The Atlantic Rally for Cruisers is the most popular way to make a first Atlantic crossing — and for good reason. Departing Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in late November, the fleet of 200 to 250 boats rides the northeast trade winds southwest across the Atlantic, arriving in Rodney Bay, St Lucia after roughly 18 to 21 days at sea. What the ARC offers isn't a race (though IRC scoring is available for those who want it) — it's a structured, safety-inspected, position-reported passage with a fleet around you and a community that begins in the Las Palmas rally village and continues across the ocean. These guides cover the decision to enter, getting your boat ready, the preparation port of Las Palmas, and the tactics for sailing the crossing itself.
ARC: What It Is and How to Enter
World Cruising Club's annual Atlantic crossing rally — 200+ boats, November departure from Las Palmas, finish in Rodney Bay St Lucia. Registration, fees, mandatory safety gear, ARC Plus variant, and alternatives.
- ~200–250 boats per year since 1986
- Las Palmas → Rodney Bay, ~2,700nm
- Registration opens January, fills by summer
Getting the Boat Ready: The ARC Countdown
The 8-week Las Palmas preparation checklist — running and standing rigging inspection, autopilot, watermaker, SSB, the official safety inspection, provisioning for 18–25 days, and the departure weather window.
- Standing rigging: inspect every swage fitting
- Autopilot is the most critical single system
- Provision for 25 days, average is 18–21
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Rally Base Port
The ARC marina, boatyard options, chandleries, provisioning circuit, Canary Islands cruising for the waiting weeks, rally village atmosphere, and what to expect on start day.
- Real Club Náutico — the ARC rally marina
- Mercadona and central market for stores
- NE Trades typically established by late November
Sailing the Trade Wind Passage
The Canaries-to-Caribbean reality: southern routing to avoid the ITCZ, twin headsail poled-out rig, watch systems for a 3-week passage, night squall strategy, and arrival in Rodney Bay St Lucia.
- Drop to 20°N before heading west
- Twin poles: most efficient downwind rig
- Night squalls — reduce canvas before dark
Related Guides
For the broader context of bluewater sailing and ocean passages, see the Atlantic Crossing guide and World ARC guide. These ARC pages focus specifically on the annual rally, Las Palmas preparation, and the Las Palmas to St Lucia passage in detail.