ARC Baltic returns in style with an unforgettable Scandinavian adventure
by World Cruising Club 5 Aug 18:25 BST
The return of ARC Baltic has been hailed a resounding success, with a fleet of cruising yachts completing an unforgettable voyage through some of Northern Europe's most spectacular cruising grounds.
Returning for the first time since 2019, the rally brought sailors together to experience the Baltic's unique blend of rewarding sailing, fascinating history, vibrant cultures and breathtaking scenery.
Starting in Kiel, Germany, on 5 July, the fleet sailed around 1,000 nautical miles through Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Finland and the Åland Islands before finishing amongst the stunning islands of the Stockholm Archipelago. While the Baltic delivered a variety of weather conditions throughout the month, the final days were blessed with glorious Swedish sunshine, providing the perfect ending to a remarkable adventure.
The opening stop in Stralsund introduced crews to the city's rich Hanseatic history with a guided walking tour before the fleet continued on an overnight passage to Hasle, Bornholm, arriving in time to experience Sildefest, the island's much-loved harbour festival filled with music, local food and Danish hospitality.
From there, the rally sailed to the medieval city of Visby, where crews explored the UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town before enjoying dinner beneath one of the city's historic medieval vaults. One of the standout moments of the rally followed with an overnight stop at Gotska Sandön National Park, one of Sweden's oldest and most remote national parks. With endless sandy beaches, ancient pine forests and complete tranquillity, the island offered a true wilderness experience unlike anywhere else on the route.
The fleet then crossed to Tallinn, where a guided walking tour brought the city's rich medieval history to life, before continuing to Helsinki, a destination that quickly became a favourite among many crews. Alongside exploring Finland's vibrant capital, participants attended a presentation from ARC veteran Heikki Vesalainen, together with Bodil Forss from Finnish Ocean Sailing Ladies, who shared valuable local knowledge for cruising Finland's spectacular archipelago.
For Flo Cromheecke-Zipper aboard the catamaran SkipperZipper, Helsinki was the highlight of the rally.
"The places we visited were so amazing - Helsinki was my number one! We made so many friends and we know we will keep in touch."
Following the rally's offshore passage to Mariehamn, crews enjoyed several days of free cruising before reuniting to exchange stories over a waterfront dinner in the heart of the Åland Islands.
The final chapter of ARC Baltic took the fleet into the beautiful Stockholm Archipelago, where one of the most memorable evenings of the rally unfolded. After a day of free cruising, crews gathered at a secluded wild mooring for a BBQ organised by the World Cruising Club Yellow Shirt team. As the sun set over the smooth granite rocks, sailors reflected on the friendships formed, the miles sailed and the unforgettable experiences shared, while enjoying a delicious feast in perfect summer weather.
The following evening, the fleet gathered one final time at Bullandö Marina for a farewell dinner overlooking the marina, celebrating the end of an extraordinary adventure and raising a glass to new friendships.
The rally's success was reflected in the feedback from participants.
Danielle Lavoie, who began the rally aboard Ice Bear before joining SkipperZipper, said: "Everyone has been so welcoming, and I have made lifelong friends. The ARC Baltic was so well organised and it was simply an amazing experience."
Ryan Clarke aboard Fuzzy Duck added: "The rally was really good! The social side has been fantastic and everything has been really well put together and thought through."
Jake Bloom aboard the new Moody 41DS Makani Olu said: "It was fantastic. I loved exploring the Swedish Archipelago. If it wasn't for ARC Baltic, I don't think we would have come here. Meeting the fleet, who all came with different sailing experiences, was great. I love the Baltic!"
Despite some challenging weather along the way, and some weather delays, ARC Baltic proved to be an outstanding success. Combining exceptional cruising with carefully planned shoreside experiences and the camaraderie that defines every World Cruising Club rally, the event has firmly re-established itself as one of the highlights of the Baltic cruising calendar.
As the fleet departed Bullandö to continue their individual cruising plans, they left with lasting friendships, unforgettable memories and a shared appreciation for one of the world's finest cruising regions. Following such a successful return after six years away, ARC Baltic is well and truly back.