
The 7th edition of the well-known rally will cover 900 nautical miles to the port of Mindelo in Cabo Verde.
At 9:00 AM yesterday, the 17 participating vessels in the 7th edition of the Rallye des Îles du Soleil began departing from the docks of Marina Jandía (Calero Marinas), marking a historic milestone: this is the first time the crossing originates from Fuerteventura.
During the preparation week in Morro Jable, the fleet had the opportunity to enjoy the island, stock up on supplies, inspect their boats, and finalize details for their Atlantic crossing. Amid smiles and excitement, crew members were farewelled by the president of Grand Pavois Organisation (GPO), Alain Pochon, who wished all sailors fair winds as they embarked on their Atlantic adventure towards Mindelo (Cabo Verde), a distance of 900 nautical miles.
The official departure, scheduled for 11:00 AM local time, took place in front of Marina Jandía with 8-knot east winds that would gradually shift to the northeast, creating typical trade wind conditions. In the days ahead, the crews will be tested as they must seize every gust for a smooth and strategic start to their journey.
If you want to receive this and all information FOR FREE about Fuerteventura and the Canary Islands promptly via our WhatsApp channel, which is not a chat and does not allow sending or receiving comments, only information and videos of the island, join the new Noticias Fuerteventura channel.
Organized by Grand Pavois Organisation, a leading name in promoting nautical tourism, the rally maintains a close relationship with Calero Marinas, from where it has previously set sail—Marina Lanzarote and Marina La Palma. This collaboration solidifies the position of the Canary Islands as a key spot for French nautical tourism, a segment that is highly qualified and of great interest to the archipelago.
The Península de Jandía Nautical Club has actively collaborated in this edition by providing its spaces and facilities for the preparations.
The atmosphere of camaraderie, the excitement of the crews, and the pristine surroundings of Marina Jandía have offered the best possible setting for this exciting start toward the Atlantic.
About Grand Pavois Organisation
Grand Pavois Organisation (GPO) is a French entity founded in 1973, internationally recognized for creating and managing major nautical events, including the Grand Pavois Nautical Fair in La Rochelle, one of Europe’s most significant boat shows. With over 50 years of experience, GPO promotes projects that encourage responsible sailing, maritime culture, and international nautical tourism.
The Rallye des Îles du Soleil is part of this vision, connecting sailors from around the globe in an oceanic journey that links Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean under the spirit of the sea, adventure, and cooperation.

