59º North Sailing
sail offshore on bucket-list adventures
"Sharing the wisdom of the high seas with those wise enough to seek it out."
"Crisp stars overhead, the quiet rush of water below, all your troubles left ashore. Salt air, a hot meal on the stove, and the gentle motion of the boat rocking you to sleep in your cozy seaberth.
From the first time we sailed over the horizon and discovered the freedom and sense of purpose the sea can bring, we knew we wanted to share that experience. Out there, people come together in a way they rarely do on land. You’ll leave the dock as strangers and return as Shipmates - a bond shared only by those who have gone to sea together.
Come sail with us. Hold fast to your dreams."
REAL SAILING & REAL PEOPLE
You know what's cool about 59º North? We sail actual offshore routes, that require real planning, real strategy, and our crew (that's you, we hope!) to truly hands-on sail the boat. But maybe more importantly, there is a real person writing this marketing text! That's right, everything on this site was brainstormed and designed by me, Andy Schell, co-founder & one of the Lead Skippers at 59º North Sailing. So keep that in mind as you peruse the site.
We're confident that we offer the very best offshore sailing adventures in the world, combined with the best & most unique experiential education through our limited annual workshops. Co-Founders Mia, August & I run all aspects of the business, from the intial customer signup process (shout-out to Mia), to boat maintenance and staff selection right on up through actually sailing with you at-sea. We've all got real skin in the game, and that matters to the quality of your experience out there. We flat-out care more.
Our small group of professional sailing staff are close friends, selected by us for their work-ethic, knowledge, experience & humanity. What we offer in terms of real-world sailing expeditions & educational workshops, events & online courses cannot be duplicated and you'll find it nowhere else. We hope you'll join us on the high seas for the adventure of a lifetime.
Where we sail
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Since 2015, 59º North boats have sailed far and wide, covering most oceans of the world and sailing with a range of skippers and mates and over 1,000 crew from all walks of life and from all over the world. Have a look at our impressive stats below, which update automatically!
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NEWEST BLOGS
Rocket Launched into the Trades
The best almond croissant in the world only appeared once—and then vanished for days, taking a piece of Skipper Mary's soul with it. Meanwhile, FALKEN is tearing through the Pacific at 10 knots, a customs officer is threatening birthday fines, and a pod of dolphins just showed up to see the crew off. Leg 7 to Hawaii is underway, and it's already a lot to keep up with.
Hat overboard!
On June 4, we reviewed our passage plan before our departure from the marina in Hjellested.
Departure from Bergen!
The crew on the women’s sail training on Isbjorn is settling into a great routine for managing the boat and life onboard.
You are the crew
You don’t need to be a seasoned sailor to join us; you do need to be curious, engaged, and willing to be part of the team. As a paying crew member, you’ll take part in every aspect of running the boat: helming, sail handling, navigation, weather routing, etc, all the small decisions that add up to a safe and successful ocean passage.
We’re not a formal sailing school. We teach seam'nship the way it’s been taught for centuries—by doing it, for real, in real conditions, with experienced staff who care deeply about safety, quality, and the people on board.
Inclusivity matters to us. We reserve at least two bunks on every passage for women sailors and we work hard to create an environment built on respect, trust, and genuine care for each other.
If you’re looking for a polished vacation, this may not be it. If you’re looking for meaningful challenge, real responsibility, and an unforgettable experience at sea—you’re in the right place.
sail offshore
2027-10 | FALKEN | ARC Europe: Azores Cruise
The Azores are one of our all-time favorite destinations in the Atlantic, and the islands offer unparalleled scenery and culture. Here's a chance to do something different with 59º North, island-hopping our way from Horta to Sao Miguel and exploring these wonderful islands. Climb to the summit of the 7,700' high Pico, watch the running of the bulls in Terceira and explore the big city in Sao Miguel. Special pricing for crews who want to add-on this passage either after arrival in Horta, or before joining the next leg to Scotland.
2026-6 | ISBJORN | Reykjavik - Solar Eclipse - Stornoway
This trip, and indeed this whole sailing season, was conceived during a conversation with Dan Stinebring in the Lofoten Islands. Dan is a bona fide astronomer, and a professor of Physics & Astronomy. As we were discussing the total eclipse over the US that year, we learned about an upcoming total solar eclipse over Europe, that sadly would be tough to see, as the best part would occur out in the ocean. It then dawned on us both that there existed a machine that could take us there—the very machine that was ghosting us along the cliffs of Lofoten as we spoke. ISBJØRN is going to sail to the point of greatest eclipse for the Total Solar Eclipse of August 12, 2026! This is the point which will have the longest duration of totality. Experience this unique once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon in the coolest possible location! As lunar perigee will occur on August 10, 2026, two days before the solar eclipse, the Moon's apparent diameter will be larger, and totality will last for 2 minutes and 18 seconds! ISBJØRN will start in Reykjavik, then sail for 65°10.3' N 25°12.3' W to experience the eclipse, and then head to Stornoway in Scotland. Book your flights early! The eclipse will be visible from the mainland of Iceland as well (although much reduced) and there will probably be tons of people coming to see it.
2027-3 | ISBJORN | Faroe - Lofoten
From the remote and windswept Faroes, we head northeast into the Norwegian Sea, bound for one of the most stunning archipelagos in the world: the Lofoten Islands. This passage is a serious offshore undertaking, and a journey that takes us into the cold waters above the Arctic Circle. The passage can be both demanding and deeply rewarding. You will learn a lot about weather forecasting and -routing as you time your departure and set your course through the weather systems of the Norwegian Sea. Landfall in Lofoten is unforgettable. Jagged granite peaks rise straight from the sea, snow still lingering on their summits even in late May. High-latitude sailing at its very best. This voyage combines the raw thrill of offshore passage-making with the reward of arriving in one of the most spectacular sailing destinations on Earth. If you are looking to challenge yourself and earn serious sea miles while also experiencing the beauty of Arctic Norway, this is it.
CREW TESTIMONIALS
My time on FALKEN crossing the Atlantic was highly rewarding and incredibly enjoyable. A unique adventure for sure, it was made that much more gratifying given the wonderful crew with whom I shared the experience. The trip was routinely challenging and always a lot of fun, allowing me to stretch myself and enjoy being absent from the rest of the world for a time. Unforgettable.
Huge thank you to the 59º North team, especially Captain Emily and First Mate Mia, for taking me and our crew safely across the Atlantic Ocean. A daunting dream to have turned into an amazing reality under the expert supervision of a skilled and experienced team, on the beautiful, fast, and well-equipped boat, FALKEN. I feel very grateful to have met and worked with the wonderful, international crew aboard. I will cherish the starry nights chatting (or enjoying in silence), the 360° horizon, and the beautiful sunsets and sunrises. No matter how feisty the wind and sea state, all crew members took the helm, sometimes with the support of the captain or first mate by your side, coaching you. Amazing! I learned so much, and I'll be back for more!
Adventure, education, majesty... I can't imagine a better pair of people to introduce people to the sublime enterprise of offshore sailing. This trip will always live amongst my cherished memories. Thank you!
Our voyage was interesting because both ISBJØRN (which I was on) and ICEBEAR traveled the same route at roughly the same time. I knew when I signed up that I would not be on a boat with Andy and Mia, but I wanted to experience the smaller boat, so I was fine with that. We had Matt Rutherford as our captain and Ben Doerr as first mate. The bonus was how chill and fun they both were throughout the trip. There were lots of fascinating stories, and they were both cheerful about answering questions and providing advice. The other three crew on my trip (Ted, Laz, and Chris) were great company too, so I feel pretty lucky about that. But regarding Matt and Ben, it says a lot about Andy and Mia that they attract people of that quality to their business. For me, it was mission accomplished. I feel I got the experience I need with the ocean and Gulf Stream to pilot my own boat from Florida to Bermuda in the future, which was exactly my goal. I wouldn't tackle Bermuda on my own yet, though. It's far! But one step at a time. For now, thanks to 59º North and all of their good people for a safe but true ocean adventure. If you are looking for blue water sailing experience and a fun adventure, I highly recommend that you sign up.
Sailing from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas with 59º North Sailing was an outstanding experience and one I would recommend to anyone looking for an offshore sailing adventure combined with exceptional instruction and seamanship. The lead crew, Andy, Mary, and Ryan, created an environment that was both professional and welcoming. Safety, preparation, and teamwork were clear priorities, and every decision reflected extensive offshore experience. The passage itself offered everything I was looking for—extended offshore sailing, variable weather and wind conditions, sail changes, watch rotations, night sailing, and experience with weather routing—all while feeling supported and included as an active crew member. The watch system was well organized, allowing everyone to gain meaningful hands-on experience without feeling overwhelmed. There was a good balance between teaching and empowering us to take responsibility, and I came away with much more confidence in offshore sailing and a deeper understanding of ocean passagemaking. Beyond the sailing, the culture onboard made the trip really special. Good humor, amazing dinners, and strong camaraderie quickly turned a group of strangers into a cohesive crew. Arriving in Cabo after several days at sea was incredibly rewarding—made even more meaningful because we had truly earned the landfall together after an intense evening of squalls. 59º North delivers an authentic offshore experience, expert leadership, and an adventure that builds both skills and confidence. I would sail with them again without question!
The experience was more than I hoped for in every way. I felt completely at home on the open water in our mighty vessel and with a wonderful crew that quickly became family. Hiking in Bergen and the Shetland Islands was amazing. Hiking in the Faroe Islands was indescribable. I felt so close to nature the entire time. All of the staff at 59º North were kind, professional, fun, knowledgeable, and friendly. I will be back!
There is a phrase you will hear aboard sail boats - it goes like this: "If you are thinking about reefing - reef!!" The same logic applies to sailing with Andy and Mia: If you are thinking about sailing with Andy and Mia - stop thinking and Go!!!! Andy and Mia are great sailors, leaders, teachers, cooks, as well as warm, intelligent, and accepting people. No matter how many blue water miles you have under your keel, you will be a better sailor after your trip on ISBJØRN. Ft. Lauderdale to Annapolis 2016.
IRL Events
Annapolis Boat Show | Annapolis
Every October Andy, Mia & friends and family of the 59º North team come to our spiritual home port for the annual Boat Show festivities, and we’ll be back in 2026! The Annapolis Sailboat Show dates in 2026 is October 15 - 18, 2026 (Thursday - Sunday, 4 days).
More info will be coming out closer to the show!
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The Quarterdeck
SEA·M’N·SHIP /ˈsēmənˌSHip/: “The skill in, and knowledge of the work of navigating, maintaining, and operating a vessel.”
