A total of 330 sailors, from toddlers to over 80-year-old seniors, took part in one or more legs. Six crews completed the entire 15-month circumnavigation. Three yachts sailing under the German flag had registered for the event.
Diverse fleet of participants
The participating fleet of the World ARC 2024-25 consisted of seven multihulls and 31 monohulls. The average boat length was 16.5 metres with an average boat age of 15 years. The smallest boat was the Lagoon 380 S2 "Esperanza" by Garland and Jennifer Mann from the USA. The largest yacht was the Oyster 725 "Isabel" by Philip Wilson from the UK. Built in 1988, Whit Waldo's Nauticat 43 "Bountibou" was the oldest participating boat.
Stages and route
The circumnavigation took the flotilla around the globe in two main stages. 20 yachts sailed the first half from Saint Lucia to Australia. They passed through the Panama Canal and the Galapagos Islands before travelling on to French Polynesia, Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu. 13 boats boarded for the second half from Australia and Indonesia to Saint Lucia. This route took them around the Cape of Good Hope.
Personal impressions of the participants
Martin and Caron Wagstaff on their Oyster 47 "Escapade of London" started their circumnavigation back in January 2023 with the previous World ARC. After a break in Australia and Indonesia, they joined the 2024 fleet in Lombok to complete their journey. As one of two couples sailing without additional crew, Martin summarised the experience: "Although there were two of us sailing, we were never alone." This emphasises the family atmosphere of the "floating village community" during the rally.
Emotional finish
The final leg took the fleet on a traditional parade over twelve nautical miles from Marigot Bay to Rodney Bay. At the IGY Rodney Bay Marina, the participants were welcomed with rum punch, hugs and a few tears of joy. Marina Manager Sean Devaux welcomed the circumnavigators: "It's great to welcome you to Rodney Bay Marina and we congratulate you wholeheartedly on your achievement."
Official appreciation
At the awards ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Dr Ernest Hilaire, underscored the importance of the event: "We hope that Saint Lucia feels like coming home for you. You have accomplished an amazing feat and I am very proud that you have returned to Saint Lucia." These words emphasise the importance of the World ARC for the Caribbean island as a start and finish port.
Emotional conclusion of the participants
Genevieve Chase, co-owner of the Beneteau Oceanis 50 "Sea Monster" from Australia, who joined the rally Down Under, summarised the emotions at the final awards ceremony: "The best part was the friendships with each and every one of you. The shore activities organised by the World Cruising Club brought us all together in a way I couldn't have dreamed of."
Outlook for upcoming World ARC rallies
Every January, the World ARC sets off from Saint Lucia to circumnavigate the globe via the Panama Canal, Australia, South Africa and Brazil. It visits 18 countries. The 2025-26 fleet is currently based in French Polynesia and enjoys individual cruising before meeting up again in Bora Bora and sailing on together to Niue and Tonga.
33 boats have already registered for the 2026-27 edition, which starts on 10 January 2026 in Saint Lucia. Many of them are old acquaintances from the ARC Transatlantic Rally. Interested parties do not even have to own their own boat to take part in the circumnavigation. The Swedish charter yacht Farr 65r "Celeste of Solent" is offering berths for individual stages.
Start date:
- Next edition: 10 January 2026 in Saint Lucia
Route:
- St Lucia, Panama, Galapagos, French Polynesia, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, St Lucia
- Countries visited: 18
- Total distance: 26,000 nautical miles
Participation:
- Own boat: registration for complete or partial circumnavigation possible
- Charter: Berths on the Farr 65r "Celeste of Solent" bookable
Duration:
- Total round-the-world trip: 15 months
Fleet 2024-25:
- Participating yachts: 39
- Multihulls: 7
- Monohull yachts: 31
- Average boat length: 16.5 metres
- Average boat age: 15 years
Participants:
- Total: 330 male and female sailors
- Age range: infants to participants over 80 years old
- including three crews from Germany, two from Switzerland and one from Austria
