Atlantic
FairWinds ports of call on the Atlantic coast: capacity, verified professionals and nearby experiences, port by port.
Good to know
Open onto the ocean from northern Europe to West Africa, the Atlantic has a much larger tidal range than the Mediterranean (several metres in some estuaries) and a heavier swell. It is also the historic route for major ocean crossings: every November, the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) links the Canary Islands to the Caribbean on the trade winds, a tradition dating back to 1986.
- Noticeably larger tidal range than the Mediterranean, several metres in some estuaries.
- Crossing window to the Caribbean typically late November to December, riding the trade winds.
- Ports historically tied to the great maritime exploration routes (Lisbon, Cadiz).
- The ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers), departing from the Canaries, has gathered hundreds of yachts every year since 1986.
Tap a port to open its page. Nearby ports are grouped into a cluster until you zoom in.
AtlanticMarina du Château
Brest, Bretagne, FR
AtlanticMarina Las Palmas
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Gran Canaria, ES
AtlanticMarina Mindelo
Mindelo, São Vicente, CV
AtlanticMarina Rubicón
Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, ES
AtlanticPort Chantereyne
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, Normandie, FR
AtlanticPort de Bordeaux (Garonne)
Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, FR
AtlanticPort de Kernével (Larmor-Plage, Lorient)
Larmor-Plage, Bretagne, FR
AtlanticPort de Vannes
Vannes, Bretagne, FR
AtlanticPort des Minimes
La Rochelle, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, FR
FAQ
When is the best time to cross the Atlantic to the Caribbean?
The most favourable window is late November to December, once the Caribbean hurricane season has ended and the trade winds are well established.
Does the tidal range really change how you berth?
Yes: unlike the Mediterranean, several metres of tidal range are common on parts of the Atlantic coast, which calls for longer mooring lines and closer attention to the dock.