With the departure of the ARC on 24 November, 234 boats and almost 1,300 people are now crossing the Atlantic to Grenada and Saint Lucia with World Cruising Clubs ARC and ARC+ rallies. Find out more information on 2025 and 2026 rallies and events in the December newsletter.

Published 1 month ago

Diverse Fleet Crossing the Atlantic

This year’s Atlantic fleets are memorable for their diversity – a record-breaking third of the fleet are multihulls, sailors hail from 45 nations, 74 different boat designs/builders are represented, boats launched between 1972 and 2024, and the crew are aged from 8 months to 83 years. There’s certainly no such thing as an average ARC boat or sailor!

Planning for a west-to-east Atlantic crossing in spring 2025? ARC Europe is expected to be fully booked by the end of December, so please don’t delay your entry. If you’d like to join us for a rally in 2025, please click here to enter.

If you’re thinking about ARC 2025 or rallies in 2026 or beyond, World Cruising has a calendar of shoreside activities to help share knowledge and expertise – see below or on our online calendar. The key event is the March Ocean Sailing Weekend in Guildford.

Join us for the 40th edition of the ARC

• Discounts for boats under 40′ and boats & sailors from 1986.

The first ARC set sail from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on 25 November 1986 and has run every year since, making 2025 the 40th edition of the rally.  To celebrate this achievement, we are offering some special discounts:

• For any boat 40’/12.19m or less – 2 free crew places
• For any boat that sailed in ARC 1986 – 4 free crew places
• For any skipper who sailed in ARC 1986 (as an adult or child) – 4 free crew places

There are already 86 boats entered in the cruising, multihull, racing and open divisions of ARC 2025. If you’d like to be part of this historic fleet, please use the links below to join or request a brochure.

• Request a Brochure
• Join a Rally

2025 Calendar of Events

• January 11:  Saint Lucia – World ARC 2025-26 starts
• January 18-26:  Germany – boot Dusseldorf – H10 E30
• March 22-23:  UK – Ocean Sailing Weekend, Guildford
• March 28-30:  Norway – KNS Langtur Camp, Oslo
• April 5:  Netherlands – Contest Yachts Open House, Medemblik
• April 20:  Saint Lucia – Caribbean Rendezvous
• May 3:  USA – Bluewater Day, Annapolis
• May 10:  USA/Sint Maarten – ARC Europe starts
• May 17:  UK – Bluewater Day, Lymington
• May 22:  Plymouth – ARC Portugal starts
• June 14:  Sweden – Bluewater Day, Bullando
• September 20:  UK – Cruisers’ Question Time, Southampton
• September 21:  UK – World ARC Seminar, Southampton
• September 27:  UK – Sailing South Seminar, Southampton
• October 9-13:  USA – Annapolis Sailboat Show
• October:  USA – World ARC Presentation, Annapolis
• October:  USA – Atlantic Circuit Presentation, Annapolis
• November 9:  Gran Canaria – ARC+ starts
• November 23:  Gran Canaria – ARC starts

Preparing to sail the ocean requires a lot of thought, preparation and learning. Our shoreside events will help you to make decisions, meet fellow cruisers and answer your burning questions.
Events are in-person and online – see www.worldcruising.com/training for more.
We update the training page as new events are confirmed, so check back regularly – online webinars in various languages and time zones are coming soon!

World ARC Update

World ARC 2024-25

The World ARC 2024-25 fleet has now crossed the Indian Ocean and is enjoying independent cruising along the coast of South Africa from Richards Bay to Cape Town. This is an ideal opportunity to explore the majesty of the African scenery and wildlife and to experience the unique cultural opportunities the continent provides.  The fleet will come together again in Cape Town on 11 January for the next leg to Namibia, then on to St Helena and Brazil.

World ARC 2025-26

The 2025-26 edition of the circumnavigation will set sail from Rodney Bay Saint Lucia on 11 January, with the first destination of Santa Marta, Columbia. There are 35 yachts joining the first half of the rally to Australia, and 26 for the second half from Australia to the Caribbean.

World ARC 2026-27

On 10 January 2026, World ARC 2026-27 will set sail from Saint Lucia. We welcome entries from boats between 12.19m (40′) and 24.38m (80′), although other boats may be permitted.
Interested in learning more about the itinerary, costs and benefits?

Click here to Request a Brochure

Follow the World ARC sailors on social media:
Facebook @worldarc
Instagram @world_arc_rally

Sailing South to the Algarve

“An ideal combination of cruising, culture and fun” is how Bernard and Marleen from yacht Eland (BEL) described their ARC Portugal experience this summer.

Starting on 25 May 2025, the rally sails across the Bay of Biscay from Plymouth to Baiona, then down the Portuguese coast in a series of day sails, finishing in Lagos on the Algarve. Spread across a month, there is time ashore for optional guided tours to local historic sites, rally meals, independent exploration and relaxation.

Sailing in a group with the support of the rally team not only creates new cruising friendships but also peace of mind when dealing with local authorities, weather and wildlife.
Marina de Lagos is the ideal base for fly-sail holidays and a staging point for a cruise to the Mediterranean or the Canary Islands for the start of the ARC or ARC+.  Interested?

Click here to Request a Brochure

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