sailing passages
All Passages, all Boats
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2026-1 | FALKEN | San Diego-La Paz
Join FALKEN in San Diego to start the 2026 Pacific season! After a short off-season break over the holidays, FALKEN will be back in action for the reaching sail south to Mexico and into the Sea of Cortez, making landfall in La Paz on the Baja California Peninsula. This will be 59º North’s first foray into the famed Sea of Cortez, and everything we’ve heard about it makes us very excited! Here’s your chance to be the first crew to sail to the Sea of Cortez with us!
2026-2 | FALKEN | Sea of Cortez-Costa Rica
Another longer passage on FALKEN, and new destination in Costa Rica! Join FALKEN in Mexico for a 2,000+ mile offshore sail to Playa Flamingo on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast.
2026-1 | ADRIENNE II | BONUS Trans-At SXM - Canaries
Our third 'BONUS' Trans-Atlantic will again see us prep for departure in Dutch Sint Maarten, 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 on the island and spend a few days going over safety briefings, orientations and final prep. Then it's eastward-bound across the Atlantic! You'll sail 3,000-miles to the Canary Islands, but not in a direct line - instead, follow the weather north towards Bermuda to find the westerlies, then turn east and play the cold fronts as you head across the pond. The rhumb-line route would be into the teeth of the Tradewinds, so you'll learn real weather routing on this trip as you skirt the Atlantic High. Make landfall in Gran Canaria after 16-18 days at sea and bid farewell to your new shipmates! You'll earn the coveted Anchor patch on this leg, indicted you've crossed the Atlantic under sail. 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.
2026-2A | FALKEN | Isla del Coco Mission
Isla del Coco, or Cocos Island, sits in the Pacific Ocean, roughly 300 nautical miles off Costa Rica’s coast. Uninhabited and shrouded in mist, it’s one of the most remote and pristine national parks on Earth — a UNESCO World Heritage Site protected for its staggering biodiversity both above and below the surface. The island’s steep volcanic cliffs, covered in dense rainforest, rise straight from the sea, fed by dozens of waterfalls that tumble down into turquoise bays. It’s often called the Galápagos of Central America, home to unique species of birds, insects, and marine life that exist nowhere else. Hammerhead sharks, giant mantas, whale sharks, and massive schools of fish make its surrounding waters one of the world’s most famous diving destinations. Cocos Island has also achieved a kind of mythic status in pop culture. Its wild, prehistoric beauty inspired Michael Crichton and Steven Spielberg when they were imagining Isla Nublar, the fictional island in Jurassic Park. Though the movie wasn’t filmed there, Crichton cited Cocos as the model — a remote, storm-lashed Pacific island cloaked in jungle and mystery. In real life, it’s every bit as cinematic: its cloud forest canopy, thunderous surf, and haunting isolation make it easy to picture a dinosaur rounding the next bend. Cocos is one of those "you have to sail there to fully experience it" landfalls scattered around the world, and because of it's remoteness, perhaps the most unique. There are no hotels, no marinas, and no permanent residents, just a small ranger station tucked into Chatham Bay. The reward after about two days at sea is extraordinary: dropping anchor off a place so wild and alive it feels like time has stopped. To arrive there by sail — propelled only by wind, guided by the same navigational instincts as the explorers and pirates who once sought refuge there — is to experience Cocos the way it was meant to be experienced: as a hard-won frontier at the edge of the world.
2026-3 | FALKEN | Costa Rica-Galapagos
The exotic Galapagos Archipelago is FALKEN’s destination after having spent a month in routine maintenance in Costa Rica. Join the boat in Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica and get ready to sail south towards the famed islands explored and documented by Darwin. This is an 800-mile offshore passage, so will be roughly 5 days at sea, yet we’ve allowed ample time to explore the Galapagos islands on arrival.
2026-4 | FALKEN | Galapagos-Marquesas
Perhaps THE classic, bucket-list ocean passage that we all dream about, the iconic Marquesas Islands lie 3,000-miles downwind of the Galapagos. This passage is as long as a Trans-At and includes an Equator crossing, so be prepared for a visit from Neptune and get ready to earn your shellback tattoo! Can an ocean passage get more exotic than this?
2026-1 | ISBJORN | Sail Training Camp #1
Join ISBJØRN in Bergen, Norway for an intensive week of sail training! We will sail the fjords, archipelagos and the open ocean around Bergen, with a different theme and focus for each day including 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 port or anchorage, but also come prepared for some overnight sailing!
2026-5 | FALKEN | Marquesas-Tuamotos-Tahiti & Society Islands
Another iconic South Pacific route taking in several of the classic landfalls of the South Seas. Navigate the famed “dangerous archipelago” of the Tuamotus in French Polynesia with their low-lying reefs and confusing currents. Then make a final landfall on the lush and enchanting island of Tahiti after 800 miles at sea.
2026-1A | ISBJORN | Sail Training Camp #1A Bonus
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!
2026-2 | ISBJORN | Sail Training Camp #2
Join ISBJØRN in Bergen, Norway for an intensive week of sail training! We will sail the fjords, archipelagos and the open ocean around Bergen, with a different theme and focus for each day including 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 port or anchorage, but also come prepared for some overnight sailing!
2026-6 | FALKEN | Tahiti-Bora Bora Cruising
Join us in French Polynesia for a beautiful cruising passage of these iconic South Pacific islands. Meet in Tahiti where we’ll sail the 150-miles or so over to Bora Bora, stopping at Mo’orea on the way if conditions allow. Explore Bora Bora, then return upwind to Pape’ete after a week or so. This is a different type of trip from our normal offshore passages, with time to swim, anchor, explore ashore and experience French Polynesia at its best!
2026-2A | ISBJORN | Women's Sail Training Camp
Our second All-Women's trip aboard ISBJØRN is set for June, 2026! 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, but also come prepared for overnight sailing. The difference between a dedicated "Sail Training" week, 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 helming, etc. In short, these trips are more specifically about learning than our adventure-focused passages.
2026-7 | FALKEN | Tahiti-Hawaii
The South Pacific is too big to make it all the way to New Zealand/Australia in one season with the extended cyclone risk, so we’ll sail north from Tahiti in French Polynesia, back across the Equator and on towards Hawaii. But not before taking in the remote Palmyra Atoll en route. This is a big one: 3,000-miles of ocean sailing across two hemispheres and taking in a variety of weather patterns and some exotic landfalls—a true test of seamanship.
2026-3 | ISBJORN | Shetland Race
Join us in Bergen, Norway to embark on ISBJØRN for the Shetland Race and set sail across the North Sea. This is an offshore yacht race between Bergen in the Vestland region of western Norway and Lerwick, the capital of the Shetland Islands in Scotland. The origin of the event celebrates the heroic, maritime traffic between Bergen and Shetland during WWII, when local sailors and fishermen smuggled agents and weapons across the North Sea to conduct secret, Allied operations inside of Nazi-occupied Norway. The race is sailed in two legs – Bergen to Lerwick for the first leg, then the return for the second leg with a few days in between for partying and exploring the Shetland Islands.
2026-1 | SPICA | Stockholm-Mariehamn, Åland
Mia & Andy will start their family vacation in Åland, so here’s a chance to do an island-hopping cruise up the archipelago with Andy onboard SPICA in order to position the boat in historic Mariehamn! You’ll join the boat in Stockholm, at the archipelago base of KSSS in beautiful Saltsjöbaden, a short train ride from the city center and right on the doorstep of the archipelago. We’ll set sail soon after you join, most likely finding a waterfront sauna for our first night onboard! Once into the archipelago, we’ll island-hop our way north-northeast towards the Finnish archipelago, stopping off at islands and anchorages that strike our fancy. It’ll be a mix of pristine natural harbors and island-village outposts along the route. We’ll almost certainly include Sandhamn in our itinerary, the start/finish port of the famous Gotland Runt race and a beautiful island with a nice marina guest harbor and some shops and restaurants ashore. The further north we get, the more off-the-beaten path we’ll be as we explore the outer archipelago. Then it’s a 30-mile sail across the Baltic and into Mariehamn, the capital of historic Åland. If we have time, we’ll stop off in Rödhamn before our final destination, a small former radio outpost from WW2, now with a tiny guest harbor, fresh bread from the cafe and, of course, another sauna! When you disembark SPICA in Mariehamn, it’s a beautiful, short (and cheap) ferry ride back to Stockholm city center, so if you’re traveling from abroad to join the trip, you can fly in/out of Stockholm. It’s worth spending a few extra days ashore in Åland as well, if nothing else for the history!
2026-8 | FALKEN | Hawaii-Alaska Border
Another big ocean passage, over 2,000 miles, as we continue north and around the North Pacific High to British Columbia. We’ll aim for Prince Rupert Sound, right on the Canadian border with Alaska. Temperatures will steadily drop as we leave the Trades and Tropics behind, but with luck we’ll be able to follow the High and have good sailing angles throughout.
2026-4 | ISBJORN | Bergen - Fair Isle - Faroe Islands
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.
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!
2026-9 | FALKEN | Ketchikan-Victoria
Meet FALKEN in Ketchikan, Alaska and sail south down the stunning coast of British Columbia. Lush temperate rainforest, marine wildlife and a rugged, coastal mountain range make for an unforgettable backdrop before heading around the outside of Vancouver Island then making landfall in Victoria. With a mix of offshore and inshore navigating we will effectively complete the Race to Alaska course in reverse.
2026-6 | ISBJORN | Reykjavik - Solar Eclipse - Stornoway
This trip, and indeed this whole sailing season, was conceived during a conversation with Dan Stinebring in the Lofoten Islands. Dan is a bona fide astronomer, and a professor of Physics & Astronomy. As we were discussing the total eclipse over the US that year, we learned about an upcoming total solar eclipse over Europe, that sadly would be tough to see, as the best part would occur out in the ocean. It then dawned on us both that there existed a machine that could take us there—the very machine that was ghosting us along the cliffs of Lofoten as we spoke. ISBJØRN is going to sail to the point of greatest eclipse for the Total Solar Eclipse of August 12, 2026! This is the point which will have the longest duration of totality. Experience this unique once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon in the coolest possible location! As lunar perigee will occur on August 10, 2026, two days before the solar eclipse, the Moon's apparent diameter will be larger, and totality will last for 2 minutes and 18 seconds! ISBJØRN will start in Reykjavik, then sail for 65°10.3' N 25°12.3' W to experience the eclipse, and then head to Stornoway in Scotland. Book your flights early! The eclipse will be visible from the mainland of Iceland as well (although much reduced) and there will probably be tons of people coming to see it.
2026-2 | SPICA | Stockholm Archipelago Adventure
Join Andy in his backyard in Sweden for a week of sailing in the spectacular Stockholm Archipelago, aboard his and Mia’s personal Olle Enderlein 36 SPICA. There are literally thousands of islands to explore with spectacular nature and interesting, technical sailing. Crew is limited to 3 individuals, or 4 if a couple or group of friends join and can share the vee-berth, and spaces will be prioritized to former 59º North crew. We’ll be sailing every day, for most of the day, and indeed be doing an overnight or two depending on the weather. The sailing in the archipelago itself is very technical, with narrow channels and lots of windshifts, but it’s exceptionally beautiful and unique. There won’t be an itinerary for this passage — instead we’ll let the weather dictate our plans. In any case it’ll be a mix of sailing and exploring, with some overnight sailing in the Baltic mixed in. We’ll finish back in Sandhamn or Stockholm.
2026-10 | FALKEN | All-Women's Passage | Victoria-San Francisco
ALL WOMEN’S PASSAGE | Meet FALKEN in Victoria, British Columbia and set sail for San Francisco. Experience the wonders of nature, encounter diverse marine life, and witness the transition from the serene tranquility of the Pacific Northwest to the vibrant energy of California's iconic San Francisco Bay. A solid 750-mile offshore passage awaits!
2026-7 | ISBJORN | Stornoway - GGR START
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—either to tackle the Irish Sea or make a right turn around the west coast of Ireland. The end port is Les Sables-d’Olonne, France, where the start of the Golden Globe Race is just a few days away! Sail in through the famous harbor entrance, and enjoy the spectacle of the GGR race village before giving the fleet a proper send off as they leave to circumnavigate the globe.
2026-11 | FALKEN | San Francisco-Ensenada
After a brief stop in San Francisco, FALKEN is headed to our neighbors up north again for one last loop in the Pacific Northwest before we return to the Atlantic in 2027. Join the boat in San Francisco and sail to beautiful Victoria on Vancouver Island, just across the border from the USA. This trip will be more challenging with cooler temps in the fall and changing winds and weather, so if you're looking to up your game as a sailor, this is a perfect trip for you!
2026-8 | ISBJORN | GGR START - Bergen
Welcome to Les Sables-d’Olonne, France, and the spectacle of the Golden Globe Race! The race starts on September 6th, and the Race village will be bustling with sailing excitement in the weeks leading up to the start. No better way to get pumped for a sailing trip! Check out the boats, listen to seminars, and line the famous breakwater to give the fleet a proper send-off as they leave to circumnavigate the globe! When the last competitor has left, most spectators will no doubt feel a bit empty and numb inside, as they return home to their everyday lives, wishing they could follow the adventurers over the horizon. But not you. You will be joining ISBJØRN, and sail out through that same harbor entrance just a few days later! Our trip will take us north and east, en route for Bergen, ISBJØRN's homeport and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. We may choose to run through the English Channel, or go north through the Irish Sea and around the north of Scotland before crossing the North Sea and making landfall in Bergen.
2026-12 | FALKEN | Ensenada-Monterey Bay
Join FALKEN in Victoria, British Columbia for the passage south again to California, this time farther down the coast, 900-miles to Monterey Bay. While we're still into the fall and it'll be cooler temps, this passage is with the prevailing winds and so will be slightly less challenging than the passage north from San Francisco.
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.
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.
2027-1 | FALKEN | San Diego-La Paz
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 stunning Sea of Cortez. 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!
2027-2 | FALKEN | La Paz-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 over 2,000 miles at sea from La Paz 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.
2027-2A | FALKEN | Isla del Coco Mission
Isla del Coco, or Cocos Island, sits in the Pacific Ocean, roughly 300 nautical miles off Costa Rica’s coast. Uninhabited and shrouded in mist, it’s one of the most remote and pristine national parks on Earth — a UNESCO World Heritage Site protected for its staggering biodiversity both above and below the surface. The island’s steep volcanic cliffs, covered in dense rainforest, rise straight from the sea, fed by dozens of waterfalls that tumble down into turquoise bays. It’s often called the Galápagos of Central America, home to unique species of birds, insects, and marine life that exist nowhere else. Hammerhead sharks, giant mantas, whale sharks, and massive schools of fish make its surrounding waters one of the world’s most famous diving destinations. Cocos Island has also achieved a kind of mythic status in pop culture. Its wild, prehistoric beauty inspired Michael Crichton and Steven Spielberg when they were imagining Isla Nublar, the fictional island in Jurassic Park. Though the movie wasn’t filmed there, Crichton cited Cocos as the model — a remote, storm-lashed Pacific island cloaked in jungle and mystery. In real life, it’s every bit as cinematic: its cloud forest canopy, thunderous surf, and haunting isolation make it easy to picture a dinosaur rounding the next bend. Cocos is one of those "you have to sail there to fully experience it" landfalls scattered around the world, and because of it's remoteness, perhaps the most unique. There are no hotels, no marinas, and no permanent residents, just a small ranger station tucked into Chatham Bay. The reward after about two days at sea is extraordinary: dropping anchor off a place so wild and alive it feels like time has stopped. To arrive there by sail — propelled only by wind, guided by the same navigational instincts as the explorers and pirates who once sought refuge there — is to experience Cocos the way it was meant to be experienced: as a hard-won frontier at the edge of the world.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!'
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
2027-14 | FALKEN | Stockholm-Marstrand/Vindö
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.
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.
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.
2027-14A | FALKEN | Vindö-Marstrand Shakedown
FALKEN will do a short shakedown down the Swedish west coast following her refit in Vindö Marin, 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!
2027-15 | FALKEN | Marstrand-Plymouth | Heavy Weather
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.
2027-16 | FALKEN | Plymouth-Lagos
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. We deliberately leave from Plymouth, which is about as far west on 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 to our winter quarters in Lagos, Portugal.
FAQS
Are there any traits consistent among the crew who do the best on the boat?
How do you plan passage routes to ensure safe weather patterns?
Any recommendations for seasickness?
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
Get to know The boats we sail
Farr 65
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FALKEN
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FALKEN is a 65-foot Bruce Farr-designed racing yacht, built in 1999 for a round-the-world amateur race. After the race, she was used for sail training before being purchased and refitted in 2022 for offshore sailing and crew comfort. The refit included a new Lithionics battery system and redesigned interior for a 10-person crew. More details and media at 59-north.com/falken.
S&S Swan 48
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ISBJØRN
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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.
OE 36
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SPICA
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SPICA is Mia & Andy’s family boat in Sweden, a classic Olle Enderlein 36 (OE 36), hull #4 and the first built in Sweden. Previously, they owned ARCTURUS (Allied Seabreeze yawl) and a Norlin 34, both sailed extensively. Named after the navigational star Spica, the OE 36 features a major refit with a rebuilt interior, new teak deck, and updated systems. At 36 feet, she’s ideal for the Stockholm Archipelago and capable of longer Baltic or ocean passages.
Swan 70
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ADRIENNE II
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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.
Swan 59
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ICEBEAR
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TL;DR: 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.