2026-4 | ISBJORN | Bergen - Fair Isle - Faroe Islands
Join ISBJØRN for an offshore sailing adventure from Bergen, Norway to Torshavn, Faroe Islands, with possible stops in Orkney, Shetland, Hebrides, or Fair Isle. Experience a spring North Sea crossing, island hopping along Viking routes, and dramatic scenery with cliffs, waterfalls, and puffins.
Skipper & Mate
The Passage
Synopsis
Join ISBJØRN in her home port of Bergen, Norway, for a spring crossing of the North Sea! We’ll start the journey in the heart of the city, and set sail westward for the gorgeous islands of the Norwegian Sea, just like the Vikings did a thousand years ago. With a fast boat and plenty of time, we’ll have some great cruising options for our passage. Depending on weather strategy, we’ll add a stop in the Orkney’s, the Shetland Islands, or even the Hebrides. And if conditions allow, we’ll go for the connoisseur’s choice: Fair Isle. We’ll continue on north and westwards until enormous cliffs rise out of the ocean, swaddled by waterfalls and puffins. Welcome to the mystical Faroe Islands.
typical Weather Pattern
In July, the primary gale/low track extends from East of the Canadian Maritimes NE’ward toward/across Iceland and then into the Norwegian Sea. SW-W’ly breezes along their associated cold fronts will tend more frequent during July, ranging from 20-25 knots (higher gusts are possible) with S-SW’ly swells up to 2.0-2.5 meters (6-8 feet). Behind fronts, breezes often undergo a SW-W-NW’ly veering trend with longer period W-NW’ly swells accompanying these. Transient high pressure systems can often move in behind these fronts across Iceland and the Faroe Islands, resulting in breezes continuing to veer N-NE’ly while lowering. By August, the gale track begins to move south across the Faroe Islands, with complex gale systems often stalling (up to a week at times) between the Faroe Islands and Iceland as lows move NE’ward through the North Atlantic and merge with the parent stationary gale. Prevailing conditions in August are often depicted by these semi-stationary gales. These gales can push warm fronts across the Faroe Islands every 3-4 days as they rotate, leading to ESE’ly breezes across the region increasing up to 15-20 kts and generate accompanying wind driven seas which mix in with SW-W’ly ground swells up to 2.5-3.0 meters (6-8ft) which are otherwise in place. Breezes then back S’ly between these warm fronts and cold fronts which remain to the south. Closer to Iceland, breezes often remain primarily ENE-E’ly in nature, increasing to between 20-25 knots (at times higher) along the S’rn coast of Iceland as the counterclockwise flow of the semi-stationary gales often persists and funnels conditions along the coast. This can lead to shorter period E’ly swells at times, reaching up to 2.5 meters (8ft) during peak surges. When these complex systems exit ENE’ward towards the Norwegian Sea, breezes will often back NE-N-NW’ly and lower as they depart. JY
The "typical weather pattern" is meant to be a big-picture overview of expected conditions to help you plan for your passage. They are researched & provided by our good friends at Weather Routing Inc. and even initialed by the forecaster who created them. Once at-sea WRI provide all of our forecasting and routing for all trips and have done so since we started 2015!
packing lists & notes
Packing Notes
FAQS
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 ISBJØRN & FALKEN?
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?
THE BOAT
S&S Swan 48
'
ISBJØRN
'
🇳🇴
ISBJØRN, hull #002 of 46 Swan 48s built by Nautor of Finland, was launched in 1971 as WARBABY. Originally owned by Warren Browne, she was seized by the USCG in the early 1970s and later served 20 years at the US Naval Academy as INSURGENTE. After a major refit as PATRIOT with the Annapolis School of Seamanship, she raced again in 2012 and was acquired by her current owners in 2015. The Swan 48 is renowned for its safety and classic design, excelling in both racing and cruising.
CREW TESTIMONIALS
I can’t say enough good things about the camp, August, and ISBJØRN. It was fabulous from start to finish (and the hot tub out in the middle of nowhere didn’t hurt). The format is perfect for someone like me. I have done some sailing, but not enough to feel comfortable on a passage. Stopping each night in a different place and having dinner together and a full night’s sleep was great and much needed. The days were packed with so much learning. August is an amazing teacher and so patient! I learned an incredible amount and feel ready to take on a passage with 59º North. Highly recommend this camp to anyone considering an offshore passage.
It was such an experience! Meeting all the people and being part of the crew is something very special! It is all about sharing, daring, and trust in your mates! 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.
59º North runs the most professional offshore training program you can find, and it shows in their professionalism, leadership, skill, and service. Anyone considering stepping into the realms of offshore sailing should take a passage with 59º North first—trust me when I say you won't regret it. I felt honored to be part of the maiden voyage of FALKEN, and wow, did she deliver! The winds were strong, the sea was high, and FALKEN sailed through swimmingly. She's a beauty—well done to the 59º North refit crew for doing an amazing job! Shout out to Nikki Henderson (Captain) and Alex Laline (Mate) for such amazing leadership. I can't sing their praises enough—they were inspiring, knowledgeable, caring, and resourceful at all the times they needed to be. I can't imagine having a better experience with any other. Thanks, Nikki and Alex!
This passage was literally my first time sailing. It felt a little nuts to sign up for something this intense and immersive without any experience, but 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 felt some trepidation going into the trip, but all those concerns stayed on shore, because as soon as we left port in Bergen I was enjoying myself too much to worry. I could not have asked for a better skipper (thank you, Jon), better crewmates, or a more enjoyable passage. I've been home a week now, and I'm already planning my next sailing adventure. The expression "life-changing experience" is thrown around too loosely, but this surely was for me. I'll be forever grateful to 59º North for this opportunity, and I hope to sail with them again soon.
Grueling and unforgettable! I knew I would be inspired by Nikki and Alex—true professionals. But it was the inspiration I took away 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!
The experience was more than I hoped for in every way. I felt completely at home on the open water in our mighty vessel and with a wonderful crew that quickly became family. Hiking in Bergen and the Shetland Islands was amazing. Hiking in the Faroe Islands was indescribable. I felt so close to nature the entire time. All of the staff at 59º North were kind, professional, fun, knowledgeable, and friendly. I will be back!
It was an honor to be onboard FALKEN for her crewed maiden voyage. This was my third trip with 59º North and it did not disappoint. We sailed in challenging conditions on our five-day romp in the English Channel. The crew rose to the occasion, inspired by our skipper, Nikki, and first mate, Alex. If you have the desire to experience real-world offshore life under expert supervision with like-minded folks, look no further than 59º North. I look forward to my next trip. Hold fast.
Before 59º North, I didn't know my bowsprit from my binnacle. I suffered from low sailing esteem and a general lack of tide-driven energy. After two weeks of 59º North, what a difference! I now know my sheepshank from my scuttlebutt, I'm more attractive to mermaids, and I have whiter teeth and a full head of hair. But seriously, I wouldn't consider sailing with anyone but 59º North. As a longtime podcast listener, I arrived for my Bermuda to Horta transatlantic with high expectations. They were not just met but exceeded. I could not imagine a skipper and mate more professional and enthusiastic than Andy and Emma. I would need a lot more space to list all of the things I learned, but suffice it to say, I'll be back!
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. Life-changing and eye-opening, to say the least. I feel I completed this adventure with the best of the best. Erik and Ben were top-notch professionals, and my experience with 59º North was great!
I’m AKA Andy’s dad, so my opinion of the skipper may be slanted a bit. Andy and I have shared many offshore miles together. I taught him the basics of seamanship, and he ran with it and now teaches me. I admit to being wrong in my initial reaction to FALKEN. At first sight, she seemed like a hard-to-handle race boat. Wrong! While FALKEN can outperform any boat I’ve sailed on, she is easy to handle and shrinks once you get used to her. The equipment is large and handles the tremendous loads with ease. The refit work done below is flawless—comfortable bunks, a great spacious galley, and storage space for all gear in lockers! First mate Vilma did an outstanding job making sure the crew were well fed and comfortable. A trip with 59º North on any of their boats is truly a life-changing experience. Highly recommended!
Gathering with 10 other like-minded women aboard FALKEN was amazing! I learned more than I ever expected from Nikki and Emma. It was super inspiring to see how they ran the ship and how they interacted with each other and the rest of the crew. Being "allowed" to mess up and actually learn from your mistakes without anyone getting stressed was freeing! No matter your skill level, I'd recommend this trip to any woman with a desire to sail.
At the age of 65, I was a bit anxious about my first ocean passage from Antigua to Bermuda. We spent seven days at sea in a variety of conditions, including 20 to 30 knot winds, squalls, and storms. 59º North provided a unique opportunity to experience the magic of passage making while learning new skills. Mia Karlsson was inspiring, supportive, and encouraging while sailing FALKEN and cooking amazing meals for the crew. Captain Chris Kobusch brought a wealth of knowledge and experience with over 165,000 nautical miles at sea. This was truly the experience of a lifetime and one that I will always cherish.
The trip delivered on all my expectations and more. I wanted to experience sailing beyond my current boundaries of mainly coastal sailing. I wanted to apply skills I already have and to learn more from those around me. And while sunshine, night watches by moon or starlight, and dolphins are beautiful and were part of our passage story, so were gale-force winds and “proper” (5m) waves. 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. The team (Nikki, Emma, Mia) struck such a perfect balance. If you are seeking ocean wisdom, you could not be in better hands. I’d go again in a heartbeat and can’t stop thinking about all the memories we made. Thank you is not adequate!
My time on FALKEN crossing the Atlantic was highly rewarding and incredibly enjoyable. A unique adventure for sure, it was made that much more gratifying given the wonderful crew with whom I shared the experience. 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.
Our voyage was interesting because both ISBJØRN (which I was on) and ICEBEAR traveled the same route at roughly the same time. I knew when I signed up that I would not be on a boat with Andy and Mia, but I wanted to experience the smaller boat, so I was fine with that. We had Matt Rutherford as our captain and Ben Doerr as first mate. The bonus was how chill and fun they both were throughout the trip. There were lots of fascinating stories, and they were both cheerful about answering questions and providing advice. The other three crew on my trip (Ted, Laz, and Chris) were great company too, so I feel pretty lucky about that. But regarding Matt and Ben, it says a lot about Andy and Mia that they attract people of that quality to their business. For me, it was mission accomplished. 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. I wouldn't tackle Bermuda on my own yet, though. It's far! But one step at a time. For now, thanks to 59º North and all of their good people for a safe but true ocean adventure. If you are looking for blue water sailing experience and a fun adventure, I highly recommend that you sign up.
Huge thank you to the 59º North team, especially Captain Emily and First Mate Mia, for taking me and our crew safely across the Atlantic Ocean. A daunting dream to have turned into an amazing reality under the expert supervision of a skilled and experienced team, on the beautiful, fast, and well-equipped boat, FALKEN. I feel very grateful to have met and worked with the wonderful, international crew aboard. I will cherish the starry nights chatting (or enjoying in silence), the 360° horizon, and the beautiful sunsets and sunrises. No matter how feisty the wind and sea state, all crew members took the helm, sometimes with the support of the captain or first mate by your side, coaching you. Amazing! I learned so much, and I'll be back for more!
Andy and 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—thank you. I'd also like to thank Liz and 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 learned more and had more fun in those racing days than I'd ever thought possible. I'm definitely coming back.