Experience a real 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 weather and first sail south to the Cape Verde islands, where a stopover is possible. From there we head for the Caribbean and experience the fascination of the ocean: navigation, night sailing, team spirit and the intensive life on board of an Atlantic crew. If we make good progress and the conditions are right, we will arrive in 14-17 days in Barbados – the easternmost Caribbean island and the first land on the horizon after the long crossing. A few
We decide our stops in ports and anchor bays together. We are a crew that plans the route according to preferences, wind and weather.
- • Gran CanariaStart at the marina of Las Palmas, final preparations and crew briefing
- • Atlantic crossingapprox. 2,800 nautical miles of real bluewater sailing
- • Cape VerdeOption for 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 almost directly on the route and is often the first land that Atlantic sailors see on the horizon after the big crossing. Bridgetown with its UNESCO old town, Caribbean cocktails on Carlisle Bay and a few days to settle in before we sail on.
- • MartiniqueLandfall in the port of Le Marin, Caribbean joy of life and French flair
Our adventure begins on Gran Canaria. After boarding, safety briefing and provisioning, we use the time for preparations and getting to know the crew. Once everything is ready, we set sail and head south towards the Cape Verde Islands. Depending on the weather and crew, we make a stopover in Mindelo on São Vicente – a perfect opportunity for a shore leave, fresh supplies and a technical check. Afterwards we set course for the Caribbean. We spend the following two to three weeks at sea: keeping watch, trimming sails, navigation, weather observation, cooking together and intensive conversations in the cockpit. At night the stars shine like nowhere else, and during the day we are often accompanied by dolphins or flying fish. Life on board 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 plays along, we head for Barbados – the easternmost island of the Caribbean and for many Atlantic sailors the magical moment when, after weeks at sea, land appears on the horizon for the first time. In Bridgetown we wind down the crossing, enjoy the first Caribbean days and treat ourselves to a few rum punches on Carlisle Bay.
For everyone collecting miles towards their next sailing licence: as we cross the open sea on this trip, a good number of nautical miles go into the logbook. Of course we will issue you with an official mileage confirmation at the end of the trip.
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 runs the same tour every week. Instead, we sail together, experience real boat life and embrace the adventure that the sea has in store for us.
Step aboard a well-equipped, lovingly maintained boat and enjoy the special: with us there is nothing off the peg. 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 sailing along? We take care of the technical aspects on board together, and you can lend a hand yourself if you like. You can turn it from 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 November/December the classic season for Atlantic crossings begins. The route takes us from Gran Canaria initially south to the Cape Verde Islands – a possible stopover in Mindelo offers the opportunity for rest, provisions and a technical check. From there we head directly west to the Caribbean. The trade wind route is known for stable winds, moderate waves and the unique feeling of being in the middle of the ocean. Barbados, as the easternmost Caribbean island, lies directly on the trade wind route – from Mindelo it is about 2,100 nautical miles, and Barbados appears as the first land on the horizon.
In December, ideal conditions prevail on the classic trade wind route: the trade winds blow mostly stable from the northeast at 4–6 Bft (15–25 knots). Daytime temperatures are 24–30 °C, at night it remains pleasantly warm. The water at 25–27 °C is perfect for swimming, and the air is mostly dry and clear. The Atlantic shows itself with long, gentle swell (1–3 m). Rain is rare and usually only short-lived. The nights are clear and offer excellent conditions for celestial navigation and stargazing.
Our beautiful GALINI is a very fast, large and comfortable yacht.
She is a modern Hanse 575 with 4 double cabins and a skipper 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 swim platform and a dinghy with outboard motor. An overabundance of safety and navigation and much more, in short 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 Volvo Ocean Racers and is the fastest yacht in its class. Joy of sailing is guaranteed!
GALINI has already successfully participated in the ARC and meets all safety requirements of this international Atlantic regatta.
✓ Included services
- Atlantic crossing as a crewed sailing trip with experienced skipper
- Berth on the yacht
- Sailing instructions and safety briefing
- Confirmation of sea miles on request
- Use of all on-board facilities
+ Additional costs / boat fund
- Boat fund (harbour fees, meals, diesel, final cleaning etc.) approx. 250 € per week and person
- Arrival/Departure
What are the duties of the crew?
Everyone can, if they wish, help with sailing, even steer the ship once, or simply enjoy the beautiful nature and the day. In addition, everyone is collectively responsible for the crew’s food. This means that everyone takes turns preparing breakfast or taking care of dinner. Usually, the hobby chefs on board quickly emerge and those who are not so into the culinary arts simply hold back and do the washing-up. When berthing and unberthing, everyone usually lends a hand according to their abilities and after instruction by the skipper. The boat must be kept clean by the crew members during the trip. However, the final cleaning is done by the marina staff.
What does the crew kitty actually mean?
All crew members (except the skipper) pay a jointly agreed amount into the crew kitty. From this kitty, all communal 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.) are covered. According to old seafaring tradition, the skipper is provided with meals by the crew during the trip.
What does cabin charter mean?
Cabin charter is the best option for anyone who wants to get to know the sailing life. Prior knowledge or personal sailing experience is not necessary. However, maybe you have already gained sailing experience, completed a sailing course, 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 heard, subject to safety and weather. On such a trip, you meet like-minded people, can make nice new acquaintances, and have an experienced skipper by 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 as small an ecological footprint as possible. Our small team of experienced skippers looks forward to experiencing real sailing adventures with you. Our base is on Poros, Greece – from there we explore the most beautiful cruising grounds in the world.
