Experience a true Atlantic crossing from Gran Canaria to Martinique (Le Marin) – the great adventure of blue-water 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 to the Cape Verde Islands, where a stopover is possible. From there we set course for the Caribbean and experience the fascination of the ocean: navigation, night sailing, team spirit and the intense on-board life of an Atlantic crew. After 14–17 days we should reach Barbados – one of the easternmost Caribbean islands and the first land on the horizon after the long passage. Enjoy a few Caribbean days before sailing the short stretch on to Martinique.
We are currently in the planning phase and are putting together a crew that harmonises not only in sailing terms but also on a personal level. It is important to us that the group on board really fits together – which is why we hold a personal conversation with everyone interested.
Our GALINI has already successfully taken part in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) and meets all the safety requirements of this renowned rally. She is therefore equipped and checked for the Atlantic crossing to the highest international standards.
She is a true blue-water boat – created for living and travelling at sea. We travel with warm-hearted people, discover the world together and experience real boat life: sun, wind, salt water, little adventures and the feeling of genuinely discovering something together as a crew. Galini is at home on the sea and usually far away from her home port on Poros. You become part of life on board. Not everything will always go according to plan – sometimes something breaks or the weather changes our course – but that is exactly what makes it real. We are also very happy to show you the technology on board, and you can take part in everything – navigating, steering, cooking, right through to the technical side. Not a cruise, but lived community, genuine experiences and the magic of the sea.
We decide our stops in harbours and anchorages together. We are a crew that plans the route according to preferences, wind and weather.
In December the classic season for Atlantic crossings begins. The route takes us from Gran Canaria initially southwards to the Cape Verde Islands – a possible stopover in Mindelo offers the opportunity for rest, provisioning and a technical check. From there we set a direct course westwards into the Caribbean. The trade-wind route is known for steady winds, moderate seas 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 around 2,100 nautical miles, and Barbados appears as the first land on the horizon. The detour to Barbados costs hardly any extra miles, because from Bridgetown it is only about 115 nautical miles north-west to Martinique. We should therefore still have plenty of relaxed time to enjoy the Caribbean and, as the mood takes us, sail via St Lucia on to Martinique. In Martinique, Marina Le Marin awaits us – one of the largest and most modern marinas in the Caribbean, ideal for arrival, provisioning and onward passage.
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 the Cape Verde Islands. Depending on the weather and the crew, we make a stopover in Mindelo on São Vicente – a perfect opportunity for shore leave, fresh supplies and a technical check. We then set course for the Caribbean. We spend the following two to three weeks at sea: standing watch, trimming sails, navigation, weather observation, cooking together and intense conversations in the cockpit. At night, the stars shine like nowhere else; during the day, dolphins or flying fish often accompany us. Life on board is shaped by team spirit, mutual support and the shared goal of arriving safely and happily in the Caribbean. Barbados is the easternmost island in the Caribbean and, for many Atlantic sailors, is the magical moment when, after weeks at sea, land appears on the horizon for the first time. In Bridgetown we round off the crossing, enjoy the first Caribbean days and treat ourselves to a few rum punches at Carlisle Bay before sailing the short stretch (~115 nm) on to Martinique. Upon arrival in Le Marin, Caribbean zest for life, French culture and the perfect infrastructure for sailors await us – after around 2,800 nautical miles, an unforgettable moment.
For anyone collecting miles for their next sailing certificate: because we cross the open ocean on this voyage, a good number of nautical miles will be entered in the logbook. Of course, we will issue you with an official confirmation of miles 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 holds in store for us.
Step aboard a superbly equipped, lovingly cared-for boat and enjoy what makes us special: with us nothing is 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.
Would you like to do more than just sail along? We deal with the on-board technology together, and you can get involved yourself if you like. You can turn it from a holiday trip into a real experience on a long-distance cruising yacht and become part of life at sea.
Our trips combine holiday, adventure, mindfulness and real boat life. Become part of our crew and experience a special time on Galini – authentic, communal and full of a spirit of adventure.
Our beautiful GALINI is a very fast, large and comfortable yacht. She spent the winter in the Caribbean and will cross the Atlantic in April/May.
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 an outboard motor. An abundance of safety and navigation equipment and much more – everything needed to travel self-sufficiently without having to call at a supply port. A yacht that meets the highest requirements for safety, design and comfort.
The sailing characteristics are exceptional too! The Hanse was designed by Volvo Ocean racers and is the fastest yacht in her class. The joy of sailing is guaranteed!
GALINI has already successfully taken part in the ARC and meets all the safety requirements of this international Atlantic regatta.
In December, ideal conditions prevail on the classic trade-wind route: the trade winds usually blow steadily from the north-east at Force 4–6 (15–25 knots). Daytime temperatures are 24–30 °C, and nights remain pleasantly warm. The water is 25–27 °C, perfect for swimming, and the air is mostly dry and clear. The Atlantic presents a long, benign swell (1–3 m). Rain is rare and usually short-lived. The nights are clear and offer excellent conditions for celestial navigation and stargazing.
Anyone can, if they want, help with sailing, take the helm now and then, or simply enjoy the beautiful nature and the day. In addition, everyone is jointly responsible for the crew's well-being. This means that everyone takes their turn preparing breakfast or looking after dinner. Usually the hobby cooks on board quickly emerge, and those who are not so into cooking simply stand back and do the washing up. When berthing and casting off, everyone generally lends a hand according to their abilities and after instruction from the skipper. The boat must be kept clean by the crew members during the voyage. The final cleaning, however, is carried out by the marina staff.
All crew members (except the skipper) pay an amount agreed together into the kitty. During the voyage, this kitty covers all joint costs incurred (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.). In keeping with old seafaring tradition, the crew also covers the skipper's food during the voyage.
Berth charter is the best opportunity for anyone who wants to get to know sailing life. Prior knowledge or your own sailing experience is not necessary. Perhaps you have already gained sailing experience and completed sailing training and want to deepen it? – Then the skipper will give you the opportunity to try things out for yourself and help you gain future confidence. The crew can help shape the course of the voyage and their wishes will be heard, subject to safety and weather. On such a trip you meet like-minded people, can make new pleasant acquaintances, and have an experienced skipper at your side who takes care of all nautical matters. The cabins on the yacht are mostly different, but very similarly equipped. The berths are allocated by the skipper taking crew wishes into account. Whole cabins can be chartered by individuals, couples or families. Payment is 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 grounds in the world.
