An Atlantic crossing takes weeks rather than days, but the route, boat and weather determine how many. This guide covers passage-time estimates, seasonal planning and preparations before departure.
In this article
Crossing The Atlantic Sail Times
For the roughly 2,700-nautical-mile ARC route from the Canary Islands to Saint Lucia, World Cruising Club gives an average of around 18–21 days. That is a route-specific estimate, not an upper limit for every Atlantic crossing. The table below retains the earlier guide’s approximate leg estimates; confirm distances against your actual departure and arrival points.
| Route | Approximate sailing time | Distance (nautical miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal to The Azores | 4 to 8 Days | 704NM |
| Portugal to The Canary Islands | 5 to 7 Days | 758NM |
| The Canary Islands to Cape Verde | 5 to 8 Days | 853NM |
| The Canary Islands to The Caribbean | 15 to 21 Days | 2754NM |
| Bermuda to The Caribbean | 5 to 8 Days | 857NM |
| Bermuda to The Azores | 14 to 17 Days | 1909NM |
Sea conditions can exceed the range described in an earlier version of this guide. Use route-specific forecasts and allow for conditions changing during the passage.
These estimates vary with the departure port, landfall and course sailed. Three factors affect the time required:
1. Your Boat Type and Sail Plan
We’ve heard of some Outremers and Sailwinds doing the entire crossing in a little over 2 weeks. Some professional racing teams can certainly make this trip in under 2 weeks, but a production/charter catamaran with beamy hulls is going to take several weeks at least.
2. You Get A Solid Weather Window
Planning your voyage before you depart from any of these ports should be at the top of your priority list. I’ve heard of sailors waiting weeks for the right weather window, even in the better times of year. Like they always say “Keeping a schedule is your worst enemy…”
3. Currents and Time Of Year
The currents can play a huge role in either decreasing or increasing your boat speed and thereby impacting your crossing times. It’s not just the current either as wave direction can play a huge impact, as too the amount of wind.
Best Time Of Year
The westbound ARC route follows the trade-wind passage from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean. Its timing should not be treated as a rule for an eastbound crossing or a different Atlantic route.
Route Planning
As I’ve touched on already, you’ll need to plan your route and provision your boat appropriately for the journey. This includes more water than you’ll consume (even if you have a water maker on board, as these can fail) plus food, spare parts and a consistent helm watch routine.
Hurricane Season
The official Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, according to the National Hurricane Center. Tropical cyclones can also occur outside those dates.
Tacks and Gybes
Tacks, gybes and sail changes depend on the route and conditions. Discuss watchkeeping, reefing and heavy-weather procedures before departure; a fixed reefing rule is not a substitute for assessing the boat and weather.
Picking A Crew
You can always find a crew at either end of an Atlantic Crossing. From using Facebook groups to online forums such as CruisersForum, or even asking around at the local tourist hotspots, it’s pretty easy to find someone who wants a cheap ride and an adventure on the open seas.
Choose crew for their experience, reliability and ability to share watches. Agree on responsibilities, costs and expectations before committing to a passage.
As a final thought: When you do land at your next port, aim to call ahead for a marina berth but always expect to anchor in the tourist months. Some of these anchorages can get real busy! 🙂
Frequently asked questions
Is 21 days the maximum time for an Atlantic crossing?
No. The ARC’s 18–21-day figure is an average for its particular route. Different boats, routes and weather can produce longer passages.
Do the same timings apply in both directions?
No. Route choice, prevailing winds and currents differ. Plan the outward and return crossings separately.
