COVID-19
COVID-19
COVID-19
COVID-19
EVENT INFORMATION
EVENT INFORMATION
EVENT INFORMATION
Sign up for Viking Explorers 2026 open NOW!
Follow the 8th edition here
YOUR BENEFITS
Every participant will receive the up to date Interactive Crossing Guide with more than 120 pages of useful and vital information and links for this journey. You will find information of marinas, services, sponsors and much more. Here you can find also lots of discounts of companies and needed services.
This interactive crossing Guide is being updated every year to give you the best and most accurate information for the journey.
In Viking Explorers our priority, like yours, is safety. That's why we offer a Safety Seminar by Oliver Solanas Heinrichs, manager director of Viking Explorers, who was safety officer for other transatlantic rallies and has crossed the Atlantic several times. Every skipper is responsible for the safety of their boat and crew - no compulsary equipment checks and the organization takes no responsibility in any matters.
Even there is no compulsory equipment, a liferaft, EPIRB, sat coms and trained crews are essential.
We will have one week of interesting seminars, webinars and lectures from experienced sailors. The main ones are Safety, Communication, Provisioning and First aid kit. Our recently added “Tips & Tricks for the Caribbean” that was really useful for the sailors. According to the webinars, you will have access to a member area where you can find a selection of videos from our partners. Lee Mathews, a participant of VE2020, will give you a seminar about "very basic"astro navigation"and downwind sailing experience with the Viking Explorers”. He's a Yachtmaster Instructor Ocean and has been sailing for 25 years. Laura Gonzalez will offer a video about her project Sail&Whale, Joan Conover, vice-president of the Seven Seas Cruising Association a webinar about communication and much more content!
Carlota, local of Gran Canaria, will help you to complete your grab bag and first aid kit with all the things you are missing. This will be arranged in the first aid kit seminar. We collaborate with a local pharmacy in Gran Canaria who will offer a preferential service and advice.
Do you have kids and need time to prepare the boat? Viking Explorers has a service of babysitting, a girl with the University degree of Early Childhood Education who will plan activities during the day for the kids, so you have time to prepare everything while they are having a great time.
-%20Social%20Media-91.jpg)
PARTIES AND ACTIVIES
Who doesn't like parties? During the event, there will be parties and get-togethers on the three islands (Gran Canaria, Mindelo and Grenada). so get to know the other participants, share your experiences and make friends for life.
TRANSATLANTIC MONITORING
We maintain a database of safety and identification info on all registered boats which is a great benefit to search and rescue organizations in the event of an emergency. We use Predictwind for tracking and weather monitoring.
During the route, from Canary Islands to Mindelo and then from Mindelo to Grenada, the team will follow up and contact the participants through the satellite devices if needed. Having a team on shore, we will constantly monitor the boats. The use of a satellite device is optional, but necessary for our tracking and all monitoring. Participants, will receive an email from the Rally Control, where they can contact us at all times. We will also post all the info on our official facebook page and group. We will do a live broadcast every few days so at all times family and friends will be informed.
Furthermore, all boats will be connected with each other.
BoatWatch.org has become recognized as the authority and repository for information on Overdue, Missing and Stolen Vessels throughout the world. BoatWatch.org works closely with the USCG Rescue Coordination Centers around the country and the world. We collaborate with them and will file a float plan for the fleet as to increase safety. The float plan will be “deactivated” once the vessel has safely arrived.
WHATSAPP GROUP
The Viking Explorers excluisve WhatsApp Group for participants is a great way to be connected 24/7 since the moment you join the rally.
This group will be active until the 1st of June, the official start of the hurricane e season. So once you get to the Caribbean, you can still be connected with everyone for many months. The best way to get up to date information of the Viking Explorers family cruising the Caribbean.
SKIPPERS BRIEFINGS
The important skippers briefing will be performed just a few days before departure at the Club Maritimo Varadero. The organisation TOGETHER with the captains will decide if the weather and conditions are appropriate for a safe departure. In the last years the departure has been delayed for a day or two. The Fleet decides!! The start is scheduled for the 6th of January, but it is the captains decision to leave, weather permitting. This is prudent seamanship.
SKIPPERS DINNER
​Before the departure, a captains' dinner will be held at the prestigious Allende restaurant, located in Marina Las Palmas. This special event will offer a unique opportunity for captains and their crews to share a moment of camaraderie and prepare for the Atlantic Crossing in a relaxed and elegant setting. Additionally, the restaurant, renowned for its excellent cuisine, will provide the perfect backdrop for participants to enjoy an unforgettable evening. This event is sponsored by Sevenstar Yacht Transport.
​
SUNDOWNERS
During the event, several sundowners will take place, generously sponsored by the sponsors. These informal gatherings will offer an excellent opportunity for all participants to socialize and get to know each other in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The sundowners will not only provide the chance to enjoy drinks, but also encourage the creation of connections among participants, offering a space to share experiences, sailing stories, and future plans.
​
BENEFITS FROM OUR OFFICIAL ARRIVAL HOSTS
The Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) is the National Tourism Organisation of Grenada, responsible for the development of the tourism sector of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique through destination management and marketing. They are our Official Arrival Hosts and will give you a warm welcome to this beautiful island located in the hurricane safe southern part of the Caribbean.
We are also in contact constant with them and the Minister of Health. Learn more about them here.
Located in the beautiful Lagoon just outside St. George’s, the capital, Port Louis Marina provides the perfect base from which to sail the unspoilt Caribbean Paradise of Grenada and the Grenadines. They offer to our participants 2 nights for free in the marina (electricity and water not included), 10% discount up to 10 days berthing, Free WiFi and garbage disposal. You can also enjoy all the facilities like the swimming pool. Customs and Immigration is located inside the marina. The majority of yacht refit, repair and maintenance services are available at Port Louis Marina. Learn more about the marina here.
First founded in 1782 as a construction shipyard, the Camper & Nicholsons name became synonymous with expertise, market knowledge, design & build excellence and effortless performance, characteristics that are still echoed in the company’s core values today.
Camper & Nicholsons Marinas has provided services to clients in more than 25 countries worldwide. The locations of our luxury marinas have been carefully selected to bring the very best in exclusive, unmatched comfort and beauty, with all the facilities you come to expect from a top - tier marina brand. If you are looking for a marina destination for your yacht, we have the berth for you. You are sure of a friendly and professional welcome. Learn more about them here
Clarke's Court rum has been in operation since 1937. They are the largest and best-known distillery in Grenada. The factory is situated in the southern part of the island, Woodlands Valley, which is in the parish of St George. Clarke's Court rum derived its name from Clarke's Court Bay in Woodlands, which is a few minutes away from the factory. While in Grenada, come visit the Clarke’s Court Rum Distillery, Grenada Distillers Limited, it is a "must see" for all visitors. When you arrive you would be welcomed by one of their friendly and knowledgeable tour guides, who would explain their history and all the different processes and stages of making their fine rum. You would learn of the distilling process from sugar cane, syrup and molasses, to rum, and also the aging, blending and bottling processes of making rum and much more! Visit their website here.
While intimate in size, Mount Cinnamon Resort & Beach Club is a seaside enclave with all the amenities and services for you to enjoy. To feel inspired by the true essence of Caribbean beach life. An ambiance accompanied by friendly staff ready to greet you with the warm, Grenadian welcome they are so proud of, yet respectful to your desires of serene seclusions.
From sailing, paddle boarding, and fishing to relishing in the ultimate relaxation of a beachside massage or lounging away stresses on the white-sand beach with the sounds of the waves lapping against the shore – yes, you have found paradise.
At Mount Cinnamon, they treasure the natural beauty of Grenada and want to share it with their guests.
Visit their website and book here.
BENEFITS FROM OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS
Robbie Ferron, a Dutch national raised in South Africa, arrived on Sint Maarten in 1979 and soon realized that boat parts were in short supply and not easy to obtain. Thinking he could do a better job, he started a company in boat parts and called it Budget Marine to highlight his competitive pricing. In 1982 he started having a stock and selling parts to other people from the back bedroom of a house in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten. Until today, Budget Marine is well known as the leading retailer and wholesaler of pleasure boat marine equipment in the Caribbean. Visit their website here. They will offer a special service and prices to the Viking Explorers participants as the official supplier. Together with the Viking Explorers Team a “Special Technical Assistance and an Emergency Shipments Logistic Protocol” have been created and will coordinate these with the On-shore Tracking Team.
Sevenstar Yacht Transport offers full logistics and yacht transport services for yacht owners looking to discover new destinations around the world. With over 30 years of experience, it arranges the transport of around 2,000 yachts annually. Serving cruisers to cross the Atlantic, Sevenstar has an experienced team dedicated to providing high-quality services to clients, with worldwide offices and an in-house team of operations, engineers, and loadmasters. With access to over 120 company-owned vessels, Sevenstar has the resources and expertise to handle any yacht transport needs. Contact Marieke Derks at marieke@sevenstar-asia.com for more information or click here
Spice Island Marine Services is a family-owned & operated business for over 30 years. Their experienced, knowledgeable and friendly crew will ensure on time and excellent service to keep your boat looking and working great! The boatyard is located in the north-west corner of beautiful Prickly Bay on Grenada’s south coast. A 70-ton Marine Travelift can accommodate boats with a beam of up to 25 feet and a length of up to 85 feet. As a full service boatyard, they can handle all repair, maintenance, and storage needs. Don’t hesitate and visit their website here to book your place for the hurricane season. Ask them for your discount as Viking Explorer’s participant.
Detelec is a newly established company with qualified staff and over 20 years of experience in the nautical sector. In their store, you will find everything you need to get your boat ready, from inflatables and pulleys to electronic equipment such as speakers, depth sounders, and sound systems.
They also offer solutions to any electrical, electronic, or mechanical issues your boat may have. Contact them at detelecnaval@gmail.com.
BENEFITS FROM FRIENDS OF VIKING EXPLORERS
Marina Mindelo, founded in 2005, is the official host for the stopover and has been collaborating with the event since the beginning. Located in the island of Sao Vicente in the Cape Verde archipelago, will ensure a warm welcome to our fleet. You will get a small Welcome Envelope with lots of information. They will organize a welcome party and will offer 20% discount in berthing. They will be waiting for you. Check their website here.
Accastillage Diffusion is the specialist in boat equipment in Europe, with more than 130 stores in France and Spain. It was born in 1975 as the first network of chandleries. Let's embark together for successful nautical trips ... Whether you are a boater or a professional, we offer more than 20,000 references in the nautical world, so don't wait any longer to find the right deals! Our catalog is regularly expanded to allow you to benefit from high-performance nautical equipment at the best price. Online or in our points of sale, benefit from tailor-made advice and quickly find the product perfectly suited to your needs with 400 brands to serve you. Let's embark together for successful nautical trips! They offer discounts to Viking Explorers participants, don’t hesitate and visit them in Las Palmas and Lanzarote! Check their website here.
Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson Ltd, the main nautical publisher company formed in 1904, will provide each boat with a B100 chart of the Atlantic Ocean. This chart covers the North Atlantic from Brazil to Newfoundland and Gibraltar to the Caribbean. Chart 100 is an important companion for Atlantic yachtsmen on passage and an excellent source of planning information.
Imray have been with Viking Explorers since the beginning and they help to increase the safety of the fleet offering this chart. Visit their webisite here
Predictwind is the World Leader in Wind Forecasting. Ocean Racing & Americas Cup proven, highest resolution wind & marine forecasts on the web. It is our official tracking and weather monitoring company. Offers 20% rebate on their PW subscription new or existing on the Standard or Professional version for 1 year or 3 months.
They also promote the Iridium GO Marine Package for a very good price. Visit their website here
Located in Prickly Bay Grenada, Moorsafe was created to offer peace of mind to sailors and boat owners alike who appreciate the value of having access to safe and properly maintained moorings.
Moorsafe’s ultimate goal is to provide the safest moorings in the region that are exceptionally managed and maintained, all at an affordable rate along with a variety of other essential services to keep your boat maintained and in top condition. All Moorsafe Moorings are inspected at least every 2 weeks and maintained by professional divers with years of experience in the field of underwater construction and mooring installations. They will offer Viking Explorers participants a discount. Learn more about them here.
The Hydrovane is the product of an engineer’s lifetime passion. Derek Daniels, an engineer from Nottingham, England, was the founder and inventor of the Hydrovane in 1968. He made it his life’s work. The Curry family, owners of Hydrovane since 2002, are passionate about this small marine business… and about cruising!
Hydrovane is both: a Self Steering Windvane System and an Emergency Rudder/ Steering System. Hydrovane will be your best crew member! Visit their website here for more info. It has had a very good acceptance within our sailors and has been also with Viking Explorers since the beginning.
Puerto Tazacorte welcomes sailors with a modern, well-equipped marina and an attractive range of services. Marina team is known for being friendly and helpful, providing all you need to enjoy your stay in La Palma island, also known as La Isla Bonita.
With a minimum draft of 4.5m, Puerto Tazacorte has a total of 360 floating finger berths and can accommodate vessels up to 20 m LOA.
Puerto Tazacorte’s boatyard, with its 50 tn Travel Lift, offers a great range of services for your boat and an exclusive dry-dock long term service.
Come to discover Tazacorte, the place with more solar hours in Europe and enjoy the wonderful views and the sunsets. Contact them here to know what special conditions they offer to Viking Explorers participants.
Chris Rundlett is the owner of LTD Sailing School in Grenada - "Living The Dream!" He is former USCG licensed captain with over 30 years’ experience. His sailing experience is from the West Coast, East Coast, the Med, Caribbean and Alaska. He also has extensive knowledge of systems, rigging and build quality and he is also a yacht broker since 2013. Don’t miss his YouTube channel with video walk-through of various boats.
At LTD Sailing, their goal is helping you live your Caribbean sailing dreams! They offer ASA (American Sailing Association) certified courses, skippered yacht charters, bareboat charter brokerage, and yacht broker services. Chris will do a speech to Viking Explorers participants about sailing the Caribbean due to his huge experience in the area. Visit their website here and find out what it’s all about: “Living the Dream!”
Visiting the Galapagos is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and you should not miss a single moment because of problems obtaining cruising permits or unexpected boating problems. Partner with Yacht Agents Galapagos for an unforgettable and stress-free cruise. They serve sailing vessels and yachts of any size. Their local agents provide a full-range of marine services and are accustomed to working with a demanding, international clientele. Learn more about them here
Rolly Tasker Sails are International Sailmakers since 1949. They are among the world’s leading sailmakers. All their sails are made with passion and care in the world’s largest, purpose-built sail loft in Phuket and shipped to all destinations around the globe. They take pride in offering the best available value for money in their highest quality sails, made with the most up to date design and manufacturing technology, combined with traditional, handcrafted detailing. Their sails are especially valued by experienced ocean cruising yachts people, and even participants in the grueling Golden Globe Race, for their quality and durability, but are equally popular for family sailing, performance cruising or club racing yachts of all shapes and sizes. Visit their website here for much more information and a quote for your new sails!
Clarke and Carter Caribbean Ltd are a friendly, professional and dynamic international yacht brokers based in Grenada. We are affiliated with Clarke and Carter Inter-yacht in the UK, one of the oldest and most respected names in the international marine brokerage industry. We provided a personal and tailored service to suit your needs and offer excellent service to all our customers, whether you are looking to buy, sell or need conveyancing. We extensively advertise on all the major websites, including Yachtworld.com and our own mobile responsive site and social media which attract buyers from the USA, Canada, Europe and beyond. Come and talk to us to see how we can help you. Visit us here
On the 9th of August 1884, the Fábrica the San Pedro factory was officially opened in Arucas, on the Canary Island of Gran Canaria. Although sugar was the main product, sugar cane distillates and rum were also produced. In 1892, just eight years after La Fábrica was inaugurated, the rum produced in Arucas was already greatly admired in all the islands. The 1940s, then under the management of Alfredo Martín Reyes, was a great decade for the distillery with the creation of the denomination of Ron Arehucas. In 1965, La Fábrica changed its name to Destilerías Arehucas. Today Destilerías Arehucas is over a hundred years old and has a rich history. They will provide each boat of Viking Explorers with two bottles of their main rums: Carta Oro and Ron Miel Guanche. Visit their website here to learn how to make the best cocktails with their products. You can also visit their factory.
True Blue Bay Boutique Resort is a family-owned and operated, climate-smart boutique hotel, located on the south coast of the beautiful island of Grenada. Created and designed by owners Russ and Magdalena Fielden, it offers a Caribbean-chic ambience and a colourful and relaxed tropical atmosphere. The hotel is on the coast, a short drive from Maurice Bishop International Airport, St. George’s University, the beautiful white sand Grand Anse beach, and restaurants, shops and banks. Located in the True Blue area, it is also well connected to the rest of the island including the historic town of St. Georges. Learn more about them here.
8islas founded in 2013 is the Bluewater Sailing Platform that helps sailors on the Canary Islands. It represents several Cruising Associations and helps sailors to discover these beautiful Islands.
BENEFITS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Nowadays, one of the biggest challenges to study cetaceans is to get their occurrence data especially in high seas. And that's exactly where thousands of sailboats are travelling: around the world's oceans at any single moment. How many of them are seeing whales and dolphins on their way? Sail & Whale is a project which intends to get long term useful cetacean data in collaboration with sailors, citizens and scientists. Learn more about this project here