Through his inspiring and exciting adventures, one of the world’s greatest explorers brought the beauty and the pristine wilderness of our planet closer to millions of people
Mike Horn is a world-renowned adventurer who has been pushing the boundaries of exploration for over 20 years. He’s swum down the length of the Amazon River on a hydrospeed, circled the equator by foot, bike, and sail, and completed a global circumnavigation during his ‘Pole2Pole’ expedition, crossing both the North and South Poles.
In mid-2023, Mike embarked on another four-year round-the-world expedition titled ‘What’s Left’ with his robust yacht Pangaea, supported by Sunreef Yachts. Through his Pangaea X initiative, he is on a mission to educate the next generation about the world’s environmental challenges and inspire them to take action in preserving the beauty of our planet.
At The Honours 2024 award ceremony, held on the eve of the Monaco Yacht Show, Mike was one of three recipients of the prestigious Bowsprit award, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to both exploration and environmental education.
WHAT DO YOU THINK HAS DRIVEN YOU TO BE SUCH AN ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT AND TO UNDERTAKE SUCH RISKY CHALLENGES?
I grew up in South Africa during the apartheid era, a time when the country was largely isolated from the rest of the world due to international boycotts. However, I found refuge in the outdoors, and adventure books and encyclopaedias became my window to the world. My parents, both professors, always encouraged curiosity and learning, which only fuelled my desire to explore more. In the early days, it was curiosity that drove me. I wanted to see places I’d never been, to face the unknown, and to confront fear head-on. Those same motivations still drive me today, but they’ve evolved. Now, it’s not just about the thrill of exploration – it’s about protecting what I’ve discovered. The world has changed so much since those early days, and my expeditions are no longer just about seeing new places but about preserving them.
YOU’D SEEN MORE OF THE NATURAL WORLD THAN MOST WHEN YOU DECIDED TO BUILD PANGAEA – WHAT WAS ON THE BUCKET LIST WHEN IT CAME TO THE WATER?
I envisioned creating a four-wheel drive for the oceans – something that could take me anywhere, no matter how remote or challenging. Drawing inspiration from the exploration books I’d devoured as a child, I knew I needed a vessel capable of reaching the South Pole, the North Pole, navigating the Amazon River, crossing over coral reefs, and venturing into places where neither planes nor helicopters could reach – all while respecting the environment. That’s how Pangaea was born, a mission rooted in educating the next generation about the environmental challenges we face and inspiring them to take action to preserve the beauty of our world.
YOU ALWAYS INTENDED TO USE PANGAEA TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE TO SEE THE BEAUTY OF THE PLANET – WHY WAS THIS SO IMPORTANT TO YOU?
I believed that our planet was changing so rapidly that the only way to truly protect it was to inspire the younger generation to see and appreciate its natural beauty firsthand. That’s why the motto of the Pangaea project was ‘Explore, Learn, Act’. I wanted these young people to explore the world, to experience its wonders up close, and to build a genuine emotional connection to the environment. What I’ve learned from having young people on board is that they are incredibly eager to be part of the solution. They want to be involved in the decision-making processes that will shape the future of the planet and their own lives. My goal is for them to return home as passionate environmental ambassadors, ready to inspire others and take concrete steps toward preserving the beauty of our planet.
CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE PANGAEA X INITIATIVE?
The Pangaea X program is a continuation of the educational legacy from the original Pangaea project, but with a stronger focus on young innovators and change-makers. We bring together a group of passionate young adults who have the creativity and drive to develop real solutions to the environmental challenges we face. The idea behind Pangaea X is to harness the power of youth and innovation to make a tangible difference in the world. By combining adventure, education, and action, we’re equipping the next generation with the tools they need to protect what’s left of our natural world.
WHAT IS NEXT FOR YOU AND PANGAEA?
The next chapter for Pangaea is an exciting one. After spending an entire year immersed in the natural beauty and challenges of Greenland, it’s now time to head to the Amazon – a place that holds deep personal significance for me. The Amazon is where my career as an explorer truly began, when I swam down the river, and now, decades later, it remains a critical focus for my work. The Amazon is a rapidly changing part of the world that desperately needs our attention and protection. The Amazon is not only a place of incredible biodiversity but also a region under immense pressure from deforestation and climate change. By returning to where it all started for me, I hope to raise awareness about the urgent need to protect these forests and their vital role in our planet’s health.
Text The Honours
Photos The Honours, Mike Horn Team, Sunreef & Daimler AG / Dmitry Sharomov
