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ARC Portugal

Sail across the Bay of Biscay, then cruise down the Iberian coast, exploring ashore and afloat

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ARC Portugal starts in Plymouth before crossing the Bay of Biscay to Baiona in northern Spain. From Baiona, the rally cruises the Iberian coast in a series of day sails with plenty of time ashore to gain a flavour of each unique destination.

Lagos, on the Algarve coast, is the final destination. The friendly Marina de Lagos is a perfect base for exploring the region, and with Faro airport only an hour away, it is ideal for fly-sail holidays. For boats sailing in the ARC and ARC+, Lagos is 750NM from Gran Canaria.

ARC Portugal Schedule

Flag of UK

May

Plymouth Baiona

Approx. 4 days sailing

550NM

June

Baiona Povoa de Varzim

50NM

Povoa de Varzim Figueira da Foz

65NM

Figueira da Foz Nazaré

35NM

Nazaré Oeiras

70NM

Oeiras Sines

50NM

June

Sines Lagos

75NM

ARC Portugal Highlights

Bay of Biscay

Baiona

Santiago de Compostela

Coimbra

Guimarães

Lagos

An aerial view of lots of people on a marina dock with boats moored to the dock

Boats & Crew

Everyone is welcome on ARC Portugal. At least a third of ARC Portugal skippers will have previously crossed the Bay of Biscay, while others are making their first long offshore passage. There's usually a mix of people heading to the Canary Islands for ARC or ARC+, into the Mediterranean or staying in the Algarve.

Boats are 8.23m to 18.29m (27-60 feet) and multihulls are welcome. The mandatory safety equipment for ARC Portugal is slightly different to our transocean rallies. For details, request an information pack.

Men and women walk up a grassy hill to a historic stone castle in Guimares

Exploring Ashore

ARC Portugal is about more than the sailing - with our yellow shirt team on hand in every port, socials and excursions ashore, it's more of a holiday afloat and a very social way to sail south.

With our years of know-how and helpful local contacts in Spain and Portugal, participants experience the beauty, culture and history of the region. Alongside the excursions and social activities, there's also time for you to relax, wander and explore at your own pace.

A group of seated and standing ARC Portugal sailors in a yacht club bar

Costs

The entry fee for ARC Portugal is a boat fee based on length overall, and a crew fee for every person onboard. Multihulls pay a supplement. 

For example, the 2025 cost for a 13.2m (43 feet) yacht is £975 plus £600 crew fee per person. For full details, request an information pack.

ARC Portugal Route

ARC Portugal Gallery

You can also follow the ARC Portugal fleet on social media: Facebook @arcrally and Instagram @arc_rally

A woman wearing yellow seated at the cockpit table of a docked yacht talking to three people
Three men site in the cockpit of a yacht at sea on a hot sunny day enjoying calm conditions
A man wearing a blue polo shirt holds a bottle wine as a prize at the ARC Portugal prizegiving
An aerial view of lots of people on a marina dock with boats moored to the dock
ARC porugal sailors holding a flag gather on the steps on a historic stone building in Coimbra
A man leans against the wall of the fort in Baiona overlooking yachts moored in the marina
Four yachts sail towards the entrance of Plymouth breakwater with a steep green hillside in the background
A woman wearing yellow seated at the cockpit table of a docked yacht talking to three people
Three men site in the cockpit of a yacht at sea on a hot sunny day enjoying calm conditions
A man wearing a blue polo shirt holds a bottle wine as a prize at the ARC Portugal prizegiving
An aerial view of lots of people on a marina dock with boats moored to the dock
ARC porugal sailors holding a flag gather on the steps on a historic stone building in Coimbra
A man leans against the wall of the fort in Baiona overlooking yachts moored in the marina
Four yachts sail towards the entrance of Plymouth breakwater with a steep green hillside in the background

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