Route du Rhum Guadeloupe 2026: dates, course route, boats, and finish in Pointe-à-Pitre
🌊 Everything you need to know about the 2026 Route du Rhum Guadeloupe
There are times when Guadeloupe comes alive a little more than usual. The Route du Rhum is one of them.
The Route du Rhum 2026 is already shaping up to be one of the major highlights in the sailing world. This legendary race will once again connects Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre. In this article, discover all the essential information: the dates of the 2026 edition, the route map, the detailed transatlantic course, as well as the different boats and skippers competing.
Imagine this: the sun rises over the bay of Pointe-à-Pitre, the first boats appear on the horizon, the docks begin to fill, all eyes turn to the sea… and then, a skipper cuts through the water after thousands of kilometers sailed solo. Silence—then an explosion of applause. Welcome to the finish of the Route du Rhum in Guadeloupe. An event you have to experience at least once!
📅 Route du Rhum: how often does it take place?
The Route du Rhum takes place every 4 years. The last edition was held in 2022, which means the next one is scheduled for 2026.
📅 Route du Rhum 2026: dates
The Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe 2026 officially started on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 1:02 p.m., off the coast of Saint-Malo. As in every edition, the race takes sailors from Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre.
The first boats are expected to arrive in Guadeloupe from November 7, 2026, although the exact arrival dates will depend on weather conditions and the skippers' progress.
In Guadeloupe, festivities celebrating the race arrivals will begin on November 5, 2026, depending on the venue. The official race village at Mémorial ACTe, in Pointe-à-Pitre, will be inaugurated on November 6, 2026.
Credit: www.routedurhum.com official website
🌍 Route du Rhum Race Route: From Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre
On a map, the route looks simple: sailing from Saint-Malo, in Brittany, to Pointe-à-Pitre, in Guadeloupe. In reality, it's a 3,542-nautical-mile journey (approximately 6,560 km) across the Atlantic Ocean… all alone!
The 13th edition of the race officially started on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 1:02 p.m., off the coast of the famous historic port city of Saint-Malo.
Route du Rhum: Estimated Arrival Dates in Guadeloupe
Skippers are expected to arrive throughout November, depending on their boat category and sailing conditions.
🔹 Ultim (maxi-trimarans): November 8–10, 2026
🔹 Ocean Fifty: November 11–14, 2026
🔹 IMOCA: November 12–16, 2026
🔹 Class40: November 15–19, 2026
🔹 Vintage Multi (new for 2026): November 13–21, 2026
🔹 Vintage Mono (new for 2026): November 19–26, 2026
These dates are estimates, not official arrival times. They may change depending on weather conditions and the skippers' progress.
To check the boats' positions and follow their progress towards Guadeloupe, visit the official Route du Rhum 2026 race tracker and rankings.
Route du Rhum Villages in Guadeloupe: 2026 Programme
The Route du Rhum isn't just about the race at sea! In 2026, three event villages will welcome visitors across Guadeloupe, each offering a different way to experience this legendary sailing event. From skippers arriving at the finish line to cultural activities, live concerts and sailing discoveries, there's plenty to enjoy throughout the archipelago.
🏁 Official Finish Village: Mémorial ACTe, Pointe-à-Pitre, November 5–15, 2026 → the main gathering place to celebrate the skippers' arrivals, enjoy live concerts, cultural activities and award ceremonies at the heart of the event.
⛵ Basse-Terre Buoy Village: Basse-Terre, November 5–8, 2026 → located on the port esplanade, near the Basse-Terre buoy, an iconic landmark along the race route. Visitors can enjoy activities, a local craft market and evening concerts, combining the excitement of sailing with a festive atmosphere.
🎓 Educational Village: Marina de Bas-du-Fort, November 5–18, 2026 → a space dedicated to learning about and exploring the maritime world, with activities designed to introduce visitors to sailing, navigation and offshore racing.
How Does the Route du Rhum Work? And What Types of Boats Compete?
On paper, the Route du Rhum seems simple: a starting line, a finish line and the Atlantic Ocean in between. In reality… it's a completely different story!
A Solo Atlantic Crossing Combining Strategy and Performance
Every skipper leaves Saint-Malo with one goal: to reach Pointe-à-Pitre as quickly as possible, sailing alone aboard their boat.
But contrary to what you might think, the boats don't follow a straight line!
Each skipper must choose their route based on winds, currents, low-pressure systems and weather conditions. Some take a more northerly route, while others head south in search of the trade winds. It's a true combination of performance, endurance and strategy.
Although this is a solo race, certain forms of assistance are permitted under the race rules. Technical stopovers may be made if repairs are needed. Shore-based weather routing is also permitted for multihulls but prohibited for monohulls.
🚤 Very Different Boats… But One Shared Goal
One of the things that makes the Route du Rhum so special is the variety of boats competing in the same race, each racing within its own category.
In 2026, 115 skippers started the race, competing across 6 boat classes: Ultim, Ocean Fifty, IMOCA, Class40, Vintage Multi and Vintage Mono.
Discover the different categories and their key characteristics:
Boat Class | Characteristics | Boats at the Start in 2026 | 2022 Winner and Race Time |
|---|---|---|---|
🔹 Ultim | Giant trimarans approximately 32 metres long, capable of exceeding 30 knots (55 km/h). The largest and fastest boats in the fleet. | 8 | Charles Caudrelier : 6d 19h 47m 🏆 Race record |
🔹 Ocean Fifty | 50-foot (15.24-metre) trimarans, combining speed, power and spectacular performance. | 10 | Erwan Le Roux : 10d 21h 35m |
🔹 IMOCA | 60-foot (18.28-metre) monohulls, also used in the Vendée Globe. Many feature foils that improve their speed. | 22 | Thomas Ruyant : 11d 17h 36m |
🔹 Class40 | Highly competitive 40-foot (12.19-metre) monohulls. The largest class in terms of participants. | 49 | Yoann Richomme : 14d 3h 8m |
🔹 Vintage Multi | Multihulls from different generations, including former ORMA trimarans that made offshore racing history. | 13 | New category for 2026 |
🔹 Vintage Mono | Monohulls from different generations, celebrating the history and adventurous spirit of the Route du Rhum. | 13 | New category for 2026 |
The race times shown are those achieved by the winners of the 2022 edition. They are not predictions for 2026. The Vintage Multi and Vintage Mono categories replace the former Rhum Multi and Rhum Mono categories.
⛵ What Is the Route du Rhum?
The Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe is a solo transatlantic sailing race from Saint-Malo, Brittany (France), to Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe.
First held in 1978, it has become one of the major events in international sailing. Every four years, professional and amateur skippers cross the Atlantic aboard different classes of racing boats.
The Route du Rhum was originally created in part to promote Caribbean rum and raise its international profile. The idea emerged in the 1970s, when Bernard Hass, then Secretary-General of the French Caribbean Sugar and Rum Producers' Association, was looking for ways to promote the industry. Florent de Kersauson suggested organising a sailing race from mainland France to the Caribbean. The project took shape with the involvement of Michel Etevenon, an advertising executive and show business entrepreneur, who officially announced the creation of the race in 1977.
Held every four years, the Route du Rhum celebrated its 13th edition in 2026. The next edition is therefore expected to take place in 2030.
📍 Where to Watch the Route du Rhum Arrivals in Guadeloupe
The heart of the event is Pointe-à-Pitre! Since 2018, skippers have been welcomed at Mémorial ACTe, home to the official finish village of the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe. In 2026, the village is scheduled to open officially on November 6, with activities, concerts and celebrations continuing until November 15.
Over several days, the race villages come alive with concerts, entertainment and sailing enthusiasts gathering to celebrate the skippers' arrivals in a festive atmosphere.
The Must-See Spots:
🏁 Mémorial ACTe (Pointe-à-Pitre) → the official welcoming point for skippers, perfect for soaking up the excitement of the arrivals and enjoying the festivities.
⚓ La Darse and the waterfront in Pointe-à-Pitre → iconic locations in the race's history, ideal for enjoying the maritime atmosphere.
⛵ Basse-Terre and its race marker buoy → a great place to try to spot the boats before their final stretch towards Pointe-à-Pitre.
🌊 The Leeward Coast (Deshaies, Pointe-Noire, Bouillante) → several coastal viewpoints offer opportunities to see the sailing boats offshore, depending on their route and visibility conditions.
🎓 Marina de Bas-du-Fort (Le Gosier) → a must-visit location to explore the world of sailing and enjoy activities at the educational village.
And between arrivals? Beaches, excursions, local markets… because you're in Guadeloupe, after all! Why not take the opportunity to explore Sainte-Anne or Le Moule?
Credit: Official Route du Rhum 2022 website, Ewan Lebourdais
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Enjoy the Route du Rhum, visit the event’s different villages and discover Guadeloupe.
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FAQ – Route du Rhum Guadeloupe
When does the Route du Rhum arrive in Guadeloupe?
The first boats arrive about 10 to 15 days after the start, usually in mid-November.
How long does the race last?
Between 7 and 20 days, depending on the boat categories and weather conditions.
Where can you see the boats in Pointe-à-Pitre?
Mainly at La Darse, along the docks, and throughout the port area.
Is it crowded?
Yes, especially for the first arrivals. The atmosphere is very festive.
Can you watch multiple arrivals?
Yes, the arrivals are spread out over time, so you can see several of them.
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