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Atlantic Challenge 2026 — Tenerife to the Balearics
Seasoned sailors know that Spanish charter fleets often migrate to the Canary Islands for winter, extending the sailing calendar, boosting vessel utilization, increasing yacht turnover and keeping crews sharp without lengthy shore leave.
On the other hand, such relocations provide a unique opportunity for offshore yachting enthusiasts, because in a regular charter, you can only sail between islands, but you must return to the base, to the starting point. In the case of one-way charters, this requirement is eliminated: the yacht must travel from the starting point to the finish point across the Atlantic Ocean.
Sailme Charter's winter base is located on Tenerife, and the Atlantic Challenge crossing starts in April 2026. The passage lasts three weeks, and crews are not restricted by anything except the finish point and dates. Three weeks to cover 1,500 nautical miles is more than enough, even accounting for weather conditions. However, if the team wants to add an extra week or two before or after, that's no problem — it can be arranged in advance.
The classic route
The classic route goes through Lanzarote, then a two-day crossing to Madeira, where the crew can rest and explore the picturesque island. Next, 600 nm and 5 days in the Atlantic Ocean, arriving in the south of Portugal or Spanish Cadiz. From Cadiz, it's mandatory to follow along the coast in shallow waters (<20 m depth to avoid orcas), the route passes through Gibraltar and then into the Mediterranean Sea, along Andalusia, the southern Mediterranean coast of Spain: Marbella, Malaga, Almeria, Cartagena. The last offshore section is 130 miles from Cartagena to Formentera, and then the yachts are home, in the Balearic Islands.
Orcas
Sailors know that over the last 4 years, orcas have started attacking yachts along the coast of the Iberian Peninsula. We keep our finger on the pulse and will provide you with comprehensive consultations on passing through the Strait of Gibraltar. The main criterion is to pass in shallow waters (<20 m) from Cadiz to La Linea. Also, rest assured that all cases of attacks are covered by our insurance.
Yachts we offer for the crossing
| Yacht | Name | One-Way 3 weeks Tenerife → Ibiza |
|---|---|---|
| Lagoon 52F | Neptuno | By Request |
| Lagoon 42 | Odessa | 3900 |
| Lagoon 40* | Eskimo | 3400 |
| Excess 11 | Siesta | 3400 |
| Excess 11 | Saona | 3400 |
| FP Lucia 40* | Aquila | 3400 |
| Oceanis 46.1* | Dream Team | 3900 |
| Oceanis 46.1 First Line | Yess Boss | 3900 |
| Oceanis 46.1 | Kismee | 3900 |
| Oceanis 46.1 | No Stress | 3900 |
| Sun Odyssey 519 | Leia | 3900 |
| Hanse 415* | Nord Star | 1900 |
| Oceanis 41.1* | Simba | 1900 |
We will be happy to share our experience with you and provide our yachts and catamarans. During the crossing, you can also undergo training, hire a skipper-instructor, or a safety-skipper. If you're more interested in an individual cabin rather than the whole yacht, check out our Atlantic Challenge offer.
