World Cruising Club’s World ARC boats are about to depart from Darwin, Australia for the start of their Indian Ocean voyage where they will visit Lombok in Indonesia, Christmas Island, Cocos Keeling, Mauritius, Reunion and South Africa. If you see yourself setting sail in 2026, rally entries are now open with the 2026 calendar including ARC and ARC+, ARC Europe and a new ARC Baltic rally.

Published 3 days ago

Setting Sail in 2026

If you see yourself setting sail in 2026 rally entries are now open – see more below, or request a digital information pack. The 2026 calendar includes ARC and ARC+, ARC Europe and the new ARC Baltic rally. If you’re planning a circumnavigation, World ARC 2027-28 entries are also now open.

If you are thinking about joining a rally or independent bluewater cruising, our upcoming seminar programme is a great way to learn more. These free sessions include a panel of previous rally sailors, so you can ask questions about what it’s really like. See below for the Southampton and Annapolis schedules.

Sailing rallies aren’t just about sailing – the photo above shows the World ARC sailors on an early morning wallaby watching beach walk in Mackay, Australia. The World ARC boats are about to depart from Darwin for the start of their Indian Ocean voyage, visiting Lombok in Indonesia, Christmas Island, Cocos Keeling, Mauritius, Reunion and South Africa.

All Welcome – Annapolis Rendezvous

Are you in Annapolis or the Maryland area on October 10?  Join us in the Federal House in Market Space, waterfront Annapolis 6pm to 8pm for drinks and finger food.

The Rendezvous is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new cruising acquaintances, meet the World Cruising Club team and to talk sailing!
Everyone is welcome – past rally sailors and anyone considering joining the ARC or World ARC rallies.

• Date: Friday October 10
• Time: 6pm to 8pm
• Cost: Free, but registration is essential
• Location: Federal House, Market Space, Annapolis MD

Rendezvous Registration

Set Sail in 2026

If you’d like to join a rally next year, entries are now open for ARC 2026, ARC+ 2026, ARC Baltic 2026, ARC Europe 2026 and World ARC 2027-28.

• ARC 2026 – Start day 22 November and sails from Gran Canaria to Saint Lucia.
• ARC+ 2026 – Start day 8 November and sails from Gran Canaria to Cape Verde, then on to Grenada.
• ARC Europe 2026 – Starts on 9 May from Sint Maarten and Solomons MD, USA, sailing to Bermuda, then Azores, then Portugal (or Northern Europe)
• ARC Baltic 2026 – Starts on 5 July in Kiel, Germany, visiting Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Finland and Aaland, finishing in Stockholm
• World ARC 2027-28 – Starts on 9 January 2027 from Saint Lucia, finishing in April 2028 in Saint Lucia after transiting the Panama Canal, crossing the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans – 26,000NM

Your adventure starts with a click! For an information pack, click here – start by entering your email.

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September UK Shorebased Events

Cruisers’ Question Time

• Saturday 20 September 09:00-12:00
• Southampton, UK

A 2-hour skipper panel discussion focusing on the Atlantic and circumnavigation – routes, weather, suitable boats, what to take (or leave at home), crew tips and highlights and memories.

Panel includes:

• Laura Bradley, Oyster 46 Fisk – ARC Portugal 2023, ARC 2023, World ARC 2026-27
• John Boughton, Grand Soleil 50 Juniper – ARC 2009, ARC 2024
• Will & Lucy (aged 14) Collins, Oyster 55 Valent. ARC+ 2023
• Free. Includes a complimentary Southampton Boat Show ticket for all attendees.

More information

Seminar: World ARC

• Sunday 21 September
• Southampton

Two-hour free seminar covering the World ARC circumnavigation route, destinations and boat and crew requirements.

More information

Seminar: ARC Baltic

• Saturday 27 September
• Southampton

The free ARC Baltic seminar covers all aspects of the summer 2026 rally, visiting Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Estonia.

More information

Ocean Sailing Weekend

• 21-22 March 2026
• Hampshire

Intensive two-day event focusing on the key topics for long distance sailors.  The event costs £290 per person, discounts available.

Read more 

October US-Based Shore Events

Annapolis Sailboat Show

• October 9-12
• Annapolis MD

If you’re coming to the show, stop by our booth O28 to talk with Paul and Kim about rallies and bluewater sailing, or catch us up with your news.

Also on the booth will be skippers from Farr 65r Celeste, so if you’d like to sail round the world but don’t have a boat, this is a great place to start!

Read more

Seminar: World ARC

• Friday October 10
• Annapolis

Two-hour free seminar covering the World ARC circumnavigation route, destinations and boat and crew requirements.

Read more

Seminar: Atlantic Circuit

• Saturday October 11
• Annapolis

Two-hour free seminar about sailing to Europe and back to the Caribbean or buying a boat in Europe and sailing back via the ARC.

Read more

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General Enquiries:

For information about participating in World Cruising Club rallies, please contact mail@worldcruising.com or call +44 (0)1983 296060

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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 now owned and 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’.

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Related Links

• World Cruising Club

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