2023-9 | ISBJORN | Bergen-OGR Start Port

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

SAILING STAFF

Jon
Amtrup
SKIPPER
Jon Amtrup
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...

"The trip delivered on all my expectations and more. I wanted to experience sailing beyond my current boundaries, apply my skills, and learn from those around me. I felt able to embrace the whole experience because we had an excellent 59º North team that shaped us into a great crew on a well-prepared boat. If you are seeking ocean wisdom, you could not be in better hands."

Becky
|
2022
|
ICEBEAR
|
Marstrand-Portsmouth
United Kingdom
|
🇬🇧
1,336
Miles sailed
1
Passages sailed

"Sailing from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas with 59º North Sailing was an outstanding experience that I would recommend to anyone seeking offshore sailing combined with exceptional instruction and seamanship. The lead crew, Andy, Mary, and Ryan, created a professional and welcoming environment focused on safety, preparation, and teamwork. I came away with much more confidence in offshore sailing and a deeper understanding of ocean passagemaking. 59º North delivers an authentic offshore experience, expert leadership, and an adventure that builds both skills and confidence."

Kirk
|
2026
|
FALKEN
|
San Diego-La Paz
United States
|
🇺🇸
846
Miles sailed
1
Passages sailed

"When I think back to my trip across the North Sea on ICEBEAR, the memories uplift me and fill me with warmth and gratitude. Unplugging from the corporate world and embracing the beauty the ocean has to offer with 59º North molded me into a slightly different version of myself, in the most magical ways. I went home after 11 days with a more courageous yet humbled energy, realizing how capable and excited I am to take on new challenges."

Katelyn
|
2022
|
ICEBEAR
|
Marstrand-Portsmouth
United States
|
🇺🇸
1,336
Miles sailed
1
Passages sailed

"In 11 days on the North Sea with a crew of 9 women, 59 feet of boat, 1350nm, and two episodes of heaving-to, we gained experience that would take years to acquire alone. The mentorship, leadership, training, and kindness from the crew at 59º North helped us become better sailors by leaps and bounds. Sharing this journey with sailors from around the world was pure joy, and every passage with 59º North is a legacy of knowledge we benefit from."

Marina
|
2022
|
ICEBEAR
|
Marstrand-Portsmouth
Canada
|
🇨🇦
1,774
Miles sailed
2
Passages sailed

"59º North made my dream come true to cross an ocean via sailboat. Andy and Vilma taught me little lessons and big lessons of the sea, pushing me out of my comfort zone, which is exactly what I was hoping for. Thank you Andy and Mia for letting me, a rookie ocean sailor, live the experience of a lifetime and fueling future dreams. I hope to be crew on FALKEN once again and to keep learning."

Matt
|
2023
|
FALKEN
|
St. John's-Prince Christian Sound
Canada
|
🇨🇦
1,713
Miles sailed
1
Passages sailed

"Before 59º North I didn't know my bowsprit from my binnacle and suffered from low sailing esteem. After two weeks of 59º North, what a difference! As a longtime podcast listener, I arrived for my Bermuda to Horta transatlantic with high expectations, and they were all not just met but exceeded. I could not imagine a skipper and mate more professional and enthusiastic than Andy and Emma."

Christian
|
2022
|
ICEBEAR
|
St. Georges-Horta
United States
|
🇺🇸
2,503
Miles sailed
2
Passages sailed

"I really didn’t know what to expect on my trip. I knew it was going to be about 800 miles, the Bay of Biscay is notoriously challenging, and there was a remote possibility of orca attacks. Thankfully, we were safe, but the Bay of Biscay did not disappoint, and we logged more than 1,000 miles. Our skipper and mate, Nikki Henderson and Emma Garschagen, far exceeded any expectation I had, and at no time did I ever feel unsafe, which allowed me to fully take in every experience. I learned a ton, had a great time, and left with a new sense of confidence that I never expected."

Chris
|
2021
|
ICEBEAR
|
Falmouth-Cascais
United States
|
🇺🇸
993
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

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"I rarely remember my dreams ashore but almost always do at sea. Something about sleeping in a washing machine allows better access to the subconscious."
John Kretschmer
Sailing a Serious Ocean

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
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