Atlantic rallies: The dream of the big pond - how to make it come true

Anyone who is travelling across the "big pond" for the first time and feels unsure or generally feels more comfortable in a community will find a convincing model in rallies: sailing is largely independent and at your own pace, but there is constant contact with others via radio and tracking systems. Professional weather routing services, support in the harbours and a close-knit social network help to turn initial uncertainty into a relaxed routine at sea.

The tried and tested route usually runs from the Canary Islands or the Iberian Peninsula along the trade wind route towards the Caribbean. Most rallies start between November and January. During this time, the hurricane season is considered to be over and the trade winds are stable. Nevertheless, the concepts are very different: they range from sporty racing rallies with over 200 yachts to cosy crossings in small groups.

ARC: The mother of Atlantic rallies

Anyone who is interested in Atlantic rallies will not get past the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) can hardly be missed. Since sailing icon and author Jimmy Cornell launched it in 1986, it has developed into the largest transatlantic regatta in the world and is now the most popular sailing race in the world. has already celebrated its 40th anniversary. Every year in November, more than 200 boats set off from Gran Canaria (Las Palmas) and sail around 2,700 nautical miles to Saint Lucia (Rodney Bay). An impressive event that puts the harbours on both sides of the Atlantic in a state of emergency.

Cornell sold the ARC at the end of the 1990s. Today it is run by the World Cruising Club (WCC), which has made the rally more professional and expanded it further. Due to its size and event character, the ARC is considered the most commercial of all rallies. Those who take part should enjoy a large fleet, a strong sense of community and a varied programme of events.

The speciality: The ARC is the only Atlantic rally to offer a International Rating Certificate (IRC) Racing Division. Anyone who wants to can sail there in a sporty and competitive manner. However, most participants opt for the cruising division and cross the Atlantic at their own pace. The fleet is correspondingly colourful: from the 12-metre Hallberg-Rassy to the 25-metre superyacht, from retirees to families with small children.

ARC+: The longer route via the Cape Verde Islands

If you have more time and would like to plan an additional stopover, the ARC+ well advised. The WCC has been offering this extended version of the classic ARC since 2013; around 100 boats take part every year. The route starts in Gran Canaria and first leads to Mindelo on the Cape Verde Islands. This means an extra week or so at sea, but offers a welcome break and an attractive stopover. From Cape Verde, the fleet then sails on to Grenada, the destination of the rally.

• Support: Safety check of yacht and equipment before casting off, seminars and workshops for preparation, ARC manual, tracking and radio for weather updates, position tracking and daily radio rounds between the yachts, bureaucracy service for entry and customs formalities, organisation of berths, network and community togetherness, official ranking (according to handicap) for all those who want to compete in sports, support in an emergency
• For whom? All those who want to experience the classic Atlantic crossing with a large international fleet. Optionally as a race or cruise
• Costs: The ARC entry fee consists of a boat fee and a crew fee. A surcharge is charged for multihulls and yachts in the racing class. The boat fee is based on the length of the boat. Example 2026: For a yacht with a length of 13.2 metres, there is a boat fee of around €1,750, plus around €216 per adult crew member. For children aged 6 to 16, the fee is around €176; younger children take part free of charge
• Contact: www.worldcruising.com; mail@worldcruising.com; Tel. +44 (0)1983 296060

Viking Explorers: Intensive preparation, strong community

Since 2018, the Viking Explorers Rally has seen itself as a deliberate alternative to large-scale commercial events: family-friendly, limited to a maximum of 25 boats and expressly not a regatta. The focus is on the shared experience.

The concept is based on careful planning: the crews come together in the Canary Islands at the beginning of December, several weeks before the start. The departure in January takes advantage of the more reliable trade winds and also gives the sailors the opportunity to spend Christmas on land. The route runs via Mindelo on the Cape Verde Islands to Grenada. The stopover serves as an opportunity for a final thorough boat check and is an attractive stopover destination.

The speciality: The Viking Explorers co-operate with scientific projects such as Sail & Whale and consistently focus on waste avoidance and active marine conservation. This is based on the conviction that sailors should take responsibility for the element on which they are travelling.

• Support: Seminars and webinars before departure, advice on preparing the boat and equipment, handbook with tips, service providers and local supplies, bureaucracy service for entry and customs formalities, support from the organising team via PredictWind, discounts on subscriptions or technical equipment, rescue organisation in an emergency
• For whom? The Viking Explorers Rally is particularly suitable for sailors who do not want to cross the Atlantic alone, but at the same time want to avoid the impersonality of large fleets. Anyone who appreciates professional organisation but is still looking for a relaxed, personal atmosphere will find the right format here
• Costs: The cost of taking part in the Viking Explorers Rally depends on the length of the boat and the number of crew members. As prices can vary, the following information is intended as a guide: For boats up to 45 feet, the participation fee is around €1,000, for boats over 45 feet around €1,300. The flat rate for each crew member is approximately €250 per person for adults
• Contact: www.vikingexplorersrally.com; hello@vikingexplorersrally.com

Atlantic Posse: Maximum flexibility without time pressure

Anyone who likes to be on the road in a structured way but doesn't want to be tied to a rigid schedule will find a suitable model in the Atlantic Posse, which was founded in 2022. This "leisure rally" does not have a fixed start or end date: The crews sail within an open time window. This innovative approach is modelled on the tried-and-tested Panama Posse between California and Florida.

Participants can join the flotilla at any time and sail the trip at their own pace. In practice, however, many sailors choose the most favourable climatic windows for the Atlantic crossing. On the western route, the start is usually between October and January. The route is possible in both directions: westwards it starts in Cartagena (Spain) or Lisbon (Portugal) and leads via Gibraltar, Morocco, Madeira and the Canary Islands to Cape Verde. From there, it crosses the Atlantic to the Caribbean - with stops in Martinique, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. The return journey eastwards is supported by the Gulf Stream via Bermuda and the Azores back to Lisbon.

Between 50 and 75 yachts are taking part - the crew mix ranges from pensioners and entrepreneurs to digital nomads who work in the boat office.

The speciality: Everyone sails at their own pace, without any pressure to perform, and still benefits from a strong network in the background.

• Support: Fleet tracking and 24/7 communication via chat groups, weather forecast, access to special satellite nautical charts (OpenCPN), route planning, reduced berthing fees in partner marinas, discounts with outfitters, exchange of up-to-date information on entry regulations in the Community, safety in harbours and technical assistance with each other
• For whom? Sailors who want maximum flexibility without time pressure, but appreciate support and community
• Costs: The Atlantic Posse charges significantly lower fees for participation than more organised, firmly structured rallies: Registration usually costs around €220 to €260 per boat, regardless of how many crew members are on board
• Contact: www.atlanticposse.com; jacques@atlanticposse.com

Rallye des Îles du Soleil: French cosiness

The Rallye des Îles du Soleil ("Rally of the Sunny Isles") epitomises French sailing culture. It was organised in 2017 by the Grand Pavois Organisation in La Rochelle, following a predecessor in the 1990s, and is primarily aimed at Francophone sailors. The poetic name says it all: the route leads from one sunny island to the next: from the volcanic Canary Islands via the Creole-influenced Cape Verde Islands to the Caribbean tropics.

The two-stage concept covers more than 3,000 nautical miles: From La Palma, the route first takes around a week to Mindelo on the Cape Verde Islands, a short passage to acclimatise and sail in. This is followed by "le grand saut": the great leap across the Atlantic to Marie-Galante in the Guadeloupe archipelago. The fleet is limited to 30 to 40 boats in order to maintain the family character. The start is traditionally between the end of October and the beginning of November.

The speciality: Many couples, families and groups of friends take part and create a pleasant, personal atmosphere. Marie-Galante, an authentic jewel of Guadeloupe, is the only rally that focuses on sustainable, low-impact tourism and benefits the local economy.

• Support: A manual with tips on equipment and safety, satellite tracking, daily weather briefings and technical support before the start. In addition, there are berth reservations in the partner marinas (often with discounts or included days) as well as receptions, cocktails, group dinners and excursions at the stops (especially on Marie-Galante).
• For whom? The rally is aimed at sailors who are looking for a French-organised event with a tried-and-tested two-stage concept and appreciate a friendly, welcoming community of a manageable size. Both monohulls and multihulls (catamarans/trimarans) with a minimum length of 10 metres can take part. The rally is particularly popular among multihulls.
• Costs: Prices are based on the length of the ship and include two people on board as standard. Those who register before 30 June generally benefit from early booking rates. For 2026, for example, the following early booking prices apply: 10 to 13.99 metre boat length €2,975, 14 to 17.99 metres €3,300. Additional crew members (aged 15 and over) are charged at €390 per person.
• Contact: ilesdusoleil@grand-pavois.com; Tel. +33 (0)5 46 44 46 39