The Atlantic Ocean spans over 5.5 million square miles, with an average width of about 2,500 nautical miles. For cruising sailors undertaking an east-west Atlantic crossing, the journey can take 2–3 weeks on average.
However, the exact duration depends on several factors. The most significant include:
- The route taken based on prevailing winds and currents
- The total distance sailed based on course changes
- Boat speed based on vessel type and weather conditions
- Cruising pace with stops/layovers along the way
By understanding each of these elements, we can estimate how long a typical Atlantic crossing may take for the average cruiser.
Atlantic Crossing Routes
The conventional route for crossing the Atlantic Ocean is to sail southwest from Europe to the Canary Islands first. Then cross from the Canaries to the Caribbean.
- Portugal to the Windward Islands is about 2,800 nm
- Canary Islands to the Windward Islands is around 2,000 nm
This takes advantage of the northeast trade winds that blow consistently from around 30 degrees North across the Atlantic to the equator.
However, sailing just a direct line from east to west is rarely possible. Boats need to tack south first to pick up the trade winds. Then they sail on a broad reach northwest across the ocean. Occasional course corrections are required too.
As a result, the total distance sailed ends up being much longer than just the straight-line route. Most sources estimate around 4,000 nm from the Cape Verde Islands or Canaries to the Windward or Leeward Islands.
Adding in the week-long sail from mainland Europe down to the Canary Islands, the total passage ends up being close to 5,000 nm.
Why a Southern Route?
Sailing south toward the trade winds before heading west is the conventional wisdom for crossing the Atlantic for good reasons:
- Avoid contrary winds and currents on a direct route from the UK or Europe
- Pick up consistent NE trade winds for downwind sailing
- More favorable, warmer climate reduces the chances of storms
Trying to sail directly west from the UK or Portugal means battling the prevailing westerlies and the north-flowing Canary Current. Taking a more southerly route avoids headwinds and choppy upwind sailing.
For most cruisers, the extra miles sailed far outweigh the comfort, speed, and safety of reaching on trades versus beating into winds.
Estimating Speed
The speed a vessel can average plays a major role in calculating Atlantic crossing times. Here are typical speeds based on boat type:
- Cruising monohulls: 5-7 knots
- Performance cruising catamarans: 10–15 knots
- Open-class racing multihulls: 20+ knots
A fast multihull like a MOD 70 or ORMA 60 trimaran can average 21+ knots and complete the crossing in 5–6 days. But most cruiser’s boats will be closer to the 5-7 knot range.
Plugging sample speeds into a distance calculator, here’s the minimum number of days at sea for different boat types:
| Boat Type | Avg Speed | Minimum Days |
|---|---|---|
| Cruising Monohull | 6 knots | 24 days |
| Performance Catamaran | 12 knots | 12 days |
| Open Class Multihull | 21 knots | 5 days |
However, these minimum estimates assume sailing a straight course at a constant speed without stopping. That is rarely the reality.
Factoring in Cruising Reality
Several variables commonly increase the duration of a cruiser’s Atlantic crossing beyond minimum estimates:
- Sailing extra miles for better wind and waves
- Waiting out light wind zones or storms
- Making intermediate stops to rest and reprovision
- Not pushing to sail as fast as possible
While crossing the Atlantic quickly is a fun goal for some, most cruisers are not trying to set a new record. Taking time to enjoy the journey is a major attraction.
Stops in the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Azores, Bermuda, or Caribbean islands allow crews to rest, resupply, and break up the passage into shorter legs. This adds days but greatly increases safety and enjoyment for most sailors.
A fast multihull may be able to cross from the Canaries to the Caribbean without stopping in 10–12 days under perfect conditions. But for the average cruiser, 3–4 weeks is a more realistic duration for a first Atlantic crossing, including layovers.
What to Expect from an Atlantic Crossing
For cruising sailors undertaking their first Atlantic passage, it’s helpful to know what to expect. Crossing an ocean requires careful preparation and patience once underway.
Here’s a quick look at some key considerations for crossing the pond:
Plan for Minimal Sleep
On most cruising boats, only 2–4 crew members will sail across. This means each person has to spend 6–8 hours at the helm or on the watch for every 24 hours. Getting uninterrupted sleep is difficult. Fatigue builds up over weeks and can be dangerous.
Be Ready to Be Offline
You won’t have cellular service in mid-ocean. Satellite internet like Starlink allows better connectivity now, but being offline for days is likely. Bring plenty of reading material and offline entertainment. And get used to conversing with seabirds.
Prepare for Any Conditions
Storms, high seas, dead calms—you may experience the full range of conditions. Comfort items like seasickness aids are essential. And redundancy in critical systems provides insurance when issues arise far from shore.
Crossing Is Just the Start
A successful crossing is an accomplishment, but remember, it’s just the start of your cruising adventure. Budget extra days after arriving in the Caribbean before jumping to the next exotic locale. Post-passage recovery and boat repairs take time.
For cruisers ready to sail across an ocean, crossing the Atlantic can be done safely in 3–4 weeks with an average boat. But ideas of fast crossings in two weeks require both a very quick boat and ideal winds. Patience and preparing for a month at sea is wise.
The rewards of warm tradewind sailing under starry nights await those willing to take the time to sail south first before turning west. By following the successful route of previous sailors, the Atlantic Passage becomes an attainable adventure for cruising dreamers.
