The Atlantic Islands Passage

What will the type of sailing be like?

THE PASSAGE This is a true offshore passage, taking Libra from Faro on Portugal’s Algarve coast southwest across the eastern Atlantic to Tenerife in the Canary Islands. After departing Faro, we’ll leave the European mainland behind and settle into offshore life aboard Libra, sailing day and night as we make our way toward the Canaries. LIFE OFFSHORE Once underway, the crew settles into Libra’s three hours on, six hours off watch schedule. You’ll stand watches in pairs and participate in helm, lookout, navigation, sail handling, weather analysis and the everyday operation of a 60 foot offshore cruising boat. There are no planned stops between Portugal and the Canary Islands. For several days, Libra becomes our entire world as we settle into the rhythm of watches, meals, sleep, changing weather and life at sea. SAILING SOUTH October is an important transition period in the eastern Atlantic. Northerly winds are common off southern Portugal, and as we work farther south we begin entering the influence of the northeast trade winds associated with the Canary Islands. The actual weather window will determine our departure and route. Each day we’ll look at the forecast, evaluate our progress and make the same routing and sail decisions required on a real offshore passage. APPROACHING THE CANARIES After days of open ocean, the volcanic peaks of the Canary Islands eventually rise from the Atlantic ahead. The islands create their own sailing challenges, with large volcanic terrain producing localized wind acceleration, wind shadows and rapidly changing conditions as we approach Tenerife. Making landfall after several days offshore is one of the great experiences of passage sailing and an important part of learning to move a cruising boat between distant destinations. BUILT FOR OFFSHORE EXPERIENCE With ten days scheduled for approximately 700 nautical miles, this passage gives us time to make the crossing without turning it into a race. For sailors preparing for offshore cruising, ocean crossings or their own longer passages, Faro to Tenerife provides something difficult to recreate close to home: consecutive days and nights at sea, real watchstanding and the experience of moving a cruising boat from continental Europe to an Atlantic island chain.