A Guide to High Latitude Sailing with Rubicon 3

Sailing in the High Latitudes and Arctic is a rare and extraordinary experience: an adventure into some of the most remote and breathtaking waters on Earth. With Rubicon 3, you’ll navigate through ice-strewn fjords, past towering glaciers, and into landscapes few will ever see. Our high-latitude expeditions are about more than just sailing; they are about exploration, discovery, and pushing the limits of what’s possible at sea.

What to Expect on a High Latitude Passage

Sailing in these regions is unlike any other experience. The vast wilderness, pristine waters, and extreme latitudes will stay with you for ever. Our voyages range from offshore crossings to in-depth exploration of remote coastlines, offering an unparalleled blend of adventure and learning. As with all Rubicon 3 expeditions, you’ll be fully involved in every aspect of the expedition: helming through icy waters, navigating under the Midnight Sun, and anchoring in dramatic, unspoiled landscapes, all with the legendary Rubcon 3 training. This means that anyone with a sense of adventure and hunger to explore, , no matter their prior experience, will find they can join these expeditions.

Sailing Conditions

Weather & Climate: You might expect the High Latitudes and Arctic to be cold and stormy, but the reality is quite different. The summer months when we sail there (late May to early September) bring near 24/7 daylight, with extended golden hours that cast the landscape in breathtaking light. Temperatures can range from 18°C (64°F) in the south to 3°C (38°F) in Svalbard, making it far more temperate than many assume. While the water remains cold, the air is often crisp and refreshing rather than harsh and biting.
Daylight: The near-continuous daylight means more time for exploration, breathtaking photography, and unforgettable moments under the Midnight Sun.
Challenges: Expect less reliable forecasts, sudden squalls, shifting ice conditions, and limited facilities beyond what we carry aboard.
Wildlife & Scenery: From glaciers calving into the sea to sightings of polar bears, walrus, and whales, the Arctic is one of the world’s last great wildernesses.

Our Arctic Routes

We offer a range of High Latitude and Arctic sailing adventures, each designed for different levels of exploration and challenge:

Trolls, Giants & Elves: Scotland & the Faroe Islands

A perfect introduction to high-latitude sailing, this route blends coastal sailing along Scotland’s rugged west coast with an offshore passage to the Faroe Islands and then around a week of coastal exploration of this extraordinary archipelago. Expect dramatic cliffs, rich wildlife, and Faroese heritage in an unforgettable setting.

The Fjords and Frontiers: Norway’s Wild West Coast

This captivating sailing adventure takes you through some of Norway’s most remote and beautiful coastal regions, from Ålesund to Bodø. You’ll discover the rugged beauty of this wild coast from the unique perspective of the sea. We’ll make landfall in many places to explore the dramatic landscapes of islands such as Runde, Hitra, and the Vega Archipelago, along with visits to charming towns like Kristiansund and Molde.

The Wild North: Scotland to Norway

This adventure combines coastal exploration with an exciting offshore passage. Starting in Scotland, the route passes through the fascinating islands of the Hebrides, Orkney, Fair Isle, and Shetland, offering the chance to experience these remote islands from the sea and explore their unique landscapes and character. The journey then transitions to an exhilarating 200-mile offshore crossing to Norway, where the trip concludes with time to explore its beautiful coastline, known for its fjords and coastal communities

Beyond the 66th Parallel: Faroe Islands to Norway

A Rubicon 3 offshore classic. This expedition explores the Faroes Islands, then crosses the Arctic Circle at sea and makes landfall on Norway’s breathtaking northwest coast. The 600-mile offshore passage offers a truly exhilarating experience for sailors.

Arctic Paradise: Norway’s Lofoten Islands

For those seeking stunning landscapes and sheltered waters, this trip offers coastal sailing through one of the most picturesque archipelagos in the world. Deep fjords, white beaches, and jagged peaks make it an unmissable experience.

Arctic Odyssey: Svalbard, Jan Mayan & Iceland

One of the most adventurous passages we offer, this expedition includes an offshore crossing to the remote volcanic island of Jan Mayen before making landfall in Iceland. A spectacular route to build seamanship and unique experience.

Polar Explorer: Norway to the Wilds of Svalbard

For those looking to reach the edge of the polar regions, this voyage sails from Norway to the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, where towering glaciers, polar bears, and walrus colonies await.

The Midnight Sun & Polar Navigation

One of the great wonders of Arctic sailing is the Midnight Sun. From late May to late July, the sun never fully sets, creating surreal golden light and allowing for round-the-clock sailing and exploration. Navigating in the high latitudes also requires careful planning, as magnetic compasses become unreliable and charts may be outdated or incomplete.

Wildlife Encounters

The Arctic is home to some of the most extraordinary wildlife on the planet, each species uniquely adapted to the harsh and remote conditions of the region. One of the most iconic inhabitants is the polar bear, the ultimate Arctic predator, often seen prowling the ice in Svalbard. These majestic creatures rely on sea ice to hunt seals and are a true symbol of the Arctic wilderness.

Equally impressive are the walrus, large and social marine mammals that gather on ice floes and rocky shores. Their distinctive tusks and sheer size make them one of the most fascinating animals to observe in the wild. The Arctic waters are also home to beluga whales, highly vocal and playful creatures that are frequently spotted en route to Svalbard.

On land, the Arctic hosts reindeer and arctic foxes, both of which are well-adapted to the extreme environment. Reindeer, found in Svalbard and Norway, undertake vast migrations, while the elusive Arctic fox, with its thick fur and keen hunting skills, is a master of survival in frigid conditions.

Birdlife in the Arctic is equally spectacular. The Faroe Islands are a sanctuary for seabirds, including thousands of puffins, their colourful beaks standing out vividly against the cliffs where they nest. Other seabird colonies thrive across the Arctic, creating some of the most dramatic wildlife spectacles in the world.

Further offshore, the Arctic waters are home to the mysterious narwhal, known as the “unicorn of the sea” due to its long, spiral tusk. Alongside them, various species of seals, including the ringed and harp seals, are commonly sighted, often serving as prey for polar bears.

The Arctic is a true wildlife wonderland, where encounters with nature feel raw and untamed. Whether sailing past ice-covered fjords or anchoring in remote bays, every moment spent in this environment offers an opportunity to witness some of the most incredible wildlife on Earth.

A True Adventure

Sailing in the high latitudes is not a leisure cruise: it’s an expedition. It requires a spirit of adventure, teamwork, and resilience. Whether you’re an experienced sailor looking for the next big challenge or an adventurous traveller eager to explore some of the most remote waters on Earth, Rubicon 3’s Arctic expeditions offer an unparalleled opportunity.

Join us and sail beyond the ordinary. Experience the Arctic with Rubicon 3. If you’d like to talk through the options, call, email or schedule a call. Most crew who join find it really useful to do so.

See all our High Latitude and Arctic Passages Here

Legendary Arctic Sailing Expeditions

The Arctic has long been a frontier of human exploration, testing the limits of endurance, navigation, and sheer determination. For centuries, daring adventurers have set sail into its icy wilderness, seeking uncharted territories, vital trade routes, and scientific discoveries. Some expeditions ended in triumph, others in tragedy, but all left an indelible mark on maritime history. These legendary voyages are a testament to the courage and ambition that define Arctic exploration.

John Franklin’s Lost Expedition (1845-1848): Perhaps one of the most infamous Arctic voyages, British Royal Navy officer John Franklin set sail with two ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, to chart and navigate the Northwest Passage. The expedition ended in tragedy, with all crew members perishing, and the ships were lost until their recent discoveries in 2014 and 2016, respectively. The fate of Franklin’s expedition remained one of the Arctic’s greatest mysteries for over a century.
Fridtjof Nansen’s Fram Expedition (1893-1896): Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen embarked on a daring journey aboard the ship Fram, aiming to drift across the Arctic Ocean, locked in the polar ice cap, to reach the North Pole. Although Nansen did not achieve his ultimate goal, the expedition made significant contributions to oceanographic, environmental, and polar research, proving that a drift across the Arctic Ocean was possible.
Roald Amundsen’s Northwest Passage (1903-1906): The first successful navigation of the Northwest Passage was accomplished by Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and his crew aboard the Gjøa. This expedition marked a significant milestone in Arctic exploration by proving the existence of a navigable sea route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.
The Airship Italia Expedition (1928): Led by Italian General Umberto Nobile, the Airship Italia was an ambitious scientific expedition aimed at reaching the North Pole by air. While the airship did reach the North Pole, it crashed on its return journey, leading to an international rescue effort. The Italia expedition is remembered for its daring, its contribution to polar science, and the dramatic survival story of its crew.
The Transpolar Flights of 1937: Soviet pilot Valery Chkalov led the first flight over the North Pole from Moscow to Vancouver, Washington, in a single-engine aircraft. This feat was soon followed by other Soviet flights, including Mikhail Gromov’s flight from Moscow to San Jacinto, California. These pioneering flights over the Arctic demonstrated the potential for commercial and military aviation routes over the polar region.