Atlantic crossing by boat

If you have always dreamed of crossing the Atlantic but have never dared, this is the time to make it happen. You just need to enjoy the adventure and some time (around a month) to cross the Atlantic by sailboat.

The season to cross the Atlantic by boat from Europe to America begins when winter begins in Europe, which roughly coincides with the hurricane season in the Atlantic. Crowds of ships and navigators depart each year to cross the ocean and reach the Caribbean coast. This crossing requires great preparation and planning by the ship's skipper, since it is a long day at sea without touching land and it is necessary to prepare the boat properly.

There are no specific tactics to cross the Atlantic under sail, you just have to follow the basic navigation rules. The necessary supply consists of water, food, fuels and a navigation chart that shows the entire ocean.

Most of the ships that cross the Atlantic leave from the coasts of southern Spain and Portugal, from the Canary Islands, Madeira or Cape Verde.

The Canary Islands is the natural port of departure for this crossing since from there we can take advantage of the trade winds that will push us towards the Caribbean coast.

The usual route of the crossings that cross the Atlantic from southern Europe to the Caribbean begin the crossing from the Canary Islands and some stop in Cape Verde, and from there set sail for the Caribbean ports.

The main danger of crossing the Atlantic by sailboat is tropical storms and hurricanes. That's why you always travel once the hurricane season ends, to avoid the risk of encountering these weather phenomena.

The route from Europe to the Caribbean is usually more comfortable since when the route near Ecuador is transcribed, the temperature is smoother during the whole trip.

The crossing of the Atlantic is a high navigation activity in which it is essential to plan the route to minimize the chances of finding bad weather. It is also important to trace the itinerary to be able to navigate with favorable winds and currents.

The crossing of the Atlantic starting from the Caribbean to Europe usually takes place between the months of April and June.

The usual route of crossing the Atlantic from the Caribbean to Europe is the Bermuda, the Azores and from there they reach the continental ports.

An Atlantic crossing usually takes two to three weeks when sailing from Europe to the Caribbean, while the return journey from the Caribbean to Europe typically takes three to four weeks. The duration can vary depending on the type of vessel, wind and current conditions, and sailing speed.

To cross the Atlantic by sailboat, stable and robust vessels are recommended, as they must be capable of handling long passages in open water and variable weather conditions. Generally, sailors opt for high-quality ocean-going monohulls or catamarans with comfortable cabins for the crew, ample storage space for provisions, and proper safety systems.

The cost of an Atlantic crossing with a skipper can vary considerably based on several factors, such as the port of departure, the chosen route, and the type of boat. For example, departing from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean may have a different cost than returning from the Caribbean to Europe, partly due to the difference in trip duration. Likewise, the price depends on the specific vessel.

Of course!
If you want to do a skippered Atlantic crossing on a sailboat, you should know that it is possible to join for just one leg of the journey.