2026-14 | FALKEN | Ensenada-San Diego | Sail Training
(Note that we offer a % discount if you pay by cash/bank transfer.)
Our last passage of 2026 is one of our popular Sail Training passages on FALKEN. While all of our trips involve extensive seam'nship & sail training aspects, this one focuses primarily on just that. As it's a pretty short distance between the start port and end port, it gives us the flexibility to sail further offshore and set the boat up for all points of sailing, practicing upwind/downwind, spinnaker flying, some celestial sights and more.
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:
November 15, 2026
Crew arrive to FALKEN at 1300 in Ensenada, Mexico. 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.
November 16, 2026
Scheduled departure, weather dependent.
November 22, 2026
Latest date (12:00 noon) for crew to depart FALKEN from San Diego, United States.
PASSAGE DETAILS
You join FALKEN in Ensenada, we'll let you know exact location closer to the passage. As it's a pretty short distance between Ensenada and San Diego, it gives us the flexibility to focus on sail training, to sail further offshore and set the boat up for all points of sailing, practicing upwind/downwind, maybe some spinnaker flying, some celestial sights and more.
TRAVEL LOGISTICS
Ensenada
San Diego
Weather conditions
Expect a brisk, lively northwesterly downwind run with comfortably mild days and cooler nights—settled enough to enjoy, but with enough breeze and swell at your back to keep the boat moving and the crew on their toes.
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...
"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."
"I have been sailing for 60 years, mostly as an inshore one-design racer, and had never had the right boat, expertise, or opportunity to go far offshore. The Annapolis to Bermuda passage on ICEBEAR far exceeded my expectations—the skipper and mate were very knowledgeable, and ICEBEAR is a solid, sea-kindly vessel that is surprisingly fast in light air. Our crew of seven strangers became a cohesive, friendly, and competent group, and I’m grateful I got to put into practice the celestial navigation knowledge I gained from Andy and Mia’s 2020 seminar. I hope to make another passage with 59º North in the future."
"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."
"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."
"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!"
"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."
"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."
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.
packing lists & notes
Cold | Warm Packing List
This will be a "transitional" passage, either starting in warmer climes and increasing in latitude until it's significantly cooler, or vice versa. Another one of those trips where you'll need to pack one of everything for changing conditions. See the packing list for specifics.
Packing Notes
Start here when planning your packing for sailing with 59º North. This list includes the general basics for all of our passages. The passage-specific packing lists offer more details.