Most yacht charters are a coastal affair — a week or two hopping between ports and anchorages within a single region. But for the more adventurous guest, a transatlantic charter offers something altogether rarer: the chance to cover serious ocean aboard a private yacht, with nothing but open water ahead and a new hemisphere waiting on the other side.
A crossing is not for everyone, but for the right guest it is one of the most memorable experiences the yachting world has to offer. Here is what is involved.
The transatlantic season
The Atlantic dictates its own schedule. Each autumn, the superyacht fleet migrates from the Mediterranean back to the Caribbean in time for the winter season, and each spring it makes the return voyage. These two windows are when most crossings happen.
The westbound passage — typically from the Canary Islands or Gibraltar to the Caribbean — runs from late October through December, taking advantage of the reliable trade winds that push west across the Atlantic. The eastbound return, usually from the Caribbean to the Azores and on to the Mediterranean, takes place from March to May.
Repositioning charters and the opportunity they offer
Because the yacht has to make the crossing regardless, owners often offer the passage as a repositioning charter at a markedly lower weekly rate than a standard seasonal charter. For the right guest, that represents genuine value — a chance to experience life aboard an ocean-going yacht on a footing that is not normally available.
A transatlantic charter is not a bargain beach holiday. It is a sustained passage at sea, and its appeal lies in the journey itself rather than in a string of marina stops.
What the crossing is like day to day
Life on a crossing settles into its own rhythm. With no port to reach by sundown, the pressure of a normal itinerary falls away. Days are structured around watch routines, meals and the weather.
Mornings might begin with breakfast on the aft deck in calm air, followed by reading, films, fitness sessions or simply watching the sea. The crew maintains a continuous watch, monitors the routing and weather files, and adjusts course as conditions evolve. Evenings are unhurried — a long dinner, the stars uninterrupted by light pollution, and the quiet of an ocean with no horizon lights.
It is an unusually restorative kind of travel. With no phones (satellite data is limited and metered), no excursions and no schedule to keep, a crossing offers a rare kind of stillness.
How long does it take?
A typical westbound Atlantic crossing on a motor yacht takes around 12 to 18 days, depending on the yacht's cruising speed, the routing and the weather. A sailing yacht can take a similar period or longer, though a performance sailing yacht can make very fast passages with the right wind.
The yacht will usually stop briefly in the Canaries or Cape Verde before setting out across open water, giving guests a chance to step ashore and provision for the passage ahead.
Weather and sea states
The Atlantic in season is generally more forgiving than its reputation suggests, but it is still an ocean. Be prepared for sustained swell and some lively days, particularly in the early part of a westbound passage before the trade winds settle. A capable crew, stabilisers (both at anchor and underway) and a well-found yacht make a real difference to comfort.
Your captain will plan the routing around the weather and will not depart into a forecast that puts guests or crew at risk. Flexibility is simply part of the deal.
How it differs from a coastal charter
The fundamental difference is the absence of a daily destination. On a coastal charter, the yacht moves every few hours and you are never far from shore. On a crossing, the shoreline disappears within a day and does not reappear for the best part of a fortnight.
- Coastal charter: multiple anchorages, daily shore trips, busy itineraries and social ports.
- Transatlantic charter: one sustained passage, open ocean, a single focus on the experience of being at sea.
Suitability and expectations
A crossing suits guests who relish the ocean for its own sake, who are comfortable with sustained time at sea, and who understand that the appeal is the journey rather than a parade of destinations. It is not ideal for very young children, for guests prone to seasickness, or for anyone who needs constant connectivity.
For the right guest, however, it is hard to beat. Few experiences match the feeling of making landfall in a new ocean after two weeks of open water.
Practical planning tips
- Be honest with your broker about your seakeeping experience and comfort in open water.
- Pack for life on board — comfortable clothing, swimwear, layers for cool nights on watch, and plenty to read.
- Take seasickness remedies and consult your pharmacist before departure.
- Accept that satellite Wi-Fi is limited; treat the crossing as an opportunity to disconnect.
- Build in a rest day or two after arrival before flying home.
If the idea of an ocean crossing appeals, talk to us about which yachts in the fleet are making the next seasonal passage and which have guest berths available.