World ARC Legs 26-27 – Salvador da Bahia, Brazil to Grenada

**Skipper: Johan Billström, **2500 NM

This sailing adventure is not just about the destinations, but the incredible experiences you’ll have along the way. The route is divided into two cruising legs and one rally leg.
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Upon landing at El Salvador International Airport, make your way to the marina. Crew arrive on board Celeste on February 25th with a chance to get to know each other and familiarize yourselves with the boat. The days leading up to departure will be spent on preparations and exploring Salvador de Bahia which is a vibrant city known for its rich Afro-Brazilian culture, colonial architecture and beautiful beaches.

After route planning and a thorough safety briefing we depart and set sail along the stunning Brazilian coast. As a crew member on board Celeste of Solent, you become part of the team and are involved in everything from steering and navigating to cooking and taking care of the boat. As we will cruise north we will primarily do day sailings and stop to explore and experience as many places as weather and wind permits. The coast features a mix of rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and small fishing villages. bordered by lush green forests and rolling hills. The coastline is dotted with coves and bays.

The Brazilian adventure wraps up in Cabedelo around March 3rd, where we will connect with fellow World Arc travellers for the 1,330 nautical mile (6-9 day) voyage to Devil’s Island. This passage starts on the 5th of March. We will divide into watch teams with 3-hour shifts. That means you will be on watch for three hours and off watch for six hours. The responsible watch team handles steering, trimming, and navigation.

While Devil’s Island may appear as a tropical paradise with its palm trees and crystal-clear waters, the island hides a dark history. Between 1852 and 1953, tens of thousands of inmates lost their lives in this notorious prison, victims of malnutrition, disease, and desperate escape attempts. Once considered the most feared prison in modern times, its haunting stories linger as we sail the four to six days journey through the Caribbean towards Grenada – an island country of the West Indies in the eastern Caribbean Sea. Grenada is the southernmost of the Windward Islands and the passage will end in the capital, St George.