2026-1 | FALKEN | San Diego-La Paz

Jan 18, 2026
Jan 25, 2026
$6,600
8
Days
800
NM
San Diego
La Paz

Join FALKEN in San Diego to start the 2026 Pacific season! After a short off-season break over the holidays, FALKEN will be back in action for the reaching sail south to Mexico and into the Sea of Cortez, making landfall in La Paz on the Baja California Peninsula. This will be 59º North’s first foray into the famed Sea of Cortez, and everything we’ve heard about it makes us very excited! Here’s your chance to be the first crew to sail to the Sea of Cortez with us!

SAILING STAFF

Andy
Schell
SKIPPER
Andy Schell
Mary
Vaughan-Jones
SKIPPER
Mary Vaughan-Jones

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:

January 18, 2026

Crew arrive to FALKEN at 1300 in San Diego, United States. FALKEN orientation followed by crew dinner. All crew stay onboard FALKEN.


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 FALKEN by the skipper.


January 20, 2026

Scheduled departure, weather dependent.


January 25, 2026

Latest date (12:00 noon) for crew to depart FALKEN from La Paz, Mexico.

TRAVEL LOGISTICS

San Diego

La Paz

Weather conditions

Expect a brisk, lively passage down the Baja coast—cool and breezy with the prevailing northwesterlies often at your back, generally settled but with a few spirited days at sea before you slip into the warmer, calmer embrace of the Sea of Cortez.

In-depth analysis, by WRI

WHY 59º NORTH?

The best boats

Professional, well-paid staff

knowledge & community

Why it costs what it costs...

"It was such an experience! Meeting all the people and being part of the crew is something very special. We were so lucky to spend the passage on FALKEN; the nature and weather gave us the best, and I really wish it could have lasted longer."

Margit Charlotte Rosengren
|
2025-5 | FALKEN | Panama-Galapagos
Sweden
|
🇸🇪
980
Miles sailed
1
Passages sailed

"My time on FALKEN crossing the Atlantic was highly rewarding and incredibly enjoyable. 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."

John Dinner
|
2024-3 | FALKEN | Cape Verde-Barbados
Canada
|
🇨🇦
2,175
Miles sailed
1
Passages sailed

"I highly recommend the experience of doing a passage on ISBJØRN. I gained valuable offshore experience on a fine boat, learned how Andy and Mia competently manage their boat, learned about celestial navigation, and had a great time doing it. Completing ISBJØRN's first back-to-back 200 mile day passage was a smokin' fast bonus!"

Reed Ellis
|
2017-3 | ISBJORN | Grenada-St. Croix-BVI 2017 ISBJORN
United States
|
🇺🇸
393
Miles sailed
1
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!"

Douglas MacDonald
|
2025-1 | RACING | RORC Caribbean 600
United States
|
🇺🇸
4,687
Miles sailed
4
Passages sailed

"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."

Rebecca Clark
|
2022-11 | 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 Schumacher
|
2026-1 | FALKEN | San Diego-La Paz
United States
|
🇺🇸
846
Miles sailed
1
Passages sailed

"At 65, I was anxious about my first ocean passage from Antigua to Bermuda, but 59º North provided a unique opportunity to experience the magic of passage making while learning new skills. Mia Karlsson was inspiring and supportive while sailing FALKEN and cooking amazing meals, and Captain Chris Kobusch brought a wealth of knowledge and experience. This was truly the experience of a lifetime."

Kimberly Groff
|
2023-6 | FALKEN | Antigua-Bermuda
United States
|
🇺🇸
5,654
Miles sailed
3
Passages sailed

THE BOAT

Farr 65

'

FALKEN

'

🇬🇧

FALKEN is ideally set up for long-distance offshore sailing. We fully rebuilt the boat in 2022 to our exacting specifications and with the help of legendary yacht designer Bob Perry. She's comfortable belowdecks and each crew has their own dedicated sea berth & gear locker. On deck she has a huge cockpit which easily seats 10 people for our daily meals offshore, and allows for plenty of room to move about when handling lines and trimming sails. She's also easy to maintain, fast and fun to sail! FALKEN sails with 8 crew plus a Skipper & Mate and the occasional apprentice.

65,147
Miles sailed
About the Boat
FALKEN

packing lists & notes

No items found.
"What did we do all the time on this uneventful passage? Nothing, absolutely nothing, except live in communion with our boat, which was sailing happily towards the Marquesas, the Tuamotus, Tahiti, with plenty of wind, wind, wind. One must have sailed far away from any land to know how full and rewarding a day at sea can be without anything happening. It is so different from coastal sailing where one is always a little apprehensive, tense, prepared for anything. Out there, in the open sea, we were prepared simply to live."
Bernard Moitessier
The First Voyage of the Joshua

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

What can I expect to learn on a 59º North trip? Do I get a certificate?

Will I be able to communicate with friends or family during the passage?

What’s included in the crew fee?

How much experience is required to sign on for a passage?

What amenities are there aboard the boat?

How do couples fit in with the crew?

How do we make travel plans given the uncertain nature of ocean sailing?

Will I be the only woman on the boat?

When do I find out who the rest of the crew will be?

What happens after I signup to sail with 59º North?

Contact us