Atlantic crossing: weather and planning from the Canaries to the Caribbean
as of 07/10/2026 · 5 min read
In short: The classic trade wind route runs between late November and January from the Canaries, often via Cape Verde, with the northeast trades to the Caribbean in two to four weeks.
The best time to cross the Atlantic from east to west is between late November and January. Then the Atlantic hurricane season, 1 June to 30 November, is over and the northeast trade wind has set in. From the Canaries it is around 2,800 nm to the Lesser Antilles, usually two to four weeks at sea.
When is the best time for an Atlantic crossing?
Between late November and January. Leave earlier and you risk late tropical storms; leave later and you have less time for the Caribbean season, which runs until about April.
| Time | Conditions on the route |
|---|---|
| June to November | hurricane season in the Caribbean and tropical Atlantic, peaking from August to October; tropical storms are also possible around Cape Verde from August to October |
| Late November to January | main season for the trade wind route; the big rallies start from Gran Canaria in November |
| December and January | the trade wind often freshens (Christmas Winds), more wind and bigger seas |
| December to April | sailing season in the Caribbean |
| May and June | return to Europe via Bermuda and the Azores, before the next hurricane season |
Which route do I take across the Atlantic?
The classic route heads southwest from the Canaries until the trade wind blows steadily, then turns west. The old rule of thumb: head south until the butter melts, then turn right. Many make a stop in Cape Verde, which splits the distance and shortens the long leg.
The great circle from the Canaries to the Caribbean is shorter but runs closer to the Azores High, where the trade wind is weaker and less steady. Distances by sea according to Sailseer:
| Section | Distance | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Las Palmas to Mindelo | around 870 nm | entry into Cape Verde only via Mindelo, Praia or Palmeira |
| Mindelo to Le Marin (Martinique) | around 2,110 nm | the long leg right in the trade wind |
| Las Palmas to Le Marin non-stop | around 2,780 nm | about as long as the route of the big rally to St Lucia |
| English Harbour (Antigua) to Bermuda | around 990 nm | first part of the way back |
| Bermuda to Horta (Azores) | around 1,790 nm | with the westerlies north of the Azores High |
The formalities are on the country pages, for example Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Martinique, St Lucia, Antigua, Barbados and Grenada. Important: leaving the Canaries you leave the Schengen area, in Cape Verde your first landfall must be at a port of entry, and in the Caribbean buoyage follows IALA System B, with red to starboard when entering harbour. More in the guide Clearing in.
What weather can I expect in the trade winds?
Mostly wind from astern, from northeast to east, a long Atlantic swell and squalls. The trade wind often blows at 15 to 25 kn, and swell from two directions makes the boat roll heavily downwind.
Squalls are gusty showers beneath individual towering clouds: within a few minutes they bring much more wind, a wind shift and heavy rain, often followed by a calm. They frequently come at night. Reef early when a dark cloud builds astern, and secure the boom with a preventer against an accidental gybe. More on gusts in the guide Gusts and thunderstorms.
How do I get weather on the Atlantic?
Via satellite: GRIB files and forecasts by Iridium or Starlink, plus the official high-seas forecasts. On the eastern side the Météo-France forecast for METAREA II applies, on the western side the forecast from the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Download the forecast for the first few days as GRIB before you leave, and update it on the way whenever you have a connection. How to use GRIB files in your plotter is covered in the guide GRIB and plotter.
How do I prepare boat and crew?
What matters for a crossing is that rig, rudder, self-steering and power supply can cope with three weeks of continuous use. In brief:
- Check rig, rudder and steering, and prevent chafe on sheets and sails.
- Self-steering gear or autopilot with spares, and enough power for navigation and refrigeration.
- Water and provisions for more days than you expect; gas and spare parts.
- Liferaft, emergency beacon (EPIRB), life jackets with AIS transmitters, jacklines.
- A watch system that gives everyone enough sleep.
- Clear out before departure, with crew list and passports to hand.
How do I get back to Europe in spring?
In May or early June via Bermuda and the Azores. From the Antilles you first head north out of the trade winds, then east with the westerlies north of the Azores High.
On Bermuda you enter through Town Cut to St. George's and call Bermuda Radio beforehand; the rules are on the page Bermuda. From Horta on Faial it is around 910 nm to Cascais near Lisbon, and you will find the harbours of the Azores under Portugal.
How does Sailseer help with an Atlantic crossing?
Sailseer covers the whole trade wind route: the Canaries, Madeira and the Azores, Cape Verde with harbours on all the inhabited islands, the passage across the Atlantic, the Caribbean with the Bahamas and Bermuda, and the way back to the Azores. On the map you plan your route and stopover.
- Wind and pressure: weather maps for Cape Verde, the Atlantic passage and the Caribbean from GFS and ECMWF, with gusts, pressure, rain and thunderstorm potential, plus the maximum wind and gust at each location.
- Waves: wave height, swell and period from the DWD's GWAM wave model for the Caribbean with the passage from Cape Verde, and for Bermuda with the way back.
- Hurricanes: NHC storms with forecast cone, track and closest approach to your route, coastal warnings and the outlook for possible development; for your harbour also as a warning alert by email or push.
- GRIB: the visible map area as GRIB2 with wind, gusts and pressure for OpenCPN, qtVlm or your plotter, with selectable grid spacing and time step, so you have the forecast offline on board.
- Harbours and formalities: harbour info pages, ports of entry for each country and notes on the hurricane season.
- Float plan: leave details of boat, crew, ETA and up to three shore contacts, who receive an email if you are overdue; see Float plan.
More about the cruising ground at your destination is in the guide Sailing in the Caribbean. For navigation, official charts, high-seas forecasts and NHC warnings apply. Sailseer is not for navigation.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for an Atlantic crossing?
From east to west between late November and January, after the hurricane season ends on 30 November and once the northeast trade wind has set in. The way back to Europe is usually in May or June via Bermuda and the Azores.
How long does it take to cross the Atlantic in a sailing boat?
From the Canaries to the Caribbean usually two to four weeks, depending on boat, wind and route. Plan provisions and water for more days than you expect.
How far is it from the Canaries to the Caribbean?
From Las Palmas to Martinique or St Lucia, Sailseer calculates around 2,780 nm by sea. With a stop in Cape Verde it is around 870 nm to Mindelo and around 2,110 nm from there to Martinique.
Is a stop in Cape Verde worthwhile?
Many make one: it splits the distance, the long leg starts further south in the steady trade wind, and Mindelo has a marina and supplies. Entry by boat is only via Mindelo, Praia or Palmeira, with a passport.
What are squalls and how do I handle them?
Gusty showers beneath individual towering clouds that bring much more wind, a wind shift and heavy rain within minutes, often at night. Reef early when a dark cloud approaches, and secure the boom against an accidental gybe.
How do I get weather data on the way?
Via satellite, for example Iridium or Starlink, as GRIB files and high-seas forecasts. Before departure, download the area of your route in Sailseer as GRIB2 for OpenCPN, qtVlm or your plotter.