Sailing from Bermuda to Newport offers a challenging 600 miles of open ocean sailing. Experiencing the change of conditions from tropical Bermuda, across the Gulf Stream and towards springtime in Rhode Island is a unique experience for those looking to push their boundaries and develop a true breadth of sailing skills.
While this passage is not part of a race, we are likely to be sailing around the same time as other participants of the Antigua to Bermuda race, most of whom are continuing on towards Newport. This offers us all a nice little additional safety net for the passage.
More about the passage…
The weather at this time of year offers a fair number of good weather windows for the passage, and we will aim to slot into one of these. Expected conditions in a good weather window, would be a fast reach with following seas from Bermuda to the Gulf Stream (the major northbound current, carrying warm water from the Caribbean up the East Coast).
Once in the Gulf Stream, it’s like being on a moving sidewalk, rapidly tracking us north- a ride we can gratefully accept as that’s where we’re trying to go! Approaching the coast of the USA brings us into increasing marine traffic, tides and of course gets us to the eagerly anticipated landfall in Newport- all of which offers phenomenal training opportunities, particularly for intermediate to advanced sailors.
Crew should expect to be fully involved in the preparations in Bermuda, and helping Panacea get cleaned up and settled in once we land in Newport. Underway, everyone will take turns with food prep, standing watches, and keeping everything shipshape for a safe and successful passage.
2026 Preliminary Schedule
Antigua to Bermuda Ocean Race details here
SailGP Bermuda is happening May 9-10!
May 11: Crew join Panacea in the evening for meet & greet, anchored off Royal Bermuda Yacht Club
May 12-13: Safety briefing & preparations
May 14: Ideal departure day
May 18: Landfall in Newport, Rhode Island
May 19-20: Crew party, Panacea pampering & wrap-up
**This schedule is to be used as an example only, and to plan joining / departing the yacht. Our time underway will be in the realm of 4 days at sea, however the time commitment for this passage is longer as we want the flexibility to allow for inclement weather to pass ahead or behind us. We will not lock in on a specific departure date within the time indicated here, until we have an accommodating weather window.
Pre-Requisites
Considerable prior sailing experience including standing watches offshore and at night is required.
Additional training, such as Safety at Sea / Sea Survival / STCW and first aid to at least a Standard level is strongly recommended.
Reasonable level of physical strength and fitness.
Contact us to discuss eligibility and where you will fit into the team. Questions? Check out our Atlantic FAQs or just ask!
Cost
$2,250 CAD
OR packaged with the weekend liveaboard for SailGP ($150) and the Antigua to Bermuda Ocean Race ($6,250) for just $7,250
Maximum 5 crew + skipper + first mate
Cost includes professional skipper, first mate, all food on board during the passage and training days, fuel, moorage, yacht insurance and all other operating costs of the yacht, and two team shirts (long-sleeve for sailing and short-sleeve for shore).
Cost also includes accommodation on board from the evening of Monday, May 11 to the morning of Monday, May 21.
Participants are responsible for: food on shore and other discretionary spending, mandatory travel insurance, flights & on shore accommodation before/after the passage.
SailGP Add-On
Accommodation can be added from Friday, May 8 until the morning of Monday, May 11 in order to watch SailGP. Bunks are prioritized for crew from the Antigua to Bermuda race, but otherwise available on a first come, first served basis for an additional fee per night of $50 or $150 total. This fee helps defray the costs of the yacht and only includes a simple breakfast each morning and a shared bunk. Crew are responsible for their own lunch and dinner, and will need to be flexible vis a vis dinghy rides to/from the boat as we will be at anchor.
