2026-5 | ISBJORN | Faroe Islands - Reykjavik
If you are into seabirds, Vikings, epic offshore sailing and massive cliffs with waterfalls and lighthouses on top of them, this is the right trip for you! We’ll start the adventure in Torshavn and sail west through the dramatic Faroe Islands before making the leap across the ocean to Iceland. The Arctic summer is in full swing, and the sunset will last for hours and gradually turn into sunrise after just a short pause below the horizon. We’ll likely make our first landfall at Vestmannaeyjar, a gorgeous volcanic fishing island south of Reykjavik. You’ll arrive in Reykjavik just a week before the 2026 Total Solar Eclipse! We recommend you spend a week exploring the island and catch the total eclipse from the west coast near Reykjavik on the 12th of August before heading home! Get your tickets early, there will likely be many eclipse chasers coming to Iceland at that time!
SAILING STAFF
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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 26, 2026
Crew arrive to ISBJØRN at 13.00 in Torshavn, Faroe Islands. 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.
July 28, 2026
Scheduled departure, weather dependent.
August 5, 2026
Latest date (12:00 noon) for crew to depart ISBJØRN from Reykjavik, Iceland.
Join ISBJORN in Tórshavn, Faroe Island. It’s a small town and ISBJORN will be docked in the main harbor. We plan on a non-stop crossing to Iceland. Depending on the weather and timing, we’ll either be cruising a bit in Faroe Islands before we head out, or stop before reaching Reykjavik if we are early and the weather allows. The passage will end in Reykjavik, Iceland, the main harbor is next to Harpa, the concert hall.
TRAVEL LOGISTICS
Torshavn
Reykjavik
Weather conditions
Expect a cool, brisk passage across the open North Atlantic—generally unsettled with a fair bit of wind and lively seas, so be ready for some bumpy stretches, but with settled windows where the sailing turns downright glorious.
In-depth analysis, by WRI
WHY 59º NORTH?
ambitious sailing schedule
The best boats
Professional, well-paid staff
knowledge & community
Why it costs what it costs...
"Adventure, education, majesty... I can't imagine a better pair to introduce people to the sublime enterprise of offshore sailing. This trip will always live amongst my cherished memories. Thank you!"
"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!"
"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."
"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!"
"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."
"It was an honor to be onboard FALKEN for her crewed maiden voyage. We sailed in challenging conditions on our 5-day romp in the English Channel, with the crew rising to the occasion inspired by our skipper, Nikki, and first mate, Alex. If you want to experience real-world offshore life under expert supervision with like-minded folks, look no further than 59º North."
"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."
THE BOAT
S&S Swan 48
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ISBJØRN
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🇳🇴
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.
packing lists & notes
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.
Cold | Chilly Packing List
Weather-wise, expect chilly to cold conditions (not Arctic-level cold, but cold enough to need boots, hats & gloves, especially at night). On sunny, calmer days, it might be warm enough for shorts and t-shirts, so on these types of trips you kinda need one of everything! Check the packing list for specific details.