Available
950 -
1050 nautical miles
Offshore
Bahamas, Leeward Islands
This 950–1,050+ mile expedition from George Town to Antigua is built around extended passagemaking, round-the-clock watchkeeping and real-world weather routing. The challenge is not simply covering the distance—it’s finding the right way east against the prevailing trade winds.
Rather than sailing the rhumb line, our January strategy will be to work well east from George Town before turning south, potentially carrying the route beyond Antigua’s longitude to create a more favorable angle through the prevailing trades.
At 6.5–7 knots, the main offshore passage could mean roughly 6–7 days underway, but we’ve allowed 14 nights to give us room to work with the weather rather than force a departure. We may stage in George Town or work east through neighboring Bahamian islands, heading offshore when the right window develops. Total mileage and the route we ultimately sail will depend on how much easting is required and the weather we encounter.
- Day 1: Embark George Town; systems, safety and weather prep
- Day 2: Depart George Town; begin working east
- Days 3-12: Continue east/southeast, maintaining offshore watch rotations and stopping in the islands where it makes sense to time the offshore weather window. Turn south once sufficient easting is achieved for the offshore passage toward Antigua.
- Days 9-13: Arrival Antigua; recovery & local exploration
- Day 14: Disembark
Weather & Season
Weather routing is a central part of this expedition, which is why we allow 14 nights for a trip that, mileage-wise, could be a six-night passage.
Early January puts us near the end of the more favorable seasonal window for making this passage. Winter northers are becoming more frequent, periodically disrupting the prevailing easterlies. They can bring stronger winds, cooler temperatures and rougher seas—but timed correctly, the wind shifts around a front can also give us valuable opportunities to make easting.
In George Town, typical January temperatures run around 79°F during the day and 70°F at night, with water temperatures around 77°F. As we work east and south, conditions transition toward the more established Caribbean trade-wind regime. Antigua is typically warm and breezy in January, with water temperatures around 80°F.
Our general strategy will be to work toward the I-65 route before turning south toward Antigua. Because we’re starting well south of the traditional route, we’ll pick our windows carefully rather than forcing our way directly into the trades. The exact route, mileage and time underway will depend on the weather we get.
Travel Details
Fly into GGT in Great Exuma, connecting through Miami, Charlotte, Toronto, Atlanta or Nassau on American, Air Canada, Delta, Bahamasair or Western Air.
We may stage in George Town for several days before departing, or begin working east through neighboring Bahamian islands until we find the right window to head offshore and make the bulk of our miles.
Our route will ultimately take us to Antigua, where weather and our time of arrival will determine our port of entry. On disembarkation day, plan for ground transportation to V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU) for your flight home.
Plan for some flexibility with your return flight. While 14 days gives us a respectable weather window, the timing and frequency of winter fronts varies, and can be difficult to plan for. If the weather dictates it, we have the option to take a “Thornless Path” route that involves shorter hops instead of a direct offshore route.
Price
Per person:
$9,000 USD
//
Single occupancy
Per cabin:
$15,750 USD
//
Double occupancy
Whole boat:
$30,000 USD
//
Up to 4 people across 3 cabins
Pricing includes captain and mate, instruction, dockage, port fees, food and non-alcoholic beverages, fuel, water, shower toiletries, linens, and, where schedules allow, use of our onboard water toys and snorkel gear.