World ARC 2026-27 Fleet Sets Sail for Second Half

The World ARC 2026-27 fleet departed Darwin, Australia on 8 September, marking the first leg of their second half of the epic circumnavigation. This annual sailing rally, organised by World Cruising Club, spans 15 months and covers 26,000 nautical miles. Participants can choose to complete the entire rally or join for half of the journey, sailing either to or from Australia.

In the first half, the fleet enjoyed remarkable experiences, such as observing wildlife in the Galapagos Islands, witnessing tribal dances in Vanuatu, and snorkelling around coral atolls in French Polynesia. Given the remote nature of many destinations, the rally allows participants to explore cultures and environments that are often inaccessible by conventional means.

World ARC Event Manager, Paul Bishop, stated, “Completing a circumnavigation of the globe is something that few sailors will ever achieve. Supporting the World ARC fleet in achieving these dreams is a hugely satisfying experience.” He also highlighted the exciting moments awaiting the fleet in the second half of the rally.

After enjoying free cruising along the Australian East Coast and Great Barrier Reef, the fleet has set off on a 920 nautical mile passage across the Timor Sea to Lombok, Indonesia. Following Lombok, the sailors will visit Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands, both of which are unique territories of Australia.

Kelsie Johnston, Christmas Island Tourism Marketing Manager, expressed enthusiasm for the fleet’s arrival, noting the island’s stunning marine environment, rich birdlife, and multicultural community. She hopes the sailors will engage with the local community and share experiences.

The journey will then continue across the Indian Ocean, with stops in Mauritius and Reunion Island, known for their diverse cultures and vibrant culinary scenes.

The fleet will celebrate Christmas in South Africa, where participants may choose to visit family or join friends for activities like safaris and wine tasting. After Christmas, the fleet will head north to Namibia, known for its unique desert-meets-ocean landscape.

The World ARC fleet will transit the South Atlantic via St Helena, arriving in Recife, Brazil, in time for the iconic carnival season. The adventure culminates as they return to the Caribbean, with the final leg leading to a Parade of Sail in April 2027, celebrating their journey and camaraderie.

Throughout this 15-month journey, participants not only sail but also immerse themselves in diverse cultures, forging lifelong friendships and creating lasting memories that extend beyond the finish line.

World ARC 2026-27 Information

World ARC 2026-27 Route: The fleet left Saint Lucia, before transiting the Panama Canal and into the Pacific. There are a mix of rally legs/stages and independent cruising, covering the Las Perlas Islands, Galapagos, Marquesas, Society Islands, including Bora Bora and Tahiti, Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu before making landfall in Mackay, Australia. The yachts cruise the Great Barrier Reef before departing Darwin to Lombok, Indonesia, then across the Indian Ocean to Christmas Island, Cocos Keeling, Mauritius and Reunion to South Africa for Christmas 2026. In January 2027 the fleet will depart Cape Town for Namibia and then across the Atlantic to St Helena and on to Recife in Brazil, cruising the Brazilian coast during carnival season before sailing to Grenada and then to the finish in Saint Lucia.
The Rally started on 10 January 2026 in Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia and will finish with the Parade of Sail on 17 April 2027 in Saint Lucia.
2026-27 Rally is the sixteenth edition of World ARC, and the seventeenth round-the-world rally organised by World Cruising Club.
Boats can join for the whole circumnavigation or for half a rally to and from Australia or Indonesia.
31 boats (24 monohulls and 7 catamarans) entered World ARC 2026-27.
Smallest boat: Grand Soleil 37, Lovitana (BEL). (11.7M).
Largest boat: Kanter 80, Fruition (CAN).(24M).
Boat manufacturers: 24 manufacturers in total took part. The most common brands of boat were Beneteau (3), Farr (2), Island Packet (2), Lagoon (2), Amel (2) and Boréal (2).
Boat flag nationalities: 21 in total. The most common boat flag nationalities were: United States (19), United Kingdom (16) and Australia (6)
301 participants from 29 countries entered at least one leg of the Rally. The most common nationalities were: United States (60), Sweden (58) and United Kingdom (56)
Sailors on the Rally are aged between 7 and 79 years.
23 children (under 16 years-old) took part in the Rally.
World ARC 2027-28 will depart Saint Lucia on 9 January 2027 and is expected to have 25-30 entries.

About World Cruising Club

World Cruising Club was formed in 1987 by Jimmy Cornell after the success of the original 1986 Atlantic Rally for Cruisers. After two changes of ownership, the company is run by Paul and Suzana Tetlow with a small dedicated team in Cowes (UK) supported on events by a wider network of the famous ‘yellow shirts’.
ARC from Gran Canaria to Saint Lucia. First run in 1986, the rally attracts over 150 boats. The ARC is the only rally with an IRC racing division.
ARC+ from Gran Canaria to Grenada via Cape Verde. First run in 2013, the fleet size is around 100 boats.
ARC Europe from Sint Maarten or the US east coast to Bermuda, then the Azores, finishing in Portugal. It first ran in 2000. The fleet is around 30 boats.
World ARC 26,000NM circumnavigation starting and finishing in the Caribbean. The first World ARC took place in 2008 following the success of the Europa rallies and now runs annually.
ARC Portugal first sailed in 1995, the Rally crosses the Bay of Biscay then day sails down the Portuguese coast to finish in Lagos.
ARC Baltic offers 1000NM of stunning cruising through the Baltic Sea. The route starts in Germany and finishes in Bullandö, Sweden.