ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers)
On Sunday 22 November 2026 the ARC fleet leaves Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia. An independent guide for spectators and for sailors dreaming of their own crossing: the route, the start, and the weeks before it in Las Palmas.
Photo: Pepelopex · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The course
- About 2,700 nm from Las Palmas to Rodney Bay. Most boats head south-west towards the trade winds before turning west for the Caribbean; the exact track is each skipper’s call.
Where to watch
- The breakwater and waterfront by the Muelle Deportivo give a view of the fleet leaving the harbour.
- The start line is laid off Las Palmas; spectator boats should keep well clear and follow the port authority’s instructions.
What to expect
- Hundreds of cruising yachts, many crewed by families and friends, set off together for the trade-wind crossing.
- A rally rather than a pure race: most boats sail in a cruising division, with a racing division for those who want it.
- In the weeks before the start, the marina in Las Palmas fills with crews preparing, which makes it a lively place to visit.
Plan your visit
- The organiser, World Cruising Club, scheduled the start for Sunday 22 November 2026 from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
- Arrivals at Rodney Bay Marina, Saint Lucia, are spread over December; most crossings take around two to three weeks, depending on the boat and the wind.
- Checked October 2026 on the organiser’s site; confirm the schedule before you travel.
Sailing nearby: the Gran Canaria coast
South of Las Palmas, the marinas at Pasito Blanco and Puerto de Mogán are popular stops in settled weather, about a day’s sail away.
The Canaries have strong acceleration zones between the islands; plan crossings with a forecast in hand. Checked October 2026.
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