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 31, 2026
Crew arrive to FALKEN at 1300 in San Jose del Cabo, 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.
February 2, 2026
Scheduled departure, weather dependent.
February 18, 2026
Latest date (12:00 noon) for crew to depart FALKEN from Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica.
PASSAGE DETAILS
The passage between Mexico and Costa Rica is planned as a non-stop passage. Costa Rica is a new destination for us and we are very excited to sail there with you all. If we would arrive earlier than the departure date to Costa Rica, you are welcome to stay onboard, or depart after we have cleaned up the boat and celebrated our arrival. We are not planning to cruise around Costa Rica on arrival but we may stop en route depending on the schedule and the weather.
TRAVEL LOGISTICS
San Jose del Cabo
Playa Flamingo
Weather conditions
Expect warm, tropical sailing with steady trade winds at your back for much of the passage, though the Gulf of Tehuantepec can kick up a lively, gusty stretch—overall a settled, downwind ride that should feel pleasant and brisk underway.
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...
"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."
"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. I'll be forever grateful to 59º North for this opportunity, and I hope to sail with them again soon."
"As this was my first major passage, I wasn't sure what to expect. You have to have a lot of respect for people who choose offshore sailing for their profession. Erik and Ben were top-notch professionals, and my experience with 59º North was great!"
"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."
"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."
"I have been on two 59º North voyages—Antigua to Cartagena on FALKEN and Sail Training Camp on ISBJØRN in Norway last May 19-26. What I love about sailing is the absolute focus and concentration required for those fleeting moments of joy when it all comes together perfectly. Fair winds, good sails, a sturdy boat are all I want—the rest is a distraction."
"Andy & Paul were amazing from the practice sails to the race itself; I never thought I'd be able to participate in such an exciting event. I'd also like to thank Liz & Lee, your first mates, who were always on hand to encourage us, teach us, and swap stories. I came away with tremendous respect for ISBJØRN, her captain, and the excellent crew she attracts. I'm definitely coming back."
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
MEXICO-COSTA RICA: T-MINUS 1 DAY & COUNTING
LFG to Costa Rica!
MANY FIRSTS ONBOARD FALKEN
“Mary looked like she came out of a war zone.”
WAR STORIES & KITES
Kite Up!
ENJOYING THE ROUTINE
Apparently there's orcas in the Pacific.
LIGHT-WIND SAILING
The art of helming in no wind.
POSTCARD FROM CAMP FALKEN
Sleepaway camp for adults!
SHARED EXPERIENCES
The passage is memorable for the people you share it with.
SALTY SEA DOGS
Under promise. Over deliver.
MAKING FRIENDS AT SEA
After four days at sea, the conversation takes a deeper turn.
A CIRCUS OF ANIMAL ACTS
Manta rays & a new idea of the poop deck.
CUTTER RIGS & CREW APPRECIATION
A challenging passage offers bigger rewards.
THE LAST 24
“Dolphin rave, dolphin rave, everybody come to the dolphin rave.”