2025-8 | ISBJORN | Kristiansand - Bergen

Jul 31, 2025
Aug 9, 2025
$5,250
10
Days
440
NM
Kristiansand
Bergen

Kristiansand is one of the ports hosting the Tall Ships Races 2025, and ISBJØRN will be surrounded by a fleet of incredible ships. While not part of the race event, ISBJØRN will depart with the fleet on August 2. Being out there on the water surrounded by tall ships setting their sails and singing their shanties will be an epic start to the trip.

SAILING STAFF

JoJo
Pickering
SKIPPER
Jojo Pickering
Rob
Graham
Robert Graham
Ben
Soofer
Ben Soofer
Ryan
Finstad
MATE
Ryan Finstad
Phoebe
Rogers
MATE
Phoebe Rogers
Aidan
Gray
MATE
Aidan Gray
Paul
Exner
Paul Exner
James
Austrums
CREW
James Austrums
Shy
Miller
Shyah Miller
Chad
Lanoway
APPRENTICE
Chadwick Lanoway
Jenni
Hellpap
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
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:

July 31, 2025

Crew arrive to ISBJØRN at in Kristiansand, 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 2, 2025

Scheduled departure, weather dependent.


August 9, 2025

Latest date (12:00 noon) for crew to depart ISBJØRN from Bergen, Norway.

PASSAGE DETAILS

Kristiansand is one of the ports hosting the Tall Ships Races 2025, the event in town starts on July 30, and it’s highly recommended that you arrive early and get to experience the event before joining ISBJØRN. If you are planning to book accommodation ashore before you join the boat, remember this is a busy time in town so book early! Read more about the event tallshipsraceskristiansand.no

TRAVEL LOGISTICS

Kristiansand

Bergen

Weather conditions

Expect a cool, lively passage along Norway's rugged coast—conditions can swing between calm, settled stretches and brisk, blustery patches, so dress warm, keep an eye to windward, and be ready for the sea to keep you honest.

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...

"Our voyage was interesting because both ISBJØRN (which I was on) and ICEBEAR traveled the same route at roughly the same time. We had Matt Rutherford as our captain and Ben Doerr as first mate, and they were both chill, fun, and always happy to answer questions and provide advice. 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. If you are looking for blue water sailing experience and a fun adventure, I highly recommend that you sign up with 59º North."

Rob
|
2019
|
ISBJØRN
|
Key West-St. Georges
Canada
|
🇨🇦
1,282
Miles sailed
1
Passages sailed

"Great time sailing on FALKEN with Alex, Adam, and Zoe from Hawaii to B.C.! The passage took about 2 weeks, with beautiful sunrises and sunsets, dolphins, whales, fast speeds, and big waves. FALKEN handles rough weather with ease, and the experienced staff made this passage a piece of cake. By the end of the trip, I was already looking at next year’s openings to sign up for!"

Nikolay
|
2026
|
FALKEN
|
Hawaii-Prince Rupert
United States
|
🇺🇸
4,354
Miles sailed
3
Passages sailed

"Cruelling and unforgettable! I knew I would be inspired by Nikki and Alex—true professionals—but it was the inspiration I took from my crewmates that will stay with me for a lifetime. As a blue water cruiser, this experience definitely made me a better ocean sailor!"

Doug
|
2025
|
RACING
|
Falmouth-Falmouth
United States
|
🇺🇸
4,687
Miles sailed
4
Passages sailed

"Having sailed on ISBJØRN in 2019, I was excited to join another 59º North passage and finally sailed on FALKEN for the trans-Atlantic in January 2025. The 17-day passage was an incredible experience, sharing sailing knowledge and cultural perspectives with a diverse crew. FALKEN felt extremely safe and comfortable, and the care 59º North puts into both the voyage and post-trip details is outstanding. I came away with new friends, unforgettable memories, and a whole new level of sailing experience."

Kevin
|
2025
|
FALKEN
|
Las Palmas-Falmouth
United States
|
🇺🇸
4,139
Miles sailed
2
Passages sailed

"I'm still processing everything I saw, felt, learned, and experienced over those 17 days, but there are a few things I wanted to express before the land sickness wears off and I return to my landlubber life. Your Skippers and Mates created an environment of calm, comfort, and confidence that washed away any apprehension I had about joining seven strangers on a 1600-mile round trip. I am blown away by their depth of knowledge, not only of sailing but also in teaching a crew of widely different experience levels without a hint of condescension. I would not hesitate to sail with them again, and we're already scoping out future dates on the cal."

Adam
|
2020
|
ICEBEAR
|
Annapolis-St. Georges
United States
|
🇺🇸
2,477
Miles sailed
2
Passages sailed

"I have so many great memories from this sailing experience, and so much of that was because of our skipper, Mary, and first mate, Delaney. Mary was incredible: approachable, present, knowledgeable, and always calm, with a quiet confidence that made everyone feel safe and comfortable. She frequently studied the GRIB files and always considered the best course of action to keep her crew happy and safe. She kept us informed each day with clear explanations of passage changes and weather. She never wavered in providing gentle reminders about safety on board. It never once crossed my mind that we were not in good hands. Delaney was equally wonderful. She and Mary were perfectly in sync as leaders, communicating calmly, respectfully, and often with great humor. Delaney was always smiling, quick to laugh, and showed clear respect for Mary’s decision-making while bringing her own steady presence to the crew. Virginia, our intern, and I spent less time together due to our shifts. However, in the few interactions we had, we shared some amazing life perspectives that I will always remember. Together, they created the full offshore sailing experience I hoped for: a combination of education, safety, leadership, and kindness. The only problem is that they have now set a very high bar for future sailing experiences. When I reflect back on the passage, I have no ‘glums’ at all."

Karen
|
2026
|
FALKEN
|
Victoria-San Francisco
Canada
|
🇨🇦
898
Miles sailed
1
Passages sailed

"This passage was literally my first time sailing. My goal was to get as far as possible from my daily life and desk-bound comfort zone, and Andy assured me I would be looked after. I could not have asked for a better skipper (thank you, Jon), better crew mates, or a more enjoyable passage. The expression 'life-changing experience' is thrown around too loosely, but this one was for me. I'll be forever grateful to 59º North for this opportunity and I hope to sail with them again soon."

Markham
|
2025
|
ISBJØRN
|
Bergen-Torshavn
United States
|
🇺🇸
540
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.

71,588
Miles sailed
About the Boat
ISBJØRN

packing lists & notes

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"You'll be bothered from time to time by storms, fog, snow. When you are, think of those who went through it before you, and say to yourself, 'What they can do, I can do.'"
Antoine de Saint Exupery
WIND, SAND & STARS

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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