EVENT INFORMATION
Departure with the Trade Winds
Most other rallies leave for the crossing in November to be in the Caribbean for Christmas, but in January the trade winds are more reliable and the crossing is likely to have less flukey winds. You can also celebrate Christmas in your home country since the tickets back to Europe are not that expensive compared to the Caribbean. Or celebrate Christmas together with other cruisers in the Canary Islands.
WHEN
December, 08, 2024 | WELCOME
January, 6, 2025 | DEPARTURE
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to
Port Louis Marina in Spice Island Grenada
THE ROUTE
Where
We will start in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria because it’s cheap to stay and it’s easy to provision and find help if needed. The start is around the 6th of January. If the weather does not cooperate we can move the start a day or two. The decision to leave is an unanimous decision from all captains and the organization. The stop is in Mindelo on the island of Sao Vicente in the Cabo Verde, where you can re-provision or make repairs if needed. It takes about 5-7 days from LPGC to Mindelo (840 miles). A few days later we continue for the 2150 miles across the Atlantic to arrive at the beautiful Port Louis Marina in Spice Island Grenada, our official arrival host, together with the Grenada Tourism Authority, that will have a warm welcome awaiting us and we can let our hair down and have a few rum punches and beach parties. Most boats will arrive after 16-18 days at sea.
Gran Canaria ⬇︎
Port Louis Marina in Spice Island Grenada
(with an alternative stop in Mindelo)
THE ROUTE
Where
We will meet on the 2nd Sunday of December, at the Club Maritimo Varadero, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. We will have a week for seminars, and get togethers, before a small Christmas break. And a few days before the 6th of January (start date) we will again meet and have the Skippers Briefing at the Royal Yacht Club, among other things. The start is scheduled for the 6th of January, but it is the captains decision to leave, weather permitting. This is prudent seamanship.
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The stop in Mindelo on the island of Sao Vicente in the Cabo Verde is optional, where you can re-provision or make repairs if needed. It takes about 5-7 days from LPGC to Mindelo (840 miles). A few days later we continue for the 2150 miles across the Atlantic to arrive at the beautiful Port Louis Marina in Spice Island Grenada, our official arrival host, together with the Grenada Tourism Authority, that will have a warm welcome awaiting us and we can let our hair down and have a few rum punches and beach parties. Most boats will arrive after 16-18 days at sea.
A Relaxed Rally
Viking Explorers makes a big effort not to be "so" commercial as other rallies, and to be a small group of sailors. There are many benefits to be part of a small exclusive fleet. We can give a much better service and concentrate more on each boat. And of course, we will get to know everyone and make new friends with the same goals.
To be part of a small exclusive fleet, just increases camaraderie, safety, service and a nice family is being established, where everybody helps each other. All the fleet is tightly connected between them and with a team on shore.
You can even leave from another island if you wish or from Cape Verde.
Sign Up
We just want an ”I am interested” via email (hello@vikingexplorersrally.com) and we will send you the Invitation Pack of the event.
SailClear
SailClear is a service available for use by yachts who wish to submit their Customs declarations in the form of electronic notifications, prior to arrival in countries where the system is available. This facility enables registered users to access the system to enter and update notifications about their vessel, crew and passengers while transiting the Caribbean region. Registering for the service is quick and only takes a few minutes. Enter your Name, a valid email and choose a secure password. You will then be on your way to submit your notifications.
WE CARE
We are ECO-Friendly
We will not send you any books and are very skeptic on using plastic at our event. No plastic badges, plastic bags are avoided, and the more than 100+ pages of our Interactive Crossing guide will be send to you as PDF. We encourage sailors to care for the environment, we introduce nice eco friendly companies to our participants, and we collaborate with universities and Foundations for a better world.
Get to know Grenada, the Spice of the Caribbean
