21Oct

Crossing the Atlantic under sail as a passenger: our guide

Setting sail for an Atlantic crossing: our guide

 

Every year, crossing the Atlantic by sailboat captures the imagination of countless sea lovers. Whether you’re a traveler seeking adventure, eager to reduce your carbon footprint, or simply longing to slow down and reconnect with the elements, many dream of casting off from Europe toward the Caribbean – or the other way around – for an unforgettable open-sea experience.

But how exactly can you join a transatlantic voyage? Is it only for seasoned sailors? Where can you find a sailboat, a skipper, or a crew? How much does such an adventure cost? And what does life on board really look like?

From boat hitchhiking to joining a professional sailing vessel or a sail cargo ship, this article explores the different ways to cross the Atlantic under sail. Here’s how to find the right passage for you!

Crossing the Atlantic under sail: what are your options as a passenger?

Dreaming of crossing the Atlantic by sail but don’t own a boat? Or perhaps you do, but you’re not ready to change your cruising grounds — or don’t feel confident enough to make the crossing yourself? No worries: there are several ways to experience an Atlantic crossing under sail in these situations.

 

Join a pleasure craft

One of the most common ways to sail from one continent to another is to find a private sailboat looking for extra crew members. Many skippers prefer not to make the journey alone or wish to strengthen their crew before the crossing.

You can browse and reply to postings on sailing and crewing platforms (like Facebook groups or VogAvecMoi) or try your luck with boat hitchhiking directly in a strategic port.

While this option can be budget-friendly, it’s not always the easiest. Crossing the Atlantic as a crew member often requires patience to find the right opportunity – and flexibility once aboard.

Most of the time, you won’t simply be a passenger: you’ll be expected to contribute to daily life on board – sailing, cooking, cleaning, standing night watches, helping with homeschooling if there are kids – and to pitch in for shared expenses through a common onboard fund.

If you choose this option to join an Atlantic crossing, be cautious: not all crew positions are equal! Not every boat is well-prepared or suited for ocean passage, and not every crew has the necessary experience for such a demanding voyage.

Crossing the Atlantic on a professional sailboat

If you’re looking for a safer experience alongside a professional and experienced crew, you can cross the Atlantic aboard a professional sailboat by booking a berth or a cabin.

One of the main advantages of this option is that the voyage is fully organized by the boat’s owner or operating company. You’ll enjoy greater comfort and the presence of a professional crew who ensure your safety while managing the demands of sailing and life at sea – a major plus for peace of mind!

Of course, you can still learn from the crew and take part as much as you wish – both in daily life on board and in sailing maneuvers or navigation watches.

This is exactly the kind of experience we offer, with our professional crew aboard our catamaran!

 

Crossing the Atlantic on a sail cargo ship

Finally, another option is to cross the Atlantic aboard a sail cargo ship. In this case, you’ll spend several weeks living and sailing on a commercial vessel powered by the wind.

This is made possible by pioneers in wind-powered shipping such as TransOceanic Wind Transport (TOWT), Grain de Sail, Neoline, and Sailcoop. Far from a cruise ship experience, the Neoliner Origin, for example, offers passengers an environmentally friendly Atlantic crossing – while giving them a behind-the-scenes look at the industrial maritime world.

In terms of scale, it’s quite different from our own Avel Vaez: the cargo vessel is 136 meters long – nearly eight times the length of our catamaran!

 

If you’re thinking of crossing the Atlantic by sail instead of by plane, we can only encourage you. A sailboat will always offer something extra. Whether you’re a sailing enthusiast, a lover of long-distance voyages, or simply curious, you’ll take the time to live, to feel the vastness of the ocean, and to experience that humbling sense of smallness among the elements.

 

Departure ports, destinations, and common routes

Now that you know how to join a transatlantic crossing, let’s look at the main departure and arrival ports. Do you know where to find them?

 

The sailing route from Europe to the Caribbean – and back

A transatlantic crossing is usually made from east to west in the fall, to reach the Caribbean before hurricane season, and from west to east in the spring, to sail back toward Europe with the prevailing winds.

  • The most common outbound route connects Europe to the Canary Islands, then continues on to Martinique or Saint Lucia.
  • For the return trip to Europe, crews often stop in the Azores archipelago, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. With the right weather window, they then continue toward Gibraltar, Spain, or France.

 

Departure ports for an east-to-west Atlantic crossing

In France, ports such as Cherbourg, Le Havre, Marseille, La Grande-Motte, Lorient, La Rochelle, and Brest offer facilities well suited for boat preparation. However, the actual departure points for an Atlantic crossing are often located in Spain, Gibraltar, or Portugal, where sailors can take advantage of the most favorable weather conditions.

An east-to-west Atlantic crossing typically brings sailors to the Canary Islands, especially Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the famous departure port of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC).

ARC2025 with Avel Vaez

Departure ports for a west-to-east Atlantic crossing

In the opposite direction, when heading toward Europe, departures most often take place from Martinique. The port of Le Marin is particularly well equipped, making it easy to handle all necessary preparations before the return voyage across the Atlantic from west to east.

Some amateur and professional crews also depart from other Caribbean ports, such as Rodney Bay on the island of Saint Lucia. It’s also possible to join a boat in the Azores to cross the second half of the Atlantic.

 

Crossing the Atlantic on a catamaran with Avel Vaez

A high-performance catamaran, ideal for offshore sailing

Among the sailboats designed for ocean crossings, our professional catamaran Avel Vaez is one of the most efficient. Last year, our ORC57 ranked third in the multihull category of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), completing the passage from the Canary Islands to Saint Lucia in just 14 days!

Each of our ocean crossings is supervised by our professional crew, made up of a skipper, a first mate, and a deckhand-hostess. Together, they handle the vessel’s operations, route decisions, logistics, and of course, everyone’s safety.

Four spacious double cabins are available for passengers, and the number of people on board is limited so that everyone can find their own rhythm and comfort. The crew provides high-end service and takes care of all maneuvers, but guests are free to take part actively if they wish to learn or experience the voyage to the fullest.

When it comes to safety, Avel Vaez is equipped with a satellite communication system, radar, AIS, life rafts, distress beacons, and more. As with all our cruises, strict safety protocols are followed throughout the journey.

Safety and communication on our catamaran

Two Atlantic crossings per year

Each year, Avel Vaez offers two transatlantic crossings, sailing in both directions:

  • In autumn, an east-to-west Atlantic crossing from Gibraltar to Saint Lucia, with stopovers in Madeira and Gran Canaria. The non-stop leg between the Canary Islands and the Caribbean, as part of the ARC, takes about 15 days of sailing.
  • In spring, a west-to-east Atlantic crossing departs from the Caribbean (Martinique or Saint Lucia) to the Azores, followed by a final leg from the Azores to Gibraltar.

 

Budget to plan for a transatlantic crossing

The cost of crossing the Atlantic by sailboat depends largely on the type of experience you choose:

  • If you join as a crew member on a private sailboat, the price will vary depending on the type of vessel and how life on board is organized. Be careful, though – food, navigation fees, fuel, and onboard consumables can quickly add up. What seems like the cheapest option at first may end up being quite a surprise once all costs are included!
  • For professional transatlantic cruises, prices differ from one boat to another depending on the level of comfort and the services provided. Usually, a total fare is set when you book your berth or cabin. A contribution to a shared onboard fund may also be requested to cover additional expenses shared among passengers.

 

On board Avel Vaez, the voyage from Gibraltar to the Canary Islands, then from the Canaries to the Caribbean, starts at €10,000 per person. This exclusive fare for the full Atlantic crossing includes:

  • The remuneration of the professional crew (3 members)

  • Safety equipment

  • Port fees

  • Fuel

  • Insurance

  • Agency fees

  • Taxes

  • Registration fees for the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC)

 

Food and drinks are not included: passengers contribute to a shared onboard fund, which the crew uses to handle provisioning at cost price.

 

Preparing for an Atlantic crossing as a passenger

Crossing the Atlantic by sailboat is not your typical cruise.

Life at sea, far from the coast, is very different from what you might experience on a day sail or a short coastal trip. During a transatlantic passage, you sail non-stop for several weeks, settling into a very particular rhythm of life.

Your new environment may take some getting used to: aboard Avel Vaez, it’s recommended to be in good physical condition. No special equipment is required – what matters most is a genuine desire to live an extraordinary adventure!

 

Life on board during a crossing

A daily rhythm shaped by sailing

On a transatlantic voyage, life on board naturally revolves around watches and maneuvers – they set the pace of each day. Checking the sails, monitoring the radar, following the weather, adjusting the course… even on the open ocean, sailing demands constant attention.

As always on a boat, there are also moments of sharing, discovery, and wonder: watching the sunrise in mid-ocean, spotting dolphins, enjoying conversations and meals with fellow travelers from all walks of life… Crossing the Atlantic under sail as a passenger is always an enriching, unforgettable experience.

Set sail for an Atlantic crossing aboard the ORC57

Are you tempted by the idea of a transoceanic sailing adventure?

The professional crew of Avel Vaez invites you to cross the Atlantic aboard the ORC57 catamaran, in the best possible conditions of comfort and safety. There’s no need to form your own crew – all curious travelers are welcome, even solo adventurers!

Get in touch with us today and embark on a sailing experience you’ll remember for a lifetime.

Book your place aboard Avel Vaez