59º North Sailing
sail offshore on bucket-list adventures
"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."
OFFSHORE SAILING
The best offshore sailing adventures in the world, open to everyone. You don’t need to be a seasoned sailor; 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.
Where we sail
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!
171,196
185
1,037
6
21
27
13
4
16
2
NEWEST BLOGS
Watches, ranked
Please read on for a totally subjective and not at all data driven tiering of our watches by Kate.
The Beautiful night!
We had an amazing night with a sky filled of stars, except for a short lived rain cloud that came over us earlier in the night. We had Scorpio behind us with Libra above, while Orion was setting just behind the jib.
Wing on wing!
Falken is officially on the highway to the Marquesas, as Alex calls it, also known as the southeasterly trades. She is cruising along with the swell (finally) on her stern and the sails wing on wing.
Professional
& safe
We are a dedicated team qualified to the highest MCA Yachtmaster Ocean standards, adhering to the strictest of safety regulations. Our boats are commercially coded per flag-state regulations and have the highest-industry-quality safety & comms equipment.
Our skippers and mates are the best in the business, with hundreds of thousands of ocean miles between us, several passages to 80º North in the High Arctic, a handful of circumnavigations, many equator crossings and landfalls in some of the most far-flung ports on earth. But better yet, all of our staff are genuinely kind & passionate human beings, the key ingredient to leading a group of strangers on an offshore voyage.
sail offshore
2026-1 | WOODWIND | Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race
The first-ever 59º North passage onboard the 74-ft. schooner WOODWIND! In reality, this passage is a long-time coming, and has a lot to do with the origins of 59º North. Andy sailed in the Schooner Race twice when working as a deckhand on WOODWIND in 2006 & 2007, and to this day it's one of his favorite experiences.
2027-11 | FALKEN | ARC Europe: Sao Miguel-Oban
Our last leg with ARC Europe, as we split with the main fleet and head north, while the majority sail east for Portugal. With a rhumb-line distance of 1,800 miles, nearly as long as the Trans-At itself, this is an awesome and challenging passage towards Northern Europe and the British Isles. We'll stay west to skirt the Azores high, and should have favorable winds for the majority of the sail north, but will have to contend with passing depressions as we sail up the west coast of Ireland, aiming for landfall in Oban, Scotland, single-malt heaven for you Scotch lovers!
2026-7 | ISBJORN | Stornoway - GGR START
Stornoway is just as epic as it sounds, and the perfect place to start any sailing adventure. And, it is right in the middle of the gorgeous Scottish Hebrides! A cockpit game of I-Spy might feature words like “castle”, “whale”, “distillery” and “puffin”, as we make our way south through the islands. Then, we'll have a tough weather decision—either to tackle the Irish Sea or make a right turn around the west coast of Ireland. The end port is Les Sables-d’Olonne, France, where the start of the Golden Globe Race is just a few days away! Sail in through the famous harbor entrance, and enjoy the spectacle of the GGR race village before giving the fleet a proper send off as they leave to circumnavigate the globe.
CREW TESTIMONIALS
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
IRL Events
-by-Kristen-Berry--galeforcesailing.com-copy.jpeg)
Celestial Nav Workshop | Annapolis
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!
The Quarterdeck
SEA·M’N·SHIP /ˈsēmənˌSHip/: “The skill in, and knowledge of the work of navigating, maintaining, and operating a vessel.”
