The Atlantic Islands Passage

PN132027

Faro, Portugal to Tenerife

Oct 1st to October 10th 2027
Duration 9 Days

750 Nautical Miles

Bunks Available: 3

$7,950

Sail offshore from Portugal to the Canary Islands aboard Libra on a 10 day Atlantic passage from Faro to Tenerife. Leaving the Algarve behind, we’ll head southwest into the open Atlantic for a true bluewater passage, settling into watches and life at sea as we sail toward the northeast trade winds and the volcanic peaks of the Canary Islands.

Passage summary

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.

OCTOBER IN THE EASTERN ATLANTIC

Early October marks the transition from the more settled summer pattern toward the changing weather of autumn.

We begin in southern Portugal, where northerly winds remain common, and sail southwest toward the subtropical conditions surrounding the Canary Islands. Along the way, the crew gets to experience how weather changes as we move more than 700 nautical miles south into a different part of the Atlantic.

PREVAILING WINDS

North and northeasterly winds are common along much of our route and can provide excellent reaching and downwind conditions for a southbound passage.

October, however, is a transition month. The strong summer northerlies along Portugal begin becoming less persistent, while the northeast trade winds around the Canary Islands are generally lighter and less consistent than during the summer.

That variability makes weather routing an important part of this passage rather than simply assuming we will have the same wind for the entire trip.

WEATHER ROUTING

Before departure, we’ll evaluate the North Atlantic weather pattern, position of the Azores High, approaching fronts, wind direction and strength, and expected sea state.

Once offshore, we continue updating forecasts and making decisions as conditions develop.

Do we sail the shortest route?
Do we head farther west looking for better pressure?
Do we alter course to avoid stronger conditions?
Do we slow down or change sail early before a front arrives?
These are real passage decisions, and the crew will be involved in understanding why we make them.

SEA STATE

This is open Atlantic sailing.

North Atlantic swell can accompany the prevailing wind, and distant weather systems can produce swell even when our local conditions are relatively moderate. As we move south, both the wind and sea state can change considerably.

Learning to helm, trim sails, sleep, cook and live aboard a moving boat for several consecutive days is a major part of the offshore experience.

ENTERING THE TRADE WINDS

As Libra approaches the Canary Islands, we enter the region influenced by the northeast trade winds.

The Canaries are strongly affected by the Azores High and the trades, but the islands themselves dramatically modify the wind. Tenerife rises more than 12,000 feet from the Atlantic, creating wind shadows and acceleration zones around the island.

Wind speeds in some acceleration zones can exceed 25 knots even when conditions offshore are considerably lighter.

Reading those local effects and planning our approach to Tenerife becomes the final weather and navigation exercise of the passage.

TEMPERATURES & CONDITIONS

One of the noticeable changes during the passage will be the increasingly warm climate as we sail south.

Faro in October typically sees daytime temperatures around the low to mid 70s°F, with cooler nights and an increasing possibility of autumn rain.

By the time we reach the Canary Islands, conditions are generally warmer and subtropical, with October daytime temperatures commonly in the 70s°F and warm ocean temperatures.

For the crew, that means leaving autumn in Europe and sailing south toward the year round sailing climate of the Canary Islands.

Travel & Logistics

Boarding in Faro, Portugal

Board Libra in Faro on October 1, 2026. The first day aboard will include crew introductions, bunk assignments, vessel orientation, safety procedures, provisioning and a detailed review of the weather and passage plan, crew dinner ashore the first evening.

Faro International Airport (FA) is the primary airport serving the Algarve and is just outside the city, making arrival straightforward. Faro is also connected by rail to Lisbon for sailors who choose to fly into Lisbon and travel south by train.

Departure

Our departure from Faro will be determined by the offshore weather window. Once underway, we will sail approximately 700 nautical miles southwest across the eastern Atlantic toward the Canary Islands.

This is an offshore passage with several consecutive days and nights at sea. There are no planned stops between Portugal and the Canaries.

Arrival in Tenerife

Our scheduled passage concludes in Tenerife on October 10, 2026.

Tenerife has two international airports. Tenerife South Airport (TFS) handles most international traffic, while Tenerife North Airport (TFN) provides extensive connections within the Canary Islands and to mainland Spain.

Because offshore sailing is weather dependent, avoid booking tightly timed onward travel on the scheduled arrival day. Whenever possible, allow additional time in Tenerife after the passage.

Passports & Entry

Portugal and Spain are both within the Schengen Area. Travelers should carry a valid passport and confirm the current entry requirements applicable to their citizenship before traveling.

The Canary Islands are part of Spain, so this passage remains within the Schengen Area despite sailing approximately 700 nautical miles offshore.

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