Passages

"I rarely remember my dreams ashore but almost always do at sea. Something about sleeping in a washing machine allows better access to the subconscious."
John Kretschmer
Sailing a Serious Ocean
"There are few events filled with as much promise as the prospect of stepping ashore after a long passage."
John Kretschmer
Sailing a Serious Ocean
"The one place I know I belong is on the ocean. There is no question about that. You know, I have never felt like I belonged anywhere as much as I feel like I belong on the ocean."
Pip Hare
Andy Schell's ON THE WIND Podcast, #393
"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth, a nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present. In this limitless nation, this nation of wind, light, and peace, there is no other ruler besides the sea."
Bernard Moitessier
The Long Way
"The more technology we add, the more likely we are to get ourselves into a situation where that stuff absolutely must work, and the less likely it is that we will be able to manage safely without it."
John Harries
ATTAINABLE ADVENTURE CRUISING
"The least advertised tragedy is the fear or dislike of sailing that can be instilled in your prospective sailing partners when your lack of skill leads to a few incidents that could have been avoided if you'd spent a little more time practicing sailing skills."
Lin & Larry Pardey
The Self-Sufficient Sailor
"To be truly challenging, a voyage, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. Otherwise, you are doomed to a routine traverse, the kind known to yachtsmen who play with their boats at sea… 'cruising' it is called. Voyaging belongs to seamen, and to the wanderers of the world who cannot, or will not, fit in. If you are contemplating a voyage and you have the means, abandon the venture until your fortunes change. Only then will you know what the sea is all about. I've always wanted to sail to the south seas, but I can't afford it." What these men can't afford is not to go. They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of "security." And in the worship of security we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine – and before we know it our lives are gone. What does a man need – really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in – and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That's all – in the material sense, and we know it. But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, mortgages, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention for the sheer idiocy of the charade. The years thunder by, The dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it, the tomb is sealed. Where, then, lies the answer? In choice. Which shall it be: bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life?"
Sterling Hayden
Wanderer
"I'm in the Northwest Passage, I'm cold, I'm wet a lot, I'm hungry, I'm sleep deprived, like properly sleep deprivation at times. I had every right and reason to be miserable, right? Cold, wet, tired, hungry, and miserable. But being miserable was not going to give me sleep. It's not going to give me a warm meal. It wasn't gonna give me a hot shower. It wasn't gonna give me any of those things. So you might as well enjoy the moment, you know?"
Matt Rutherford
ON THE WIND Podcast, #487
"Cause without the bitter, baby, the sweet ain't as sweet."
Cameron Crowe
Vanilla Sky (Movie)
"You can just look at the globe and just see you can cross oceans from where you are now, and that's like a mind-blowing thought for me."
Øyvind Nilssen
ON THE WIND Podcast, #504
"There was no hurry now, Joshua was to spend the winter in Casablanca, where the local yacht club had provided us with a safe mooring in extremely pleasant and gay company. The club members are really keen sailors who go out every weekend even if a howling gale whistles through the rigging, and many of them perform quite admirable feats of seamanship in leaving their moorings under sail alone, without a hitch and as though it were the most natural thing in the world. A real pleasure to watch."
Bernard Moitessier
Cape Horn: The Logical Route
"The single most important thing you can do, by far and bar none, to become a safe and happy offshore cruiser is to go to sea as crew with an experienced skipper on a good boat. No amount of inshore sailing or reading replaces this vital step on the road to becoming a competent offshore sailor."
John Harries
Morganscloud.com
"While I supposed myself to be looking as salt as Neptune himself, I was, no doubt, known for a landsman by everyone onboard as soon as I give in sight. A sailor has a peculiar cut to his clothes, and a way of wearing them which a green hand can never get."
Richard Henry Dana
TWO YEARS BEFORE THE MAST
"In anything at all, perfection is finally attained not when there is no longer anything to add, but when there is no longer anything to take away, when a body has been stripped down to its nakedness."
Antoine de Saint Exupery
WIND, SAND & STARS
"That's how you succeed doing crazy stuff, right? You gotta be conservative in your day-to-day, even though the overall plan is not conservative, it's kind of crazy. But stay in the middle, man."
Matt Rutherford
Andy Schell's ON THE WIND Podcast, #506
"I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote. I love to sail forbidden seas and land on barbarous coasts."
Herman Melville
MOBY DICK
"The 3 most important things are attitude, attitude, and attitude. Because if the attitude is right, you survive and you learn everything you don't need to learn."
Tapio Lehtinen
Andy Schell's ON THE WIND Podcast, #398
"...we were to discover that happiness has no frontiers, that it's a state of mind and not a possession, not a set route through life, not a goal to gained but something that steals in gently like an evening mist or the morning sunlight - something beyond our control."
Robin Lee Graham
Dove
"The more you know, the less you need."
Yvon Chouinard
Patagonia
"The tough part is making departures, shedding the shackles of society's expectations, kicking the addiction of electronic connections, subverting the guilt of our own obligations, and pushing off the dock physically and metaphorically."
John Kretschmer
Sailing a Serious Ocean
Passages found:
0
2 Bunks (1 Women's)

2026-12 | FALKEN | Ensenada-Monterey Bay

Join FALKEN just across the border in Ensenada, Mexico, for the passage back north to Monterey Bay, California. You'll set sail after a day or two of briefings to learn the boat and meet the crew, then it's several hundred miles of ocean sailing in the Pacific!  As with all 59º North trips, you're part of the crew - helm, navigate, manage systems, change sails and more as you and your shipmates steer FALKEN north.

$6,600
8
Days
550
NM
2026-12 | FALKEN | Ensenada-Monterey Bay
2026
Pacific
Waitlist

2026-2 | ADRIENNE II | Trans-At: Salvador, Brazil-Canaries

Our fourth 'BONUS' Trans-Atlantic will again see us prep for departure in Salvador, Brazil, following the conclusion of another season filming the Swedish TV show Över Atlanten. Once the reality-show stars have disembarked and the boat's been handed over to 59º North, we'll assemble the crew and spend a few days going over safety briefings, orientations and final prep. Then it's eastward-bound across the Atlantic! We're able to offer this passage at such a huge discount - just $3,500 - thanks to our partnership with Gurra Krantz, legendary Swedish sailor (4x Whitbread!), who believes in our mission of getting people ocean sailing experience, and we hope this passage will attract those who otherwise might not be able to sail with us. You'll sail 3,000-miles to the Canary Islands, including an equator crossing. Make landfall in Gran Canaria after 16-18 days at sea and bid farewell to your new shipmates! You'll earn TWO coveted patches on this leg - the Anchor, indicted you've crossed the Atlantic under sail; and the Shellback, for crossing the equator! THE BOAT: 'ADRIENNE' | MODIFIED SWAN 651 The boat is a lengthened German Frers-designed Swan 651, now measuring 70-feet thanks to an extended transom. She's got a new customized keel and a carbon-fiber rig, and is owned by Gurra Krantz, a 4x Whitbread/Volvo Ocean Race skipper. He uses the boat solely for the TV-show, so it’s outfitted properly for this type of sailing. 

$3,500
24
Days
3,000
NM
2026-2 | ADRIENNE II | Trans-At: Salvador, Brazil-Canaries
2026
Atlantic
1 Bunk

2026-1 | WOODWIND | Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race

The first-ever 59º North passage onboard the 74-ft. schooner WOODWIND! In reality, this passage is a long-time coming, and has a lot to do with the origins of 59º North. Andy sailed in the Schooner Race twice when working as a deckhand on WOODWIND in 2006 & 2007, and to this day it's one of his favorite experiences. Note that passages aboard Schooner WOODWIND are operated by Schooner Woodwind Sailing Cruises.

$5,500
7
Days
130
NM
2026-1 | WOODWIND | Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race
2026
Atlantic
Waitlist

2026-2 | WOODWIND | Chesapeake Adventure Cruise

Join the WOODWIND for the passage back to Annapolis after the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race! This had been an annual event for many years (and Andy has done it twice while working as a deckhand in 2006 & 2007), but it's been on hiatus for a few years, and now that 59º North has taken ownership of WOODWIND, we're bringing it back! You'll join the boat in Norfolk the day after the race crew depart, and we'll plan an adventure cruise back up the Bay. As the route is only 130 miles, we'll have time to sail and explore, gunkholing up secluded creeks on the Eastern Shore and visiting some quaint Chesapeake towns in the less-crowded fall season. The weather this time of year usually allows for good sailing conditions and crisp mornings and evenings on anchor. This is a wonderfully unique passage on a fabulous, classic schooner, join us! Note that passages aboard Schooner WOODWIND are operated by Schooner Woodwind Sailing Cruises.

$3,500
5
Days
130
NM
2026-2 | WOODWIND | Chesapeake Adventure Cruise
2026
Atlantic
Waitlist

2026-13 | FALKEN | Monterey Bay-Ensenada

FALKEN heads further south down the west coast with a 500-mile hop to Ensenada, across the southern USA border and into Mexico's Baja Peninsula! As we head south the air temps will heat up while the water temps remain California-cool. This is a great passage for those needing a shorter time away from home and easy travel logistics, but want to get offshore.

$6,600
8
Days
500
NM
2026-13 | FALKEN | Monterey Bay-Ensenada
2026
Pacific
Waitlist

2026-14 | FALKEN | Ensenada-San Diego | Sail Training

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.

$6,600
8
Days
350
NM
2026-14 | FALKEN | Ensenada-San Diego | Sail Training
2026
Pacific
Waitlist

2027-1 | FALKEN | San Diego-San Jose del Cabo

FALKEN starts her journey back to the home waters of the Atlantic as we head south from our off-season quarters in San Diego towards Mexico and the Baja Peninsula. Escape the northern winter with some warm Pacific breezes. This passage might have the highest chance of seeing wildlife as any of ours, so get your whalewatching binoculars out!

$6,900
9
Days
850
NM
2027-1 | FALKEN | San Diego-San Jose del Cabo
2027
Pacific
Waitlist

2027-2 | FALKEN | San Jose del Cabo-Costa Rica

It's a looooong way down the coast of Mexico and Central America, and we've got our sights set on a new landfall in Costa Rica after almost 2,000 miles at sea from San Jose del Cabo on the Baja Peninsula. The typical weather conditions this time of year will make for an easy downwind run in tropical temperatures and with ample opportunity for wildlife sightings.

$9,800
16
Days
1,800
NM
2027-2 | FALKEN | San Jose del Cabo-Costa Rica
2027
Pacific
Waitlist

2027-3 | FALKEN | Costa Rica-Panama (Canal Transit)

The return to the Atlantic! Join FALKEN after she's had a maintenance period in Costa Rica and get in 650-miles of ocean sailing followed by a bucket-list transit of the famed Panama Canal! Be the first crew to welcome FALKEN back into familiar waters in the Atlantic!

$7,300
15
Days
650
NM
2027-3 | FALKEN | Costa Rica-Panama (Canal Transit)
2027
Pacific
Waitlist

2027-4 | FALKEN | Panama-Providencia-Cayman Islands

FALKEN starts her Atlantic season in earnest and gets some new landfalls in on this first passage. If you zoom in on Google Earth, you'll find a small group of islands that sit more or less on the rhumb line between Panama and Grand Cayman. "What's that?!" we thought, when planning the passage. Providencia, a small Colombia outpost in the middle of the Caribbean Sea and an irresistible stopover en route to Grand Cayman!

$7,600
8
Days
600
NM
2027-4 | FALKEN | Panama-Providencia-Cayman Islands
2027
Atlantic
5 Bunks

2027-5 | FALKEN | Cayman Islands-Key West

Join FALKEN in Grand Cayman for the run around the west end of Cuba and on up to Jimmy Buffett's spiritual home in Key West, Florida. It's been almost ten years since we last sailed into Key West and it's one of the more memorable landfalls as you sail past Mallory Square and into Key West's historic seaport.

$7,200
8
Days
575
NM
2027-5 | FALKEN | Cayman Islands-Key West
2027
Atlantic
5 Bunks

2027-6 | FALKEN | Key West-Bermuda

It's 1,200 miles from Key West to Bermuda, with a little hitch in the route to get around the Bahamas. This is a longer, more challenging passage out into the Atlantic proper, where we'll have to plan the weather just right while we're in the Gulf Stream for the first portion of the voyage until we can turn east past the Abacos. You'll get all kinds of weather on this trip as we transition through the Horse Latitudes — cold fronts coming off the continent, easterly Tradewinds at the start, and deep ocean swells once clear of the Bahamian islands.

$9,750
12
Days
1,200
NM
2027-6 | FALKEN | Key West-Bermuda
2027
Atlantic
5 Bunks

2027-7 | FALKEN | Bermuda-Annapolis

One of our all-time favorite routes, sailing from beautiful Bermuda back to 59º North's spiritual Home Port in Annapolis. April is a little early in the season to be making this passage — meaning it'll be a particularly challenging one. We've got to find the right weather window to get across the Gulf Stream, with cold fronts moving offshore on average of every 3-5 days. It'll be warm in Bermuda and offshore, but will get noticeably colder once we cross the Stream and head up the Bay. A great passage for weather nerds who really want to learn about offshore weather forecasting & routing.

$7,750
10
Days
850
NM
2027-7 | FALKEN | Bermuda-Annapolis
2027
Atlantic
Waitlist

2027-1 | ISBJORN | Sail Training Camp

Join ISBJØRN in Bergen, Norway for an intensive week of sail training! We will sail the fjords, archipelagos and the open ocean around Bergen, practicing sail trim, helmsmanship, heavy-weather sailing, piloting & navigation, instruments, downwind sailing, and more, depending on what opportunities the weather prepares for us. We'll end most days at a new and gorgeous harbour or anchorage, of which we will have an inexhaustible supply. The difference between a dedicated "Sail Training Camp”, and any of our more standard 'Point A to Point B' passages is the breadth of teaching we can accomplish. When sailing from A to B, we have to work within the bounds of the weather - if it's an upwind passage, you won't get to learn any spinnaker sailing, for example. On a dedicated sail training trip, we can guarantee you'll get education on all points of sail. Plus more docking, more sail changes, etc. In short, these trips are more specifically about learning than our more adventure-focused passages. But fear not, you will have plenty of adventure as well!

$5,550
8
Days
300
NM
2027-1 | ISBJORN | Sail Training Camp
2027
North Sea
2 Bunks

2027-2 | ISBJORN | Bergen - Faroe

This voyage begins in Bergen, Norway - the gateway to the fjords - and sets a course west across the North Sea towards the Faroe Islands. The Faroes are one of the North Atlantic’s last truly wild archipelagos, a place where sea cliffs tower over 800 meters, seabirds darken the sky, and remote villages cling to green valleys carved by glaciers. A proper offshore challenge with a most rewarding landfall.

$5,700
9
Days
400
NM
2027-2 | ISBJORN | Bergen - Faroe
2027
North Sea
2 Bunks (2 Women's)

2027-8 | FALKEN | ARC Europe: Annapolis-Bermuda

We first sailed with ARC Europe back in 2017 on ISBJØRN, so it's high time we re-join the cruising rally on FALKEN! Andy & Mia used to be the event managers on the rally back in the day and we know the route well. You can signup for the full rally, or each individual leg. We'll start on the Chesapeake Bay and meet the northbound rally fleet in St. George's, Bermuda. This is one of 59º North's "classic" offshore routes from hometown Annapolis, across the Gulf Stream to the 'Onion Patch!'

$7,750
11
Days
850
NM
2027-8 | FALKEN | ARC Europe: Annapolis-Bermuda
2027
Atlantic
1 Bunk (1 Women's)

2027-3 | ISBJORN | Faroe - Lofoten

From the remote and windswept Faroes, we head northeast into the Norwegian Sea, bound for one of the most stunning archipelagos in the world: the Lofoten Islands. This passage is a serious offshore undertaking, and a journey that takes us into the cold waters above the Arctic Circle. The passage can be both demanding and deeply rewarding. You will learn a lot about weather forecasting and -routing as you time your departure and set your course through the weather systems of the Norwegian Sea.   Landfall in Lofoten is unforgettable. Jagged granite peaks rise straight from the sea, snow still lingering on their summits even in late May. High-latitude sailing at its very best. This voyage combines the raw thrill of offshore passage-making with the reward of arriving in one of the most spectacular sailing destinations on Earth. If you are looking to challenge yourself and earn serious sea miles while also experiencing the beauty of Arctic Norway, this is it.

$7,700
11
Days
700
NM
2027-3 | ISBJORN | Faroe - Lofoten
2027
Arctic
Waitlist

2027-9 | FALKEN | ARC Europe: Bermuda-Horta

Our only Trans-Atlantic voyage of 2027, we'll sail with the ARC Europe fleet out of Bermuda, making landfall in legendary Horta, where the first stop ashore is always Peter Cafe Sport for the best-tasting beer in the Atlantic! We have a good chance of being the fastest boat in the rally fleet (in 2017 ISBJØRN won Class B!), but in any case, sailing in company in the rally is awesome fun and a great way to meet other cruisers.

$12,950
17
Days
1,900
NM
2027-9 | FALKEN | ARC Europe: Bermuda-Horta
2027
Atlantic
Waitlist

2027-4 | ISBJORN | Lofoten - Seydisfjordur

Join ISBJØRN in one of the most beautiful harbours in the world, north of the Arctic Circle. This is a proper expedition. 700 miles of ocean separate Norway’s dramatic fjords from Seyðisfjörður, a hidden gem on Iceland’s remote east coast. This is not a milk run - it is a hardcore crossing into one of the most storied and elemental parts of the North Atlantic. The arrival into Seyðisfjörður will be very exciting. Tucked into a narrow fjord, the town is surrounded by towering mountains and cascading waterfalls. Few sailors ever make landfall here, and you’ll count yourself among an adventurous handful who have. This voyage is ideal for those seeking both challenge and discovery. It demands endurance, teamwork, and a spirit of adventure, and it delivers the unmatched thrill of exploring places rarely seen by sea. It is high-latitude sailing in its purest form.

$8,100
12
Days
700
NM
2027-4 | ISBJORN | Lofoten - Seydisfjordur
2027
Arctic
Waitlist

2027-10 | FALKEN | ARC Europe: Azores Cruise

The Azores are one of our all-time favorite destinations in the Atlantic, and the islands offer unparalleled scenery and culture. Here's a chance to do something different with 59º North, island-hopping our way from Horta to Sao Miguel and exploring these wonderful islands. Climb to the summit of the 7,700' high Pico, watch the running of the bulls in Terceira and explore the big city in Sao Miguel. Special pricing for crews who want to add-on this passage either after arrival in Horta, or before joining the next leg to Scotland.

$4,500
5
Days
250
NM
2027-10 | FALKEN | ARC Europe: Azores Cruise
2027
Atlantic
4 Bunks

2027-11 | FALKEN | ARC Europe: Sao Miguel-Oban

Our last leg with ARC Europe, as we split with the main fleet and head north, while the majority sail east for Portugal. With a rhumb-line distance of 1,800 miles, nearly as long as the Trans-At itself, this is an awesome and challenging passage towards Northern Europe and the British Isles. We'll stay west to skirt the Azores high, and should have favorable winds for the majority of the sail north, but will have to contend with passing depressions as we sail up the west coast of Ireland, aiming for landfall in Oban, Scotland, single-malt heaven for you Scotch lovers!

$10,400
17
Days
1,800
NM
2027-11 | FALKEN | ARC Europe: Sao Miguel-Oban
2027
Atlantic
2 Bunks (2 Women's)

2027-5 | ISBJORN | Seydisfjordur - Oban

From a brand new 59 North port to one of our go-to favorites! East Iceland looks absolutely stunning, and having sailed past many times, we're very excited to start a trip from here. Our course for Oban takes us very close to the Faroe Islands, where we might stop by en route. In Oban, we'll be docking next to FALKEN, as both boats will be staying here for some mid-season TLC!

$6,400
10
Days
600
NM
2027-5 | ISBJORN | Seydisfjordur - Oban
2027
North Sea
8 Bunks

2027-12 | FALKEN | Oban-Marstrand

FALKEN gets a break in Oban for some needed maintenance after a long trans-Atlantic, then we're bound towards 59º North headquarters in Sweden! We've done this passage many times before, and it offers a wonderful mix of inshore cruising up Scotland's magnificent Outer Hebrides, then a sprint across the North Sea and into Scandinavia. There will be stops on this route in Scotland and potentially Norway, entirely dependent on timing and weather.

$8,800
12
Days
900
NM
2027-12 | FALKEN | Oban-Marstrand
2027
Atlantic
1 Bunk (1 Women's)

2027-6 | ISBJORN | Oban - Bergen

FALKEN and ISBJØRN is departing Oban together! A great opportunity to see both boats and meet many 59 North faces. Both boats will be sailing North through the Hebrides and then due East. After crossing the North Sea, FALKEN sails towards Marstrand, ISBJØRN towards Bergen.  You'll get to see the beautiful North of Scotland and the Islands of the Norwegian Sea before crossing the infamous North Sea and make landfall in ISBJØRN's home port of Bergen. 

$6,400
10
Days
550
NM
2027-6 | ISBJORN | Oban - Bergen
2027
North Sea
6 Bunks

2027-13 | FALKEN | Marstrand-Visby-Åland

Our first foray into the Baltic in many years, FALKEN will head south around the tip of Sweden and past Copenhagen before running north up the Baltic and making a pit-stop at medieval Visby on the historic island of Gotland. Visby is a walled city, right out of a movie set, and a fantastic place to explore on foot. Then it's one final overnight to historic Mariehamn, where one of the last Cape Horn clipper ships greets us in the harbor on arrival!

$7,200
8
Days
600
NM
2027-13 | FALKEN | Marstrand-Visby-Åland
2027
Atlantic
5 Bunks

2027-7 | ISBJORN | Bergen - Stornoway

Bergen is probably the coolest harbour in the world. Stornoway is probably the one with the coolest name. Join this trip to experience them both, and have the adventure of a lifetime in between! A classic Viking passage across the badass North Sea, followed by the gorgeous Islands north of Scotland, and then through the Hebrides. If time and weather allows, we might stop over on some of these. 

$5,700
9
Days
450
NM
2027-7 | ISBJORN | Bergen - Stornoway
2027
North Sea
7 Bunks

2027-14 | FALKEN | WOMEN'S PASSAGE: Stockholm-Marstrand

After a short delivery sail over to Stockholm, Andy & Mia's home city, we'll sail FALKEN back around to Sweden's west coast and to the famed boatyard at Vindö Marin where we'll stay for a 6-week mini-refit. Vindö is on the island of Orust, renowned for boatbuilding and just down the road from Hallberg-Rassy, Najad and other well-known Swedish boat builders. Of course we'll have a pit-stop in Marstrand, THE sailing center on Sweden's west coast.

$7,200
8
Days
575
NM
2027-14 | FALKEN | WOMEN'S PASSAGE: Stockholm-Marstrand
2027
Baltic Sea
2 Bunks (2 Women's)

2027-8 | ISBJORN | Stornoway - Kinsale

Stornoway is just as epic as it sounds, and the perfect place to start any sailing adventure. And, it is right in the middle of the gorgeous Scottish Hebrides! A cockpit game of I-Spy might feature words like “castle”, “whale”, “distillery” and “puffin”, as we make our way south through the islands. Then, we’ll have a tough weather decision on our hands - either to tackle the Irish Sea or make a starboard turn around the west coast of Ireland. 

$6,400
10
Days
500
NM
2027-8 | ISBJORN | Stornoway - Kinsale
2027
North Sea
7 Bunks

2027-15 | FALKEN | SHAKEDOWN: Marstrand-Hallberg-Rassy

FALKEN will do a short shakedown down the Swedish west coast ahead of the Hallberg Rassy Öppet Varv Boat Show, and you can join the crew! This is one of the shorter and less expensive trips we offer, and we'll be prioritizing local Swedish crew for this leg. The Swedish west coast is fantastic cruising, and we'll take it easy down the coast, anchoring as we go and working our way through all the systems. Expect lots of sail-handling, anchoring, dinghy-rides, drone flying and a much more laid-back atmosphere than our more serious ocean crossings. But as this is in our backyard in Sweden, we're super excited for it!

$2,750
4
Days
150
NM
2027-15 | FALKEN | SHAKEDOWN: Marstrand-Hallberg-Rassy
2027
8 Bunks

2027-16 | FALKEN | Marstrand-Plymouth

After FALKEN's refit at Vindö we'll sail back across the North Sea for Plymouth, England, where we'll stage for the jump south and across the Bay of Biscay. This passage is especially variable and is entirely dependent on challenging fall weather in the North Sea. There are many routing options, including going north around Scotland, south through the Kiel Canal, or direct through the English Channel, all with their own challenges. In 2024 FALKEN even made a short call into central London to wait out some bad weather, sailing up the Thames River! A great passage for those really interested in weather routing and forecasting.

$7,900
12
Days
1,000
NM
2027-16 | FALKEN | Marstrand-Plymouth
2027
Baltic Sea
5 Bunks

2027-9 | ISBJORN | Kinsale - Amsterdam

This leg carries us East from Ireland across the Celtic Sea, English Channel, and North Sea. It is a varied and challenging stretch. Busy shipping lanes, shifting weather, and strong tides make this an ideal voyage for sailors eager to hone their skills. Amsterdam is one of Europe's classic historic ports, and will make for a great landfall. 

$6,400
11
Days
700
NM
2027-9 | ISBJORN | Kinsale - Amsterdam
2027
North Sea
5 Bunks

2027-10 | ISBJORN | Amsterdam - Bergen

Do like the Hanseatic League, and set sail from Holland towards the great riches of the North - Cod! And adventure! This is a classic North Sea crossing in the most favorable direction, but late in the season. Big systems coming from the south west can give you some absolutely thrilling downwind rides, but will also put your weather routing skills to the test. You will also get to practice your COLREGs, with plenty of enormous oil installations to dodge underway. Luckily, they are some of the largest structures ever made by humans, and also on fire. Some additional days are built in, giving you the flexibility to find a favorable weather window, or to cruise the epic Norwegian coast after making landfall. 

$5,700
9
Days
500
NM
2027-10 | ISBJORN | Amsterdam - Bergen
2027
North Sea
5 Bunks

2027-11 | ISBJORN | WOMEN'S PASSAGE: Heavy-Weather Sail Training

Join ISBJØRN in Bergen, Norway for a week of sail training! This is right at the shoulder of the season, and it is very likely that the weather will be wet, stormy and dark. Perfect for those wanting to extend their comfort zone. We will sail the fjords, archipelagos and the open ocean around Bergen, practicing sail trim, helmsmanship, heavy-weather sailing, piloting & navigation, instruments, downwind sailing, and more, depending on what opportunities the weather prepares for us. We'll end most days at a new and gorgeous harbour or anchorage, of which we will have an inexhaustible supply.

$5,550
8
Days
250
NM
2027-11 | ISBJORN | WOMEN'S PASSAGE: Heavy-Weather Sail Training
2027
North Sea
5 Bunks

2027-12 | ISBJORN | Heavy Weather Sail Training

If your idea of a perfect day on the water involves shirtsleeves, sunglasses, warm weather and your hair flowing in a gentle breeze, this is not your kind of trip. It will in all likelihood be cold, wet, dark, and a warm hat pulled down over your ears. Perfect for those wanting to extend their weather comfort zone! We will sail the fjords, archipelagos and the open ocean around Bergen, practicing sail trim, helmsmanship, heavy-weather sailing, piloting & navigation, instruments, downwind sailing, and more, depending on what opportunities the weather prepares for us. We'll end most days at a new and gorgeous harbour or anchorage, of which we will have an inexhaustible supply. 

$5,550
8
Days
250
NM
2027-12 | ISBJORN | Heavy Weather Sail Training
2027
7 Bunks

2027-17 | FALKEN | Plymouth-Madeira

Where North Americans pay utmost respect to the Gulf Stream when heading south to the Caribbean, Europeans are equally cautious about the legendary Bay of Biscay and its notorious weather. This is the big one—perhaps the highest chance of heavy weather on our entire sailing season and a great chance to learn more about weather-routing and forecasting.  Thanks to our orca friends near mainland Portugal, we're going to stay offshore and go direct for Madeira instead of risk a run-in with the whales. But, what that gives us is an awesome open-ocean passage, some 1,200 miles to one of the Atlantic's least-visited and most incredible islands at Madeira! We stopped in Madeira only once in 59º North's history, aboard ISBJØRN in 2018, and we're stoked to go back! FALKEN will deliberately leave from Plymouth, which is about as far west in England as we can get to position ourselves for the prevailing SW'ly winds as we head south. Once across Biscay, the weather warms and the sailing gets easier as we sail down the coast. You can expect a wide variety of conditions on the trip south. This will be FALKEN's 4th Biscay crossing, and the 7th time we've sailed the route with 59º North, and I think each time has been different. The weather changes quickly this time of year, with low-pressure systems and their associated fronts marching across every few days. So pack the layers and be prepared for a variety of points of sail on the way south.

$8,700
13
Days
1,200
NM
2027-17 | FALKEN | Plymouth-Madeira
2027
Atlantic
8 Bunks

2027-18 | FALKEN | SAIL TRAINING: Madeira-Las Palmas

Join FALKEN in magical Madeira for an intense week of proper sail training as we make our way over to the Canaries. These passages are a bit different than our normal A-to-B passages in that we have ample opportunity for more formal teaching than normal. We'll spend more time going over boat systems & watch systems, for example, and have a chance to hit every point of sail from upwind to spinnaker sailing downwind. As it's only 250-miles over to Las Palmas, we'll also have the chance to anchor in one or two of the other islands in the Canaries for a break from the sea and a chance to see some more places en route! Due to the orca situation in and around Portugal we've opted to skip the mainland altogether and stop off in Madeira instead, a rugged, magical island that we've only ever actually been to once in the history of 59º North. You'll meet the boat in Madeira, and if you have time, we highly recommend coming a few days early to explore.  Once across Biscay it's much smoother sailing in cool fall conditions en route to the Canary Islands. Las Palmas will be our port of call in 2027, a place we've gotten to know quite well over the years, and a beautiful coastal city with easy access to Gran Canaria's rugged & mountainous interior. The marina in Las Palmas is one of the biggest in Europe, with thousands of boats from across the globe preparing for parts unknown.

$6,750
7
Days
350
NM
2027-18 | FALKEN | SAIL TRAINING: Madeira-Las Palmas
2027
8 Bunks

2027-19 | FALKEN | ARC RALLY: Las Palmas-St. Lucia

FALKEN is headed back across the Pond for a second time in 2027! 59º North will return a bit to our "roots" with this trip, where we'll be joining the iconic 'Atlantic Rally for Cruisers', aka ARC rally. Andy & Mia worked for the ARC going back to 2008 and have long been involved in running the shoreside operations on rallies including the Caribbean 1500, ARC Europe and ARC itself. It's definitely with a bit of nostalgia that we're joining the rally fleet! The sail itself will be a classic east-to-west Tradewind trans-Atlantic, 3,000 miles from Gran Canaria to St. Lucia, an island we haven't visited since 2013 when Andy's dad's boat SOJOURNER was stationed on the finish line in Rodney Bay.  Being part of the ARC rally means we'll be sailing in company with over 250 boats, from 30-footers up to boats much bigger than FALKEN. Crew will be welcome to be part of all rally events in Las Palmas and St. Lucia - they've got seminars, parties, island tours and a lot more going on which you can be a part of. Andy will be involved in delivering some of the pre-departure seminars.  Weather-wise, expect it to be chillier than you think on leaving Las Palmas, but quickly warm up as we 'sail south 'til the butter melts, then turn right!' FALKEN should complete the crossing in 16-20 days, depending on how well-established the Trades are at the time.

$13,950
26
Days
3,000
NM
2027-19 | FALKEN | ARC RALLY: Las Palmas-St. Lucia
2027

"Some of us seek out more meaning through travel rather than escaping from life. We want to be stronger tomorrow than we are today."

Corey Grabar
|
2026-8 | FALKEN | Hawaii-Alaska Border
United States
|
🇺🇸
2,627
Miles sailed
1
Passages sailed

"I'm still processing everything I saw, felt, learned, and experienced over those 17 days, but there are a few things I wanted to express before the land sickness wears off and I return to my landlubber life. Your Skippers and Mates created an environment of calm, comfort, and confidence that washed away any apprehension I had about joining seven strangers on a 1600-mile round trip. I am blown away by their depth of knowledge, not only of sailing but also in teaching a crew of widely different experience levels without a hint of condescension. I would not hesitate to sail with them again, and we're already scoping out future dates on the cal."

Adam Wells
|
2020-3 | ICEBEAR | Spirit of Bermuda Rally 2020 ICEBEAR
United States
|
🇺🇸
2,477
Miles sailed
2
Passages sailed

"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 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 learned so much and I'll be back for more!"

Jillian Feberwee
|
2025-2 | FALKEN | Las Palmas - Antigua
Canada
|
🇨🇦
3,046
Miles sailed
1
Passages sailed

"This trip across the North Sea from Bergen (Norway) to Oban (Scotland) was awesome! It offered hands-on learning about navigation, lots of sail handling, and a wide range of weather, wind (up to 35 knots!), and sailing conditions. Jon Amtrup is a highly experienced skipper—and he helped me fill in the gaps!"

Brian Rigney
|
2025-9 | ISBJORN | Bergen - Oban
United States
|
🇺🇸
2,200
Miles sailed
3
Passages sailed

"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."

Christoper Arias
|
2021-11 | ICEBEAR | Falmouth, UK-Cascais, Portugal 2021 ICEBEAR
United States
|
🇺🇸
993
Miles sailed
1
Passages sailed

"I signed up for this passage hoping to spend an extended period offshore, learn new skills, increase my competencies and confidence, and sail with amazing crew mates—and this passage completely exceeded my expectations. The 59º North team brings impressive skill, experience, wisdom, and fun to each passage and crew, which is a huge part of why I returned for this second passage in twelve months. I recommend 59º North to all of my sailing friends who want to learn about offshore passage-making in a thorough and hands-on way from true professionals."

Margaret Arnold
|
2022-11 | ICEBEAR | Marstrand-Portsmouth
United States
|
🇺🇸
1,974
Miles sailed
2
Passages sailed

"When I think back to my trip across the North Sea on ICEBEAR, the memories uplift me and fill me with warmth and gratitude. Unplugging from the corporate world and embracing the beauty the ocean has to offer with 59º North molded me into a slightly different version of myself, in the most magical ways. I went home after 11 days with a more courageous yet humbled energy, realizing how capable and excited I am to take on new challenges."

Katelyn Helmuth
|
2022-11 | ICEBEAR | Marstrand-Portsmouth
United States
|
🇺🇸
1,336
Miles sailed
1
Passages sailed

FAQS

The most common questions about our offshore sailing trips, answered here. For more information on what to expect with us and the full list of FAQs, go to 59-north.com/what-to-expect.

What’s included in the crew fee?

What happens after I signup to sail with 59º North?

How do you plan passage routes to ensure safe weather patterns?

What amenities are there aboard the boat?

How long are the watches?

How much experience is required to sign on for a passage?

Do you have Starlink?

What can I expect to learn on a 59º North trip? Do I get a certificate?

Contact us

The boats we sail

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.

66,665
Miles sailed
view details
FALKEN

S&S Swan 48

'

ISBJØRN

'

🇳🇴

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.

71,588
Miles sailed
view details
ISBJØRN

Schooner

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WOODWIND

'

🇺🇸

WOODWIND & WOODWIND II are wood/epoxy staysail schooners built in the 1990s for Annapolis daysail charters. In October 2025, 59º North Sailing acquired them, and now offers select passages and races, continuing their rich family and sailing legacy on the Bay.

0
Miles sailed
view details
WOODWIND

OE 36

'

SPICA

'

🇸🇪

SPICA is my (Andy, writing this!) and Mia's family boat here in Sweden. Well, actually it's Axel's boat, our six-year-old! It's a classic Olle Enderlein 36, built in Sweden in 1971, and very much a "mini" ISBJØRN, both in underwater hull shape, deck layout and interior style and arrangement. When you sail on SPICA you will be joining our family's summer home here in Sweden. When we have crew onboard, we sail with 3 plus me (Andy!) as skipper.

742
Miles sailed
view details
SPICA

Swan 70

'

ADRIENNE II

'

🇸🇪

ADRIENNE II is a modified Swan 651, lengthened to 70 feet with an extended transom, upgraded fin keel, carbon-fiber rig, and a Hallberg-Rassy-style glass windshield. Chartered by 59º North from owner Gurra Krantz (noted for the TV show Över Atlanten), she will be used for trans-Atlantic voyages in 2025. Only 19 Swan 651s were built (1982–1991) as successors to the S&S Swan 65, offering more interior space and family cruising features. More info and photos: 59-north.com/swan-70.

9,628
Miles sailed
view details
ADRIENNE II

Swan 59

'

ICEBEAR

'

🇬🇧

After nearly four years and 42,000+ miles, ICEBEAR, a 1986 Swan 59 offshore sailing yacht, has left the 59º North fleet. Originally purchased in 2019, ICEBEAR underwent extensive upgrades and is now one of the best-equipped Swan 59s. The boat has a unique history, including a modified builder’s plaque and previous Swedish ownership.

42,140
Miles sailed
view details
ICEBEAR