2023-9 | ISBJORN | Bergen-OGR Start Port

Aug 21, 2023
–
Sep 1, 2023
12
Days
1,000
NM
Bergen
–
Les Sables d'Olonne

Price for this passage is pending but will be available shortly, stay tuned!

SAILING STAFF

Jon
Amtrup
SKIPPER
Jon Amtrup
Janet
Snell
SKIPPER
Janet Snell
Rob
Graham
Robert Graham
Ben
Soofer
MATE
Ben Soofer
Ryan
Finstad
MATE
Ryan Finstad
Phoebe
Rogers
MATE
Phoebe Rogers
Aidan
Gray
MATE
Aidan Gray
Paul
Exner
SKIPPER
Paul Exner
James
Austrums
MEDIA
James Austrums
Shy
Miller
APPRENTICE
Shyah Miller
Chad
Lanoway
MAP MAKER
Chadwick Lanoway
Jenni
Hellpap
MATE
Jenni Hellpap
Delaney
Vorwick
SKIPPER
Delaney Vorwick
Laura
Parent
MATE
Laura Parent
Philippa
Rytkönen
Philippa Rytkönen
Vinny
Mattiola
Vincent Mattiola
Matt
Rutherford
Matt Rutherford
Simon
Borjeson
SKIPPER
Simon Borjeson
Emily
Caruso
SKIPPER
Emily Caruso
David
Björkqvist
APPRENTICE
David Björkqvist
Ben
Doerr
MATE
Benjamin Doerr
August
Sandberg
SKIPPER
August Sandberg
Chris
Kobusch
SKIPPER
Christoffer Kobusch
Sean
Westoby
SKIPPER
Sean Westoby
Liz
Karamavros
MATE
Liz Karamavros
Vilma
Ihalainen
MATE
Vilma Ihalainen
Emma
Garschagen
MATE
Emma Garschagen
Naxo
Tomey Roca
SKIPPER
Iñaki Javier Tomey Roca
JoJo
Pickering
SKIPPER
Jojo Pickering
Adam
Browne
MATE
Adam Browne
Erik
Wängberg Nordborg
SKIPPER
Erik Claes Wängberg Nordborg
Andy
Schell
SKIPPER
Andy Schell
Manot
Berger
SKIPPER
Manot Berger
Tim
Danielson
MATE
Tim Danielson
Nikki
Henderson
SKIPPER
Nikki Henderson
Jon
Amtrup
SKIPPER
Jon Amtrup
Mary
Vaughan-Jones
SKIPPER
Mary Vaughan-Jones
Alex
Laline Ruiz
SKIPPER
Alex Laline Ruiz
Nat
Chaves
APPRENTICE
Natalie Chaves
Mia
Karlsson
MATE
Maria Karlsson

The Passage

Rough itinerary

All 59º North passages are very much subject to weather. We pick our routes based on the "correct" time of year to be sailing in the different regions we visit, and we always build-in enough time to give us some margin for weather windows. The skipper has final say on departure dates and weather windows, but generally speaking, the intinerary for this passage will look like this:

August 21, 2023

Crew arrive to ISBJØRN at in Bergen, Norway. ISBJØRN orientation followed by crew dinner. All crew stay onboard ISBJØRN.


Prep Days

Between the joining and departure dates, all pre-passage preparation, provisioning, and safety briefings will be completed. The specific pre-departure schedule will be outlined and posted onboard ISBJØRN by the skipper.


August 23, 2023

Scheduled departure, weather dependent.


September 1, 2023

Latest date (12:00 noon) for crew to depart ISBJØRN from Les Sables d'Olonne, France.

TRAVEL LOGISTICS

Bergen

Les Sables d'Olonne

Weather conditions

Expect a cool, lively passage down the North Sea and into Biscay—generally unsettled with plenty of breeze, the kind of sail where you'll want your foulies handy and a watchful eye on shifting weather as you work southward.

In-depth analysis, by WRI

WHY 59º NORTH?

ambitious sailing schedule

The best boats

WOMEN BUNKS GUARANTEED

Professional, well-paid staff

knowledge & community

Why it costs what it costs...

"I had always wanted to do an ocean crossing but never felt comfortable doing it myself. Experiencing a bucket list item with 59º North was deeply special and has me considering how I can design my life for more adventures like this. Thank you for creating 59º North and allowing others to experience the magic of the seven seas!"

Kristie
|
2025
|
ISBJØRN
|
Bergen-Oban
New Zealand
|
🇳🇿
644
Miles sailed
1
Passages sailed

"If you are thinking about reefing—reef! The same logic applies to sailing with Andy and Mia: if you are thinking about sailing with them, stop thinking and GO! Andy and Mia are great sailors, leaders, teachers, cooks, and warm, intelligent, 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."

Bruce
|
2016
|
ISBJØRN
|
Ft. Lauderdale-Annapolis
United States
|
🇺🇸
2,561
Miles sailed
3
Passages sailed

"59º North runs the most professional offshore training program you can find, and it shows in their professionalism, leadership, skill, and service. I felt honored to be part of the maiden voyage of FALKEN—she's a beauty, and the 59º North refit crew did an amazing job! Shout out to Nikki Henderson (Captain) and Alex Laline (Mate) for inspiring, knowledgeable, and caring leadership. I can't imagine having a better experience with any other."

Alex
|
2023
|
FALKEN
|
Portsmouth-Portsmouth
United States
|
🇺🇸
1,253
Miles sailed
1
Passages sailed

"What an incredible experience! I am so grateful to have been on the leg from Reykjavik to Stornoway over the solar eclipse. ISBJØRN is an incredible ship—sturdy, safe, comfortable (not to mention her amazing and somewhat scandalous history!). Feeling ever grateful to 59º North for this journey."

Molly
|
2026
|
ISBJØRN
|
Reykjavik-Stornoway
United States
|
🇺🇸
884
Miles sailed
1
Passages sailed

"This was my second trip with 59º North, my first being a fantastic heavy weather crossing of the Irish Sea on ISBJØRN. I signed up for the Canary Islands to Caribbean trip, thrilled to be chosen as crew. The attention to detail in equipment, vessels, and crew at 59º North is world class, making ocean sailing both safe and unforgettable. I will definitely be sailing again with 59º North."

Scott
|
2025
|
FALKEN
|
Las Palmas-Falmouth
Canada
|
🇨🇦
3,491
Miles sailed
2
Passages sailed

"This was my second trip with 59º North, and once again it was absolutely fantastic. The crew quickly became a friendly, supportive team, and living in close quarters felt natural and easy. Jon set the perfect tone as skipper, sharing his knowledge with clarity and patience, and Mia’s behind-the-scenes planning made everything seamless. Sailing with 59º North is about growing as a sailor, sharing adventure, and making lasting memories."

Alexis
|
2025
|
ISBJØRN
|
Oban-Bergen
France
|
🇫🇷
1,196
Miles sailed
2
Passages sailed

"A fairytale on top of the world, traveling from charming island to island on our trusty steed and home, SPICA. Andy will need to get a wizard's hat for the next voyage."

Josh
|
2026
|
SPICA
|
Stockholm-Mariehamn
United States
|
🇺🇸
112
Miles sailed
1
Passages sailed

THE BOAT

S&S Swan 48

'

ISBJØRN

'

🇳🇴

ISBJØRN is the "OG" 59º North boat, the classic S&S Swan 48 that we started the business with back in 2015. She's considered an all-time great ocean cruising boat - built like a tank in Finland to the highest standards and with a modern but conservative hull shape making for fast & comfortable passages offshore in any weather. ISBJØRN sails with 5 crew plus a Skipper, and each person has their own dedicated sea berth & storage locker.

72,722
Miles sailed
About the Boat
ISBJØRN

packing lists & notes

No items found.
"You can just look at the globe and just see you can cross oceans from where you are now, and that's like a mind-blowing thought for me."
Øyvind Nilssen
ON THE WIND Podcast, #504

FAQS

The FAQs on the right are the ones most pertinent to this specific passage, and most of what you need to know you'll find in there. If you don't find it there, click the button below for all FAQs, or you can always get in touch and ask us directly!
ALL FAqs
Contact Us
What to Expect Offshore
No items found.
Contact us