Nautical Events

The legendary Amerindians were at one with it for a thousand years; European explorers and pirates cheered when they found it; and now avid sailors from around the world follow the wind to the Helen of the West Indies. Join the adventuresome ARC family on the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers. Every year in November, over 200 vessels, a global floating village glistening white, sail into the IGY Rodney Bay Marina. It marks the breathtaking end of a 2700 nautical mile rally from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Along the way, be prepared to write entertaining logs or sing over the SSB Radio. You may win a prize. Over a quarter century old, ARC is known around the world as the ultimate transatlantic crossing. Some competitors stay for a month drinking in the wonders of Saint Lucia before returning to the high seas. Create your epic in Saint Lucia.

Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC 2011)

November 18th - December 17th, 2011
Click here for event schedule and information

The Saint Lucia Tourist Board hosted the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers for the 21st time with 217 yachts traveling across the Atlantic from Las Palmas Gran Canaria. Organized by World Cruising Club, the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) is the largest trans-ocean sailing event in the world and regularly attracts upwards of 200 boats of many shapes and sizes. The journey takes between two to three weeks aided by trade winds and covers more than 2,700 nautical miles.

Upon arrival in Saint Lucia, the ARC participants are greeted with a warm Saint Lucian welcome which showcases our unique, creole culture, traditional culinary delights and a wide range of exciting events and activities specifically targeted at ARC participants. The programme of activities is spread over two weeks and includes local entertainment inclusive of drumming, fire easting, limbo, a j’ouvert jump up and performances by a number of local musical bands. In addition to the fabulous cultural entertainment on display, there are a number of other activities such as: a costume party, various chef demonstrations and football matches, ARC participants vs. local participants– largely held in the ARC Village which offers a wide variety of food, drink and souvenirs. The ARC activities are designed for both ARC participants and locals alike to come together and share cultural experiences and to ensure that the ARC participants always remember their stay on Saint Lucia.

Saint Lucia also offers a host or unique soft adventure tours for the ARC participants to explore the island and discover the beauty and wonder of this magical island.