Atlantic crossing preparation has gotten complicated with all the routing software and rally options flying around. As someone who has made the crossing multiple times, I learned everything there is to know about getting yourself and your boat across that big pond. Today, I will share it all with you.
Choosing Your Route
Probably should have led with this section, honestly. The southern trade wind route departs the Canary Islands in November or December, riding northeast trades 2,700 miles to Barbados or other eastern Caribbean islands. Steady winds and warm weather make this the most popular option for good reason—the wind just keeps pushing you west.
The northern route via the Azores suits boats heading to the US East Coast or cruisers wanting to explore the Portuguese archipelago. This route faces more variable weather but shorter individual passages, which some folks prefer to one long haul.
Weather Windows
That’s what makes timing endearing to us Atlantic cruisers—get it right and you’re rewarded with weeks of easy sailing. Atlantic weather routing starts weeks before departure. Monitor developing systems, pressure patterns, and wind forecasts obsessively. The ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) and other organized crossings provide professional routing support if you want the backup.
Departure timing balances hurricane season (June-November) against winter storms. Most Caribbean-bound boats leave the Canaries between late November and mid-December. Earlier departures risk late-season hurricanes; later departures find deteriorating trade winds. There’s a sweet spot, and experienced cruisers hit it year after year.
Provisioning and Preparation
Las Palmas in Gran Canaria serves as the traditional jumping-off point, with excellent provisioning, marine services, and a cruiser community that has seen it all. Allow two to three weeks for final preparation, including any repairs and provisioning. Rushing this stage is how problems start.
Carry provisions for 30 days minimum, even if expecting a 15-20 day passage. Calms happen—ask anyone who’s drifted for days with no wind. Plan menus that work for varying sea states; elaborate cooking becomes impossible when bouncing in trade wind swells. Sandwiches and one-pot meals become your best friends.
Communication and Safety
SSB radio, satellite phone, or satellite messenger provides safety communication mid-ocean where cell service is a distant memory. File a float plan with someone ashore who will actually notice if you stop checking in. EPIRB registration must be current. Life raft inspection should be recent—not something you hope is still good from three years ago.
Most Atlantic crossings are uneventful—pleasant sailing in steady conditions with routine watch schedules. The preparation investment creates confidence that lets you actually enjoy the passage instead of worrying about everything that could go wrong.
