Sailing across the Atlantic Ocean will require planning and preparation to ensure a safe voyage for the passengers, crew, and the captain of the vessel.
To sail across the Atlantic Ocean:
- Find a sailboat for the voyage
- Choose a sailing route
- Get the items needed for the sailing trip
- Get the correct sailing training prior to the trip
- Choose the best time of year to sail
- Plan for emergencies
Sailing across the Atlantic Ocean will take 3 to 4 weeks to complete in most instances. This timeframe will vary based on the size of the boat, the weather conditions, the skipper's experience, and the sailing route taken.
The sailing distance of sailing across the Atlantic Ocean is approximately 3,500 nautical miles. This will vary substantially depending on the sailing route taken.
1. Find A Sailboat For The Voyage
The first step in sailing across the Atlantic Ocean is to find a sailboat for the voyage. Finding a sailboat to make the voyage applies to those that don't currently own a boat.
To find a sailing vessel to sail across the Atlantic, a person has 2 options which are:
- Purchase a sailboat: This involves buying a sailboat capable of sailing across the Atlantic. Typically, these sailboats will be between 40ft. and 50ft. in length. This will range in price from $100,000 to over $1 million for more luxurious vessels. These boats can be found on websites like boattrader.com or boats.com
- Charter a sailboat: This is renting a sailboat to make the trip across the Atlantic. This will cost between $10,000 and $15,000 to rent on websites like clickandboat.com
The most popular sailboats for sailing across the Atlantic include bluewater sailboats like the Beneteau Oceanis 473, Hallberg-Rassy 42, Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49, Bavaria 42 and the Lagoon 440.
The Lagoon 440 is a multi hull sailing catamaran whereas the other popular sailboats are traditional monohulled vessels.
The most popular sizes of the sailboats used for sailing across the Atlantic are sailboats with a length between 40ft. and 50ft. capable of sleeping 6 to 8 people.
While sailboats of any size can sail across the Atlantic, the ideal size sailboat for sailing across the Atlantic is between 35ft and 50ft.
2. Choose A Sailing Route
The second step of sailing across the Atlantic is to choose a sailing route to take.
There are two main passages when sailing across the Atlantic which are:
- Southern Passage: The southern passage is the main passage when crossing the Atlantic Ocean from east to west
- Northern Passage: The northern passage is the main passage when crossing the Atlantic Ocean from west to east
The northern passage is generally considered to be faster and for more experienced sailors whereas the southern passage is better for less experienced sailors that enjoy a slower-paced cruising journey with better weather.
Southern Passage
The southern passage of traveling from the east to the west is the most popular passage when sailing across the Atlantic Ocean.
The southern passage consists of 3 main sailing routes when traveling across the Atlantic Ocean which are:
- Portugal To Barbados: Sailing across the Atlantic Ocean from Portugal to Barbados is approximately 4,100 nautical miles. This sailing route will typically take 21 to 31 days to complete
- Gran Canaria To Saint Lucia: Sailing across the Atlantic Ocean from Gran Canaria to Saint Lucia is 2,700 nautical miles in distance. It will take 20 to 25 days to complete for most recreational sailing vessels
- Canary Islands To Windward Islands: Sailing across the Atlantic Ocean from the Canary Islands to the Windward Islands is approximately 2,650 nautical miles. It will take 16 to 22 days to complete for most recreational sailing vessels
Most recreational sailboats will sail across the Atlantic on the southern passage from east to west at an average speed of 5 knots depending on the weather.
The shortest southern sailing route across the Atlantic from east to west is sailing from the Canary Islands to the Windward Islands which is 2,650 nautical miles.
The most popular southern sailing route from east to west across the Atlantic is sailing from Las Palmas in Gran Canaria to Saint Lucia in the Caribbean. Each year from November to December, the Atlantic Rally For Cruisers (ARC) is held whereby over 200 sailing vessels sail from Gran Canaria to Saint Lucia. If it is your first time sailing across the Atlantic, this is a great event to participate in.
Sailing across the Atlantic from east to west from the southern passage benefits from the trade winds. The trade winds are winds that reliably blow east to west just north and south of the equator.
The weather conditions when sailing across the Atlantic from the southern passage routes typically have wind speeds of 15 to 25 knots with dry days of temperatures ranging from 60°F to 80°F depending on the time of year when sailing. Hurricane season on this southern sailing passage occurs between June and November.
Sailing across the Atlantic through the southern passage routes should be avoided during the Caribbean hurricane season months of June to November to avoid getting lost at sea.
Northern Passage
The northern passage of sailing across the Atlantic Ocean involves traveling from west to east.
The northern passage consists of 2 main sailing routes when traveling across the Atlantic Ocean which are:
- Bermuda To Portugal: Sailing across the Atlantic Ocean from Bermuda to Portugal via the Azores is approximately 2,706.5 nautical miles. It will take 20 to 25 days to complete for most recreational sailing vessels
- Bermuda To United Kingdom: Sailing across the Atlantic Ocean from Bermuda to the United Kingdom via the Azores is approximately 3,129.8 nautical miles. It will take 25 to 31 days to complete for most recreational sailing vessels
Most recreational sailing vessels will sail across the Atlantic on the northern passage from west to east at an average speed of 6 knots depending on the weather.
The shortest northern sailing route across the Atlantic from east to west is sailing from Bermuda to Portugal which is 2,706.5 nautical miles.
The most popular northern sailing route from west to east across the Atlantic Ocean is sailing from Bermuda to Portugal via the Azores. This sailing route is the most popular west-to-east route because it offers the best windward winds when traveling across the Atlantic Ocean from west to east.
The weather conditions when sailing across the Atlantic from the northern passage routes are temperatures of between 60°F and 80°F with wind speeds of between 10 and 30 knots. This weather will vary depending on the time of year sailing.
Sailing across the Atlantic through the northern passage routes should be avoided during hurricanes or high gale-force winds.
3. Get The Items Needed For The Sailing Trip
The third step is to get the items needed for sailing across the Atlantic Ocean.
The items needed for sailing across the Atlantic are:
- Food & drinking supplies: Get food and drinking supplies to cover the entire Atlantic Ocean sailing trip (approx. 30 days) for everyone onboard and include extra food in case of an emergency
- Seaworthy sailboat: You will need a seaworthy sailboat that is in great mechanical condition. If certain boat parts are prone to breaking, bring spare parts for it
- Sailing jackets: Sailing jackets are needed for the sailing trip across the Atlantic. Ideally, every person onboard should have a 10,000mm rated waterproof sailing jacket
- Chartplotter: A chartplotter is needed for a map and GPS data which is crucial when sailing across the Atlantic
- VHF radio: Ensure the sailboat has a fully functional VHF radio capable of working on all standard international channels. This is crucial as it enables a crew to communicate with the coast guard
- Kitchen amenities: You will need kitchen items like plates, cups, towels, microwave, fridge, coolers, stove/cooker, gas, and dish cleaning supplies
- Fuel: You will need enough fuel to last the entire sailing trip. Bring extra fuel in a large container in case of an emergency
- TV & Cellphone: A cellphone is needed for communication and the TV can provide entertainment at night
- Electronics charging cables/batteries: All electronic devices will need charging cables to ensure they last for the entire trip
- Clothing: Everyone onboard will need enough clothes to last approximately 30 days of sailing
- First aid kits: Get a large first aid kit to cover everyone for the entire sailing journey. Ensure there is SPF 50+ sunscreen for all people onboard and all medical and medication supplies needed for the crew
- Life jackets: Every person onboard the boat will need a USGC Type II approved life jacket
- Self-inflating liferaft: A self-inflating ISO Standard 9650 liferaft capable of holding every person onboard the vessel is required for the voyage
- Lifebuoys: Lifebuoys within reach of the helmsman for instant use are needed for the trip
- 50ft+ throwing/heaving line: A 50ft+ heaving line near the cockpit is needed in case someone falls overboard
- Fire extinguishers: A minimum of 2 marine grade fire extinguishers to restrict fires onboard are required
- Fire blanket: A fire blanket in the galley is needed to stop any fires from breaking out in the galley is needed
- Storm jib: This is needed to help with sailboat maneuverability in the event of a storm
- Flares: A minimum of 4 handheld red flares and 2 buoyant orange smoke are needed for the sailing trip
- Personal care items: Everyone onboard will need personal care items like shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper, and deodorant to last approximately 30 days
- Watertight torch/flashlight: A watertight torch/flashlight with spare bulbs and spare batteries is required for the sailing trip. The flashlight should have a minimum beam distance of 1000 lumen (200 meters)
- Passport: Everyone onboard will need their passports for arrival into different countries
- Sim cards: Ensure the sim cards will work in all the countries you travel too across the Atlantic
4. Get The Correct Training Prior To The Sailing Trip
The fourth step is to get the correct training prior to the sailing cruise across the Atlantic Ocean.
There are two main training courses that will need to be completed to sail across the Atlantic Ocean which are:
- International Certificate of Competency (ICC): This certificate will indicate the sailor's competency to operate a sailing boat and this certificate is recognized internationally
- World Sailing Offshore Personal Survival Course: A skipper will need to complete a World Sailing internationally recognized Offshore Personal Survival Course and receive an international offshore safety at sea certificate upon completion of the course
The international certificate of competency course will provide training on operating a sailboat, rules of sailing, boating at night, navigation lights and their meaning, boating laws and regulations, communication techniques at sea and how to handle emergencies. This certificate is useful when sailing the Atlantic Ocean.
The offshore personal survival course will provide training in all the safety needs required for a sailing trip across the Atlantic Ocean including giving assistance to everyone onboard in an emergency, fire precautions and firefighting, dealing with hypothermia and drownings, crew overboard and recovery techniques, sailing in heavy stormy weather information, emergency communications and distress signaling, liferaft and abandon ship information and how to maintain safety gear onboard.
The cost of the two training courses needed to sail across the Atlantic Ocean totals approximately $450. This cost will vary depending on where the courses are taken.
The benefits of getting the correct training prior to the sailing trip across the Atlantic are you will be prepared in case of an emergency and you will have the required certificates if the coast guards ask for them.
5. Choose The Best Time Of Year To Sail
The fifth step is to choose the best time of year to make the sailing trip across the Atlantic Ocean.
Choosing the best time of year involves picking a time when the weather is the best with little likelihood of hurricanes or bad storms.
The best time to sail across the Atlantic Ocean if sailing the southern passage from east to west is between November 30th and February 28th. During this period, the hurricane season has ended in the west so it is less likely to get caught in a hurricane when sailing during this time.
The best time to sail across the Atlantic Ocean if sailing the northern passage from west to east is between July 1st and September 30th when the weather is warm and sunny.
If sailing the southern passage from east to west across the Atlantic Ocean, the worst time to sail is during the hurricane season months of June to November.
If sailing the northern passage from west to east across the Atlantic Ocean, the worst time to sail is November to January when the weather is colder and there are more storms in the east.
6. Plan For Potential Emergencies
The sixth step of sailing across the Atlantic is to plan for potential emergencies prior to embarking on the voyage.
To plan for emergencies when sailing across the Atlantic Ocean:
- Understand how to contact emergency services: Ensure you can contact emergency services at all times. The VHF radio channel 16 (156.800 MHz) on the radio is the universal emergency channel monitored by the coast guard
- Prepare for sailing in a storm: A skipper should plan for sailing in a storm by ensuring you have a storm jib onboard, have all the safety gear like life jackets and a liferaft readily available and have regular weather forecast information while sailing onboard to be ready in case of a storm
- Ensure all safety gear is fully functional: Ensure all the safety gear from the liferafts, life jackets, heaving lines, life buoys, fire extinguishers, etc. are in full working order
- Practice fire and man overboard safety drills: Practice fire and man overboard safety drills with the crew. This will keep everyone prepared in the event of a fire or man overboard
The benefits of planning for an emergency when sailing across the Atlantic is it will keep everyone onboard prepared in the event of an emergency, everyone will know the procedures in the event of a fire or man overboard and the skipper and crew will be able to easily contact the coast guard or emergency services if problems arise on the voyage.
Sailing Across The Atlantic Checklist
Below is a checklist for sailing across the Atlantic Ocean.
Atlantic Ocean Facts For Sailors To Know
Some interesting facts about the Atlantic Ocean for sailors are:
- The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest ocean on Earth
- The area of the entire Atlantic Ocean is 106.5km²
- The mean depth of the Atlantic Ocean is 3,646m
- The deepest part of the Atlantic Ocean is the Puerto Rico Trench which is 8,600m (5.3 miles) deep
- The water temperature of the Atlantic Ocean ranges from 30°F (-2°C) to 86°F (30°C) depending on the time of year and the location in the Atlantic
- According to the World Meteorological Organization, the highest-ever wave height recorded of the Atlantic Ocean is 62.3ft (19 meters). It occurred in the North Atlantic Ocean between Iceland and the United Kingdom on February 4th, 2013
- The surface water salinity of the Atlantic Ocean ranges from 33 to 37 parts per 1,000
- The most famous and well-known sailing voyage across the Atlantic Ocean is when Christopher Columbus sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492 from Spain to the Bahamas
Frequently Asked Questions About Sailing Across The Atlantic
Below are the most commonly asked questions about sailing across the Atlantic Ocean.
What Is The Best Sailing Route When Sailing Across The Atlantic Ocean?
The best sailing route when sailing across the Atlantic Ocean is sailing from east to west from Gran Canaria to Saint Lucia. This is the best route due to the favorable weather conditions and comfortable cruising speeds, especially when sailing between November and January.
What Is The Best Way To Sail Across The Atlantic As A Beginner?
The best way to sail across the Atlantic as a beginner is to join the Atlantic Rally For Cruisers (ARC) and sail across the Atlantic in a group with them from Gran Canaria to Saint Lucia. This is a much safer option for first-time Atlantic Ocean sailing as there will be more sailing vessels around to make the crossing.
What Is The Best Sailboat To Sail Across The Atlantic?
The best sailboat to sail across the Atlantic is the 47ft. Beneteau Oceanis 473. It is comfortable, affordable, spacious, and great for long-distance cruising.
What Is The Worst Sailboat To Sail Across The Atlantic?
The worst sailboat to sail across the Atlantic is any sailboat under 20ft. Examples of sailboats under 20ft include the Hunter 15 and Montgomery 17.
What Are The Benefits Of Sailing Across The Atlantic Ocean?
The benefits of sailing across the Atlantic Ocean are:
- Enjoyable: Sailing across the Atlantic can be fun and enjoyable for everyone onboard with each day bringing new adventures
- Improves sailing ability: Sailing transatlantic for 3 to 4 weeks will improve a sailor's sailing experience and increase their overall sailing ability in various conditions
- Beautiful scenery: Sailing across the Atlantic offers beautiful scenery, especially at night and when approaching your destination
What Are The Risks Of Sailing Across the Atlantic Ocean?
The risks of sailing across the Atlantic Ocean are:
- Sailboat sinking: Bad weather and debris can cause the sailboat to sink when sailing the Atlantic Ocean
- People drowning: Large swells can cause passengers to fall overboard and drown and skippers need to be aware and prepare for this risk
- Unexpected bad weather conditions: Sailing across the Atlantic can throw up unexpected bad weather which is a risk that sailors need to be prepared for
- Boat parts breaking: Parts of the boat can get damaged or break when sailing across the Atlantic. This risk can make the boat unusable and may mean you will need to be rescued
- Sun exposure: When sailing across the Atlantic, everyone onboard has the risk of getting sunburned with too much exposure to the sun. Bring sunscreen to protect against this
What Should You Avoid When Sailing Across The Atlantic Ocean?
When sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, you should avoid:
- Sailing alone: It is safer to sail with more than one person onboard. A skipper should avoid sailing alone across the Atlantic especially if it is the first time making the voyage
- Sailing in the hurricane season: When sailing across the Atlantic, avoid sailing during the hurricane season months of June to November if sailing to the Caribbean from east to west where hurricanes are common during this time period
- Sailing without sufficient supplies: When making the voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, you should avoid making the trip without enough supplies like food, drinks, and fuel to last over 30 days of sailing
- Sailing without the right safety gear: When sailing across the Atlantic, avoid making the voyage without the right safety gear. The right safety gear is crucial and includes items like life jackets, liferafts, life buoys, heaving lines, fire extinguishers, etc.
- Sailing without offshore safety training: You should avoid sailing across the Atlantic without having offshore safety training as this training will prepare you for emergencies on the water
- Sailing without a storm jib: When sailing across the Atlantic, avoid sailing without a storm jib. A storm jib will help stable sail plan in stormy and heavy winds
What Is The Cost Of Sailing Across the Atlantic Ocean?
The cost of sailing across the Atlantic Ocean is between $5,000 and $7,000. This cost includes all the items needed for making the sailing trip including food and drinks, fuel, personal care items, etc.
This cost does not include the price of buying a sailing boat capable of making the voyage.
How Can You Sail Across The Atlantic Ocean For Free?
To sail across the Atlantic Ocean for free, apply for a job on a sailboat making the voyage in exchange for free travel across the Atlantic. Websites like Crewbay connect amateur and professional crew with sailing vessels and motor vessels worldwide.
What Is The Fastest Route To Sail Across The Atlantic?
The fastest route to sail across the Atlantic is the northern passage west to east route from Bermuda to the Azores.
What Is The Record For Sailing Across The Atlantic?
The record for sailing across the Atlantic is held by skipper Thomas Coville who sailed single-handed across the Atlantic on his sailboat Sodebo Ultim in a time of 4d 11h 10m 23s at an average speed of 28.25 knots.
Do You Need A License To Sail Across The Atlantic?
A skipper should have either an International Certificate of Competency (ICC) or the International Sailing License and Credentials (SLC) when sailing across the Atlantic Ocean.
What Are The Most Popular Countries To Visit When Sailing Across The Atlantic?
The most popular countries to visit when sailing across the Atlantic Ocean are:
- United States Of America
- Ireland
- United Kingdom
- Portugal
- Iceland
- Canary Islands (Atlantic Territory Of Spain)
- Barbados
- Bermuda
- Saint Lucia
- Canada
- Bahamas