. Recently, I had the chance to capture this remarkable vessel as it made its way to St Katharine Docks marina, nestled close to Tower Bridge. Using my trusty iPhone SE 3rd generation, I’ve compiled a collection of CC0 licensed photos and videos from the day for you to enjoy and reuse freely, whether for personal projects or commercial use.

The Nao Santa Maria embarked from Gravesend at around 11:30 AM and, a couple of hours later, I spotted her majestically sailing into Greenwich. After a brief wait, I hopped on a City Cruises boat to Tower Millennium Pier. Unfortunately, the direct service from Greenwich to Tower Bridge Quay has been discontinued, so I had to make do with the available options. However, the wait was worthwhile as I watched the beautiful ship pass beneath the iconic Tower Bridge not once, but twice, before finally mooring at its designated berth in St Katharine Docks.

If you’re interested in boarding the ship, tickets are available here. The Nao Santa Maria will be hosting visitors until June 8th, providing an excellent chance to explore this stunning maritime gem.

Capturing the Journey

Here are some highlights from my day that I would love to share:

• Nao Santa Maria’s Arrival in London: A visual record of her grand entrance can be seen here.

• Additional Photos from the Day: Alongside the ship, I captured some delightful scenes from across the city, which can be viewed here.

Featured Images

• Bunting adorning the Trafalgar Tavern as I anticipated the arrival of the Nao Santa Maria.

• The ship gracefully making its way past the old City Hall towards Tower Bridge and St Katharine Docks.

• A view from the lock bridge, capturing a moment where the water levels balanced as the ship awaited entry.

• A few unique stereoscopic images that create a 3D effect, showcasing the Nao Santa