World ARC 2026-27 part 2 is underway!
by World Cruising Club 11 Sep 11:27 PDT
Beautiful waters of a World ARC anchorage in Cocos (Keeling) © World Cruising Club
The World ARC 2026-27 fleet departed Darwin, Australia on 8 September to begin the first leg of the second half of their epic circumnavigation of the globe.
This annual sailing rally, organised by World Cruising Club, is a 15-month, 26,000 NM voyage. Participants can choose to complete the Rally in its entirety and sail from Caribbean to Caribbean in a westerly direction around the world, or complete the first half of the rally finishing in Mackay, or sail the second half of the rally from Australia.
In the first half of the Rally, the fleet experienced some truly once in a lifetime moments, with particular highlights including: encountering beautiful wildlife in the Galapagos Islands, witnessing the Yakel tribal dances in Vanuatu and snorkelling around the coral atolls in French Polynesia.
With many of the destinations on the World ARC route being remote, some inaccessible and others very challenging by conventional means of travel, it means that the fleet can experience nature and cultures in places they would otherwise be unable to travel to.
Ahead of the second half of the Rally, World ARC Event Manager, Paul Bishop, "Completing a circumnavigation of the globe is something that few sailors will ever achieve, so supporting the World ARC fleet in achieving these dreams is a hugely satisfying experience. During the first half of the Rally, the participants benefited from logistical support and professional bluewater cruising advice to make their journey smoother and hassle free.
"Looking ahead to the second half of the Rally, there are many more special moments for the fleet to look forward to. When participants finish the Rally next April, they will have completed the adventure of a lifetime!"
After a period of free cruising the Australian East Coast, Great Barrier Reef and the Torres Strait, the fleet departed Darwin in light winds and set off on a 920 NM passage across the Timor Sea for Lombok, Indonesia. Their arrival in Lombok will be a great illustration of the sheer diversity of locations on the Rally.
Following the time in Lombok, the fleet will sail to the beautiful Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands, which are an external territory of Australia. This makes them unique to any other islands in the Indian Ocean.
Speaking ahead of the World ARC 2026-27 fleet's arrival in Christmas Island, Christmas Island Tourism Marketing Manager, Kelsie Johnston, said: "For many visitors, the island's marine environment is a real highlight, whether that's snorkelling and diving in crystal-clear waters, exploring secluded beaches and coves, or simply enjoying the spectacular coastline.
"The island is also renowned for its incredible birdlife and endemic species, so there are plenty of opportunities to see wildlife that can't be experienced anywhere else in the world. I hope the fleet takes the time to meet the local community and experience the island's unique multicultural character, history and laid-back lifestyle.
"There is something really special about watching the World ARC fleet arrive at Christmas Island. After travelling such incredible distances, seeing the yachts come into Flying Fish Cove is a wonderful reminder of the island's role as a gateway for adventurous travellers exploring the Indian Ocean.
"The Christmas Island community loves welcoming the crews and hearing their stories- where they have come from, the experiences they have had along the way and what they are looking forward to discovering next. It also provides a wonderful opportunity for the local community to connect with people from all around the world."
The theme of extraordinary diversity continues as the fleet sail across the Indian Ocean, with stops in the neighbouring islands of Mauritius and Reunion. Mauritius, a famous slow-paced luxury holiday destination, is known for its distinct Indian flavour, accompanied by African, Chinese, French and British cultures. This rich mix is reflected in the island's food and music, something the fleet enjoys year after year. La Réunion is a rugged, French overseas department built for active adventurers, nature lovers, and hikers.
After leaving Reunion the fleet continue their journey west to arrive in South Africa for Christmas. At this point, some participants fly home to see family, and others choose to stay in the company of families and friends that fly in and enjoy activities like safaris and wine tasting at South Africa's world-renowned vineyards.
After Christmas, the fleet turns north to the west African coast, to stop in Namibia. Namibia is a less frequented tourist destination, but this country where the dessert meets the ocean has so much to offer!
The World ARC fleet then transit the south Atlantic via the island of St Helena to arrive in Recife for the truly iconic carnival season.
The final legs of the journey take the fleet north to where their adventure began - the Caribbean. After making landfall in Grenada, the fleet continues to Saint Lucia, where the final finish line awaits in April 2027. The Rally concludes with a Parade of Sail event where all boats sail the 10 NM together from Marigot Bay to Rodney Bay. This is a fitting celebration of the spirit of camaraderie that defines World ARC and, for many participants, it is an emotional moment as they realise the enormity of their achievement.
Over 15 months, World ARC participants are able to immerse themselves in countless cultures around the world, and in doing so they create lifelong friendships with other participants and sometimes other individuals at the destinations. From a sailing perspective, World ARC represents a phenomenal accomplishment, however it is about much more than the miles sailed.
The Rally is the adventure of a lifetime, where people make memories which last long beyond the finish line in Saint Lucia.