Short answer: the classic way to deliver a yacht from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean is the trade wind route: Gibraltar to the Canary Islands, then across the Atlantic to the Lesser Antilles. Most yachts leave the Canaries from late November, after the Atlantic hurricane season (1 June – 30 November) and when the north-east trade winds are established. The ocean leg from Gran Canaria to Saint Lucia is about 2,700 nautical miles and typically takes 2–3 weeks for a cruising yacht.
Every autumn, hundreds of yachts make this crossing — many of them with professional delivery crews, ready for the Caribbean charter season. This guide explains the route, the timing, the preparation and how a delivery crew plans the passage.
The route at a glance
| Leg | Typical route | Approx. distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Mediterranean → Gibraltar | Varies | Plan the Strait with the tide and current |
| 2 | Gibraltar → Canary Islands | ~600–700 nm | Often with northerly winds down the African coast |
| 3 | Canary Islands → Caribbean (e.g. Saint Lucia) | ~2,700 nm | The trade wind crossing; 2–3 weeks for most cruising yachts |
| Option | Canaries → Cape Verde → Caribbean | Ocean leg ~2,100 nm | Shorter ocean leg, a stop to refuel and rest |
When to go: hurricane season and the trade winds
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from 1 June to 30 November. Arriving in the Caribbean before December means arriving in hurricane season, so most yachts time their ocean crossing to leave the Canaries from late November onwards. By then the north-east trade winds are usually established across the route, giving a long downwind passage.
The best-known example is the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers), which traditionally leaves Las Palmas de Gran Canaria at the end of November for Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia. Many delivery skippers follow the same timing whether or not they join a rally.
A typical delivery timeline from the Mediterranean looks like this:
- September–October: prepare the yacht; deliver it from the Mediterranean through Gibraltar to the Canaries.
- November: final preparation and provisioning in the Canaries; wait for the trade winds.
- Late November–December: the ocean crossing.
- December: arrival in the Caribbean, ready for the winter season.
Route choices on the ocean leg
- Direct from the Canaries: head south-west until you find the trade winds (the old advice is “south until the butter melts, then west”), then follow them to the Caribbean.
- Via Cape Verde: a stop in Mindelo splits the passage and shortens the ocean leg — useful for smaller yachts or less experienced crews.
- Weather routing: in some years the trades are weak or disturbed by low-pressure systems, so a professional weather routing service is valuable before departure and during the crossing.
Preparing a yacht for an Atlantic crossing
An ocean crossing puts thousands of miles on the boat with no harbour to run to. The preparation is more demanding than for any coastal delivery:
- Rig and sails: a full rigging inspection; chafe protection for downwind sailing; spares for the most likely failures.
- Steering and autopilot: a working autopilot is essential for a small crew — carry spare parts or a back-up system.
- Water and power: watermaker or enough water for the crossing plus reserve; reliable charging for 2–3 weeks.
- Communications: satellite communication for weather files and position reports.
- Safety: offshore life raft, EPIRB, AIS, grab bag and medical kit suitable for an ocean passage.
- Paperwork: insurance that covers an ocean crossing with a professional crew, registration and clearance documents.
See our yacht delivery preparation checklist for the full owner’s list.
Crew, watches and updates
A transatlantic delivery is normally sailed by a skipper and at least two or three crew, so watches can be kept around the clock without exhausting anyone. On a Nordic Crew Worldwide crossing, our captains — officers from the commercial maritime fleet — run a fixed watch system, check the weather daily and send the owner regular position and progress reports.
Sail it or ship it?
Not every yacht should cross an ocean on its own keel. Smaller motor yachts, boats not built for ocean passages, or yachts that must arrive outside the safe season are often better transported on a cargo ship. Read yacht delivery by sea vs. boat transport to compare.
Plan your Caribbean delivery
If you want your yacht in the Caribbean for the winter season, start planning in the summer. Request a free quote, see our delivery packages or read how yacht delivery pricing works.
Related guides
- Caribbean to Europe: the Atlantic return via the Azores
- Strait of Gibraltar by yacht: tides, winds and when to go
- Yacht delivery insurance: what to check
- Weather routing for yacht deliveries
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to sail a yacht from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean?
Most yachts leave the Canary Islands from late November, after the Atlantic hurricane season (1 June to 30 November) and when the north-east trade winds are established. That means delivering the yacht from the Mediterranean to the Canaries in September to November.
How long does an Atlantic crossing take by yacht?
The ocean leg from the Canary Islands to Saint Lucia is about 2,700 nautical miles and typically takes 2–3 weeks for a cruising yacht. ARC rally boats have taken from about 8 to 31 days.
Should I sail or ship my yacht to the Caribbean?
Seaworthy sailing yachts and ocean-capable motor yachts are usually delivered on their own keel. Smaller motor yachts, boats not built for ocean passages, or yachts that must arrive outside the safe season are often better transported on a cargo ship.
How many crew are needed for a transatlantic yacht delivery?
Normally a professional skipper and at least two or three crew, so that watches can be kept around the clock without exhausting anyone.