• Wave icon Trip Type: Offshore
  • Speech bubble icon Instructors: 2
  • People icon Crew Size: Max 9 (10 for ocean)
  • Cake icon Ages: 18-70 ish
  • Pin icon Region: Caribbean & The Americas
High

Adventure Rating:
High

Low to some

Experience Required:
Low to some

36 Days from £4,999

Dates, Prices & Travel

Sail Across the Atlantic Ocean Using Celestial Navigation

Sail across the Atlantic guided by nothing more than a sextant and the sun, moon, and stars. This is a full ocean crossing from the Caribbean to the beautiful west coast of Scotland, navigating every mile without GPS and learning celestial navigation from first principles. We begin in Antigua with an intensive two day shore based course that takes you from zero celestial knowledge to real competence before we set sail. At sea, you will take sun sights, work star fixes at dusk, and watch your position take shape directly from the sky. The crossing covers around 4,500 miles and we expect a stop in the volcanic archipelago of the Azores before the final leg north. This is a serious Atlantic passage and you will be fully involved throughout. You will stand watches, manage weather, make real navigational decisions, and be fully involved in the deep rhythm of long distance ocean sailing. This is one of the true Rubicon 3 classics, and an adventure that stays with you for life.

Why this route stands out

Crossing the Atlantic is rare. Doing it while using only celestial navigation makes it rarer still. When it comes to sailing the Atlantic Ocean, this really is the ultimate. It is very hard to better this! It is also a superb offshore sail, with the warmth of the Caribbean, the big weather system rolling through, a chance to see the Azores and a magical landfall in Scotland.

Who this trip suits

This voyage suits people who want challenge, more responsibility, a huge learning curve and real involvement. No prior celestial knowledge is needed, but you do need to be comfortable with the reality of heading offshore into variable conditions, be ready for a shared effort, and learning by doing. You’ll be guided every steo of the way by the expert Rubicon 3 instructors while sailing on one of the finest offshore yachts ever built.

What to do next

Review the Dates and Prices section for availability and joining details. You can reserve a place online. Many crew find it useful to schedule a chat to talk through the passage and make sure it is the right fit.

Get Ready For…

  • Sailing in heavy weather
    Sail the Atlantic Ocean

    Sailing from the Caribbean to the west coast of Scotland, learning from the experts in the industry and building top quality skills

  • sailing the atlantic ocean
    Learn Celestial Navigation

    Cross the Atlantic without using GPS, learning to find your position purely from the Sun, Moon, stars and planets. An achievement of a lifetime.

  • Azores
    Landfall in the Azores

    Landfall in the Azores is an exciting and unique experience and of the rights of passage of Atlantic sailors

Sailing Area

atlantic sailing route map
The Yachts

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Key Information
What’s included

  • All food and accommodation on board

  • All fuel & berthing fees

  • Your own bunk and storage area

  • Use of oilskins

  • Use of lifejacket with PLB

  • All sailing tuition

  • RYA Competent Crew (supplementary fee)

What’s Not included

  • Your connecting travel to & from boat

  • Sailing & travel insurance

  • Meals you choose to eat ashore

  • Alcohol

  • Visas (where required)

  • Discretionary crew tip

Interested in dates & availability?

To see when this trip runs, its start and end locations, price to join the crew and availability, click on the ‘Dates, Prices & Travel’ button up top.

Discretionary tipping of the Rubicon 3 crew

We’ve priced this trip 5-10% lower than we otherwise would to allow you the option, at the end of your adventure, to offer a discretionary tip to the Rubicon 3 skipper and mate if you feel they’ve provided exceptional service. A combined tip of 5-10% is suggested but is entirely at your discretion and based on your satisfaction with their performance. See our FAQs here.

Got Questions? We’re Here to Help!

We get it – joining a major sailing adventure is a big decision, and it’s natural to have lots of questions before you book. Wondering who else will be onboard? What the experience will be like? These and many more questions are completely normal. While our homepage and FAQs provide loads of info, we know sometimes it’s best to talk it through. Don’t hesitate to contact us by phone, email, or live chat (at the bottom of the screen). Better yet, we’d suggest you schedule a call. Most crew who join do and find it really useful. We can discuss your options, answer every question, and make sure you’re booking on the perfect trip for you.

Learning celestial navigation before we go to sea

studying celestial navigation with rubicon 3

Before setting off across the Atlantic, we spend two full days ashore in the Caribbean learning celestial navigation, without the distractions of watches, fatigue, or sea state. The syllabus covers:

  • Using a sextant
  • Finding and choosing the right celestial body
  • Use of the nautical almanac and sight reduction tables
  • Finding and plotting position

This is not academic teaching and there are no exams. Everything taught is practical and immediately used once we are sailing. Rubicon 3 is regarded in the industry as best in class for its celestial course and its clear, straightforward approach. Evenings are relaxed, with time ashore to enjoy the island before final preparations are made on board.

Shakedown sailing and putting it into practice

atlantic ocean sailing

We then spend a day or two sailing and training around the islands. This gives everyone time to settle into the yacht, refresh seamanship skills, and begin using the sextant at sea. This is where the learning clicks. You will start taking sights on deck, reducing them below, and seeing how your calculated position compares with the boat’s actual progress. Mistakes are expected at this point but confidence builds quickly. Conditions here are ideal for learning. Warm trade winds, steady sailing, and short nights give us time to come together as a crew without pressure.

North towards Bermuda – without GPS

celestial navigation at sea

When the weather window opens, we set off northeast into the Atlantic and this is where the ocean sailing begins. Our route is shaped by the weather systems of the North Atlantic. We aim north towards Bermuda, often benefiting from stronger westerly flows and, at times, the Gulf Stream. Whether we stop at Bermuda for a day or two or curve east earlier depends entirely on conditions. We quickly settle into a watch system, with time spent helming, trimming sails, navigating, cooking, resting, and thinking.

We are navigating without referring to the GPS, but instead getting our position from the Sun and other celestial bodies. Sun sights and plotting become part of the daily rhythm. Sun sights at noon. Stars, planets and the Moon at twilight. Fixes plotted and discussed. Decisions made based on what we see and calculate. When you first fix your position with lines on the chart showing Venus, Mars, the Moon and others, it gives you a thrill you never forget.

Bermuda to the Azores. The Atlantic in its purest form

atlantic ocean sailing under spinnaker

From Bermuda, we turn east for the long crossing to the Azores and around 2,000 nautical miles of open ocean. This is pure transatlantic sailing as the days blend into a steady rhythm of watches, navigation, meals, and rest. The weather can vary from drifting in flat calm to battling big seas and strong winds. Whales are common. Shipping is rare. Mostly, it is just the boat, the crew, and the horizon. Although celestial navigation is central to the experience, a full Atlantic passage is a huge life adventure in itself and every passage is unique. 1000s of miles from shore, sun, wind and salt in your hair, you will never forget these days

Your celestial navigation also improves rapidly on this leg. You’ll be building confidence in taking Sun, Moon and planet sights and your understanding of the process will be deepening every day and it is with a huge sense of achievement that the volcanic coast of the Azores appears on the horizon. This leg usually takes around two weeks at sea.

Landfall in the Azores

Azores sailing

Having arrived in the Azores, we refuel, restock, and take on fresh food. How long we stay depends on our passage time and the next weather window, but even a short stop feels luxurious after weeks at sea. The islands are fascinating to explore and any spare time we have can be spent hiking and exploring but all too soon it is time to head to sea again for the final north east leg.

The final leg to Scotland

offshore sailing

The last stage is the 1,300 nautical mile passage to Scotland. As we head northeast, conditions are usually a bit more challenging but we are now fully in the groove and sailing beautifully as a crew, and the tough, powerful Clipper 60 is in its element as we charge towards Ireland. Gradually, soundings return and shipping increases. Landfall approaches, with the hope of a day or two in Ireland and some of the most beautiful coast in Europe. Our destination of course is Largs on the west coast of Scotland though so we soon press on.

By the time we secure alongside, you will have not just sailed across the Atlantic Ocean but done so navigating by the Sun, Moon, stars, and planets. Life is about these magical moments, the thrill of the adventure and the huge sense of achievement that comes from such an undertaking.

Welcome to the crew!

Please note: Commercial regulations state we must still have full GPS capability on board, which will be used if safety is compromised.

 

Dates, Prices & Travel

Start Date & Location

April 3, 2026
Antigua

End Date & Location

May 8, 2026
Scotland

Price

£4,999

Deposit

£2,499

Availability

Join Waitlist

Join Waitlist
Trip Information

Start Date: April 3, 2026

Start Time: 09:00

Start Country: Antigua

Start Port: Jolly Harbour

Start Marina: Marina TBC

End Date: May 8, 2026

End Time: 09:00

End Country: Scotland

End Port: Largs Yacht Haven

End Marina: Marina TBC

Find Flights For This Trip
Fly Into: Antigua (IATA Code: ANU:
Fly Out of: Glasgow (IATA Code: GLA)
Search on Google Flights

* Flights are not included in the trip price.

Important Notes
Joining the boat
  • You will join the boat in Antigua.
  • It is scheduled to be in Jolly Harbour, Antigua.
  • The trip starts at 9:00 AM on April 03 2026, so you will need to be in Antigua by April 02, 2026.
  • You have two options for accommodation on the night before the start date:
    • Stay in a hotel or AirBnB in Antigua.
    • Alternatively, you can stay onboard the boat from 6:00 PM on a bed & breakfast basis. Select this option during your booking process.
Leaving the boat
  • You will leave the boat in Largs, Scotland
  • The boat is scheduled to arrive into Largs on May 07, 2026, and you will need to disembark by 12:00 on May 08, 2026
General Notes
  • We have a very strong track record of meeting the scheduled end date, with only a few exceptions over a decade of sailing and across hundreds of thousands of miles of sailing. However, given the nature and distance of ocean crossings, we can’t guarantee it and recommend booking flexible onward travel from Scotland or at least allowing an extra day in your itinerary as a precaution.
  • You cannot stay on the boat after the trip end date.
  • Once you have booked, we will connect you up with other crew so you can liaise regarding connecting travel, meet up in advance etc.
  • If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
5-Point Pre-Booking Checklist

Before you finalize your booking, we suggest you run through our pre-booking checklist:

  1. Check Flights: Make sure you have found the right flights for your trip. Book them as soon as you have booked your Rubicon 3 trip.
  2. Travel Insurance: Once you’ve booked your trip with us, buy some sailing travel insurance. Read our full guide here.
  3. Passport Validity: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date. Some countries require this for entry, so it’s crucial to check and renew your passport if necessary.
  4. Visas: Most sailors will not require any visas for this trip. However, if you are concerned, check any visa requirements for both your destination and any transit countries. If you do need a visa, processing times can vary, so it’s advisable to apply well in advance of your trip.
  5. Vaccinations and Health Checks: There are no vaccinations required for this trip. Make sure you have an acceptable level of fitness and agility. You can read our guide here. This is for the safety of all on board.

Sub total:

Join the waitlist to be emailed when this product becomes available
Start Date & Location

April 2, 2027
Antigua

End Date & Location

May 7, 2027
Scotland

Price

£5,999

Deposit

£2,499

Availability

Available

Booking Information
Trip Information

Start Date: April 2, 2027

Start Time: 09:00

Start Country: Antigua

Start Port: Jolly Harbour

Start Marina: Jolly Harbour Marina

End Date: May 7, 2027

End Time: 09:00

End Country: Scotland

End Port: Largs

End Marina: Largs Yacht Haven

Find Flights For This Trip
Fly Into: VC Bird International Airport (IATA Code: ANU)
Fly Out of: Glasgow Airport (IATA Code: GLA)
Search on Google Flights

* Flights are not included in the trip price.

Important Notes
Joining the boat
  • You will join the boat in Antigua.
  • It is scheduled to be in Jolly Harbour, Antigua.
  • The trip starts at 9:00 AM on April 02 2027, so you will need to be in Antigua by April 01, 2027.
  • You have two options for accommodation on the night before the start date:
    • Stay in a hotel or AirBnB in Antigua.
    • Alternatively, you can stay onboard the boat from 6:00 PM on a bed & breakfast basis. Select this option during your booking process.
Leaving the boat
  • You will leave the boat in Largs, Scotland
  • The boat is scheduled to arrive into Largs on May 06, 2027, and you will need to disembark by 12:00 on May 07, 2027
General Notes
  • We have a very strong track record of meeting the scheduled end date, with only a few exceptions over a decade of sailing and across hundreds of thousands of miles of sailing. However, given the nature and distance of ocean crossings, we can’t guarantee it and recommend booking flexible onward travel from Scotland or at least allowing an extra day in your itinerary as a precaution.
  • You cannot stay on the boat after the trip end date.
  • Once you have booked, we will connect you up with other crew so you can liaise regarding connecting travel, meet up in advance etc.
  • If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
5-Point Pre-Booking Checklist

Before you finalize your booking, we suggest you run through our pre-booking checklist:

  1. Check Flights: Make sure you have found the right flights for your trip. Book them as soon as you have booked your Rubicon 3 trip.
  2. Travel Insurance: Once you’ve booked your trip with us, buy some sailing travel insurance. Read our full guide here.
  3. Passport Validity: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date. Some countries require this for entry, so it’s crucial to check and renew your passport if necessary.
  4. Visas: Most sailors will not require any visas for this trip. However, if you are concerned, check any visa requirements for both your destination and any transit countries. If you do need a visa, processing times can vary, so it’s advisable to apply well in advance of your trip.
  5. Vaccinations and Health Checks: There are no vaccinations required for this trip. Make sure you have an acceptable level of fitness and agility. You can read our guide here. This is for the safety of all on board.
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