ARC Rally 2026: Route, Timing and What Happens After the Atlantic Crossing

The ARC Rally 2026 departs Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on 22 November 2026, bound for Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia, 2,700 nautical miles to the west. Organised by the World Cruising Club, the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers has run every year since 1986 and remains the largest annual transatlantic sailing event in the world. Over 200 boats and 1,200 sailors are expected to take part in the 2026 edition, crossing the Atlantic on the classic trade wind route and arriving in the Caribbean before Christmas.

For many of those boats, the crossing is only the beginning. After landfall in Saint Lucia, the fleet scatters across the Eastern Caribbean. Some stay in the Windwards. Others begin working north through the Leeward Islands toward Antigua, St Martin, and the Virgin Islands. St Kitts sits directly on that northbound route, and Port Zante Marina in Basseterre is a natural stop for boats moving through the chain.

The ARC 2026 Schedule

The World Cruising Club has confirmed the following dates for the 2026 edition. The rally office opens in Las Palmas on 10 November, giving crews nearly two weeks of shoreside activities, safety briefings, seminars, and social events before the start. The latest arrival date for boats is 15 November. The skippers’ briefing takes place on 21 November, and the fleet departs together on 22 November.

The finish line in Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia closes on 18 December. The prizegiving ceremony takes place on 19 December. Most boats complete the crossing in 18 to 21 days, though the fleet record stands at 8 days and 6 hours, set by the maxi Rambler 88 in 2016. The average yacht takes roughly three weeks, arriving in mid-December with time to celebrate before Christmas.

The Route

The ARC follows the trade wind route from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean. After clearing Gran Canaria, boats head south toward the latitude of the Cape Verde Islands before turning west and picking up the northeast trades. This is the same passage route sailors have used for centuries, and it remains the most reliable downwind crossing available. The total distance is approximately 2,700 nautical miles on the direct route, though many boats sail closer to 2,900 miles depending on their southerly track.

The ARC+ is a related rally that departs Las Palmas two weeks earlier, on 8 November. The ARC+ fleet sails first to Mindelo in the Cape Verde Islands (850 nautical miles, 5 to 7 days), then continues 2,150 nautical miles to Port Louis Marina in Grenada. The ARC+ route offers a stopover and a more southerly approach to the Caribbean, which suits boats that prefer a broken passage or are heading to the Windward Islands first.

If you are planning a crossing and researching seasonal timing, the best time to sail to the Caribbean article covers weather windows, trade wind patterns, and departure timing from Europe in detail.

Who Sails the ARC

The ARC attracts a wide range of boats and sailors. The fleet includes family cruisers, retired couples on long-planned voyages, competitive racing crews, charter boats with paying crew, and everything from 27-foot production boats to 100-foot custom builds. Multihulls now make up 30 to 40 percent of the fleet, reflecting the broader trend toward catamarans in the cruising market. The average boat length has grown to around 50 feet, and newer boats are increasingly common, with roughly 20 percent of the fleet being less than a year old at the time of departure.

Crews range in age from infants to sailors in their 80s. In recent years, more than 50 children under 16 have crossed the Atlantic with the ARC fleet each season. The ARC+ route, with its Cape Verde stopover, is especially popular with families.

Starlink satellite internet has changed the character of the crossing significantly. An estimated 40 percent of the 2023 fleet carried Starlink, and that number is expected to be higher in 2026. Some sailors use it for remote work and daily contact with family. Others view it as a safety tool for real-time weather data. The debate over whether constant connectivity improves or diminishes the offshore experience is now a regular topic at the pre-departure seminars.

What It Costs

The ARC entry fee is based on boat length plus a per-person crew fee. For a 43-foot yacht (13.2 metres), the 2026 boat fee is £1,500. The crew fee is £185 per person. Children aged 6 to 16 pay £150, and younger children are free. Multihulls and racing division entries pay a supplement. The fee covers the pre-departure programme in Las Palmas, YB satellite tracking at sea, 24/7 rally support, the arrival welcome in Saint Lucia, and the prizegiving event.

The entry fee does not cover the cost of preparing the boat, provisioning, marina fees in Las Palmas or Saint Lucia, fuel, or insurance. A realistic total budget for a privately owned 40 to 50 foot yacht, including preparation, provisioning, and the rally fee, typically runs between £8,000 and £15,000 depending on the condition of the boat and the size of the crew.

What Happens After Arrival in Saint Lucia

The ARC fleet arrives in Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia between late November and mid-December. Every boat receives a dock welcome with rum punch, fresh fruit, and cold beer, regardless of the hour. The prizegiving ceremony in mid-December marks the official end of the rally. After that, the fleet disperses.

Some boats stay in Saint Lucia for Christmas and the early part of the Windward Islands season. Others begin moving north immediately. The typical cruising pattern after the ARC follows a well-established path: Martinique, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Les Saintes, then into the Leeward Islands through Antigua, Montserrat, Nevis, and St Kitts. From there, boats continue to St Barts, St Martin, and the Virgin Islands.

St Kitts sits right in the middle of that northbound chain. For boats heading from Antigua toward St Martin, a stop in Basseterre adds very little distance and provides access to clearance, fuel, provisioning, and a secure marina berth. Port Zante in Basseterre is walkable to supermarkets, banks, and the town centre, which makes it a practical stop for crews that need to restock or handle logistics before continuing north.

If you are arriving in St Kitts by yacht from any direction, the clearing into St Kitts by yacht guide covers the full process, including SailClear pre-registration, Customs and Immigration, and what to expect at the dock.

The ARC and the Broader Caribbean Sailing Season

The ARC marks the unofficial start of the Caribbean cruising season. By mid-December, the trade winds are established, the hurricane season has ended, and the islands from Grenada to the Virgin Islands fill with transatlantic arrivals. The ARC fleet alone puts over 200 boats into the Eastern Caribbean in a single month, and those boats are joined by independent crossings, other rallies (including the Viking Explorers Route, which now lists St Kitts marina as a partner stop), and boats arriving from the US East Coast via Bermuda.

The season runs from December through May. By early May, most cruising boats are either heading north toward the US, shipping home, or finding a hurricane season berth south of the traditional storm belt. For boats that want to understand how first landfalls in the Caribbean work and where to go after the crossing, that article covers the options in detail.

How to Enter the ARC 2026

Registration for ARC 2026 is open through the World Cruising Club website at worldcruising.com. Early registration is recommended, particularly for the Racing Division, which is limited to 40 boats and typically fills by May. The Cruising Division has no cap, but marina berths in Las Palmas during ARC week are in high demand and are allocated on a first-come basis.

The World Cruising Club also runs the ARC+ (Las Palmas to Grenada via Cape Verde), the ARC Europe (Caribbean to Europe via Bermuda and the Azores), and the World ARC, a 15-month circumnavigation that departs from Saint Lucia each January. The 2026-27 World ARC set off in January 2026 and will return to Saint Lucia in April 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the ARC 2026 start?

The ARC 2026 departs Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on 22 November 2026. The rally office opens on 10 November. The finish line in Saint Lucia closes on 18 December, with the prizegiving on 19 December.

How long does the ARC crossing take?

The average yacht takes 18 to 21 days to complete the 2,700-nautical-mile crossing. Faster racing boats can finish in 12 to 16 days. The fleet record is 8 days and 6 hours.

How much does it cost to enter the ARC?

The 2026 entry fee for a 43-foot yacht is £1,500 plus £185 per crew member. Multihulls and racing entries pay a supplement. The fee does not include boat preparation, provisioning, marina fees, or insurance.

Where does the ARC finish?

The ARC finishes at IGY Rodney Bay Marina in Saint Lucia. The ARC+ finishes at Port Louis Marina in Grenada. After the official events, boats are free to cruise the Caribbean independently.

Can I sail to St Kitts after the ARC?

Yes. Many ARC boats cruise north through the Leeward Islands after arriving in Saint Lucia. St Kitts is on the standard northbound route between Antigua and St Martin. Port Zante Marina in Basseterre offers fuel, water, customs clearance, and walkable access to the capital. The passage from Antigua to St Kitts is approximately 40 nautical miles and takes 6 to 8 hours in typical trade wind conditions.

Is the ARC a race or a rally?

The ARC is primarily a rally with an optional racing division. Boats in the Cruising Division can use their engines and are scored on a fun-competition basis. The Racing Division races under IRC handicap rules with no motoring permitted. Both divisions sail together on the same start day.

Last reviewed: April 2026