Come and sail this extraordinary route, that takes in the snow-capped fjords of Iceland, the wild volcanic islands of the Faroes and the beautiful west coast of Scotland. This route has the perfect mixture of coastal cruising and some short (2-3 day) offshore passages, making it perfect for almost all sailors. This is adventure sailing at its very best.
Come and sail this extraordinary route, that takes in the snow-capped fjords of Iceland, the wild volcanic islands of the Faroes and the beautiful west coast of Scotland. This route has the perfect mixture of coastal cruising and some short (2-3 day) offshore passages, making it perfect for almost all sailors. This is adventure sailing at its very best.
In August the daily average temperature sits around 11°C. The lowest temperature expected is 8°C and the highest is 13°C.
A wonderful sailing adventure between Iceland, the Faroe Islands and the west coast of Scotland. This has a mix of coastal sailing and exploration and some short (2-3 day) offshore passages
Read MoreThe Iceland to Scotland route runs in both directions and can involve the west (Reykjavik) or east (Seydisfjordur) coast, so do check the ‘Dates’ & ‘Prices’ tab for exact details of each route. This is an example of the route from Seydisfjordur in Iceland to Scotland and is a general description of what we can expect and of the places we hope to visit. Exact timings and routeings will be calculated by the crew when we know the weather forecast at the time.
Seydisfjordur is always a very exciting place to start such a voyage, with its huge snow-capped mountains surrounding the fjord. Before we head out into the Atlantic we’ll do some training for the first couple of days to enable us all to get up to speed as individuals and as a crew. We’ll get everyone helming, trimming sails, tacking, gybing and doing rescue drills. The Icelandic coast is wild and rugged and dotted with orange huts for shipwrecked sailors, so that sets the scene regarding our preparations.
Most importantly, it is a low-pressure environment on board where the instructors will be really helping you learn and get fully involved and making sure you don’t feel overwhelmed at any time.
Likely, we’ll sail north into the gorgeous Nord fjord. This fjord, ringed by mountains, is a beautiful, sheltered sailing ground and is a wonderful start to the big adventure. After lots of practice of sailing manoeuvres and getting familiar with the boat, there is an anchorage that is a blissful stop for the night. It’s not impossible to have dolphins, whales and eagles around the boat all at once. And just to make things even more special, there are also hot springs here as well.
It’s time now for the longest passage of the trip. There is 400nm from here to the Faroes, and we can expect to be at sea for three full days. It is an exhilarating sail, and you will watch the sun slip over the western horizon and witness starscapes such as you can never see anywhere but at sea. Get those star finder apps out on the smartphone and learn about the night sky, which is mesmerising. These are the types of moments when life-long memories are made. Speeding across the ocean under the stars is a magical time. However great the night has been, it’s still a lovely moment when the warm sun lifts over the eastern horizon, the smells of coffee and bacon wafting up from the galley, and another day begins.
Then someone will spot the towering cliffs of the Faroes, and soon enough we will be right amongst them, working our way through the complex and ferocious tides, possibly in one of the almost instantaneous thick blankets of fog that can envelop the islands, and finally pilot our way into one of the beautiful bays on the northern shores for a magical night at anchor.
We will then work our way down through the islands, hopefully visiting various places along the way, to the capital Torshavn, named after the hammer-wielding Norse god of thunder, Thor, giving it the meaning: Thor’s Harbour. Torshavn is situated on southeast coast of Streymoy, the largest of the 18 islands. With a population of about 20,500 people, Torshavn is one of the smallest capitals in the world.
Our final offshore passage is around 260nm south. At around a two-day passage, this is a wonderful sail as we leave the rugged Hebrides to starboard and work our way around the north corner of the Isle of Skye, probably anchoring somewhere as picturesque as Loch Dunvegan. Here we can head ashore on Scottish soil and visit Dunvegan Castle.
With any remaining time, we’ll explore the beautiful Western Isles, hopefully fitting in a stop at Tobermory before we finally pull into Glasgow (check the end date for your trip in the ‘Dates and Prices’ tab). What a truly superb adventure!
Hide full itineraryFind all the information you need about our trips here, from the various trip categories to what to pack, connecting travel and more. The information here is generic across all our trips. For really specific travel details about your trip, click on the Dates & Prices tab.
All of our sailing trips are given one of three categories: ‘Coastal‘ – ‘Offshore‘ – ‘Coastal Passage Making Course’. Whichever category trip you join, and whatever your previous experience (or rustiness!), you will be encouraged to be fully involved from the very start and receive high-quality Rubicon 3 training.
These are wonderful holidays that stay relatively close to shore and have no significant open-water passages. They are day sailing only and usually in quite sheltered water. We sail to somewhere new just about every day and there is time built in to the planning to enable you to head ashore and explore everywhere we get to.
Self explanatory and if you’ve ever wanted to leave the coast behind and sail hundreds (or even thousands) of miles offshore out on one of the great oceans, these are for you. Each trip begins with a few days of coastal sailing, training and exploring while individuals and the crew as a whole get up to speed. Timings are very weather dependant. On our two weeks offshore trips, you can expect to have one main offshore passage of between 4-6 days, with the remainder of the time being coastal cruising at either end.
These are intensive training courses, where we really focus on the skills and techniques needed to be strong crew or skipper on a prolonged passage through potentially technical areas. You will mix theory and practical tuition every day. Days are longer and there is less focus on exploring ashore and more on train, train, train. If you wish to supercharge your seamanship and sailing skills, these are for you
All of our trips are open to crew aged 18-70. Age in itself means nothing and we absolutely do allow crew older than this, but to ensure everyone stays safe, we ask you to contact us before booking just to confirm suitability.
Anyone can join these trips. Wonderful for sailors of any experience level, if you are a beginner these are definitely the place to start. If you are at Yachtmaster or similar, there is still a huge amount you can learn and practise on these trips
As this is a Coastal Passage Making Course, no beginners are permitted to join. You must have RYA Day Skipper, ASA 104 or equivalent skills and experience. It doesn’t matter if they are rusty – that is what this course is here to address. This course is invaluable to all levels up to and including Yachtmaster.
We believe that as many people as possible should be able to head out to sea and have a great adventure. However, it is essential for everyone’s safety that you are in a fit enough state to be on board.
Ability to complete the five exercises below is a pre-requisite for joining as a crew member. They are not designed to be physically taxing and almost everyone should be able to complete them. Rather they are in place to check that you have the stability and basic physical condition to be on board.
If when you join the vessel the skipper believes you are not capable of completing these exercises, you will probably not be allowed to embark. If you have any doubts at all about your ability to complete these exercises safely, you must contact your doctor before attempting them.
Unless stated otherwise on the ‘Dates & Prices’ tab, you must join the boat at 0900 hrs on the start day. It is important you are not late as the pre-trip briefing will start shortly after that time. You will disembark at 1200hrs on the end day. Exact start and end locations may vary depending on your trip date. please see the ‘Dates & Prices’ tab. Due to scheduled crew rest and maintenance periods it is not possible to stay on the boat outside of the proscribed times.
We plan our routes very carefully and build in lots of spare time to ensure that we arrive at our end destination on time. However, particularly on offshore and ocean trips, we cannot guarantee that we will arrive by the end date. It is incredibly are (maybe three times in ten years?) but bad weather or mechanical issues mean it can happen.
On offshore and ocean trips, build some leeway into your trip home if you can. Maybe book the flight for the day after the end day, and / or use a flexible ticket where you can change the date if needed.
For long haul flights, especially those where we start and end in different places, we can sometimes find very good deals. If you cannot find a good flight, please do ask us to help by emailing us at info@rubicon3adventure.com. Unfortunately, we cannot offer help with short-haul flights.
If you intend to travel on a one way ticket to meet up with one of our trips, without possessing an onward flight ticket – we recommend that you have a copy of your Rubicon 3 invoice with you and available at immigration to assist easy entry.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER your trip finishes. You should have at least 4-5 spare pages for visa, entry and exit stamps. If you have dual nationality you can only use one passport for the entire trip.
The situation regarding visas and passports can change rapidly and without warning. The information given here is accurate to the best of our knowledge but ultimately you are responsible for ensuring you have the correct visas. Please allow time for unexpected delays in obtaining any visas you require.
Around four weeks before your trip start date, you will be sent final joining instructions. At this time you will be asked to complete our medical declaration. At the time of booking, it is your responsibility to be sure that you will be able to pass all the criteria at the start date of your trip. If you cannot pass the criteria you will probably be refused permission to board.
It is compulsory that you have adequate travel insurance before you board the yacht. We strongly recommend that you take this insurance out as soon as possible after booking your trip with us in case you suffer any medical issues or such like that prevent you from being able to join the trip.
You will be asked to provide the following details to Rubicon 3 if you have not already done so: travel insurance provider, insurance policy number, insurance emergency telephone number. You will also be required to give a copy of your policy with this information to the skipper on arrival with confirmation that the policy duration is sufficient to cover you for the entire duration of your trip.
It is essential that your travel insurance covers you for yacht sailing. For Coastal trips, it is very unlikely that you will be more than 12nm offshore.
If you already have an annual travel or credit card travel insurance policy, please check carefully that it covers you for the criteria listed above.
We provide three meals a day on the boat, so if you do not wish to spend another penny, that is absolutely fine. Realistically, however, most crew like to have a few beers ashore and the occasional meal. Also please note that alcohol is not provided by Rubicon 3 so if you like a beer or wine in the evening please budget for this. You are very welcome to bring some duty free with you to the boat. Past crew estimate that £200 is ample to enjoy all there is offer ashore during the trip.
These are available in most major cities along our route and allow you to withdraw local currency only. We discourage you from relying on your ATM card as a primary source of funds in case it is lost/stolen/swallowed, or the machine isn’t working. Besides memorising your PIN, it is also important to be aware of your daily withdrawal limit and bank withdrawal costs.
You will be able to use credit and debit card just about everywhere
These cards are similar to normal Credit and Debit cards but they can be pre loaded with cash before you travel with a set amount allowing you to withdraw this cash using the card at normal ATMs. It is a more secure way to access cash on your trip and easier to use than travellers cheques, but again do not rely on these as your sole means of funds on a trip. Several banks and companies now offer these cards, but be sure to look into the rates for withdrawing cash when making your decision.
What equipment and clothing to bring for sailing – and how much to bring – are always the big questions for the crew and we totally understand that. The best generic guidance we can give is to imagine that you are going for a week in the hills or the mountains. If you think of that type of clothing and equipment, you won’t go far wrong.
Beyond that, we say don’t spend money unless you want to. The chances are that you already have most of what you need and a lot of fancy branded sailing equipment is both expensive and not very good. Especially when you’re fairly new to the sport, keep your money in your pocket.
The next question is always how much to bring. Within reason, you can bring what you like as we have quite a lot of storage space onboard the yachts. The usual airport allowance of 20kg / 44lbs of luggage is not a bad guide. Any more than that and you’ve probably overpacked!
What you pack your clothing and equipment in is vital. It needs to be in a soft bag that can be rolled away. Yes, that means no metal frames or hard backs. It needs to be in a duffel style bag. If you do bring a hard backed case or bag that cannot be rolled away, there is a good chance you will not be able to bring it on board. Something like this Sports Direct sack for just £12 is ideal.
Yes, absolutely. For this reason, we’ve given two different lists: cooler weather and warmer weather. We’ve also given a ‘sailor’s pack’ of equipment that keener sailors, or those coming on more advanced trips, should think about bringing with them.
Don’t worry too much and if in doubt bring more. So long as you have hats, gloves and warm clothes, plus your usual toiletries and such like, you will be fine. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask us. We’re here to help!
You will be issued with a foul weather jacket and salopettes. These are modern oilskins that will keep you completely dry and which we rate highly, but they are not Goretex or similar. If you have your own foulies and would like to wear them or have very high spec ones, then do feel free to bring them.
Having vigorously tested all the leading lifejackets in the seas off Iceland, this Crewsaver jacket was the best. You will be issued one for the duration of your time onboard.
Fantastically warm, these all in one suits are incredible for when it gets cold up on deck. You will feel toasty warm all day long or through a long night watch. Essential gear for high latitude trips and RIB transfers.
Bring a fresh set for every day or second day you’re on board.
Bring a mix of thinner socks and some thicker, woolly socks If not a Caribbean style trip. A fresh pair every second day is a good guide.
For upper and lower body. Merino wool is excellent but expensive. There are lots of options out there.
Bring a selection of T-shirts, polo shirts or long-sleeved shirts. You might be wearing a couple of these at any one time, so bring a few
A pair of thick hiking trousers, fleece-lined snowboarding trousers or our new favourite – softshell trousers. These will be what you wear just about every day, so bring a couple of pairs. Don’t go crazy – we buy ones costing between £50-70 and no more. if you are on a Caribbean style trip then you will probably only need light trousers
You need to bring at least two good, thick fleeces or jumpers. These are going to be critical to keep you warm, so choose carefully. We usually pack two mid-weight fleeces and one really thick woolly jumper.
You will wear this pretty much every day, only changing up to your foul weather jacket when it rains. Any jacket will do that is showerproof, windproof and reasonably warm.
Waterproof boots
These don’t have to be sailing boots – even normal wellies will do fine. You can spend a fortune on Goretex lined sailing boots. They are great, but make sure you are going to be a regular sailor before investing. In the meantime, we’d stick to rubber sailing boots costing around £60.
There’s no dressing up on these expeditions, but bring a selection of shore clothes for the odd evening out. No restaurant owner likes people coming in wearing dirty sailing clothes!
We suggest bringing 2 sets of hats and gloves. if one set gets lost or wet, you need to be able to keep warm. We don’t really rate the thick sailing gloves. They are not good when wet, hard to get on and pretty expensive. Instead, go for a pair of thinner working gloves and a thick woolly pair.
The classic neck warmer is a godsend when it gets windy and cold.
Wherever you are, bring one. You may want to jump in even when it’s icy, but also sometimes the best showers are in the local pool.
Great for exploring ashore, trainer style is fine. Just something comfortable to do an hour’s hike with.
Great for keeping cool onshore and essential for shower floors in marinas and ports.
It’s unlikely that you will be able to do laundry along the way, so bring enough sets of clothes to last you for the two weeks. You can handwash some essentials if necessary but water is at a premium onboard so we don’t encourage this except on the longer trips of over 2 weeks duration. The start and end ports will nearly always have laundry facilities.
The boats are warm inside, so a medium weight sleeping bag is absolutely fine. If it has a long zip it’s better as it gives you more temperature flexibility but don’t worry and don’t spend money that you don’t need to! If you are on a Caribbean style trip you can probably do without a sleeping bag and just use a silk liner or similar. The Caribbean is usually around 75°F at night, but just occasionally it can be colder: the choice is yours.
Toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel, razor, deodorant and whatever else you need. We would bring a normal towel for comfort, but a travel towel is also good.
Sunglasses are essential at sea for every trip as the UV is reflected off the sea and can damage your eyes. They must be polarised or the damage can be even worse. Good strong sun cream is recommended for the same reason.
Life is pretty miserable if you forget these. Get a strap for the glasses in case they fall off.
We pretty much insist you bring some sea sickness medication, even if you don’t think you’ll be affected. This is a holiday for you and feeling queasy is horrible. In the UK, the brands that seem to work well are Stugeron and Kwells. If you have any other medications such as anti-histamine, blood pressure tablets, insulin, epi-pens etc, please don’t forget these.
Boats have lots of unfamiliar noises and yes, even the occasional snorer. Bring what you need to block out the noise and have a good night’s sleep.
If you’re sailing with us in the high latitudes in summer, the chances are the Sun will never set and it’s hard to get these boats dark. If that bothers you, bring a mask to make the world go dark again!
Don’t forget these, but put them in protective casings so they don’t get damaged or broken. Every bunk has two USB charging points, The boat has the UK 3-pin 240v AC power outlets, which can be used when are connected to shore power or when the generator is on. If your equipment has different plugs, bring an adaptor.
If your trip has an overnight passage in it, we would really recommend you bring one of these (unless it’s summer in the Arctic with midnight Sun).
These are really useful to carry with you.
This is a very good app. The chart pack for your area will cost you about £25 and then you can always see exactly where we are.
The fancy way of keeping your kit divided up, organised and dry (but plastic shopping bags work very well too!)
The boats have a UK (3 pin) 220 AC power outlet on board, that is available to use when connected to shore power or at sea when the generator is running.
Each bunk also has a USB charging point and a cigarette lighter style power point.
Cameras (incl. Digital & Video Cameras) – An easy to use ‘point and press’ will get you some good photos. For memorable shots, it may be worthwhile investing in an SLR camera, but be sure to get some practice in before the trip! Most towns and cities have internet cafes where you can download onto CD/internet sites – but don’t rely on it.
Drones – As the use of drones becomes more common, countries throughout the world are gradually updating their laws and restrictions on usage. The specific regulations will vary from one country to another, so do check the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice for the latest information. As with cameras, use your common sense if you do use a drone and avoid operation in sensitive areas. If you plan to bring a drone on your trip with us please contact us first to ensure there will be a suitable place to store it while on your trip.
The internet and WiFi are available in many areas that we visit. Do bear in mind that the connections can be unreliable and will not always be as fast as you are used to at home. Once we have set sail, internet and phone signal will usually stop very quickly.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) offer country-specific advice, regarding not only security but also entry regulations, local laws and customs and health. We strongly recommend all travellers visit the FCO website, or the equivalent in their home country, to familiarise themselves with local conditions and issues in the countries they plan to visit before committing to a trip with us. You can view their website here.
If you have any questions at all about the safety or security of your trip, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to discuss your trip in more detail.
In cities – All major cities have their share of petty crime (just like our cities) and sensible precautions need to be taken. Wearing expensive looking jewellery or watches and carrying cameras will draw unnecessary attention to you. Leave valuables such as passports and excess money in your hotel safe (we recommend carrying a copy of your passport details page at all times). You may find a simple money belt is more discreet than a bag. Always be aware of your surroundings and when approached by people you do not know, use your common sense. At night in cities it’s best to use a taxi, rather than walking around the streets, single women in particular need to be careful and we would suggest that it is safer to be in a group.
Rubicon3 does not take responsibility for clients’ personal items and we advise you to not take items of value that are not essential for the journey.
It is essential that you have read, understood and accept our Booking Terms and Conditions, including our Guest Behaviour, Safety & Security Policy before you book. We take great care to ensure that these comply fully with the Package Travel Regulations. They also contain important information about possible financial liabilities you may have if you subsequently decide to cancel in the period before your trip start date. If you have any questions about these Terms and Conditions please do not hesitate to ask us.
We know you’ll have 101 questions about what life’s like onboard and just generally what to expect. Have a look at the video here of one of our customers telling you all about it. Below, we’ve answered lots of other common questions. Remember, if you have any other questions, just phone or email.
Ask one of our regular crew members what distinguishes the Rubicon 3 experience from other sailing they have done, and they will invariably reference our three golden rules. They are the foundation on which the whole experience is built and they are the one area that never changes and is non-negotiable.
Unfortunately many sailors have experienced shouting on board, and they know the unnecessary tension and anxiety that it causes. You will never find one of our skippers or mates shouting and no one else is allowed to either. Shouting is a clear sign of an inexperienced sailor who is not in full control.
We never step prematurely in to take a task off someone, thereby allowing them the space to think and (safely) make mistakes to best support their growth. There is nothing more frustrating than a keen fellow crew member telling you what to do, how to do it, or taking the job off you. You will always have the time and space to stop, think and come up with a plan.
Sailing is both blissfully simple and a sport that benefits from a great deal of experience. Especially on these larger, expedition yachts there are lots of ropes, winches, clutches and bits of equipment that can quickly become overwhelming. In a new environment, it can be hard even to remember one’s own name at times! No matter how straight forward the question, our skippers and mates are always there to help and will never look down on your for asking. It is what they are there for.
Training lies at the heart of the Rubicon 3 vision. We want you to learn the skills to be a central part of each adventure and to be able to go away and use the skills on other boats. The teaching syllabus changes quite a bit depending on the trip type. Full details of the syllabuses and qualifications below.
Qualifications
On Coastal trips, you can earn the RYA Competent Crew certificate. The price is included in the trip price.
General knowledge
Identify and describe the following cruising sailboat parts, areas, or systems and their functions:
Safety Equipment & Procedures
Navigation & Weather
Sail Plan
Seamanship
Emergencies
Preliminaries
Navigation
Under Power
Under Sail
Return to Dock/Slip
Knots
Basic sailing skills
Meteorology
Seamanship
Crew injuries
Maintenance
Skills
Qualifications
For those wishing to learn how to be a watch leader or skipper of an ocean-going vessel, the Rubicon 3 Ocean Watch Leader Course is a must.
This course takes you through:
Please contact us for further details
Eligibility
Initial test
A Watch Leader’s role & responsibilities
On-going assessment
Total marks available: 105 Pass mark: 70
Free Ocean Watch Leader Course
When signing up as a Watch Leader, there is an additional fee of £150. This covers the additional training we give you. It also gives you free access to the Rubicon 3 Ocean Watch Leader Course, which we strongly recommend you take before starting your passage with us.
The RYA Ocean Qualifying passage
Are Rubicon 3 Ocean Passages suitable for Ocean qualifying passages?
What tasks do I need to complete onboard prior the exam?
Let us help you pick the perfect sailing holiday, course or just chat through your options.
Our team are always here and can probably answer your question straight away. Whether it’s to check whether a trip is right for you ro to ask a question about flights, get in touch. We’rre here to help.
What a wonderful experience. I was initially nervous about the prospects of my first solo adventure trip, but Rubicon 3 exceeded all of my expectations. The captain and mate were highly accomplished and excellent teachers. The beauty of the surroundings were enhanced by a well organised trip where no corners were cut. I'll definitely be returning.
Brian, Surrey
First and foremost, sailing with us is an amazing holiday, full of adventure, discovery and fun. You will face challenges that will push you slightly outside your comfort zone, into the realm of adventure and learning. You’ll finish with a wonderfully satisfied glow having been part of something special.
Taking people out to sea is a huge responsibility and Rubicon 3 is imbued with the most professional culture possible. Our standards are almost impossibly high and we strive for better every day. The skill and experience of our skippers and mates is awesome and you could not be in safer hands.
90% or more of our crew join solo, so there are none of the difficulties often associated with travelling solo. You will be straight into a group of like minded adventurers, many of whom you’ll find will quickly become firm friends.
Our mission is to make adventure sailing accessible to everyone. For most of our routes, no previous experience is required and you’ll be taught all the skills you need. The boats are comfortable, warm and welcoming and the Rubicon 3 crew will look after you with huge care from the moment you step on board.
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Unless stated otheriwse, you should join the boat at 0900 on the start day. Each trip starts with an introductory briefing at this time, so it is important you are not late. You may need to arrive the day before and book a B&B or hotel (It is not possible to stay onboard before or after the trip).
We arrive at the end port on the penultimate evening, giving us time to head ashore and have a fun last evening together as a crew. Unless otherwise stated, the trip ends at 1200 on the end day. On the final morning we sign logbooks, give feedback and tips re next steps and clean the boat. We know sometimes the only practical flight leaves in the morning though so you may leave the boat anytime from 0500hrs on this day.
You can book your flights home for the afternoon or evening of the end day. We design our trips very carefully to be as certain as we can be that we will not arrive late and it is very rare indeed that we do.
This is distance sailing at sea, usually from one country to another, however, and delays can happen. Most people travel home on the end day. If you can boo your travel home for the next day, it both gives you a little time to enjoy the end destination and some extra security re making flights
You must ensure you have insurance that covers you specificallty for yacht sailing. Click on the ‘specific info’ to see what requirements your particular trip has.
Let us help you pick the perfect sailing holiday, course or just chat through your options.
