The ARC 2026 – The Atlantic Rally
Join Skyelark 2 for the 2026 Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) — an iconic ocean adventure sailing across the Atlantic alongside around 150 yachts in the world's largest and most celebrated yacht rally. We depart Las Palmas, Gran Canaria on 22 November 2026, arriving 15–17 days later in St Lucia, Caribbean.
The ARC is a highlight of Skyelark's programme. We first entered in 2008, and 2026 will be our 17th ARC start, making us the longest-running regular entrant in the fleet. Year after year we finish well up the rankings, but most importantly in safety and style.
Our philosophy is simple: to provide a fully licensed, immaculately prepared yacht, with an expert, calm, and friendly crew, ensuring a crossing that is both safe and genuinely comfortable. Exceptional food, daily hot showers, internet access, quality fishing gear, plenty of deck cushions, and generous shade all elevate the experience — after all, Skyelark 2 is an Oyster.
You'll be involved in all aspects of running the boat: standing watches, trimming and changing sails, cooking, and even baking fresh bread at sea. We operate a 3-hours-on, 6-hours-off watch system, with rotating watchmates, plus a day off watch and a full night's sleep for the daily domestic team. With hydraulic sail handling and electric winches, sailing Skyelark is rewarding rather than exhausting — helm by hand when you wish, or let the autopilot take the strain.
Choose to learn new skills, from sextant use to fish filleting, weather routing to provisioning, we're keen to help you get the most from your crossing — whether this is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure or preparation for your own bluewater dream. It's a privilege to regularly meet former crew now sailing the world on their own boats.
You can read daily logs of the adventures and experiences on our 2021 ARC blog and 2019 ARC blog
Owner-skippered, professionally maintained, and coded for unrestricted use, Skyelark 2 is almost certainly one of the most experienced, qualified, and licensed yachts on the ARC circuit.
Skyelark 2 is available each year for individual crew, small groups, or whole-boat charter.
Package includes:
- Great food!
- All safety equipment including personal AIS.
- Free onboard Wi-Fi via Starlink (limited to WhatsApp Messenger only off-shore).
- Entry passes to the parties and seminars.
- Team polo shirt.
Booking Details
ARC Testimonials:
'Knowledge and experience is priceless. When you charter Skyelark on an ocean crossing, Dan and Emily bring vast amounts of experience with them on the yacht and it all makes the journey exceptionally pleasant from a sailing, socialising and catering perspective.
We cannot recommend this experience enough and if you want to do it in style, do it on Skyelark.'
Loftus & Melindie - passage sail, Southampton-Las Palmas & ARC 2013
'What a great experience! We went South until the butter had well and truly melted and then turned due West. Sunshine, swimming mid-Atlantic, dolphins, whales, shooting stars, and a stress free 20 day crossing of the pond! A credit to the planning and skill of our skipper Em and first mate Dan. I signed up to gain experience prior to making the trip in my own yacht Samatom an XC45. I definitely choose the right boat and skipper to make my first crossing and greatly enjoyed the company of my fellow crew members.'
Bob Rendell - ARC 2013
'Sailing with Dan & Em on the ARC 2015 was a great experience. Skyelark is simply the best ocean cruiser you could imagine, strong yet light to handle, amazingly well equipped and beautifully finished above and below. Dan & Em a great at engaging and motivating the team (crew) and ensure that everyone gets the experience they hoped for. I can't recommend them enough.'
Dave - ARC 2015
'It was a true pleasure attending this year´s ARC 2018 as well as meeting as kindhearted and forthcoming people as you guys. Crossing the Atlantic has always been on my bucket list and to do it with such an experienced couple to Skipper us across, has been a great learning experience for me personally, and I really want to thank you both for that.
Your beautiful yacht, Skyelark, was a true pleasure to sail, and I really hope to do more trips in the future together. You made us all feel safe and sound during the crossing. Our time in Saint Lucia, was nothing shy of joyful - you were absolutely right about the rum punch, no more than three!
Once again, thanks for the trip of my life, and hope to meet up with you along the way.'
The Viking, Soren Oster
'Dan and Em, thank you so much for a really enjoyable trip across the Atlantic. Skyelark of London is a lovely and comfortable yacht to sail aboard, a real pleasure. Great sailing experience, the crew were fantastic, food was great, weather was kind to us, we caught a few fish, what more could you want.... the time went too quickly.
Cheers, until the next adventure.'
Chris, ARC 2018
