Columbus's First Voyage: Seven Weeks from Palos to San Salvador

Christopher Columbus's 1492 transatlantic crossing from Palos de la Frontera, Spain to Guanahani (San Salvador), Bahamas took:

• Departure: September 6, 1492 (after delays in Canaries).
• Landfall: October 12, 1492.
• Duration: 36 days / ~5 weeks from Canaries; ~7 weeks from Palos (including Canaries stopover).

Voyage Breakdown

1. Palos → Canaries (Sep 6–Sep 9): 3 days, repairs, provisions.
2. Canaries → San Salvador (Sep 9–Oct 12): 33 days, ~3,000 nm, steady trade winds.

Significance

First sustained European contact with the Americas since Norse voyages. Launched Columbian Exchange, colonization, and globalization.

Note

"7 weeks" usually counts from Palos departure. The open-ocean leg was ~5 weeks.