SAILING EXPEDITIONS
SAILING THE LAST FRONTIER: DOUBLE-HANDED ACROSS THE CENTRAL GULF OF GUINEA
Sailing yacht 'Rebels' Central Gulf of Guinea Route February 2026. Sailing through the Central Gulf of Guinea double-handed -- From anchorage in Liberia, rounding Cape Palmas, continuing coastal sailing in Ivory Coast, then starting a direct central crossing near Axim in Ghana, towards Sao Tome and Principe. A direct crossing with a sailboat though the central basin of the Gulf of Guinea.
SHORT SUMMARY
Sailing Yacht Rebels — Vagabond 47 (1989)
Co-captains — Elena Levon & Robert D. “Kamikaze”
LIBERIA, WEST AFRICA
January 29, 2026 — Rebels became the first documented arrival and anchorage of a private, non-commercial sailing yacht in modern maritime history.
PIRACY — GULF OF GUINEA 2026
Commercial vessels use razor wire, rerouting and citadel rooms; cruise ships carry armed security and keep cabin lights off at night. January 2026, nine crew were kidnapped in Gabonese waters, followed by armed robberies off Ghana in February.
6 MONTHS SOUTH
Sailing Africa “wrong way” — north to south: Canaries → Cape Verde → Senegal → Bijagos Islands, Guinea-Bissau → Sierra Leone → Liberia → rounding Cape Palmas → passing coastal Ivory Coast → Ghana/Axim → central Gulf of Guinea crossing → São Tomé & Príncipe → passing Equator → Gabon → Republic of the Congo → DRC → arrival in Luanda, Angola.
RECORD CONTEXT
Based on available public records, this represents a rare pioneering double-handed crossing of the central Gulf of Guinea basin by a private sailing yacht, and stands as the first documented crossing of its kind co-captained by a woman.
IMPACT
EDINA PROJECT, LIBERIA — fundraising for safe, dignified maternity care for Indigenous women of Liberia.
PUBLICATIONS
Yachting World — “We sailed through the world’s most dangerous place to sail” (“Off African Shores,” print edition; Icons, August 2026).
NOONSITE
(Stories/Reports are in production about crossing central Gulf of Guinea and staying in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Sao Tome & Principe and Angola)
⚠️ ADVISORY
Beyond the Bijagos Islands, the established sailing map ends. All sailors continuing south, and especially those entering the central Gulf of Guinea basin, must independently assess weather, security, and seasonal conditions and assume full responsibility for their route, judgment, and safety.
Liberia, January 29th 2026 — Undocumented Coastline. Sailing yacht Rebels anchored for a week in Liberia, West Africa, becoming the first documented arrival and anchorage of a private, non-commercial sailing yacht in modern history.
Sailing Yacht Rebels Expeditions (2023–2026)
A real-world offshore transformation into one of the least-traveled and most dangerous maritime regions on Earth.
The Vessel & Crew
Sailing Yacht: REBELS — Vagabond 47 (1989)
Crew (Double-Handed):
Co-captains:
Robert D. “Kamikaze” — Co-Owner (Austrian)
Elena Levon — Co-Owner (Russian-American)
Central Gulf Of Guinea — Sailing Yacht ‘Rebels’ Route From Liberia To Sao Tome & Principe
Discussing piracy in the Gulf of Guinea — Meeting with a Russian cargo ship captain in Sao Tome and Principe. February 2026.
Commercial ships crossing the gulf use razor wire and citadel rooms. Cruise ships travel with private security and are told to switch off lights in cabins at night.
On January 10, 2026, armed attackers kidnapped nine crew members from a fishing vessel in Gabonese waters. This was followed by a string of armed robberies targeting fishing boats off Ghana in February 2026.
Liberia — Undocumented Coastline
Sailing yacht “Rebels” sailing to anchor in Liberia — January 2026
January 2026. Sailing yacht Rebels anchored off the Liberian coastline following a mechanical failure. There was no marina and no yacht infrastructure, only open shoreline, surf, and a country where private sailing yachts are absent.
The Central Gulf of Guinea Crossing
El Hierro, Canary Islands → Sal, Cape Verde → Senegal → The Bijagós islands, Guinea-Bissau → Freetown and Banana Islands, Sierra Leone → Bullom Town Point, Liberia → rounding Cape Palmas → coastal sailing through Ivory Coast → Ghana near Axim central crossing of the Gulf of Guinea → arrival in São Tomé and Príncipe → Crossing The Equator → passing Gabon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo → arrival in Luanda, Angola
Publications
Featured in Yachting World: “We sailed through the world’s most dangerous place to sail” ("Off African Shores" in the print edition. “Icons” issue August 2026). Pirates, storms. and the kindness of strangers.
Noonsite — Where the world’s oceans meet the sailor’s mind.
1. Sailing in the Central Gulf of Guinea — Liberia, Sao Tome & Principe to Angola. Don’t fight maritime law; learn it and respect it. (In production)
2. 2. Sailing in No Man’s Ocean — Sierra Leone (In production)
3. Double-Handed Sailing Expedition Through The World’s Most Dangerous Maritime Zone. - Central Gulf Of Guinea. (In production)
The Beginning
This journey did not begin with experience. When sailing yacht “Rebels”, a 1989 Vagabond 47 ketch, was purchased in 2023, Elena Levon had zero formal sailing background. No courses and no certifications. She was 39 years old at the time. What followed was an immediate transition into offshore life — learned in real conditions, at sea, under pressure. Not in controlled environments. Not in coastal training zones. But offshore, where decisions carry consequences. Over the next two years, those decisions evolved into a continuous expedition across the Atlantic and down the West African coast — Sailing Africa “wrong way” North to South.
February 2026. Within days of departing Liberia, sailing yacht Rebels undertook a direct crossing of the central Gulf of Guinea.
Route: Liberia → São Tomé & Príncipe
Distance: 1,000+ nautical miles
Duration: 11 days
Crew: 2 (double-handed)
Conditions of the Crossing
The passage moved directly through:
• An active piracy zone - Despite reports of declining piracy since 2021, kidnappings in the Gulf of Guinea remain a real concern. In early 2026, maritime security incidents — including attacks on fishing vessels off Ghana and a crew abduction earlier that year off Gabon — were still being reported across the region. In February 2026, sailing vessel Rebels crossed towards São Tomé and Príncipe, fully aware it was sailing through an active piracy zone and the intertropical convergence zone. After spending three weeks in Sao Tome, SV Rebels continued south past Gabon towards Luanda, Angola, moving through waters where a crew abduction had been reported earlier that year, and where maritime security risks extend across the wider Gulf of Guinea, including the waters around São Tomé and Príncipe.
(Gulf of Guinea — region responsible for the majority of global maritime kidnappings in recent years)
• The equatorial storm belt. Continuous lightning, electrical storms, and fast-forming squalls
• Unstable weather systems, with 40–46 knots winds.
• Unpredictable sea-state transitions. Rapid shifts between calm and violent convection
No Support. No Detours.
This was not a rerouted or minimized exposure passage.
• No escort
• No additional crew
• No south avoidance loop
• No staged weather window
The vessel sailed through the central basin of the Gulf — not around it. The crossing was completed under:
• Sail
• Low-RPM motor-sailing (~900 rpm when required)
• Pushing through worst lighting zones under engine.
• Full onboard command by a two-person crew
Against the Norm
Gulf of Guinea 2026
Most private yachts avoid the Gulf of Guinea entirely and approach São Tomé from the south. Sailing yacht “Rebels” made a direct central crossing through one of the world’s most dangerous maritime regions .
Record Context
Based on available public records, cruising references and documented telemetry, this represents a rare pioneering double-handed crossing of the central Gulf of Guinea basin by a private sailing yacht, and stands as the first documented female-led crossing of its kind.
Expedition Scale (2023–2026)
• 10,000+ nautical miles sailed
• Atlantic crossings and return passages
• 11 nations visited
• Continuous West African coastal descent from Canaries to Angola (6 months)
• Sailing conducted entirely double-handed
Final Note
There was no production crew, sponsors, onshore guidance, or safety net. Only one sailing yacht, two people and the ocean.
Sailing Films, Expeditions & Art
Most sailing films show turquoise anchorages, perfect sunsets, and effortless passages. These films include those moments—but they are defined by what happens in between.
A growing collection of candid sailing documentaries capturing life aboard the 1989, 14-meter Vagabond ketch Rebels during double-handed ocean voyages across the Atlantic.
“If you have ever wondered what ocean voyaging really looks like beyond the glossy narrative, these documentaries offer an honest view from the deck of a classic sailing vessel crossing some of the world's most challenging waters. Welcome aboard Rebels.” — Elena Levon, Co-Captain
It is not a curated social media version of life at sea. It is the raw reality of learning to sail while crossing oceans. When Elena Levon first stepped aboard Rebels, she was not a trained sailor. There were no classrooms, certificates, or protected training waters. The lessons came in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, between countries, in changing weather, during equipment failures, night watches, navigation challenges, and thousands of miles under sail.
You will witness impossible routes fought against winds and currents. Mechanical breakdowns in the middle of nowhere. Encounters with coast guards and wildlife. Long nights without sleep. Moments of uncertainty — and the constant reality every sailor eventually discovers. Yet between the hardships lie the moments that make ocean voyaging unforgettable: the rare feeling of complete freedom that exists only far beyond sight of land.
Runtime: 1.5 hours of documentary footage
Year: 2024
100% Ad-Free
Atlantic crossings between the Canary Islands, Madeira, Cape Verde, and the coast of West Africa, revealing both the beauty and the cost of pursuing an unconventional life at sea.
By purchasing these films, you confirm that you are at least 18 years of age and agree to the viewing of mature, artistic content.
—
The next chapter — a six-month West African expedition from the Canary Islands to Angola, (2025-2026) including a crossing of the Central Gulf of Guinea — will be added to this collection in the future.
Gifts:
OPIUM DEN - Art Film
Sicily, Italy (2020) - Lamu, Kenya (2021) - A sensual exploration of memory, movement, and passion — and the words left unspoken between them.YOUTHFUL FOOLS - Podcast Episode
“Choose to collect memories instead of things” - Elena Levon (Unique card download)
Access to private instagram account @realelenalevon with all archives and Q&A’s from 2018
Note:
A portion of proceeds goes directly to support maternal care initiatives in Edina, Liberia.
A private access link and unique password will be sent to the email you provided. Please allow time for the full fulfillment of your order. Elena Levon is currently on a sailing expedition in the Atlantic Ocean. We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this unique journey.
By purchasing any product or film from this store, you confirm that you are at least 18 years of age and agree to the viewing of mature, artistic content.
All sales are final.
Watch every documentary, adventure film, and sailing expedition in one collection.
GONE WITH THE DUST - Overland Adventures, Expeditions & Art
THE QUINTESSENCE OF LIFE - A documentary shot on six continents, capturing a 10-year journey.
GONE WITH THE WIND - Sailing Films, Expeditions & Art
Runtime: 5 hours of documentary footage
Year: 2011-2024
100% Ad-Free
By purchasing these films, you confirm that you are at least 18 years of age and agree to the viewing of mature, artistic content.
Gifts:
OPIUM DEN - Art Film
Sicily, Italy (2020) - Lamu, Kenya (2021) - A sensual exploration of memory, movement, and passion — and the words left unspoken between them.YOUTHFUL FOOLS - Podcast Episode
“Choose to collect memories instead of things” - Elena Levon (Unique card download)
Access to private instagram account @realelenalevon with all archives and Q&A’s from 2018
Note:
A portion of proceeds goes directly to support maternal care initiatives in Edina, Liberia.
A private access link and unique password will be sent to the email you provided. Please allow time for the full fulfillment of your order. Elena Levon is currently on a sailing expedition in the Atlantic Ocean. We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this unique journey.
By purchasing any product or film from this store, you confirm that you are at least 18 years of age and agree to the viewing of mature, artistic content.
All sales are final.
There are many “Black Pearls” in the world, but only 1 “REBELS”
She has been caught in 7 meter breaking waves, journeyed “impossible” route against winds and strongest current, had autopilot and engine failures, in the middle of Atlantic Ocean and still is thirsty for more adventures, same as her crew...
Yes, all of us, are not exactly “young” in passport numbers, but we have something that no amount of grey hair and squeaky wood can take away...…
Wind - Ocean - Woman
Format: Digital — instant access
Step into a vivid, audio-rich world of words, sound, and imagery. The Immersive Edition of Naked Poetry is a high-resolution, book-format PDF featuring life-like, flip-through pages.
270 fine art photographs woven with original poetry, prose, and art, spanning 20 years and 6 continents. The complete 301-page journey. Designed to be lived, not just read.
Includes:
Elena Levon reading her original poetry
Tribal songs and ancestral rhythms
Ambient soundscapes woven throughout the book
Zoom-in functionality and a full-screen viewing option, you are invited to explore every detail in an intimate, cinematic way.
Why this edition is rare:
For those who want to live the book — not just feel it. Elena’s voice. The pulse of the earth. The rhythm of memory and movement. A digital ritual to carry with you, wherever you go.
Once your order is complete, you will receive a private access link and unique password.
“Choose to collect memories instead of things” - Elena Levon (Unique card download)
Access to private instagram account @realelenalevon with all archives and Q&A’s from 2018
Note:
A portion of proceeds goes directly to support maternal care initiatives in Edina, Liberia.
Please allow time for the full fulfillment of your order. Elena Levon is currently on a sailing expedition in the Atlantic Ocean. We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this unique journey.
By purchasing any product or film from this store, you confirm that you are at least 18 years of age and agree to the viewing of mature, artistic content.
All sales are final.
No two lives—or journeys—are ever the same. All your dreams are valid. They deserve to be treated with care, respect, and the courage it takes to bring them to life.
Whether you are standing at a crossroads, navigating a major life transition, pursuing a creative dream, or searching for clarity amid uncertainty, this private one-hour conversation offers a confidential space to be heard with honesty, care, and respect.
For more than twenty years, Elena Levon has lived an unconventional life at the intersection of art, exploration, and personal transformation. Her path has taken her across six continents and more than 100 countries—from remote tribal regions in the Amazon and the Darién Gap to the worlds of fine art, literature, and offshore sailing.
She is the author of Naked Poetry, endorsed by Lionel Richie and shaped through collaborations with Robert Farber and other internationally recognized artists.
These sessions are deeply personal and tailored to the individual. There is no fixed agenda. Every conversation unfolds according to where you are in life and what you most need in this moment.
Possible Topics
- Art, writing, and the creative process
- Solo travel and unconventional living
- Personal transformation and reinvention
- Grief, healing, and life after profound loss
- Expedition planning and sailing
- Publishing and storytelling
- Building a life aligned with your deepest values
Your privacy will be treated with the utmost care and respect.
Many people come to these conversations during pivotal moments in their lives—after loss, during health struggles, while facing uncertainty, or when they feel called to make a significant change. Others simply seek perspective from someone who has chosen a radically unconventional path and transformed lived experience into art, writing, and meaningful work.
What You Receive:
- One 60-minute private video consultation with Elena Levon
- A personalized, heart-centered conversation
- Honest insight drawn from two decades of unconventional life experience
- Complete discretion and confidentiality
Gifts:
NAKED POETRY BOOK ✧ IMMERSIVE EDITION ✧ Format: Digital — instant access
A living, audio-rich experience to accompany Naked Poetry. This is not an audiobook — it’s a sacred sound ritual. Includes: High-resolution PDF of Naked Poetry (270 images across 6 continents. Full Book.)
Elena Levon reading her original poetry. Tribal songs, ancestral rhythms, ambient soundscapes. Private, secure link with lifetime access. Why this edition is rare:For those who want to live the book — not just feel it. Elena’s voice. The pulse of the earth. The rhythm of memory and movement. A digital ritual to carry with you, wherever you go.
Unique handwritten photo-postcard (6×8 inches) will be send to you by mail (Upon request)
Full Access to private instagram account @realelenalevon with all archives from 2018 including Q&A’s.
Note:
A portion of proceeds goes directly to support maternal care initiatives in Edina, Liberia.
Please allow time for the full fulfillment of your order. Elena Levon is currently on a sailing expedition in the Atlantic Ocean. We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this unique journey.
By purchasing any product or film from this store, you confirm that you are at least 18 years of age and agree to the viewing of mature, artistic content.
All sales are final.
Overland Adventures, Expeditions & Art
Most travel documentaries show destinations. These films froze a moment in history forever.
Namibia • Zambia • Mozambique • Eswatini • Angola • Ethiopia
A growing collection of independently filmed overlanding documentaries. Expeditions across Africa during 2021–2022, a period when much of the world believed travel had come to a standstill.
While news broadcasts spoke of closed borders and restricted movement, another reality existed parallel to the headlines. Roads remained open. Vast stretches of Africa became quieter than they had been in decades. National parks stood nearly empty. Beaches stretched for miles without footprints. Famous landmarks welcomed only a handful of visitors. For a brief moment, some of Africa's most extraordinary places felt as though they belonged to another era.
This collection follows independent overland journeys by motorcycle, expedition vehicle, public transport, and on foot.
"Some journeys are measured in miles. Others are measured in moments that will never happen again." — Elena Levon
You will witness border crossings that were never supposed to happen. Long days spent navigating remote regions. Encounters with hidden from mass tourism tribal communities, ancient rock art, forgotten roads, and places rarely seen by outsiders.
A historical archive of a disappearing Africa and a disappearing way of exploration. It is a story about freedom. The freedom to continue moving when the world said stop.
Runtime: 2.5 hours of documentary footage
Year: 2021-2022
100% Ad-Free
By purchasing these films, you confirm that you are at least 18 years of age and agree to the viewing of mature, artistic content.
VICTORIA FALLS: THE EMPTY WONDER
Zambia (2021) - A rare record of Victoria Falls during a period of near-total tourism collapse. One of Africa's greatest natural wonders experienced in near solitude.
MOZAMBIQUE: TIDES OF FREEDOM
Mozambique (2021) - Pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and remote fishing communities along an empty stretch of paradise rarely witnessed by modern travelers. Unexpected hospitality, and the rhythms of everyday life along the Indian Ocean.
THE FORGOTTEN SPIRITS OF ESWATINI
Eswatini (2021) - A search for ancient San rock art hidden within one of Africa’s least-visited kingdoms. Camping inside empty national parks, moving through vast wilderness, and encountering local biker communities along the way.
JOURNEY TO THE HIMBA
Namibia (2022) - An expedition into remote northwestern Namibia in search of authentic Himba communities beyond established tourism routes.
THE GODLIKE SONG OF THE RED OCHRE PEOPLE
Namibia (2022) - A rare cultural record documenting life, traditions, and daily realities inside a remote Himba settlement.
UNMAPPED AND UNMASKED: ANGOLA
Angola (2022) - Deserts, tribal territories, and the prehistoric rock art of Chitundo-Hulo. Jorney through some of the country's most isolated landscapes.
JOURNEY TO THE CRADLE OF HUMANKIND
Apollo 11 Cave, Namibia (2022) An expedition to one of the oldest known artistic sites on Earth and a reflection on humanity's enduring desire to create.
KALASHNIKOV'S LULLABY
Ethiopia (2022) Elena Levon’s solo journey by public transport into Ethiopia's remote tribal frontier near the South Sudan border. (war zone)
Gifts:
OPIUM DEN - Art Film
Sicily, Italy (2020) - Lamu, Kenya (2021) - A sensual exploration of memory, movement, and passion — and the words left unspoken between them.YOUTHFUL FOOLS - Podcast Episode
“Choose to collect memories instead of things” - Elena Levon (Unique card download)
Access to private instagram account @realelenalevon with all archives and Q&A’s from 2018
Note:
A portion of proceeds goes directly to support maternal care initiatives in Edina, Liberia.
A private access link and unique password will be sent to the email you provided. Please allow time for the full fulfillment of your order. Elena Levon is currently on a sailing expedition in the Atlantic Ocean. We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this unique journey.
By purchasing any product or film from this store, you confirm that you are at least 18 years of age and agree to the viewing of mature, artistic content.
All sales are final.
A documentary shot on six continents, capturing a 10-year journey. With no crew, no corporate sponsors, and zero staging, this independent film offers an unvarnished look at human connection, solo adventure, and extreme exploration.
Discover the answers to the biggest questions we all ask, regardless of skin color, religion, or birthplace. From documenting Yanomami funerary rituals in the Amazon, living in the Darién Gap, and interviewing rebels in Mali, to traversing the Sahara and surviving Category 5 Cyclone Winston in Fiji—this film unites, uplifts, and restores faith that no matter how different we seem, we all share the same soul, pain, and joy.
This 10-year journey will make you laugh, cry, and inspire you to follow your dreams, no matter what obstacles you face at the present moment.
Runtime: 60 Minutes
Year: 2023
100% Ad-Free
By purchasing this film, you confirm that you are at least 18 years of age and agree to the viewing of mature, artistic content.
FILM REVIEW:
"This is such an amazing testimony to life and living. The smiles, beauty, wonder & wisdom in your film simply stun me. I stand in awe of how you were able to experience all these moments and somehow at the same time capture them to be shared. This is truly a gift to the world -- thank you! I look forward to following your continuing adventures over the next ten years and more...Namaste." - USA
Gifts:
OPIUM DEN - Art Film
Sicily, Italy (2020) - Lamu, Kenya (2021) - A sensual exploration of memory, movement, and passion — and the words left unspoken between them.YOUTHFUL FOOLS - Podcast Episode
“Choose to collect memories instead of things” - Elena Levon (Unique card download)
Access to private instagram account @realelenalevon with all archives and Q&A’s from 2018
Note:
A portion of proceeds goes directly to support maternal care initiatives in Edina, Liberia.
A private access link and unique password will be sent to the email you provided. Please allow time for the full fulfillment of your order. Elena Levon is currently on a sailing expedition in the Atlantic Ocean. We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this unique journey.
By purchasing any product or film from this store, you confirm that you are at least 18 years of age and agree to the viewing of mature, artistic content.
All sales are final.