World ARC 2024-25, Leg 1

Saint Lucia, Santa Marta, San Blas Islands, Panama Canal, Panama City

January – February 2024, 1,190nm

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Starting from Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia we will set sail with the World ARC fleet on the 11th January, first stop Santa Marta 815nm away. We will have 5 days to explore this historic coastal town in Columbia before setting off for the San Blas Islands. Santa Marta offers great walking in the National Parks and mountains and a bustling town to explore. After a prizegiving dinner with the WARC group we will then sail to the San Blas Islands, a two day sail away. These islands are the home of the Kuna Indians and are really more like cays with fringing coral reefs offering protected anchorages. Most of the islands are uninhabited and you can enjoy the emerald clear water and white sandy beaches shaded by coconut palms.

We rendezvous with the other WARC yachts for a social get together, before taking the 80nm night sail across to Colon, Panama. Here we will have a few days in the marina making preparations for transiting the canal.

With 3 locks at either end, the Panama Canal was first opened in 1914. The French first attempted to build the canal in 1880 but gave up after around 21,000 workers died of Malaria and Yellow Fever. The Americans took on the project in the early 1900s and now there are plans to widen the canal further. World ARC representatives will help to organise all the paperwork and logistics of making the passage through the canal, meaning crews can be left to enjoy the whole experience.

Once through, we will be anchored off Panama City where Leg 1 of the journey ends.

Additional places may be available for the transit of the Panama Canal.

Read about our previous experiences on this leg on our 2017 blog and 2020 blog.

Booking Details

All dates subject to confirmation. Discounts available for multiple legs. Deposit of 25% due on booking, final balance due 4 months prior to joining.

Key Facts:

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What's included:

• Qualified and experienced skipper and first mate.
• Fully coded yacht, licensed to charter anywhere in the world.
• Full Category A medical kit.
• Entry cost to the World ARC.
• Organised tours, parties and events by WCC.
• All onboard expenses.
• Onboard food and drinks.
• Satellite tracking, blogs and photos sent whilst at sea.
• Tuition and guidance from two Ocean Yachtmasters.
• Use of sextant and navigation tables.
• All safety equipment.
• Fuel.

What's not included:

• Flights and transfers.
• Meals ashore.
• WCC crew fees (£150 per leg).
• Personal visas (if required).
• Personal insurance.