• Wave icon Trip Type: Offshore
  • Speech bubble icon Instructors: 2
  • People icon Crew Size: Max 9 (10 for ocean)
  • Cake icon Ages: 18-70 ish
  • Pin icon Region: Norway, Iceland & The Arctic
High

Adventure Rating:
High

Low to some

Experience Required:
Low to some

12 Days from £2,299

Dates, Prices & Travel

Into the Arctic: Faroe Islands to Norway

The adventure begins in Tórshavn, a tiny capital with a rich seafaring past. From here, we spend a few days training, building skills, and exploring the Faroe Islands’ most dramatic landscapes: Kalsoy, Kunoy, and beyond, where sheer cliffs drop into the sea, seabirds wheel overhead, and remote villages stand untouched by time. It’s a place of raw beauty and fierce isolation, the perfect sendoff before heading into open ocean. Then comes the 600-mile offshore passage, a high-latitude crossing through the Norwegian Sea and across the Arctic Circle. Those who cross the Arctic Circle under sail earn the Order of the Blue Nose, a mark of those who have ventured into the far north. Landfall in Norway is unforgettable. We sail into one of the most breathtaking regions on Earth, navigating and exploring along dramatic coastlines, anchoring in remote inlets, and stepping ashore in wild, untouched landscapes shaped by ice and sea.

This is an RYA Yachtmaster Ocean qualifier for those who sign on as a watch leader.

Ready to Sail Across the Arctic Circle?

You don’t need to be a highly experienced sailor to take on this adventure – just have a sense of adventure and a willingness to get involved. Many of our crew join solo, making this an incredible way to meet like-minded sailors while learning and building confidence offshore. Rubicon 3 is known for offshore sailing at its best: expert-led, hands-on, and truly adventurous. Whether you’re looking to gain offshore experience, refine passage-planning skills, or push yourself in high-latitude sailing, this is the perfect opportunity to train, learn, and sail alongside some of the most experienced ocean sailors out there. We’re about real involvement, expert training, and the thrill of making landfall in some of the world’s most breathtaking locations. From crossing the Arctic Circle to navigating Norway’s remote archipelagoes, this is a journey that will stay with you forever.

Want to be part of it? Click Dates & Prices for availability and travel details.

Get Ready For…

  • Offshore sailing yacht under spinnaker
    Adventure Sailing In The High Latitudes

    The route explores the spectacular Faroe Islands, then sails 600 miles offshore across the Arctic Circle to Norway for one of the great offshore passages.

  • sailing instruction
    Full involvement & expert tuition

    Whatever your prior sailing experience, you’ll be helming, navigating, trimming sails and anchoring from day one, all with the highest quality tuition from the expert Rubicon 3 instructors. The more you’re involved the better!

  • sailing yacht
    It’s genuine adventure sailing

    Rubicon 3 expeditions are far more than just a sailing vacation. They immerse you in adventure, discovery and enable you to explore the world under sail

Sailing Area

sailing faroes to norway route map
The Yachts

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Key Information
What’s included

  • All food and accommodation on board

  • All fuel & berthing fees

  • Your own bunk and storage area

  • Use of oilskins

  • Use of lifejacket with PLB

  • All sailing tuition

  • RYA Competent Crew (supplementary fee)

What’s Not included

  • Your connecting travel to & from boat

  • Sailing & travel insurance

  • Meals you choose to eat ashore

  • Alcohol

  • Visas (where required)

  • Discretionary crew tip

Interested in dates & availability?

To see when this trip runs, its start and end locations, price to join the crew and availability, click on the ‘Dates, Prices & Travel’ button up top.

Discretionary tipping of the Rubicon 3 crew

We’ve priced this trip 5-10% lower than we otherwise would to allow you the option, at the end of your adventure, to offer a discretionary tip to the Rubicon 3 skipper and mate if you feel they’ve provided exceptional service. A combined tip of 5-10% is suggested but is entirely at your discretion and based on your satisfaction with their performance. See our FAQs here.

Got Questions? We’re Here to Help!

We get it – joining a major sailing adventure is a big decision, and it’s natural to have lots of questions before you book. Wondering who else will be onboard? What the experience will be like? These and many more questions are completely normal. While our homepage and FAQs provide loads of info, we know sometimes it’s best to talk it through. Don’t hesitate to contact us by phone, email, or live chat (at the bottom of the screen). Better yet, we’d suggest you schedule a call. Most crew who join do and find it really useful. We can discuss your options, answer every question, and make sure you’re booking on the perfect trip for you.

Sailing north from the Faroes to Norway is a journey that blends exploration, skill-building, and true high-latitude adventure. A few days training and exploring in the Faroes. A 600-mile offshore passage across the Arctic Circle. Landfall in one of the most spectacular coastal regions on Earth. Every year, the experience is different, shaped by the wind, the sea, and the sheer scale of the landscape. Here’s a rough guide to what to expect.

Tórshavn & the Northern Faroes

We begin in Tórshavn, the tiny capital of the Faroe Islands. Nestled between steep hills and the sea, it’s a mix of old-world seafaring charm and Nordic modernity, where turf-roofed houses stand beside cafés filled with the smell of freshly baked cinnamon buns. This is where the crew comes together, gear is stowed, and the first sailing drills begin.

Torshavn

For the next two to three days (weather depending), we train and explore the remote northern isles: Kalsoy, Kunoy, and Viðoy, where sheer cliffs drop into the North Atlantic, seabirds swirl overhead, and villages of just a few dozen people sit tucked beneath mountains. If conditions and time allow, we may get to hike to the James Bond tomb and one of the most breathtaking views in the Faroes – a thin ridge of land dropping away to the sea on either side marked by Kallur Lighthouse.

The sailing here is spectacular. Narrow passages between islands, powerful tidal currents, and the chance to really sharpen our skills before heading offshore. Throughout, we’ll be keeping an eye on the weather, waiting for the right conditions to begin the long sail north.

600 Miles to Arctic Norway: Life at Sea

When the time comes, we set a course for Norway, more than 600 miles across the Norwegian Sea. The Faroes disappear behind us, and the vastness of open ocean takes over. This is where offshore sailing truly begins. For the next four to five days, the boat runs on a watch system: usually three hours on, six off. Each crew member takes turns at the helm, trimming sails, navigating, and keeping lookout. The ocean dictates everything. One day may bring fast downwind sailing under full sail, another may be a battle against headwinds and heavy seas, and sometimes, the wind fades to nothing, leaving us drifting under a sky that never fully darkens.

sailing the bay of biscay

The further north we go, the colder the air feels, the Gulf Stream giving way to Arctic waters. But below deck, the heating kicks in, keeping the cabin warm. The galley is always busy with someone cooking up a hot meal, another making tea, while the smell of fresh bread (if you’re lucky!) drifts through the boat.

Wildlife here is everywhere. Whales and dolphins are common, sometimes racing alongside the boat or surfacing in the distance, their breath misting against the horizon. Seabirds follow us for miles, riding the air currents above the mast.

Whale

Crossing the Arctic Circle

Somewhere in the open ocean, we reach 66°33′ North – the Arctic Circle. For sailors, this is a very rare and highly prized milestone, marked by an old naval tradition: The Order of the Blue Nose. Those who have never crossed before are officially welcomed into the Arctic, an event typically involving some lighthearted maritime rites, a toast to King Neptune, and a moment to take in the vastness of where we are From this point on, the days feel endless. Even at midnight, the Sun barely drops below the horizon, casting a golden and sometimes haunting light over the sea at all hours.

A group of sailors on deck during an Arctic expedition, all wearing life jackets and blue noses in celebration of crossing the Arctic Circle and earning the Order of the Blue Nose. Dressed in warm sailing gear, they smile against a backdrop of open ocean and overcast skies, marking a milestone in their high-latitude adventure.

Landfall in Arctic Norway

Then, after days at sea, the first sight of land: Norway’s wild northern coastline, rising from the sea like something from another world. Towering peaks plunge straight into deep fjords, small red fishing cabins dot the shore, and the light never quite fades. We navigate our way up one of the most breathtaking coastlines in the world. It’s a world of islands, fjords, and mountains shaped by ice and sea. The landscape is ever-changing. Deep, silent anchorages, narrow channels winding through steep cliffs, and tiny fishing villages where life moves at the rhythm of the tides.

It’s a fitting end to an extraordinary journey, from the volcanic cliffs in the Faroes to Arctic waters under the Midnight Sun, all reached under sail.

lofotens

You don’t need prior offshore experience – just a sense of adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or taking on high-latitude sailing for the first time, you’ll be fully involved from the moment we leave Tórshavn. From plotting our Arctic Circle crossing to standing watch on the open sea, every crew member plays a part. Solo sailors are always welcome. Many come alone and leave with lifelong friends.

Dates, Prices & Travel

Start Date & Location

June 23, 2025
Torshavn, Faroe Islands

End Date & Location

July 4, 2025
Tromso, Norway

Price

£2,299

Deposit

£1,349

Availability

Available

Booking Information
Trip Information

Start Date: June 23, 2025

Start Time: 09:00

Start Country: Torshavn, Faroe Islands

Start Port: Torshavn

Start Marina: Torshavn

End Date: July 4, 2025

End Time: 09:00

End Country: Tromso, Norway

End Port: Tromso

End Marina: Tromso

Find Flights For This Trip
Fly Into: Vagar Airport (IATA Code: FAE)
Fly Out of: Tromso Airport (IATA Code: TOS)
Search on Google Flights

* Flights are not included in the trip price.

Important Notes
Joining the boat
  • You will join the boat in Torshavn, Faroe Islands.
  • It is scheduled to be at Torshavn Marina.
  • The trip starts at 9:00 AM on June 23 2025, so you will need to be in Torshavn by June 22, 2025.
  • You have two options for accommodation on the night before the start date:
    • Stay in a hotel or AirBnB in Torshavn.
    • Alternatively, you can stay onboard the boat from 6:00 PM on a bed & breakfast basis. Select this option during your booking process.
Leaving the boat
  • You will leave the boat in Tromso, Norway.
  • The boat is scheduled to arrive into Tromso on the evening of July 03, 2025, and you will need to disembark by 09:00 AM, July 04, 2025.
General Notes
  • We have a very strong track record of meeting the scheduled end date, with only a few exceptions over a decade of sailing and across hundreds of thousands of miles of sailing. However, given the nature and distance of ocean crossings, we can’t guarantee it and recommend booking flexible onward travel from Norway or at least allowing an extra day in your itinerary as a precaution.
  • You cannot stay on the boat after the trip end date.
  • Once you have booked, we will connect you up with other crew so you can liaise re connecting travel, meet up in advance etc.
  • If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
5-Point Pre-Booking Checklist

Before you finalize your booking, we suggest you run through our pre-booking checklist:

  1. Check Flights: Make sure you have found the right flights for your trip. Book them as soon as you have booked your Rubicon 3 trip.
  2. Travel Insurance: Once you’ve booked your trip with us, buy some sailing travel insurance. Read our full guide here.
  3. Passport Validity: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date. Some countries require this for entry, so it’s crucial to check and renew your passport if necessary.
  4. Visas: Most sailors will not require any visas for this trip. However, if you are concerned, check any visa requirements for both your destination and any transit countries. If you do need a visa, processing times can vary, so it’s advisable to apply well in advance of your trip.
  5. Vaccinations and Health Checks: There are no vaccinations required for this trip. Make sure you have an acceptable level of fitness and agility. You can read our guide here. This is for the safety of all on board.
Add Trip Extras

Sub total: £1,349

Start Date & Location

July 6, 2026
Faroe Islands

End Date & Location

July 17, 2026
Norway

Price

£2,499

Deposit

£999

Availability

Available

Booking Information
Trip Information

Start Date: July 6, 2026

Start Time: 09:00

Start Country: Faroe Islands

Start Port: Torshvn

Start Marina: Torshvn

End Date: July 17, 2026

End Time: 09:00

End Country: Norway

End Port: Tromso

End Marina: Tromso

Find Flights For This Trip
Fly Into: Vagar Airport (IATA Code: FAE)
Fly Out of: Tromso Airport (IATA Code: TOS)
Search on Google Flights

* Flights are not included in the trip price.

Important Notes
Joining the boat
  • You will join the boat in Torshavn, Faroe Islands.
  • It is scheduled to be at Torshavn Marina.
  • The trip starts at 9:00 AM on July 06 2026, so you will need to be in Torshavn by July 05, 2026.
  • You have two options for accommodation on the night before the start date:
    • Stay in a hotel or AirBnB in Torshavn.
    • Alternatively, you can stay onboard the boat from 6:00 PM on a bed & breakfast basis. Select this option during your booking process.
Leaving the boat
  • You will leave the boat in Tromso, Norway.
  • The boat is scheduled to arrive into Tromso on the evening of July 16, 2026, and you will need to disembark by 09:00 AM, July 17, 2026.
General Notes
  • We have a very strong track record of meeting the scheduled end date, with only a few exceptions over a decade of sailing and across hundreds of thousands of miles of sailing. However, given the nature and distance of ocean crossings, we can’t guarantee it and recommend booking flexible onward travel from Norway or at least allowing an extra day in your itinerary as a precaution.
  • You cannot stay on the boat after the trip end date.
  • Once you have booked, we will connect you up with other crew so you can liaise re connecting travel, meet up in advance etc.
  • If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
5-Point Pre-Booking Checklist

Before you finalize your booking, we suggest you run through our pre-booking checklist:

  1. Check Flights: Make sure you have found the right flights for your trip. Book them as soon as you have booked your Rubicon 3 trip.
  2. Travel Insurance: Once you’ve booked your trip with us, buy some sailing travel insurance. Read our full guide here.
  3. Passport Validity: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date. Some countries require this for entry, so it’s crucial to check and renew your passport if necessary.
  4. Visas: Most sailors will not require any visas for this trip. However, if you are concerned, check any visa requirements for both your destination and any transit countries. If you do need a visa, processing times can vary, so it’s advisable to apply well in advance of your trip.
  5. Vaccinations and Health Checks: There are no vaccinations required for this trip. Make sure you have an acceptable level of fitness and agility. You can read our guide here. This is for the safety of all on board.
Add Trip Extras

Sub total: £999

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