How Long Does It Take To Sail Across The Atlantic 2025?
Sailing across the Atlantic is an adventure that few people get to experience, and if it’s something you’re planning for then you’re going to want to know how long it will take.
There’s something special about being out on the open water, surrounded by nothing but the elements. For weeks at a time, you’re completely cut off from the rest of the world, forced to rely on your own skills and resourcefulness.
It’s a true test of character and one that can be immensely rewarding. Aside from the personal satisfaction that comes from completing such a challenging journey, there’s also the unique opportunity to see some of the most beautiful parts of the world from a different perspective.
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From the stunning sunrises and sunsets to the countless stars that blanket the night sky, sailing across the Atlantic is an unforgettable experience.
But how long does it take to sail across the Atlantic?
Quick Menu
- How long does it take to sail across the Atlantic?
- When is the best time to cross the Atlantic on a sailboat?
- How do you cross the Atlantic?
- Crossing East to West
- Crossing West to East
- What sailboat is best for crossing the Atlantic?
- Equipment for crossing the Atlantic
- What sailing clothes do you need?
- Must know tips for crossing the Atlantic ocean
How long does it take to sail across the Atlantic?
The journey across the Atlantic is one that has been taken by intrepid sailors for centuries. While the trip may take weeks or even months, the experience is one that is sure to be remembered for a lifetime.
There are so many different factors at play affecting the crossing time, such as the weather, the boat’s speed, and the route taken.
In general, however, sailing across the Atlantic takes about 2-3 weeks from Europe to North America in a 40ft (or similar sized) monohull.
Of course, there are always exceptions. If the weather is good and the boat is fast, the crossing may take less time. And if the weather is bad or the boat is slow, it may take longer. But on average, two weeks is about right.
You can eke out even more performance by doing things like replacing your sails when they are past their best and scrubbing the bottom of your hull. Find out how much new sails cost and be prepared to replace them if necessary.
So if you’re thinking of sailing across the Atlantic plan on spending around 2-3 weeks at sea and make sure you factor in the possibility of a slower passage.
When is the best time to cross the Atlantic on a sailboat?
As with everything in sailing, there is no simple answer to this question. The best time to cross the Atlantic depends greatly on whether you’re starting the voyage from Europe or the Caribbean, which route you’re taking, and what the weather patterns are doing in that particular year.
East to West: The best time to cross the Atlantic from East to West is between the months of November and February. This is when you’re most likely to pick up the famous trade winds, which should blow you toward your destination.
It’s also the safest time to cross weather-wise, as you’re unlikely to experience hurricanes so far out of hurricane season.
An earlier crossing will give you more time in the Caribbean before hurricane season sets in.
West to East: The best time to cross the Atlantic from West to East is during the summer months when the weather is more stable and the days are longer.
Of course, there are always exceptions to these rules, and many sailors have made the crossing in less than ideal conditions. Regardless of when you make the journey, the trip across the Atlantic is sure to be an adventure. Read on to make sure you’re prepared!
The last few years, the much-anticipated trade winds have been unreliable and unpredictable, so you should be prepared to wait at your start destination for as long as it takes to get favourable conditions for your crossing.
How do you cross the Atlantic?
Most people have a pretty boring Atlantic crossing that involves very little skill. The trouble is, that should you encounter unpredicted weather, or should something go wrong, you will literally be in the middle of an ocean and very far away from help.
In reality, to cross the Atlantic you will need a lot of sailing experience and skill and a sturdy, well-equipped boat. You’ll need to be experienced at reading the weather and know the weather patterns, and you’ll want to have knowledge of charts and course-plotting.
It’s also a good idea to get to know the boat you’re crossing in really well. There will be maintenance underway and things you’ll have to fix on the fly. A good understanding of the different parts of the boat and a collection of important spares is essential.
The other thing you’ll want to master before setting off is provisioning. Running out of food and water halfway through a potential month-long sail could be literally life-threatening, so you’ll need to know you have enough supplies on board before setting off.
It’s a great idea to install a watermaker so don’t have to rely solely on the water you can carry in your tanks.
Once you’ve done all the preparations, learned everything you can, and finally untied the dock lines towards your destination the journey will take several weeks, and you will likely encounter some problems or bad weather along the way.
But if you stay on course, you will eventually reach your destination. And when you do, it will all be worth it.
Crossing The Atlantic East to West
The Atlantic crossing from East to West is the most popular route, and many boats make the crossing every year with boredom being the biggest problem.
The best time to cross is during the winter months of November to February when you’re most likely to experience the trade winds that will blow you straight to the Caribbean.
The starting route for crossing East to West is from any of the Canary Islands, but it makes the most sense to start from Gran Canaria which is the closest island. Many people break up the crossing with a stop at the Cape Verde islands. It’s about 900nm from the Canaries, making the onward crossing about 2000nm.
It’s up to you (and the wind!) where your final destination is. Most people aim for the northerly islands so they can head south through the season and be out of the high risk hurricane area by June. If you want to do the circuit in one year, you could arrive in the southerly islands and make your way up north ready for the return crossing in May.
Crossing The Atlantic West to East
By early summer, around May and June, the peak Caribbean season is ending and people start to think about crossing back over to Europe before hurricane season sets in.
Crossing from West to East is a less popular route, and it’s also a little trickier. It’s far more likely you’ll experience at least some heavier weather on this passage, and the weather will be getting colder the further you come.
One of the things that puts a lot of sailors off an Atlantic crossing in this direction is the fact you’ll probably be sailing at least the first half of the trip predominantly upwind.
It’s important to make sure your boat is ready to be sailed in tough conditions, and that you keep up with regular checks throughout the passage.
There are two main routes – sail to the Azores (generally Horta) or go the longer route via Bermuda. With pros and cons to each. You’ll need to decide what is best with the weather you get. Most people leave from Tortola in the British Virgin Islands or St Maarten.
What sailboat is best for crossing the Atlantic?
People have been crossing the Atlantic in all sorts of vessels since 1492 when Christopher Columbus first made it to the Americas. You can even kayak across the Atlantic if it takes your fancy (and you’re prepared to put in months and months of training!)
There are many types of sailboats that could potentially be used for crossing the Atlantic, but there are a few that stand out as being particularly well-suited for the task.
First, the boat should be relatively large, since it will need to have enough space for supplies and crew members. Bigger sailboats also tend to be more comfortable and will move around less on big seas. Obviously, there are people who have crossed in tiny boats, so it’s by no means a must, but a sailboat around the 40ft range is a more popular choice.
There are some people who argue full keeled, heavily built sailboats are better for crossing oceans, and others who feel more confident crossing in faster, lighter boats. There are a large number of sailboat styles that cross every year, so this is more up to personal preference. There are positives and negatives to both!
Whatever you cross the Atlantic in, you will want to make sure you know it inside and out before you cross and that you are confident in the boat’s abilities. Make sure you have sailed it on multiple day passages and in heavy weather so you are well rehearsed in how the boat handles and sure of the equipment onboard.
Equipment for crossing the Atlantic
It would be a tall task to list all the equipment you ideally need for an Atlantic crossing in this little article, but we’ve put together a very basic guide of the things you’ll want to look into further.
Remember though, that people have crossed the Atlantic for many, many years without fancy equipment. It comes down to what kind of sailor you are and how comfortable you feel.
There are some things we would definitely recommend you invest in no matter how simply you want to travel. Safety should always come first when attempting to cross an ocean, because no matter what risks you’re prepared to take if you do get into trouble you’ll also be risking the lives of your rescuers.
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Safety equipment
You should not attempt an Atlantic crossing without some basic safety equipment, and preferably some more advanced safety equipment too.
- Ocean-rated lifejackets + tether
- Life raft + grab bag
- Epirb
- VHF
- Flares
- Radar
- Life sling
- Harness
- Bilge pumps + spare(s)
- Lifelines and jack stays
- Fire extinguishers + blanket
- Smoke and CO2 alarm
- Wooden bungs
- High powered search light
- Emergency tiller
- Bolt cutters
- First aid kit
- Fog horn
- Buckets
- Storm sail
- Spare jib sail
- Sailing headlamp
Other considerations
- A decent lithium battery set up
- Several different methods of navigation (paper charts, tablet with Navionics, chart plotter)
- Basic set of tools
- Engine spares
- Extra jerry cans of fuel and water
- Drogue or sea anchor
- Handheld VHF
- PLB for each crew member
- Knife for each crew member
- Manuel bilge pump
- Dinghy and oars
- AIS
What sailing clothes do you need?
When planning a sailing trip across the Atlantic Ocean, one of the most important things to consider is what type of clothing to pack. The weather can be unpredictable and will change as you get closer to your destination, so it’s important to be prepared with both warm and cold weather sailing gear.
The basics
There are the obvious clothing items that you’d take on any passage, like polarised sunglasses and sunblock for protection against the strong UV rays, and a sailing hat to help keep the sun out of your eyes. You will also need a sun protective layer like a light shirt in case there’s limited shade on board.
Layering is also key, as you’ll want to be able to add or remove layers depending on the temperature. Pack a mix of short-sleeved and long-sleeved shirts, as well as light jackets or sweaters for cooler days. Pants should be made from a quick-drying fabric, and you’ll also want at least one pair of shorts. You’re best off buying from a reputable sailing brand to ensure quality.
Don’t forget your swimwear. You might not have the weather conditions for a dip in the ocean while you’re on passage, but you will probably want a swim when you reach your destination!
You’ll need a pair of all-weather shoes that can get wet without losing their grip or being ruined. We would recommend you get some shoes specifically for sailing for the Atlantic crossing.
Rough weather
Now that all the standard, everyday clothes are packed you should consider the clothing you’ll need for rough weather. You will want a decent sailing jacket designed to keep you warm and dry, and sailing trousers too. To be properly prepared you might also want to invest in a sailing drysuit that will stand up to really tough sailing conditions.
With the right clothing, you’ll be prepared for whatever the weather throws at you during your Atlantic crossing, and not only will it make your trip much more pleasant, but it could also be a lifesaver.
Must know tips for crossing the Atlantic ocean
Sailing the Atlantic ocean can be a thrilling experience. But it’s important to be prepared before setting sail. Here are some must-know tips for sailing the Atlantic:
- Check the weather forecast. The Atlantic can be notoriously unpredictable, so it’s crucial to check the forecast before setting sail. Be prepared to wait longer than you’d hoped if you have to.
- Bring plenty of food and water. You’ll need to be self-sufficient when sailing the Atlantic, so make sure you have enough supplies to last the journey.
- Know your boat. It’s important to be familiar with your vessel inside and out before embarking on a long voyage like this. Make sure you know how to operate all the systems onboard, and how to make repairs if necessary.
- Plan regular rigging and sail checks throughout the passage and replace anything before it gets too worn. Carry an inventory of the best sails for cruising and consider taking a spare of your most used sails.
- Take a good inventory of spares and tools. You’ll need them!
- Give the watchkeeping rota plenty of thought. Make sure everyone is happy with the rota before you set off, and keep a close eye on people’s tiredness levels throughout the passage.
- Sharpen up helming skills. Autopilots often fail, so make sure all crew members are experienced on the helm.
- Prepare treat bags. Make sure every member of the crew has a bag of goodies all to themselves, to eat as and when they like. This is a huge moral booster!
- Prepare entertainment. If you have a smooth passage then your biggest problem will be boredom. Make sure you’ve downloaded plenty of books, films, audiobooks, etc., and that you have some treat days planned where you can make a cake, or have a favourite meal.
- Insurance. Make sure you have comprehensive personal cover before you cross.
Conclusion: How long does it take to sail across the Atlantic
In summary, it takes on average 21 days to sail across the Atlantic, depending on things like the wind and weather conditions and the make and size of your boat. Sailors must take into account these factors when planning their routes.
The journey is a long one, but it is well worth it for those who make it across, and the sense of pride and accomplishment you’ll get from making the crossing will be worth the months of preparation and the trials you’re bound to experience on the passage.
If you’re planning an Atlantic crossing then we wish you fair winds! Make sure you check out our guide to everything you need to know before, during, and after moving aboard a boat full time.
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