GALINI discovers the world – Atlantic crossing adventure East-West

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Experience a real Atlantic crossing from Gran Canaria to Martinique (Le Marin) – the great blue-water sailing adventure! With our large and fast Hanse 575 GALINI we sail across the Atlantic. We use the trade winds, plan the route according to weather and sail initially southwards to Cape Verde, where a stopover is possible. From there we set course for the Caribbean and experience the fascination of the ocean: navigation, night passages, team spirit and the intense life on board of an Atlantic crew. After 14–17 days we should reach Barbados – one of the easternmost Caribbean islands and the first land on the horizon after the long crossing. A few days enjoying the Caribbean before we sail on the short distance to Martinique.

We are currently in the planning stage and assembling a crew that harmonises not only in sailing terms but also on a human level. It's important to us that the group on board really fits together – which is why we hold a personal conversation with everyone interested.

Our GALINI has already successfully taken part in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) and meets all the safety requirements of this renowned rally. This means she is equipped and tested for the Atlantic crossing according to the highest international standards.

She is a true bluewater yacht – created for living and travelling on the sea. We travel with warm-hearted people, discover the world together and experience real boatlife: sun, wind, salt water, little adventures and the feeling of truly discovering something together as a crew. GALINI is at home on the sea and mostly far away from her home harbour on Poros. You become part of life on board. Things won't always go according to plan – sometimes something breaks or the weather changes our course – but that's exactly what makes it real. We're also very happy to show you the technology on board, and you can be involved in all activities – navigating, steering, cooking through to the technical side. Not a cruise, but lived community, genuine experiences and the magic of the sea.

Highlights

• Gran Canaria – departure from Las Palmas marina, final preparations and crew briefing

• Atlantic crossing – approx. 2,800 nautical miles of true bluewater sailing

• Cape Verde Islands – option for a stopover, shore leave and provisioning in Mindelo

• Navigation and ship's routine under trade wind conditions

• Star-filled nights, sunrises and sunsets in the middle of the ocean

• Dolphins, whales and flying fish often accompany us

• Barbados – Our first Caribbean stop! The easternmost island of the Lesser Antilles lies practically on the route and is often the first land Atlantic sailors see on the horizon after the great crossing. Bridgetown with its UNESCO-listed old town, Caribbean cocktails at Carlisle Bay and a few days to arrive before we sail on

• Martinique – landfall in the port of Le Marin, Caribbean joie de vivre and French flair

Sailing area

In December the classic season for Atlantic crossings begins. The route takes us from Gran Canaria initially southwards to Cape Verde – a possible stopover in Mindelo offers an opportunity for rest, provisions and a technical check. From there it's a direct westward course into the Caribbean. The trade wind route is known for stable winds, moderate waves and the unique feeling of being in the middle of the ocean. Barbados lies as the easternmost Caribbean island directly on the trade wind route – from Mindelo it's around 2,100 nautical miles, and Barbados appears as the first land on the horizon. The detour to Barbados costs barely any extra miles, as from Bridgetown it's only around 115 nautical miles north-westwards to Martinique. So we should still have plenty of relaxed time to enjoy the Caribbean and sail at leisure via St Lucia to Martinique. In Martinique we're met by Marina Le Marin – one of the largest and most modern yacht harbours in the Caribbean, ideal for arrival, provisioning and onward travel.

Trip

Our adventure begins on Gran Canaria. After boarding, the safety briefing and provisioning, we use the time for preparations and getting to know the crew. Once everything is ready, we set sail and head south towards Cape Verde. Depending on weather and crew, we make a stopover in Mindelo on São Vicente – a perfect opportunity for a shore visit, fresh supplies and a technical check. We then set course for the Caribbean. The following two to three weeks we spend at sea: keeping watches, trimming sails, navigation, weather observation, cooking together and in-depth conversations in the cockpit. At night the stars shine like nowhere else, by day we are often accompanied by dolphins or flying fish. Life on board is characterised by team spirit, mutual support and the shared goal of arriving safely and happily in the Caribbean. Barbados is the easternmost island in the Caribbean and for many Atlantic sailors the magical moment when, after weeks at sea, land appears on the horizon for the first time. In Bridgetown we wind down from the crossing, enjoy the first Caribbean days and treat ourselves to a few rum punches at Carlisle Bay before we sail the short distance (~115 nm) on to Martinique. Arriving in Le Marin, Caribbean joie de vivre, French culture and perfect infrastructure for sailors await us – an unforgettable moment after around 2,800 nautical miles.

For everyone collecting miles for their next sailing licence: As we cross open water on this trip, plenty of nautical miles go into the log. We will of course issue you with an official mile confirmation at the end of the voyage.

Our GALINI is travelling the world – and you can be part of it! With us you are not an anonymous guest on a standard route, but part of a real crew discovering new horizons together. We are not a classic charter company running the same tour every week. Instead we sail together, experience real boatlife and embrace the adventure the sea has in store for us.

Step aboard a superbly equipped, lovingly maintained boat and enjoy what makes us special: with us nothing comes off the peg. Every sailing trip is unique – sometimes spontaneous, sometimes planned, always full of surprises. Unplanned experiences are just as much a part of it as relaxed days on deck.

Do you want to do more than just sail along? We look after the boat's systems together, and you can pitch in yourself if you'd like. You can also turn it from a holiday sailing trip into a real experience on a long-distance yacht and become part of life at sea.

Our sailing trips combine holiday, experience, mindfulness and real boatlife. Become part of our crew and experience a special time on GALINI – authentic, communal and full of a spirit of adventure.

Wind & climate

In December ideal conditions prevail on the classic trade wind route: the trade winds blow mostly steadily from the northeast at force 4–6 (15–25 knots). Daytime temperatures are 24–30 °C, at night it stays pleasantly warm. The water is perfect for swimming at 25–27 °C, and the air is mostly dry and clear. The Atlantic shows itself with long, benign swells (1–3 m). Rain is rare and usually only brief. The nights are clear and offer ideal conditions for celestial navigation and stargazing.

The yacht

Our beautiful GALINI is a very fast, large and comfortable yacht. She was in the Caribbean over the winter and is crossing the Atlantic in April/May.

She is a modern Hanse 575 with 4 double cabins and a skipper's cabin. Each cabin has its own head with electric toilet. Wi-Fi via Starlink (optional), multimedia, generator 220 V / 7 KW (230 V in all cabins), washing machine, air fryer and coffee machine. She has large solar panels, radar, AIS, a watermaker, hydraulic bathing platform and a dinghy with outboard motor. A comprehensive array of safety and navigation equipment and much more besides – in short, everything you need to be self-sufficient on the go without needing to call at a provisioning harbour. A yacht that meets the highest standards for safety, design and comfort.

The sailing characteristics are outstanding too! The Hanse was designed by Volvo Ocean racers and is the fastest yacht in her class. Sailing pleasure guaranteed!

GALINI has already successfully taken part in the ARC and meets all safety requirements of this international Atlantic regatta.

Marine Infinite

We want to make sailing more sustainable and environmentally friendly. On our GALINI we test innovative products to combine a great sailing experience with the smallest possible ecological footprint. Our small team of experienced skippers looks forward to sharing genuine sailing adventure with you. Our base is on Poros, Greece – from there we explore the most beautiful sailing areas in the world.

Services

Atlantic crossing as cabin charter with experienced skipper

Berth on the yacht

Sailing instruction and safety briefing

Nautical miles confirmation on request

Use of all on-board facilities

Additional costs

Ship's kitty (food, diesel, final cleaning etc.): approx. €250 per week per person. On the Atlantic crossing there are hardly any harbour fees (hardly any harbours), so the ship's kitty is lower than in the Mediterranean.