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North Atlantic Crossing Services Guide
The North Atlantic crossing is one of cruising's defining passages — typically eastbound in May–July from the US East Coast or Caribbean to Europe via Bermuda and the Azores. Service infrastructure clusters at the endpoints with thin mid-Atlantic options.
The routes
| Route | Stops | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Caribbean → Europe | Caribbean → Bermuda → Azores → Europe | Avoid Bermuda Triangle on poor weather windows |
| US East Coast → Europe | Newport/Hampton → Bermuda → Azores → Europe | Salty Dawg rally option from Hampton |
| Halifax → Europe | Halifax → Azores → Europe | Northern route, shorter, fog risk |
| Westbound | Europe → Azores → Caribbean | Trade winds; ARC route |
Service stops
| Stop | Services |
|---|---|
| Newport, RI | Premium US East Coast services |
| Hampton, VA | Salty Dawg departure; full services |
| Halifax | Atlantic Canada hub |
| Bermuda (St George's) | Customs, fuel, basic repair |
| Horta (Azores) | Mid-Atlantic refuel and reset |
| Cascais/Lagos (Portugal) | Continental Europe landfall |
| UK Solent | Northern landfall |
Frequently asked questions
Eastbound route?
Bermuda → Azores → Europe, or Newport/Halifax → Azores.
Bermuda?
Customs, fuel, basic services. RBYC reciprocal.
Azores?
Horta is the landmark. Customs and basic services.
Salty Dawg?
Hampton-departure rally. US alternative to ARC.
Timing?
May–July eastbound. November–December westbound (ARC).