World ARC is a round-the-world adventure taking place over 14 months and covering 26,000 nautical miles. Following the classic trade winds route, the rally avoids regions of political instability, piracy and the storm seasons in both hemispheres.
You can join in Saint Lucia or in Australia, and sail a half rally or make the whole circumnavigation. Boats leaving after a half rally can join the next edition to complete their circumnavigation.
World ARC is a mix of cruising in company and free time to explore. The pace of the rally allows the fleet to stay together, and to enjoy shore-side activities as a group. There are longer free cruising periods that allow participants to fly home for work or family, or to travel further by air; for example to Easter Island, New Zealand or Madagascar.
Route: First Half from Saint Lucia
| Month | Details | Miles |
January
| Saint Lucia to Panama | 1100 NM |
| Sail independently to Colon, Panama |
|
| | Transit Panama Canal | |
| February | Las Perlas to Galapagos | 850 NM |
| Cruise Galapagos | |
| March | Galapagos to Hiva Oa, Marquesas | 2980 NM |
| Cruise French Polynesia | |
| April | Cruise Society Islands | |
| May | Bora Bora to Niue | 1155 NM |
| Niue to Vava'u, Tonga | 230 NM |
| June | Tonga to Fiji | 290 NM |
| Cruise Fiji | |
| July | Fiji to Tanna, Vanuatu | 450 NM |
| Cruise Vanuatu | |
| Port Vila, Vanuatu to Mackay, Australia | 1150 NM |
| August | Cruise the Great Barrier Reef | |
Route: Second Half from Australia
| Month | Details | Miles |
| September | Darwin to Lombok | 920 NM |
| Lombok to Christmas Island and Cocos | 625 + 525 NM |
October
| Cocos to Mauritius | 2350 NM |
| Mauritius to Reunion | 130 NM |
November
| Reunion to Richards Bay, South Africa | 1370 NM |
| Cruise South Africa | |
| January | Cape Town - Namibia | 785 NM |
| | Namibia - St Helena - Brazil | 1215 + 1900 NM |
| February | Cruise Brazil | |
| March | Brazil to St George's, Grenada | 2020 NM |
| Cruise Caribbean | |
| April | Saint Lucia parade of sail | |
| Final prize giving in Saint Lucia | |
World ARC Detailed Routes
These include departure dates, expected arrival dates and expected time at sea and can be used for flight planning. Please note that the World ARC schedule is subject to change. Updates will be posted on the website and participants will be notified in rally newsletters and by email.
World ARC 2024 Saint Lucia via Panama around the world. (May 2024)
World ARC 2025 Saint Lucia via Panama around the world. (June 2023)
World ARC 2026 Saint Lucia via Panama around the world (June 2024)
Rally Activities
In each scheduled rally destination (the start and finish of organised stages) there will be a programme of social activities and tours. Some are included in the rally entry fees, while others are optional. There will be a prize giving ceremony for each competitive stage.
"Without doubt the volcano visit on Tanna was the most memorable visit - sitting on the side of an active volcano was tremendous!" Rui Soares, yacht Thor VI (POR) World ARC