• Wave icon Trip Type: Coastal, 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

Scotland to Norway: A Voyage to the Fjords

Norway’s fjords region is one of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth: steep cliffs plunging into deep, glassy water, waterfalls tumbling from mountain peaks, and remote anchorages where the silence is absolute. Reaching them under sail makes the experience even more magical. We set out from Scotland, stopping first in Orkney, where ancient standing stones and Viking history meet dramatic coastlines. In Shetland, the cliffs are alive with seabirds, and the waters are a prime spot for whales surfacing in the northern swell. Then comes the North Sea crossing. 180 miles (24 hours) of open ocean, where the thrill of offshore sailing takes over. Making landfall in Norway is unforgettable. It’s a world famous landscape of fjords, mountains, and quiet, unspoiled anchorages that we can explore, hiking to panoramic peaks, discovering remote villages, and experiencing one of the most spectacular coastal regions in the world.

Ready to Sail to Norway?

You don’t need to be a highly experienced sailor to take on this adventure, just a sense of adventure and a willingness to get involved. Many of our crew join solo, and this is an incredible way to meet like-minded people while taking on a truly unique challenge. With Europe’s #1-rated adventure sailors, you’ll be fully involved from day one: navigating, helming, trimming sails, and working as part of a team to sail to Norway and explore one of the most breathtaking coastlines in the world. There’s no set itinerary, only a journey shaped by the wind, weather, and the spirit of true expedition sailing. Whatever your previous experience, the Rubicon 3 instructors will guide you every step of the way.

Want to join? Click Dates & Prices to see availability and travel details.

 

Get Ready For…

  • Norway’s Fjords & Coastal Villages

    This route takes us across the North Sea to Norway’s most spectacular and untouched landscapes, with deep fjords, towering peaks, and amazing wildlife.

  • sailing instruction
    Full involvement & expert tuition

    You don’t need to be an expert sailor, and many of our crew join solo. From the moment we set sail, you’ll be fully involved with expert tuition from Rubicon 3’s highly skilled instructors.

  • sailing yacht
    Sailing to Norway – A True Adventure

    From Scotland’s wild islands to Norway’s fjords, this is real adventure sailing to Orkney, Shetland and across to Norway’s magical coast

Sailing Area

Scotland to norway sailing area map
Scotland - 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 from Scotland to Norway is a journey that few get to experience. It is a route shaped by the sea, steeped in Viking history, and filled with raw, untamed beauty. The winds and weather will guide us, dictating where we go and when, but every mile brings us closer to one of the most spectacular coastlines in the world.

Departing Scotland

The journey begins in Ullapool, a fishing village on the shores of Loch Broom, where the last outposts of Scotland meet the open sea. From here, we’ll sail north, past towering cliffs and remote headlands, where the rugged coastline fades into the horizon. We push on, past Cape Wrath and into the Pentland Firth, one of the most notorious tidal passages in the world. The sea here moves fast, funneled between the Scottish mainland and the Orkney Islands, where whirlpools and standing waves swirl beneath the hull. Timing is everything, and when we get it right, the passage eastward is exhilarating.

Orkney

The Northern Isles: Orkney, Shetland & Fair Isle

Beyond the Firth, Orkney, Shetland, and Fair Isle mark the last stepping stones before open water. These islands are a mix of ancient history, dramatic landscapes, and untamed wildlife. It’s a place where Viking longships once sailed, and seabirds crowd the towering cliffs. In Orkney, Neolithic standing stones and burial cairns dot the windswept moors, a reminder of civilizations that thrived here over 5,000 years ago. In Shetland, the land is wilder. Its stark cliffs, quiet fishing harbors, and a Norse influence that still lingers in the culture. If conditions allow, we may also reach Fair Isle, a tiny, remote outpost where seabirds nest in the thousands and the island’s famous knitwear carries on traditions centuries old. The journey through these islands is shaped by the sea. We move with the tides, anchoring in sheltered harbors, keeping watch for whales and dolphins in the cold northern waters, and adjusting our route to whatever the weather gives us.

fair isle

The North Sea Crossing: A 200 Mile Offshore Passage

We leave Shetland behind and turn east, setting our course for Norway. For the next 24 hours, it’s just us and the sea. Watches are set, the boat finds its rhythm, and we sail through deep rolling swells, shifting winds, and an endless horizon. The North Sea is alive.

sailing yacht under spinnaker

Whales may surface in the distance, pods of dolphins might race alongside us, and seabirds ride the wind far from land. At this latitude, the sky barely darkens, the sun lingering on the horizon before climbing back up again. The further east we sail, the more the anticipation builds. Then, after just over a day and night at sea, a shadow appears ahead – the mountains of Norway, rising from the water like something from another world.

Whale

Sailing Norway’s Wild West Coast

Landfall in Norway is just the beginning. As we work our way north toward Ålesund, we have the chance to explore some of the most spectacular, less-visited parts of the coastline, where sheer cliffs drop into deep fjords, remote villages cling to the water’s edge, and the North Atlantic carves dramatic shapes into the land.

Norway village

One possible stop is Måløy, a fishing town perched between the open ocean and the fjords. The surrounding waters are a playground for sailors, with hidden anchorages and rugged islets that seem lost in time. Just offshore, Kannesteinen Rock, a wave-sculpted monolith, stands like a natural sculpture in the shallows, while Kråkenes Lighthouse, battered by Atlantic storms, offers one of the most breathtaking coastal views in Norway.

norway lighthouse

Further inland, there’s the possibility of Hjørundfjord, one of Norway’s most striking yet least-visited fjords. A place of silence, reflection, and staggering beauty, it cuts deep into the Sunnmøre Alps, with snow-capped peaks towering above still, mirror-like waters. Villages like Sæbø and Urke, nestled at the base of the mountains, feel like stepping back in time. If conditions and time allow, we could anchor beneath the cliffs, hike to panoramic ridges, or simply absorb the sheer scale of the landscape from the deck. Every stop along the way is dictated by wind and weather, but the journey north is truly magical.

norway fjord

Dates, Prices & Travel

Start Date & Location

June 23, 2025
Ullapool, Scotland

End Date & Location

July 4, 2025
Alesund, Norway

Price

£2,299

Deposit

£750

Availability

Available

Booking Information
Trip Information

Start Date: June 23, 2025

Start Time: 09:00

Start Country: Ullapool, Scotland

Start Port: Ullapool

Start Marina: Ullapool

End Date: July 4, 2025

End Time: 10:00

End Country: Alesund, Norway

End Port: Alesund

End Marina: Alesund

Find Flights For This Trip
Fly Into: Inverness (IATA code: INV)
Fly Out of: Alesund (IATA Code: AES)
Search on Google Flights

* Flights are not included in the trip price.

Important Notes
Joining the boat
  • You will join the boat in Ullapool harbour, Scotland.
  • It is easy to get here from Inverness Airport, with regular bus services. See timetables here.
  • The trip starts at 9:00 AM on June 23, 2025, so you will likely need to be in Ullapool by June 22, 2025
  • You have two options for accommodation on the night before the start date:
    • Stay in a hotel or AirBnB in Ullapool
    • 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 Alesund, Norway.
  • The boat is scheduled to arrive into Alesund on the evening of July 03, 2025, and you will need to disembark by 10:00 AM, July 04, 2025.
  • It is around a 20 minute taxi ride to the airport. Details can be found here.
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 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 regarding 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.
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