• 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

Sailing offshore from the Bahamas to New York City

Ready to swap sun-kissed beaches for dazzling skyscrapers? Embark on an unforgettable offshore sailing adventure from the Bahamas to New York City. This 950-nautical-mile passage is a genuinely thrilling adventure that starts with training in the Bahamas. Then, we set sail north into the vast Atlantic Ocean, witnessing stunning sunrises, starry nights, and endless horizons. Sailing north along the eastern seaboard of the USA, we pass the Florida Keys, Cape Canaveral, and Norfolk, Virginia, known for maritime history and the US Navy. We can explore charming coastal towns and Delaware’s pristine beaches if time allows. Finally, we sail into New York Harbor, greeted by the Statue of Liberty, with Manhattan’s skyline marking the end of our epic sailing journey.

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime with the offshore sailing experts?

Rubicon 3 are renowned as the offshore sailing experts, renowned in the sailing world for our extensive experience, comprehensive training, and a dedication to adventure and discovery. Our expert team, highly experienced sailors in ocean passage making, offer hands-on instruction in all aspects of offshore sailing, catering to those new to offshore sailing and more seasoned sailors and making Rubicon 3 the most renowned offshore sailing school.

Our selection of unique, bucket list and less-traveled routes sets us apart, ensuring offshore and ocean sailing that’s both exhilarating and full of discovery. Our ethos is an unwavering commitment to safety and environmental sustainability, ensuring every voyage respects the sailors and the sea. Additionally, we are as focused on building offshore sailing skills, so everyone is fully involved in every aspect of the passage. This holistic approach built Rubicon 3’s reputation as the go-to experts for anyone seeking the highest level of offshore sailing.

Want to join?

Go to the Dates & Prices button to see this trip’s dates. It will also give you information on connecting travel, including where to fly and when and where to join the boat.

 

Sailing Area

sail bahamas to usa area map
sailing bahamas to NYC
The Yachts

Can't see the video? You may need to adjust your cookie preferences here.

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.

The wind and weather at the time will determine exactly what we do and when. Below is a possible itinerary to give an example of how this offshore sailing trip could run.

Join the yacht for initial sailing and training in Nassau

The crew members will join the boat in Nassau, home to Bay Street, a bustling thoroughfare lined with shops, cafes, and the famous Straw Market, where artisans sell handcrafted souvenirs. While you’re here, you should try conch fritters and Bahamian rock lobsters. The surrounding water, crystal-clear, is teeming with marine life. We’ll spend the first morning getting you fully up to speed with the boat, its equipment, and the various safety drills. After lunch, we’ll cast off the lines and head out into the bay, building skills and confidence as individuals and a crew. We’ll likely anchor near a secluded cay that night.

caribbean sailing crew

Training and exploring in the Abacos Islands

Weather permitting, we plan to spend the next few days using our exploration of the Bahamas for some hands-on training. It will likely be in the Abacos Islands just north of Nassau. This beautiful cruising ground includes the picturesque Great Guana Cay and is a special place for teaching sailing. Man-O-War Cay is also known for its boat-building heritage, and there’s a good chance to spot dolphins or sea turtles. Elbow Cay and its famous candy-striped lighthouse at Hope Town is another excellent stop. If that is a goal, you can also build skills, miles, and sea time toward three US sailing certifications.

offshore saling yacht in caribbean

Offshore passage sailing from the Bahamas to Norfolk, Virginia

It’s time to head to sea. As we journey north to the USA, our 700-nautical-mile passage to Norfolk, Virginia, promises a true 4-5 day sailing adventure. Leaving the picturesque coast of Florida to our port side, we set our course due north, bidding farewell to the distant lights of the Bahamas as they fade on the horizon. With the wind in our hair and the taste of salt spray in the air, you’ll swiftly transition into the rhythm of life at sea and the sailing lifestyle.

ocean sailing

Watch shifts become our routine, typically with 3 hours on duty and 6 hours off. Those on navigation duty must guide us through the vastness of the open ocean. Others will be cooking, keeping watch, or resting down below. Out on the ocean, you will revel in the endless horizons, the mesmerizing sunrises and sunsets, the ocean-going birds, dolphins, and maybe even whales. This passage encapsulates the essence of offshore sailing. While the instructor will teach sailing and give different sailing lessons every day, there’s a significant element of self-discovery, and you’ll find you build a deep connection with the elements and the ocean.

celestial navigation

Approximately four days into our sail from the Bahamas, the distinct shape of Cape Hatteras will emerge on the horizon, marking our approach to Norfolk, Virginia. Pulling into Norfolk is an exhilarating experience. This vibrant waterfront city hosts Naval Station Norfolk, a major US naval base on the Chesapeake Bay. Sailing past the colossal warships of the US Navy instills a real sense of awe and accomplishment. As we arrive, some well-deserved rest awaits us before we set sail again.

Sail from Norfolk, Virginia, to New York City

Our final leg takes us from Norfolk, Virginia, to Manhatten, NYC, and offers a captivating transition from the open ocean to the bustling metropolis of New York. Having left Norfolk, we sail north again, and there’s the possibility of exploring Delaware’s picturesque coastline and charming towns, should weather and time permit. Soon, we transition from the open ocean to the regulated, busy approaches of New York Harbor. Staten Island emerges on the horizon, welcoming us into the iconic waterways of the city and the, for now, of your sailing education. The anticipation of sailing by the Statue of Liberty and the captivating skyline of Manhattan on our starboard side builds and marks the culmination of our remarkable offshore sailing adventure from the Caribbean to the USA.

New York City

 

You May Also Like

  • svalbard polar bear
    Coastal

    The Polar Wild: Exploring Svalbard

    12 Days from £2,999

    Once in a lifetime sailing adventure exploring Svalbard. Encounter polar bears, majestic glaciers, and untouched Arctic landscapes, where the midnight sun guides you through the wild, pristine beauty of the Arctic.

    Quick Buy This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page View
  • Grenada Sailing Week
    Coastal

    Grenada Sailing Week

    9 Days from £1,999

    Join this exhilarating, week-long regatta, mixing none-too-serious but competitive yacht racing with wonderful Caribbean culture and events ashore.

    Quick Buy This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page View
  • sailing the bay of biscay
    Offshore

    The Bay of Biscay: Passage Making Masterclass

    13 Days from £2,399

    Join an intensive sailing course crossing the Bay of Biscay, focusing on more advanced navigation, seamanship, and handling challenging offshore conditions. Initial shore based training day before sailing.

    Quick Buy This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page View