Experience a true Atlantic crossing from Gran Canaria to Martinique (Le Marin) – the great adventure of bluewater sailing! With our large and fast Hanse 575 GALINI we sail across the Atlantic. We use the trade winds, plan the route according to the weather and first sail south towards Cape Verde, where a stopover is possible. From there we set course for the Caribbean and experience the fascination of the ocean: navigation, night sails, team spirit and the intense on-board life of an Atlantic crew. If we make good progress and conditions allow, we will make a stop in Barbados – the easternmost Caribbean island and the first land on the horizon after the long crossing. Enjoy a few days in the Caribbean before we sail the short distance to Martinique.
We decide our stops in ports and anchorages together. We are a crew that plans the route according to preferences, wind and weather.
- • Gran CanariaStart in the marina of Las Palmas, final preparations and crew briefing
- • Atlantic Crossingapprox. 2.800 nautical miles of true bluewater sailing
- • Cape VerdeOption for a stopover, shore leave and supplies in Mindelo
- • Navigation and onboard routine under trade wind conditions
- • Starry nights, sunrises and sunsets in the middle of the ocean
- • Dolphins, whales and flying fish often accompany us
- • BarbadosIf we make good progress, our first Caribbean stop! The easternmost island of the Lesser Antilles lies practically on the way and is often the first land that Atlantic sailors see on the horizon after the great crossing. Bridgetown with its UNESCO old town, Caribbean cocktails at Carlisle Bay and a few days to settle in before we sail on
- • MartiniqueLandfall in the port of Le Marin, Caribbean joie de vivre and French flair
Our adventure begins on Gran Canaria. After boarding, the safety briefing and provisioning, we use the time for preparations and getting to know the crew. As soon as everything is ready, we set sail and head south towards Cape Verde. Depending on the weather and crew, we will make a stopover in Mindelo on São Vicente – a perfect opportunity for shore leave, fresh supplies and a technical check. Then we set course for the Caribbean. We spend the following two to three weeks at sea: standing watches, trimming sails, navigation, weather observation, communal cooking and intense conversations in the cockpit. At night the stars shine like nowhere else, during the day we are often accompanied by dolphins or flying fish. Onboard life is characterised by team spirit, mutual support and the common goal of arriving safely and happily in the Caribbean. If we make good progress and the weather cooperates, we head for Barbados – the easternmost island of the Caribbean and for many Atlantic sailors the magical moment when land appears on the horizon again for the first time after weeks at sea. In Bridgetown we wind down the crossing, enjoy the first Caribbean days and treat ourselves to a few rum punches at Carlisle Bay before we sail the short distance (~115 NM) to Martinique. Arriving in Le Marin, we are greeted by Caribbean joie de vivre, French culture and the perfect infrastructure for sailors – after around 2.800 nautical miles, an unforgettable moment.
For those collecting miles for their next sailing licence: as we cross the open sea on this passage, plenty of nautical miles go into the logbook. Of course, we will issue you with an official mileage certificate at the end of the voyage.
Our Galini travels the world – and you can be part of it! With us, you are not an anonymous guest on a standard route, but part of a real crew that discovers new horizons together. We are not a classic charter company that does the same tour every week. Instead, we sail together, experience real boat life and embrace the adventure that the sea holds for us.
Step aboard a well-equipped, lovingly maintained boat and enjoy the special: with us, nothing is off the shelf. Every trip is unique – sometimes spontaneous, sometimes planned, always full of surprises. Unplanned experiences are just as much a part of it as relaxed days on deck.
Do you want more than just being a passenger? Together we take care of the onboard technical aspects, and you can lend a hand yourself if you like. You can turn a holiday trip into a real experience on a long-distance yacht and become part of life at sea.
Our trips combine holiday, experience, mindfulness, and real boat life. Become part of our crew and experience a special time on Galini – authentic, communal, and full of adventure.
In December the classic season for Atlantic crossings begins. The route takes us from Gran Canaria initially southwards to Cape Verde – a possible stopover in Mindelo offers opportunity for rest, provisions, and technical checks. From there we head on a direct course west into the Caribbean. The trade wind route is known for stable winds, moderate seas, and the unique feeling of being in the middle of the ocean. Barbados, as the easternmost Caribbean island, lies right on the trade wind route – from Mindelo it is about 2,100 nautical miles, and Barbados appears as the first land on the horizon. The detour to Barbados costs hardly any extra miles, since from Bridgetown it is only about 115 nautical miles northwest to Martinique. In Martinique we are awaited by Marina Le Marin – one of the largest and most modern marinas in the Caribbean, ideal for arrival, provisioning, and onward journey.
In December ideal conditions prevail on the classic trade wind route: The trade winds blow mostly steadily from northeast at 4–6 Bft. (15–25 knots). Daytime temperatures are 24–30 °C, nights remain pleasantly warm. The water at 25–27 °C is perfect for swimming, and the air is mostly dry and clear. The Atlantic shows long, gentle swell (1–3 m). Rain is rare and usually short-lived. The nights are clear and offer excellent conditions for astronavigation and stargazing.
Our beautiful GALINI is a very fast, large and comfortable yacht.
She is a modern Hanse 575 with 4 double cabins and one skipper’s cabin. Each cabin has its own bathroom with electric toilet. Wi-Fi via Starlink (optional), multi-media, generator 220 V / 7 kW, (230 V in all cabins), washing machine, air fryer and coffee machine. She has large solar panels, radar, AIS, a watermaker, hydraulic bathing platform and a tender with outboard motor. An abundance of safety and navigation equipment and much more, everything needed to be self-sufficient without having to call at a supply port. A yacht that meets the highest requirements for safety, design and comfort.
The sailing characteristics are also outstanding! The Hanse was designed by Vovo Ocean Racers and is the fastest yacht in her class. Enjoyment of sailing is guaranteed!
GALINI has already successfully participated in the ARC and meets all safety requirements of this international Atlantic regatta.
✓ Services included
- Atlantic crossing as a shared sailing trip with experienced skipper
- Berth on the yacht
- Sailing instructions and safety briefing
- Sea mile confirmation on request
- Use of all onboard facilities
+ Additional costs / ship’s kitty
- Ship’s kitty (harbour fees, provisions, diesel, final cleaning etc.) approx. 250 € per week per person
- Arrival / Departure
What tasks does the crew have?
Everyone can, if they wish, help with sailing, even take the helm, or simply enjoy the wonderful nature and the day. Furthermore, everyone is jointly responsible for the crew’s well-being. That means everyone takes turns preparing breakfast or looking after dinner. Often the hobby chefs on board quickly emerge, and those not so keen on cooking simply hold back and do the washing up. When mooring and casting off, everyone typically lends a hand according to their abilities and after instruction by the skipper. The boat is to be kept clean by the crew during the trip. The final cleaning, however, is done by the marina staff.
What exactly does ‘ship’s kitty’ mean?
All crew members (except the skipper) pay a jointly agreed amount into the ship’s kitty. This kitty covers all shared costs incurred during the trip (e.g. diesel, harbour fees, deposit insurance, transit log, tourist tax, national and nature park fees, service pack for the provided bed linen, final cleaning, gas, marina fee for the first and last night in harbour, etc.). According to old seafaring tradition, the skipper is fed by the crew during the trip.
What does berth charter mean?
Berth charter is the best option for anyone who wants to experience the sailing life. No prior knowledge or sailing experience is required. But perhaps you have already gained some sailing experience, completed sailing training and want to deepen it? – Then the skipper will give you the opportunity to try yourself and help you gain future confidence. The crew can help shape the course of the trip and your wishes will be taken into account, subject to safety and weather. On such a trip you meet like-minded people, can make nice new acquaintances and have an experienced skipper at your side who takes care of all nautical matters. The cabins on the yacht are usually equipped with different but very similar cabins. The berths are allocated by the skipper taking into account the crew’s wishes. Entire cabins can be chartered by individuals, couples or families. You pay per person and you don’t have to worry about anything else.
We want to make sailing more sustainable and environmentally friendly. On our GALINI we test innovative products to combine a great sailing experience with the smallest possible ecological footprint. Our small team of experienced skippers looks forward to experiencing real sailing adventures together with you. Our base is on Poros, Greece – from there we explore the most beautiful cruising areas in the world.
