Your adventure starts here!

World Cruising Club is the world’s leading bluewater sailing specialists, with ocean crossing and offshore rallies taking place each year – ARC, ARC+, World ARC, ARC Europe, ARC Portugal and ARC Baltic.

From round the world adventures to island hopping, there’s something for everyone. Our rally teams are all keen to ensure that everyone has a great time ashore and afloat – rallies are more than simply sailing.

Our Rallies

ARC

ARC is the original ocean cruising rally, sailing from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Rodney Bay in Saint Lucia every November.

ARC Plus

ARC+ sets sail every November from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, calling at Cape Verde before heading across the Atlantic to Grenada.

ARC Europe

ARC Europe sails west-to-east across the Atlantic from the Caribbean and US to Bermuda and then to the Azores, before finishing in Lagos, Portugal.

World ARC

World ARC is a 15-month, 26,000NM rally around the world, starting every January in Saint Lucia. Yachts can join for a half rally to or from Australia.

ARC Baltic

ARC Baltic visits five countries in 1,000NM of sailing over a summer month. Starting in Kiel in July, the rally visits Denmark, Sweden, Estonia and Finland.

ARC Portugal

ARC Portugal cruises across the Bay of Biscay from the UK, then day-sails down the Iberian coast to conclude in Lagos, Portugal.

Testimonials

The Wennberg family and crew arriving in Grenada after sailing round the world

The camaraderie of the fleet and the 24-hour support is what the ARC is all about.

Louise Wennberg, Take Off (SWE)

Ros and Howard Cheetham at the start of World ARC 2018 in Saint Lucia

World Cruising Club takes the aggravation out of a circumnavigation.

Ros & Howard Cheetham, Misto (USA)

Paul Wade and the crew of Blonde Moment celebrate arriving in the Azores

It’s comforting to have the same familiar faces to greet you in every port, and to know that everyone truly cares about the safe passage and arrival. This is what it’s all about.

Paul Wade, Blonde Moment (GBR)

Jill and Zach Hummel

The friendships formed is one of the highlights of the rally.

Jill Hummel, Che Figata (USA)

Ian and Fiona Patience of yacht Asante in Hiva Oa, French Polynesia

We’re doing the ARC again because we just really enjoy it. The fellowship, camaraderie, helping each other and the celebration on arrival – we just love it.

Ian Patience, Asante (GBR)

Shoreside Events

Sailing across an ocean takes planning and preparation. One of the best ways of discovering what it's really like and gaining insight into everything from equipment choices to weather is to join one of our shoreside events.

Whether you're signed up for a rally or dreaming of the future, everyone is welcome at our shoreside events. Taking place in the UK, North America and Europe, plus online webinars, the shoreside events are mainly free.

  • Bluewater Days: Mix of ARC-ready boats, presentations and marine companies.
  • Seminars: Presentations themed around a specific rally with a panel of experienced skippers. 
  • Ocean Sailing Weekend: Two days of in-depth seminars from experienced cruisers and marine experts. 
  • Webinars: Online presentations and conversations on bluewater sailing topics. 
  • Rendezvous: Social events that bring together past participants and future rally sailors.

Why World Cruising Club?

World Cruising Club is the world’s leading bluewater sailing specialists, with ocean crossing and offshore cruising rallies taking place each year, attracting over 450 boats and 1,600 sailors from 45 countries.

From around-the-world adventures to island hopping, there’s something for everyone. 

Our rally team is keen to ensure that everyone has a great time ashore and afloat – we know that rallies are more than simply sailing. 

Rally Preparations

Sailing over the horizon requires preparation. Getting the boat ready, perhaps buying new sails or specialist equipment like a watermaker or hydrogenerator. Ensuring the crew are mentally and physically ready (and have their passport and any visas). Making sure you have enough food, water and fuel. Planning the route and considering all the ‘what ifs’. 

When you start to think about it, the details of ocean sailing can seem quite daunting. We’ll help you through the process with our comprehensive rally handbook and useful monthly rally update emails to keep you on track. 

Hallberg Rassy yacht Aleide with a crew member giving a thumbs up on the bow at the start of ARC Plus 2024 in Las Palmas

About Us

We've been organising cruising rallies since the first ARC set sail in 1986 - our rallies are all about safe and sociable sailing. When you're on a rally, we'll help with all the details like entry formalities, arranging dockage, organising parties, and providing 24-7 at-sea professional support so you can focus on making memories.

Even before you start sailing, we support your preparations with a comprehensive rally handbook and monthly update emails to keep you on track and ready for the adventure.

Every Year

routes
6
rallies
Destinations
54
rally ports
Fleet
450
yachts
Crew
1,600
sailors
With a blue sky and blue sea, ARC Europe yachts sail through The Cut in Bermuda