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.
PASSAGE DETAILS
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
WOMEN BUNKS GUARANTEED
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."
"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!"
"I really didn’t know what to expect on my trip. I knew it was going to be about 800 miles, the Bay of Biscay is notoriously challenging, and there was a remote possibility of orca attacks. Thankfully, we were safe, but the Bay of Biscay did not disappoint, and we logged more than 1,000 miles. Our skipper and mate, Nikki Henderson and Emma Garschagen, far exceeded any expectation I had, and at no time did I ever feel unsafe, which allowed me to fully take in every experience. I learned a ton, had a great time, and left with a new sense of confidence that I never expected."
"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."
"What an incredible experience! I am so grateful to have been on the leg from Reykjavik to Stornoway over the solar eclipse. ISBJØRN is an incredible ship—sturdy, safe, comfortable (not to mention her amazing and somewhat scandalous history!). Feeling ever grateful to 59º North for this journey."
"Mark and I signed up for a multi-night sailing adventure and ended up with a life-altering week of utter delight. Alex and Mia created an atmosphere of trusting, loving community the second we boarded FALKEN, and we still can’t believe how they trusted us with their beautiful boat and the crew’s lives. We learned about sailing, charting, trimming sails, and working in teams with strangers, and experienced everything from flat calm to huge swells, dolphins, and whales. We’ve been off the boat for four days and are already obsessed with going on another leg—what a week, 59º North!"
"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!"
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.