Sail around the world with Rubicon 3 – the world ARC

January 06-11 2020: Exploring St Lucia

Rodney Bay is a lovely marina and there will be a huge buzz with the start of the World ARC just about to arrive! The first couple of days will be about finding your feet on the boat, learning what goes where and some gentle day sailing to learn about tacking, gybing, reefing and all the other manoeuvres that will soon enough be second nature to you. We’ll anchor under the Pitons and get to see some of this gorgeous island. 

January 11 – 23 2020:   Sailing south to Santa Marta, Colombia  

Now what an exciting first passage! We have just over 800nm to go and we have the wonderful warm, reliable trade winds behind us for the journey. If the situation allows we will stop at the ABC islands for a few days,  which refer to Aruba (“A”), Bonaire (“B”), and Curaçao (“C”). Each of the ABC islands is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (though they are not in the European Union themselves). Bonaire is a “special municipality” of the Netherlands, while Aruba and Curaçao are autonomous. Culturally, all three islands are a mix of Dutch, Caribbean, and South American influences. Beyond these islands,  we will stay well offshore as the coast of Venezuela is troubled and a place for yachts to steer well clear of. The passage should take about four days and you will experience the magical Caribbean Sea with its perfect shades of blue, white caps, sun beating down and starscapes you will never forget. Once we have arrived we should have a good few days to explore the city and its surrounding attractions such as the stunning Tayrona National Park. Here, thick jungle comes right up to the white sandy beaches and the water is famous for its fabulous turquoise colour. 

January 23 – 31 2020:  Exploring the San Blas islands 

We now sail the 300nm or so to the San Blas islands, just north of the Panama Canal. This is an archipelago of 365 islands and cays, of which only 49 are inhabited. This is a land of the most amazing turquoise water matched by perfectly soft and white sand. You will see starfish everywhere. The Guna people live on the islands just as they did hundreds of years ago, fishing with line and chopping down trees with their machetes. We have about a week here to explore the archipelago before the day sail down to Colon, Panama. 

February 1 – 6 2020: The Panama Canal

The next week is all about the bizarre experience of transiting the Panama Canal, with its huge amount of paperwork, bureaucracy and rules and regulations. It is quite the experience as narrow cuttings give way to the vast inland Lake Gatun, and our yacht will feel minuscule as vast cargo ships motor carefully by under the blazing sun! When we get through, there should be some time to enjoy the intoxicating Panama City before those leaving us have to depart for home. For the rest of us, the adventure is about to head into the Pacific! 

Travel details

Fly into St Lucia (IATA code: SLU or UVF), ready to join the boat any time after 1200 midday on January 06

Fly out of Panama City (IATA code: PTY), by 1200 midday on 06 February. The boat will be in Flamenco Marina.

February 10 – 12 2020: Las Perlas Islands

It’s time to leave Panama City and we have a nice, easy 35nm sail to Las Perlas islands. This is an archipelago that covers around 250 small islands of which most are uninhabited. The islands are famous for their spectacular white sand deserted beaches, snorkelling, marine life (whale watching) and delicate ecosystems. We will have a couple of days to relax and explore them. 

February 13 – 19 2020: Sailing to the Galapagos

We have about 850nm to sail until we arrive at these incredible islands, so we can expect to be at sea for around six days. This is our first taste of Pacific Ocean sailing and a great opportunity to relax into life at sea. We’ll use the sextant to navigate, finding our position using the sun, moon and stars. Working in a watch system, we’ll cover close to 200 hundred miles a day. We’ll cross the Doldrums, the vast belt of low pressure and light wind that girdles the Equator, accompanied by pods of pilot whales and dolphins. We’ll steer with one eye on the Southern Cross and at night stare out over the dark water and the eerie green glow of the bioluminescent sea creatures stirred up by our passing. As the sun rises over the horizon on day six, rising 500 feet straight out of the still water, we should see the volcanic tuff cone León Dormido, “Sleeping Lion.” The rock serves as a sentinel to the Galápagos archipelago. Behind it the low green island of San Cristóbal will slowly come into view.

February 20 – March 04 2020: Exploring the Galapagos 

The Galapagos Islands have many animals native only to the archipelago, such as the marine iguanas, Galapagos tortoise, Galapagos penguins, Darwin’s finches, and Galapagos fur seal. On these extraordinary volcanic islands you can play with baby sea lions at their colony on the tiny island of Isla Lobos. You can snorkel with hammerhead sharks and sea turtles and eagle rays off of León Dormido. Above huge forests of candelabra cactus and saltbrush, watch male frigate birds with their bright-red neck pouches and marvel at the blue-footed boobies dive-bombing for fish. We have around twelve wonderful days here that you will never forget. 

March 05 – 25 2020: Sailing across the Pacific Ocean 

Ahead of us lies one of the great ocean passages for any sailor – the mighty Pacific Ocean. We have nearly 3000nm of open ocean ahead of us and can expect to be at sea for around three weeks. Working in watches, you will helm, tend to the sails, hope to catch some fresh fish, keep watch, monitor the weather and relax into the extraordinarily timeless bubble that is life at sea. The electrical storms, squalls and dead calms of the Doldrums give way to the south easterly trade winds and exhilarating days and nights of sailing. Then, over the horizon, you will see the vast mountains of Hiva Oa. Land Ahoy! We have arrived at the Marquesas. 

March 26 – April 29 2020: The Marquesas, Tuamotos and Society Islands

 The Marquesas Islands are a group of volcanic islands in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France. Fatu Hiva is probably one of the most beautiful anchorages in the world but is only the preface to the rest of these majestic islands. Hiva Oa, Tahuata, Ua Pou, Nuku Hiva… all magical islands, with idyllic white beaches, palm trees, jungle and mountains. Over the next month, we will sail and explore these islands. We will also explore the Tuamotos and Society Islands. In no particular order there is Huahine, known as “The Garden Island”, Huahine’s lush rainforests and dramatic terrain surround sacred sites and legendary landmarks that are among the best-preserved archeological sites in French Polynesia. Bora Bora in the Society Islands is immediately recognisable by Mount Otemanu rising from the ocean. This half-atoll, half-mountain is surrounded by a spectacular lagoon and a series of smaller islands. Ancient Polynesians called it Parapora, or “firstborn”, because they thought it was the first island created after Raiatea and it is often said to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. The Tuamotus are known as the “Dangerous Archipelago” for their shallow passages. Today, that same characteristic makes Fakarava a diver’s paradise. Those who prefer to stay on dry land can explore charming villages, ancient temples, and a 19th century coral church. 

April 30 2020  Disembark in Tahiti

Finally, our incredible adventure across the Pacific Ocean is over. It’s time to disembark in Papeete, the capital of Tahiti. This island of emerald hillsides, sapphire waters, and warm breezes is so blissful, you have to stay a few days before leaving! 

Travel details

Fly into Panama City (IATA code: PTY), ready to join the boat any time after 1200 midday on February 10. The boat will be in Flamenco Marina, Amador.

Fly out of Pape’ete airport (IATA code: PPT), leaving the boat by 1200 midday on April 30. The boat will be in Marina de Pape’ete.

Tahiti

Join us in Tahiti’s capital city Pape’ete. We will spend a day getting everything squared away on the yacht and then have a day of training, where the crew get to grips with parts of the boat, tacking, gybing, reefing and more. This is a fun, relaxed day where everyone can learn and polish skills and get to know each other a little more. 

May 04 – 15 2020: Sail west to Bora Bora  

We’ll spend the first ten days or so gently sailing north toward Bora Bora. As well as exploring beautiful Tahiti, we’ll see islands such as Mor’ea and Taha’a. This island in particular is a true botanical beauty. Her land is incredibly fertile and the sloping hillsides are covered with banana, watermelon and coconut groves. Shaped like a flower, the island is also an immense natural greenhouse for the highly prized Tahitian vanilla orchid and nearly all of French Polynesia’s vanilla is grown here. On the island of Ra’iatea we may be able to explore its lush jungle interior with a guided kayak excursion down the Faaroa River, French Polynesia’s only navigable river. We can also see the remarkable lagoon and Faaroa Bay as well as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Taputapuatea, the largest marae in French Polynesia. Finally we arrive at Bora Bora itself. Undoubtedly the most celebrated island in the South Pacific, Bora Bora is very much French Polynesia’s leading lady. Described as the most beautiful island in the world, Bora Bora is a volcano set on a beautiful lagoon with a million shades of blue. The huge motu of Bora Bora’s white sand beaches lined with coconut trees encircle the emerald lagoon populated with myriad fish and multi-coloured corals. 

May 15 – 28 2020: Suwarrow

From Bora Bora, we have about 700nm (four days) of glorious open ocean sailing in the Pacific as we head west to the Cook Islands and the stunning island of Suwarrow where we will anchor and explore for around three days. Suwarrow is a real treasure island, described by Robert Louis Stevenson as the most romantic island in the world. It is a nature-lover’s paradise, home to huge colonies of seabirds and some of the country’s richest marine life. Truly the only way to visit here is by yacht. 

May 29 – June 04 2020:  Niue

Some 600nm south west of Suwarrow is the island of Niue. Niue is a Pacific Island paradise like no other, one of the smallest countries and one of the largest raised coral atolls on earth. The island’s isolation and coral origins create an exciting coastline. There are no rivers or lakes which ensures crystal clear water year round. The whole island is dotted with a myriad of caves, sheltered rocky coves and secret beaches, some of which have yet to be explored. The Huvalu Rainforest is home to some amazing indigenous trees and has been designated as a Conservation Area to protect and conserve the island’s primary rainforest and natural fauna and flora. 

June 05 – July 01 2020: Vava’u, Tonga 

We set out into the Pacific once more for the playground of Vava’u, Tonga. The capital is Neiafu, which is the second largest city in Tonga. We will see the fjord-like Ava Pulepulekai channel, explore the Ene’io Botanical Gardens and have some of the very best snorkelling in the world. Visibility is often 30m or more and you will see stunning mantas, coral and shipwrecks. A stunning place where we will stay and explore for around three days. 

Fiji 

We now have a good few weeks from here until we have to be in Fiji. Luckily Tonga has 175 more islands to explore! Get ready for pristine beaches, stunning coral atolls, active volcanoes and untouched rainforests. With an abundance of marine life, deserted islands, national parks, caves, authentic villages, impressive mountains, rugged cliff faces and ancient lava tubes, this will be a month of your life you will never forget! Finally we’ll arrive in Fiji by the end of June, ready for those departing the yacht at the end of this leg. 

Travel details

Fly into Pape’ete airport (IATA code: PPT), joining the boat any time after 1200 midday on May 04. The boat will be in Marina de Pape’ete.

Fly out of Denarau (IATA code: NAN), leaving the boat by 1200 midday on July 01. The boat is expected to be in Denerau Marina.

July 06 – 18 2020: In and around Tanna

Starting  in Musket Cove, we have a few days to sail around and explore the wonderful island of Fiji before we embark on a 450-mile trip to Vanuatu. This gives us a couple of days at sea before reaching this extraordinary archipelago of 82 islands. The island of Tanna is where we’ll start. It is home to Mount Yasur, one of the world’s most accessible active volcanoes, and the crater can be reached on foot. It is also fascinating to visit the island’s remote villages, where the locals lead a very traditional way of life that is largely unaffected by western culture. Further down the slopes there are wild horses to see, and at the water’s edge some all-but untouched underwater caves.  A truly spectacular place to explore! 

July  18 – 20 2020:  Erromango and smaller islands

Erromango is a day sail further north and the fourth largest island in Vanuatu – yet it is rarely visited. It is covered in extensive native forests and jungle. The island’s main source of income is sandalwood (the season runs from June to August each year), supplemented by lobsters and coconut crabs. It is an island rarely visited by tourists but you will be enthusiastically welcomed. 

July 22 2020: Port Vila, Vanuatu Rendezvous

Port Vila is the capital of Vanuatu, on the island of Efate. Having spent a few days sailing and exploring some more remote locations, it should be a welcome return to civilisation to visit the local market, national and historical museums and much more. We’ll enjoy the ARC rendezvous as well. In 2003, UNESCO announced Vanuatu’s sand drawings to be a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”, so make sure you catch sight of the artists in action! Once you have gotten back into the swing of things, there are blue lagoons, waterfalls, active volcanos and a never-ending supply of beautiful dive sights.  

July 24 to August 1 2020:  Vanuatu to Mackay  

After some fascinating island hopping, we set off across the big wide ocean once again for a 1000nm sail to Australia. For those new to longer passages, every ocean passage is a journey and there is a definite sense of “beginning, middle and end”. You can never predict the weather, the wildlife or the unexpected culinary treats that appear from the galley. Furthermore, night sailing under a blanket of stars and using a sextant to navigate is simply a unique experience that will never be forgotten. After about a week at sea, sailing non-stop day and night, we will arrive in Mackay, Australia.  

Travel details

Fly into Denarau (IATA code: NAN), joining the boat any time after 1200 midday on July 06. The boat is expected to  be in Denarau Marina

Fly out of Mackay (IATA code: MKY), leaving the boat by 1200 midday on August 03.

Mackay to Thursday Island

Mackay is also the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands, an archipelago of 74 beautiful islands . The winds are normally southeasterlies which makes for some great sailing in the generally sheltered waters. The clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef are full of colourful tropical fish, giant clams and fantastic coral and and are a snorkelling wonderland and we will spend around two weeks sailing  up through them and exploring. We’ll surely stop at Port Douglas and maybe even head continue upriver and anchor. This is crocodile country and there is a good chance of seeing crocodiles sunning themselves on the shore. No swimming here…! Most of this next part of the Great Barrier Reef will be sailed in the wake of Captain Cook, who passed through here in 1770, charted and named land features in this entire area, and nearly lost his ship Endeavour when it ran onto a reef at night. Fortunately the large piece of coral got lodged in the hull allowing the crew to nurse the ship into a nearby river where repairs could be carried out. This is now the site of Cooktown, set on the banks of the Endeavour River. Claimed to be the site of the first European settlement in Australia, the small town, which is also the northernmost town in Queensland, is well worth an overnight stop. One of the next highlights is Lizard Island, which lies approximately 50 miles north of Cooktown. Discovered by Captain Cook and named by his botanist, Joseph Banks, after the large number of lizards encountered, the island is now a nature reserve. Giant clams and manta rays are everywhere, while a visit to Cod Hole will bring the snorkeller face to face with the massive Potato Cod! As we continue in a general northwesterly direction there will be several good anchoring opportunities, either at the offshore Hilder or Crescent reefs, at Howick Island or tucked in behind Point Barrow in Ninian Bay. 

Past Cape Melville we’ll sail to Cape Direction, Cape Grenville and on to Cape York and the northern tip of Australia.  Many places, especially in Australia, deserve the description of ‘frontier town’, but none comes closer to it than the settlement on Thursday Island. Today’s population is just over 3000 people, some of whom are the original Torres Strait Islanders, a Melanesian people related to tribes in neighbouring Papua New Guinea. The island experienced a brief period of prosperity towards the end of the 19th century when it attracted a multinational force of pearl divers. 

Thursday Island to Darwin (8-10 days)

There is always a steady easterly wind blowing through the Torres Strait, backed by a strong west-setting current. The change from the dark blue waters of the Pacific to the green waters of the Arafura Sea is abrupt and unexpected. Even the wind feels different and after the boisterous trade winds experienced along the Great Barrier Reef the light winds almost feel like having a different texture. There is a distinctive feeling of entering not just a different ocean but a different world. The sail from Thursday Island to Darwin is straightforward and the winds generally lighter and steadier than the first half. We’ll probably start with a 35nm run to Cotton Island. We’ll need to play the tides the following day to pass between two islands – an area called ‘The Hole In the Wall’ or ‘The Gugari Rip’ – and then on to Guruliya Bay – Raragala Island. The next day maybe the 50nm sail to Cape Stewart, or even on to Liverpool River. We can head about 9nm up the river and anchor off the settlement of Maningrida where we can visit the township. It is a typical Aboriginal outback settlement and very interesting. The following day we can sail on to the Gouburn Islands some 69nm away, followed by a 45nm leg to Valentia Island just south west of Cape Cockburn. Port Essington is  30nm further on. Here are the ruins of Victoria – a settlement which the British tried to establish here in 1838. The settlement was the third at the ‘top end’ which the British tried to establish, but in 1849 they abandoned this one as well, and those who had not died of disease exhaustion or despair left. It is impossible to imagine how anyone could have survived here those 11 years in the middle of nowhere, with next to nearly no contact with the outside world, unreliable supplies and one of the harshest climates on earth.  From here, it is a short sail into the spectacular city of Darwin. 

Travel details

Fly into Mackay (IATA code: MKY), joining the boat any time after 1200 midday on August 05.

Fly out of Darwin (IATA code: DRW), leaving the boat by 1200 midday on August 31.

September 07 – 20 2020: Darwin to Lombok, Indonesia

We sail north from Australia, six days across the Timor Sea to Lombok. Many in the west have never heard of Lombok, but for those in the know it is one of the most beautiful places. It has been affected far less by mass tourism than its neighbours such as Bali and has gorgeous secluded beaches and coves with wonderful snorkelling. The island is dominated by Mount Rinjani, which offers a fantastic overnight hike to the summit for those feeling particularly adventurous. There will also be an ARC-organised day trip to visit the pottery village to Banyumulek, some gorgeous Hindu temples, and much more. 

September 21 – 27 2020: Lombok to Christmas Island  

We now set off south west into the Indian Ocean for a three to four days’ sail to Christmas Island. These passages offer the perfect time to learn about ocean navigation and we’ll have the sextant out and navigate using the position of the sun and the stars. There will also be plenty of opportunities to learn about passage planning and weather routing along the way, but mostly just spectacular ocean sailing toward these mystical islands. Christmas Island is 65% national park, with mainly tropical rainforest and a jagged surrounding reef. We will stop here for provisions before heading west again to the Cocos Islands. 

September 28 – October 5 2020: Christmas Island to Cocos 

It’s another four to five days of open ocean sailing to reach the Cocos Keeling Islands. Discovered in 1609 by Captain William Keeling, during one of his voyages from Java to England. Cocos is thought to be the most remote atoll in the world. Situated 2750 kilometres northwest of Perth, Western Australia, the Cocos Keeling Islands are a group of coral islands that form two atolls. Only two of the 27 islands are inhabited – the rest are waiting for you to explore them. We’ll be stopping at the World ARC anchorage “Port Refuge”, with beautiful clear water and a truly idyllic setting. The horseshoe-shaped atoll has an amazing ecosystem and it is possible to go reef walking in special footwear, which is an absolute must! 

October 06 – 24 2020: Cocos to Mauritius

After an idyllic few days exploring Keeling Cocos, the final leg of this Indian Ocean extravaganza is a 2350nm sail from Cocos to Port Louis, Mauritius. This is a real chance to put all that learning from the previous shorter legs into practice. Over a much longer distance, the challenges are greater but so are the rewards. You can expect the unexpected, settle into life at sea, enjoy the sailing and wildlife and really harness your sense of adventure. This is a true passage across the majority of the Indian Ocean. Hot sun, magical stars, steady winds and a superb boat will make this a sail you will never forget. It should take us 12-15 days. The prize at the end is the paradise of Mauritius. Mark Twain once wrote that “Mauritius was made first and then heaven, heaven being copied after Mauritius.” Around 1,200 miles from the east coast of Africa, the island is hemmed in by 330 kilometres of immaculate white beaches, with pods of dolphins playing everywhere. The 800-metre-high mountains and forests in the interior are home to some of the world’s rarest animals. The island is also ring-fenced by one of the largest unbroken barrier reefs in the world, so the scuba diving opportunities are on a par with the Maldives. 

Travel details

Fly into Darwin (IATA code: DRW), joining the boat any time after 1200 midday on September 07.

Fly out of Mauritius (IATA code: MRU), leaving the boat by 1200 midday on October 24.

October 26 – 29 2020:  Exploring Mauritius 

Welcome to Mauritius. Mark Twain once wrote that, “Mauritius was made first and then heaven, heaven being copied after Mauritius.” Around 1,200 miles from the east coast of Africa, the island is hemmed in by 330 kilometres of immaculate white beaches, with pods of dolphins playing everywhere. The 800-metre-high mountains and forests in the interior are home to some of the world’s rarest animals. The island is also ring-fenced by one of the largest unbroken barrier reefs in the world, so the scuba diving opportunities are on a par with the Maldives. 

October 30 – November 05 2020: Mauritius to Réunion 

It’s just 130 miles to the paradise island of Reunion so we will spend 24 hours sailing over here and have plenty of time to explore this wonderful island. Soaring out of the ocean in incredible shades of green, Réunion is a truly magical island with an astonishing diversity. From huge mountains to vast forests, thunderous waterfalls, entrancing towns and of course the vast Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world’s most accessible active volcanoes.  We will have almost a full week to explore all this island has to offer. 

November 06 – 16 2020: Réunion to Richards Bay, South Africa 

We leave Réunion with a heavy heart but ahead of us lies a superb ocean passage of 1370 miles to Richards Bay in South Africa. There is nothing like the wide open waters of the Indian Ocean to renew the soul with its warmth and wonderful colours under deep blue skies. This will be a chance to relax, find a different pace and maybe even get to grips with ocean navigation, using a sextant to measure the sun and the stars and plot our GPS position. The passage will take about eight days and once in Richards Bay, the world is your oyster. If we’ve made good time let’s travel up to the Kruger National Park for a “Big 5” safari – lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhinos! 

November 17 -29 2020:  Around the Horn of Africa to Cape Town

Just 100 miles further south is Durban, an impressive metropolis with fabulous night life and excursions on offer. It will certainly be one of the biggest cities visited on the World ARC and provide great contrast to the remote locations preceding it. Let’s go and find some whales! We will likely stop at Port Elizabeth but other than that we are about to round one of the Great Capes, so we will likely go offshore, get those miles in and keep an eye out for whales. There are a whopping 37 species of whale and dolphin off the coast of South Africa so the whale-watching is unparalleled. The powerful Aghulas current can fight the wind here and lead to some spectacular seas, so we will plan our route especially carefully. African sailing at its best. Sailing around the Cape of Good Hope is something many people dream of. It is a once in a lifetime experience. This is a geographically fascinating area where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans converge, a meeting place of cold and warm water. It is a significant landmark for all round-the-world sailing routes and races and marks a pivotal turning point in geography, climate and culture. Finally, surfing the great cape rollers typical of this stretch of coastline, we pull into the wonderful Cape Town, overlooked by the iconic landmark of Table Mountain. There is so much to see and do here, including the famous vineyards and safaris. A lovely end to one of the great passages.

Travel details

Fly into Mauritius (IATA code: MRU), ready to join the boat any time after 1200 midday on October 26.

Fly out of Cape Town (IATA code: CPT), leaving the boat by 1200 midday on November 29.

We will be spending about a week in Cape Town and will probably sail north to the lovely seaside town of Langebaan. There are plentiful options for everyone, from cultural trips to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held for twenty-five years, to adventure trips up Table Mountain, where even the locals never cease to be amazed by the incredible 360° view of the city.  

January 05 – 15 2021: Cape Town to St Helena 

It’s time to head off into the South Atlantic for one of the most iconic sails for any true sailor. It is around 1700nm to St Helena and so we can expect to be at sea for about ten days. There is a magic to the South Atlantic. It is a wild, vast, soul-stirring place. This huge expanse of ocean has been the scene of so many tales of heroism and adventure over the years.  This is also an amazing opportunity to get to grips with ocean navigation. You will have the chance to use a sextant to navigate by the sun and the stars, sailing along under a blanket of stars at night with a stunning view of the Southern Cross.   

January 18 – 23 2021: Exploring St Helena

We will sail into James Bay in St Helena and have a good few days to explore this remarkable island. It is mainly volcanic and, whilst the coast is very barren, inland it is lush and verdant. There is hiking, history and whale-watching a-plenty. There is also plenty of bird life: brown and black noddies, red-billed tropicbirds, masked boobies, Madeiran storm petrels. The guano-soaked cliffs studded with cannons and fortresses. December to April can see pods of 500-600 dolphins and 30-40 whale sharks at a time, making this a unique place in the world. You’ll be able to visit the house where Napoleon died in exile and the chance to climb Jacob’s Ladder, an old stone staircase leading up Ladder Hill to a stunning view of Jamestown.  

January 24 – February 11 2021: St Helena to Salvador, Brazil 

After a very special few days on St Helena, it is off to sea again with 1900 miles to go to Brazil. It’s another great length of time for getting into the swing of ocean sailing, enjoying the huge Atlantic rollers and putting the skills learnt on the first leg into practice. There will be more opportunities to learn passage planning and look at ocean weather patterns, adding to the knowledge gained earlier on the trip, all whilst enjoying the camaraderie of the watch system and looking out for more whales and dolphins. We arrive in Salvador on around February 7, with a good few days to explore this gorgeous colonial town. It is an artist’s paradise, with some of the best examples of Latin Art in the world. Hugely vibrant, there is culture unlimited on offer here. And although our trip officially ends on February 11, the Carnival runs from February 12 -16 so we highly recommend staying for that. You’ve made it this far, so do make the most of it! 

Travel details

Fly into Cape Town (IATA code: CPT), ready to join the boat any time after 1200 midday on December 30.

Fly out of Salvador airport (IATA code: SSA), leaving the boat by 1200 midday on February 11.

February 14 to March 02 2021:  Salvador to Fernando de Noronha and Cabedelo 

You’re joining in the middle of Salvador carnival, which runs from 12 – 16 February, so make sure to come a few days early and catch a glimpse of the action! We then have a leisurely two weeks to cruise up the Brazilian coast to Cabedelo and this is likely to involve a stopover in Recife, the capital city in the Pernambuco State. We should also be able to reach the world famous Fernando de Noronha. This is an almost mythical archipelago made up of one 11-square-mile chunk of volcanic rock and 20 smaller islands, three degrees south of the Equator and 220 miles from Brazil’s northeastern coast. This is a jealously guarded eco reserve and regarded as one of the most beautiful archipelagos in the world. Another amazing sight is the resident spinner dolphins (so-called because they jump clear of the water in acrobatic spirals) that turn up in their hundreds on a daily basis. 

March 02 -16 2021: Cabedelo to Devil’s Island  

Marina Jacare Village in Cabedelo is a lovely place to relax for a day or two. A particular highlight is the local saxophonist who goes out on his river boat every day to play the Bolero at sunset, attracting hundreds of tourists! After a couple of days here, it will be time to switch to ocean mode. It’s 1330 miles up to Devil’s Island, so anticipate a superb week of offshore sailing, rounding the easternmost edge of Brazil and sailing along the coast of French Guiana. Devil’s Island prison is a place that lives in infamy. About nine miles from Kourou, a small coastal town in French Guiana on the northeastern coast of South America, is a group of three islands called the Îles du Salut, known by English speakers as the Salvation Islands. The islands are mostly overgrown jungle which is slowly covering the remnants of an infamous French penal colony where more than 60,000 men were incarcerated and fewer than 2,000 survived. The penal colony of Cayenne, more commonly known as Devil’s Island after the smallest and most notorious of these prison islands, was established in 1852 and operated until 1953. Devil’s Island itself, the Île du Diable, was first used as a leper colony and later for the incarceration of political prisoners. Due to treacherous rocks and strong cross-currents around the island, safe access was only possible via a cable car which crossed the 60-foot-wide channel between Île du Diable and the main island, Île Royale. This is where the general prison population was housed and allowed to roam with relative freedom. Solitary confinement was meted out on the southernmost island, Île Saint-Joseph. Although escape was always on the minds of the prisoners, it was virtually impossible because of the sharks that circled the island, waiting for the bodies of prisoners who died in captivity and were thrown into the ocean. French safe cracker, alleged pimp, and petty thief, Henri “Papillon” Charrière is perhaps the most well-known prisoner to have been held on Devil’s Island. He was tried and convicted of murder in 1913, spending 13 years in the notorious prison. 

March 17 – 22 2021:  Devil’s Island to Grenada

After a few days exploring this infamous island it’s time to leave its shark-infested waters and head north to the Caribbean. We have a 3-4 day sail to Grenada and this will be our last offshore passage of this incredible circumnavigation. Grenada, known as the spice island and one of the world’s biggest producers of nutmeg, is a true sailor’s paradise. Get ready for some of the world’s most pristine black and white sand beaches, colourful coral reefs, lush rainforests and sensational diving.  

March 23 to April 10 2021: Cruising the Grenadines to St Lucia 

The world famous Tobago Cays are an eco reserve and as close to paradise as it is surely possible to be. You’ll likely swim with turtles in warm turquoise blue sea and explore deserted beaches. Next door are the islands of Canuan and Mustique,  and beautiful Bequia, with Port Elizabeth, a quaint Caribbean town steeped in boats, sailing and tradition. Finally there is St. Vincent with its wild terrain, dense jungle, and towering mountains.  St Lucia with its towering Pitons is our final destination for the end of rally dinner and celebrations, marking the culmination of a remarkable circumnavigation. 

Travel details

Fly into Salvador (IATA code: SSA), ready to join the boat any time after 1200 midday on February 14.

Fly out of St Lucia (IATA code: UVF or SLU, leaving the boat by 1200 midday on April 10.