World ARC 2024-25 concludes in Saint Lucia

Beneteau Oceanis 50 Sea Monster (AUS) at the Saint Lucia Parade of Sail for World ARC 2024-25 © Ronald Raoul

World ARC 2024-25 finished on Saturday in IGY Rodney Bay Marina, Saint Lucia, from where the boats set sail 15 months and 26,000NM ago. In total, 330 people aged from a toddler to over eighty sailed on one or more stages of the rally.

39 yachts took part in the thirteenth edition of the World ARC rally. Six crews completed a 15-month circumnavigation with the rally, 20 yachts sailed in the first half of the rally from Saint Lucia to Australia via Panama, Galapagos, French Polynesia, Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu and 13 joined the rally for the second half from Australia and Indonesia to Saint Lucia via the Cape of Good Hope.

Martin and Caron Wagstaff own Oyster 47 Escapade of London (GBR) and started their circumnavigation with World ARC in January 2023, taking time out to explore Australia and Indonesia before joining the 2024 fleet in Lombok to complete their voyage around the world. One of two couples who sailed without additional crew, Martin said, "Although we sailed double-handed, we were never alone", summing up the 'floating village' atmosphere of sailing with a rally.

After so many sea miles, the final passage was the traditional parade of sail, just 12NM from Marigot Bay to Rodney Bay. Everyone was met at the dock in IGY Rodney Bay Marina with rum punches, hugs and a few happy tears. Marina Manager Sean Devaux said, "It's tremendous to be able to welcome you back to Rodney Bay Marina, and with heartfelt warmth, we congratulate you on what you have achieved."

Within the fleet are seven multihulls and 31 monohulls, averaging 16.5m in length and 15 years old. The smallest boat is Garland & Jennifer Mann's Lagoon 380 S2 Esperanza (USA), and the largest is Philip Wilson's Oyster 725 Isabel (GBR). The oldest boat in the fleet was Whit Waldo's Nauticat 43 Bountibou, which was launched in 1988.

At the prize-giving, the Honourable Dr. Ernest Hilaire, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture & Information said, "We hope you feel that Saint Lucia feels like coming home. You have done an amazing job, and I am so proud that you have made it back to Saint Lucia."

Genevieve Chase, co-owner of Beneteau Oceanis 50 Sea Monster (AUS) summed up the emotion at the final rally prize-giving: "The best part of this rally has been the friendships with every one of you. The onshore activities organised by World Cruising Club brought us all together in a way that I couldn't have dreamed of." The Chases joined the rally in Australia, sailing across the Indian and Atlantic oceans with World ARC.

It's not just the sailors who find the final days of the rally emotional and uplifting, the World Cruising Club team celebrate alongside the participants. Managing Director Paul Tetlow said to the triumphant sailors, "I want to thank you, the participants of World ARC, for putting your trust in us to support you in your adventure of a lifetime".

2025 and 2026 round-the-world rallies

World ARC sets sail every January from Saint Lucia, circumnavigating via the Panama Canal, Australia, South Africa and Brazil, visiting 18 countries. The 2025-26 fleet are currently in French Polynesia enjoying independent cruising ahead of a rally rendezvous in Bora Bora before sailing on to Niue and Tonga.

The 2026-27 edition of the rally starts in Saint Lucia on 10 January 2026 with 33 boats already confirmed, many of them old friends from the ARC transatlantic rally. You don't even need to own a boat to enjoy the experience of sailing round the world, as Swedish charter Farr 65r Celeste of Solent is offering berths for each stage of the rally.

The 2027-28 edition of World ARC will be available to book from summer 2025.