Atlantic crossing by boat

Preguntas frecuentes para atlantic crossing by boat

• ℹ️ How much does it cost to cross the Atlantic by sailboat?

  The price of the place varies depending on whether you do the entire crossing or a single stage:
  
  - Stages prior to the crossing (for example Spain → Canary Islands, Canary Islands → Cape Verde or Azores → Gibraltar). ~1 week duration, you can find it on Sailwiz between €900 and around €1,500 / €1,900 per stage.
  - The ocean crossing Cape Verde → Caribbean , 15 to 18 days. Around €2,900 to €3,000.
  - The classic Canary Islands → Caribbean crossing , from 20 to 28 days. Between €4,000 and €6,000, depending on whether it is an ocean-going sailboat, catamaran or training/mileage program.
  - The complete trip from Spain or France to the Caribbean , lasting more than a month. Up to around €7,000.
  
  Some trips offer a 10% discount if you book two stages together, so if you're unsure whether to choose one or two, contact us via WhatsApp at +34 810 12 12 36 or email us at info@sailwiz.com and we'll let you know what options are available. These prices do not include any additional expenses.

• ✅ What does the price of the place include and what expenses are separate?

  Each listing details what's included and what's not. If the experience is labeled "All Inclusive," you don't need to add anything. For all other options, these three expenses are usually separate:
  
  - Common fund : about €35 per person per day. This is a fund that is divided among the entire crew to buy food, fuel, and pay any port or anchorage fees.
  - Round-trip flights : tickets to the departure port and from the destination (it is highly recommended to book them with a flexible fare due to possible variations in departure or arrival dates depending on the weather).
  - Medical and travel insurance: usually costs around €150 per person. To cover any unforeseen medical issues.

• ⌚ Can I do just one stage of the crossing?

  Yes, and it's very common. You don't need to do the entire crossing or take a month and a half off to experience the Atlantic. Many crossings are divided into sections that you can book individually, embarking and disembarking at the port where each one begins and ends. At Sailwiz, you can book a single leg, two consecutive legs, or the entire crossing .
  
  If you're unsure which leg fits your dates, let us know via WhatsApp at +34 810 12 12 36 or at info@sailwiz.com and we'll help you choose.

• ⭐ What are the stages from Europe to the Caribbean?

  1. Spain, Portugal, France → Canary Islands: Around 1 week of sailing.
  2. Canary Islands → Cape Verde: About 1 week of sailing.
  3. Cape Verde → Caribbean: The ocean leap, 15 to 18 days of sailing.
  4. Martinique → other Caribbean islands: About 6 days of sailing.

• ⚡What are the stages involved in traveling from the Caribbean to Europe?

  1. Caribbean → Bermuda: About 8 days of sailing.
  2. Bermuda → Azores: The oceanic section, 15 to 17 days of sailing.
  3. Azores → Gibraltar: 8 or 9 days of sailing.
  4. Gibraltar → Ibiza: 5 or 6 days of sailing.

• ➡️ Do I need prior experience to cross the Atlantic?

  On most voyages , no nautical knowledge is necessary . The skipper steers the boat and teaches you everything you need to know on board. However, you're not just a passenger. You participate in helm and watch duties, as well as daily tasks like cooking and keeping things tidy.
  
  The exception is ocean sailing school or mile-building trips, designed for those who already sail and want to log more ocean miles and delve deeper into advanced maneuvering, sail trim, and offshore navigation. The information sheet for each activity indicates whether prior experience is required. What truly matters is a willingness to learn and a team spirit.

• ✍ Who captains the ship and can I meet them before booking?

  Yes, you can meet him before booking. Furthermore, at Sailwiz, all transatlantic crossings are led by skippers with extensive experience in offshore sailing.

  • Ocean experience: They have multiple Atlantic crossings in their history, both in regattas and in cruise or ocean school voyages.
  • Visible profile and real opinions: In each profile within Sailwiz you can consult the skipper's track record and the ratings of crew members who have already sailed with him.
  • Pre-trip contact and video call with the skipper: At Sailwiz, we know that trust and harmony on board are the top priority on a multi-week voyage. That's why, in addition to the live chat on the platform, we organize video calls with the skippers or cruise coordinators so you can meet face-to-face, resolve any technical questions, and ensure the boat's dynamics are a perfect fit for you before confirming your place.

• ❓Can I go alone without knowing anyone?

  Yes, and that's the most common situation. On board, you'll find people traveling alone, as couples, or in groups of four or five. If you're traveling solo, you book a single berth and share the ship with other passengers who are also traveling independently. Most berths are in shared cabins.
  
  If you have any questions, you can request a video call beforehand. It helps you get a feel for the atmosphere on board, and in many cases, the group starts chatting before setting sail. And based on our experience with many voyages, after a few days sharing watches and cooking, the crew ends up becoming a close-knit group.

• ☀️ What luggage and clothes should I bring?

  Only soft or foldable duffel bags are allowed. Hard-sided suitcases with wheels will not fit in the storage compartment and will damage the interior of the ship.
  
  For a trip to the Caribbean in autumn, light clothing is essential, including swimsuits, breathable t-shirts, shorts, sunglasses, and high SPF sunscreen. Don't forget warm clothing either, especially if you're traveling from the Iberian Peninsula.
  
  On the return trip to Europe in spring, it's cold and you need thermal layers, a thick fleece and nautical gloves.
  
  On any route, a complete rain suit with jacket and trousers and nautical shoes with non-slip white soles are essential.

• ⚓ What if I get seasick in the middle of the ocean?

  Seasickness is the inner ear's adaptation to the ship's rocking motion and usually disappears completely within the first 24 to 48 hours. The skipper is used to it and adjusts the initial watches so you can rest as much as you need. After those first two days, almost everyone is sailing and eating normally.
  
  To cope better, this might help:

  • Take biodramina (better with caffeine) or put on a patch before casting off.
  • Drink plenty of water and get plenty of rest before going out.
  • Stay on deck for the first few miles, looking at the horizon, instead of inside the ship.
  • Choose catamaran if you're very worried, because it lists and moves considerably less.

• ➡️ What is daily life like on board?

  Life on an Atlantic crossing follows a routine dictated by the rhythm of the sea, where everyone pitches in and is an active part of the team:

  • Rotating watch system: Watch and helm shifts are established (usually 3 or 4 hours, almost always in pairs), both day and night. This system ensures that the ship is attended to 24 hours a day and that all crew members have continuous blocks of rest and restorative sleep.
  • Cooking and cleaning: The crew organizes themselves into daily shifts to prepare meals, wash dishes, and keep the ship tidy. Cooking at sea is one of the most entertaining and camaraderie-filled moments of the day.
  • Fresh water and showers: Water is a valuable resource. Many ships have a water treatment plant, but responsible and nautical consumption is always practiced in the showers and when washing dishes.

• ✅ Is there internet on board or will I be cut off from communication?

  Mobile coverage disappears a few miles offshore, but communications at sea are covered:

  • Safety and weather (always guaranteed): All ships have satellite devices (such as Iridium GO! or similar) to download continuous weather reports and send safety and position messages to shore.
  • Internet access (Starlink): More and more boats are being equipped with Starlink antennas to provide data connectivity during the voyage. Depending on the boat, this service may be included in the price or available as an extra charge on board (with vouchers or pay-as-you-go fees) . The information sheet for each boat details whether it has Starlink and its cost, and you can also confirm this during the video call with the skipper.

• ℹ️ No exact arrival date. How should I buy a plane ticket?

  On an ocean crossing by sail, the weather and the strength of the trade winds are the deciding factors: a crossing planned for 21 days can be completed in 18 with cheerful downwind winds or stretched to 24 if you catch areas of calm.

  • Departure Dates: The departure date may be delayed by 1 or 2 days if the initial sea conditions advise waiting for an optimal and safe weather window.
  • How to buy flights: It is advisable to always book flexible fare tickets (which allow date changes without penalty) and schedule the return flight with a margin of at least 2 to 4 days after the estimated date of arrival in port, to enjoy the disembarkation in the Caribbean calmly and without stress.

• ⭐ What is the best time to cross the Atlantic?

  From Europe to the Caribbean, between late October and December , when the trade winds settle in and the worst of hurricane season has passed. Departures from the Canary Islands are concentrated in November and December. From the Caribbean to Europe, from April to June , before hurricane season begins again in June. Sailwiz also offers outbound departures in February and March and return trips from January onwards.