• 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
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Adventure Rating:
High

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Experience Required:
Low to some

12 Days from £2,699

Dates, Prices & Travel

Offshore sailing: Faroe Islands to Norway

This offshore sailing adventure from the Faroe Islands to Arctic Norway is one of the most iconic and sought-after passages for any sailor, crossing the Arctic Circle at sea and entering you into the exclusive Order of the Blue Nose! The voyage combines coastal sailing, exploration of rugged natural beauty, and sailing offshore for 600 miles across the Norwegian Sea. Starting in the Faroe Islands, you’ll sail and explore this archipelago’s dramatic landscapes, characterized by extraordinary towering cliffs, deep fjords, extraordinarily picturesque sea cliffs, waterfalls, lighthouses, puffins and seabirds, and grass-roofed houses. We then expect to spend around 4 to 5  sailing far offshore as we make the passage to Norway. Any leftover time (usually 2-3 days) is spent exploring this UNESCO World Heritage area, regarded as one of the most beautiful cruising grounds in the world.

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

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime with the offshore sailing experts?

Rubicon 3 are renowned as the offshore sailing experts, renowned in the sailing world for our extensive experience, comprehensive training, and a dedication to adventure and discovery. Our expert team, highly experienced sailors in ocean passage making, offer hands-on instruction in all aspects of offshore sailing, catering to those new to offshore sailing and more seasoned sailors.

Our selection of unique bucket lists and less-traveled routes sets us apart, ensuring offshore sailing that’s both exhilarating and full of discovery. Our ethos is an unwavering commitment to safety and environmental sustainability, ensuring every voyage respects the sailors and the sea. Additionally, we are as focused on individual skill-building as a sailing school so that everyone is fully involved in every aspect of the passage. This holistic approach built Rubicon 3’s reputation as the go-to experts for anyone seeking the highest level of offshore sailing.

Want to join?

Go to the Dates & Prices button to see this trip’s dates. It will also give you information on connecting travel, including where to fly and when and where to join the boat.

 

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.

mulafossur

Joining in Torshavn

We start in Torshavn, the capital of the Faroes and a thrilling place from which to begin this adventure. The Faroes are a world of huge volcanic cliffs, dramatic coastline and extraordinary wildlife. Surrounded by mountains, this small outpost has a unique culture befitting its remote nature. Modern cafes sit next to grass-roofed houses and around every corner, there is something fascinating to discover. Having got all your belongings packed away, we will issue lifejackets, foul weather equipment and everything else you will need for your time onboard.

Then after a lunch of local Faroese food and hot drinks, we will slip lines and head out onto the water for some initial training. This is a chance for everyone to learn or revise the key skills such as tacking and gybing and we will also do some serious training on recovering a casualty from the sea. It’s a fun initial session where you will start to feel much more relaxed on board and ready for the big adventure.

Exploring Nordoyar – the northern isles

Exactly how long we get in the Faroes depends on the weather, and having fair winds for the serious voyage 600nm north will always be the priority. However, we usually get 4-5 days to sail and explore the archipelago and we will usually head to the Northern Isles of Kalsoy, Kunoy, Bordoy, Vidoy and Svinoy.

kallur

Kalsoy

The islands are an amazing collection of long thin islands, mountains, waterfalls, lighthouses, puffins everywere and amazing views. Dubbed “the flute” because of its thin shape Kalsoy has 13 peaks, 11 valleys, and four villages with a combined population of less than 150. The hike to the lighthouse at Kallur, the northern tip of Kalsoy, is particularly impressive. Kalsoy also has a rich birdlife, including puffins, storm petrels and black guillemots.

Kunoy

With six mountains higher than 800 meters, Kunoy is the highest island in the Faroes. The landscape is rough but fascinating. The cliff Nakkur rises 819 meters straight up from the rough North Atlantic Ocean and is famous for its birdlife, which includes (more!) puffins, guillemots and kittiwakes. The village Skarð, located at the northern end of Haraldssund, was abandoned in the winter of 1919 following the 1913 tragedy. All the grown men in the village were lost at sea, and the only survivors were the women and children.

drangarnir

Drangarnir

Drangarnir, translating directly to ‘the sea stacks’, is a spectacular rock formation with an iconic hole through the middle of it that we may also get to sail past. It is located off the north side of the island of Vágar, near the beautiful islet of Tindholmur. Have your camera at the ready, as these dramatic rocks make for a classic Faroese picture

 

Offshore passage to Arctic Norway

All the time, we’ll be keeping a close eye on the weather, as the highest priority is a safe passage north across the Norwegian Sea. It is a full 600nm, so we can expect to be offshore for four to five days and nights. As the Faroe Islands disappear from view behind us, we find ourselves out on the open ocean and we will move into our offshore sailing watch system, which is usually 3 hours on and 6 hours off, giving everyone plenty of sailing and plenty of rest.

atlantic ocean sailing

Offshore sailing is wonderful for its isolation and the need to work closely with nature and whatever she may bring to us. That can be fast downwind sailing, headwinds and lumpy seas, or periods of dead calm where we drift slowly, looking for every zephyr of wind. Everyone takes turns to helm, trim sails, navigate and cook meals. The temperature will drop as we head north and the heating will kick in and keep us toastie warm.

Crossing the Arctic Circle: Order of the Blue Nose

Around halfway, we cross the Arctic Circle at 66.5° North, a momentous moment for any sailor. The Order of the Blue Nose is a long-held maritime tradition steeped in naval folklore.

Upon crossing the famous latitude, a ceremony is held where “Pollywogs” (sailors who have never crossed the Arctic Circle before) are transformed into “Blue Noses,” an honorary title that signifies their new status. The ceremony involves various playful and humorous trials, all conducted under the watchful eye of “King Neptune”.

sailing the bay of biscay

Arriving into Norway

Finally, the coast of Northern Norway will appear over the horizon. If we are ahead of time, we will make landfall a little to the south of our destination, allowing us some time to explore. Quite different from southern Norway, the coast around Bodø and the Lofoten Islands in Norway is breathtaking and world-renowned for its beauty. Norway’s west coast marks the end of the road for the Gulf Stream, which has brought warm waters from across the Atlantic and makes for a temperate climate. It is a rugged coastline dotted with towering mountains that plunge directly into the Norwegian Sea. The area is also famous for its picturesque fishing villages, nestled among steep cliffs and fjords. The unique Arctic light, which never fully sets during the Midnight Sun, adds a magical quality to the scenery. There are no northern lights until later in the season, but the area is an awe-inspiring blend of natural beauty and tranquil Nordic charm.

lofotens

Please note: these are true sailing adventures

These are true sailing adventures that require more than just a presence on board—they demand enthusiasm, teamwork, and a positive spirit from each crew member. To fully embrace and benefit from these experiences, it’s crucial that crew come prepared to contribute actively to the life and tasks on the vessel. Those who step up with the right attitude will find that the rewards are immense. Not only will you gain new skills and face exhilarating challenges, but you’ll also forge deep connections with fellow adventurers and create memories that last a lifetime.

A brief overview of the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands, also spelled Faeroe Islands, is an archipelago of 18 volcanic islands, are located in the North Atlantic Ocean, around 400 miles from Northern Europe, midway between Iceland, Norway, and Scotland. Although connected historicaly to mainland Europe, they are an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with a distinct history and culture deeply rooted in the Norse traditions.

Faroe Islands

Historically, it is believed the islands were settled by Irish monks, Norsemen and explorers from Great Britain in the early Viking Age, around the 9th century. The unique Faroese culture that evolved is a blend of Norse and Celtic influences, evident in their language (Faroese), folklore, and customs. The islands have a rich maritime history, shaped by their isolated and rugged geographical setting.

The culture of the Faroe Islands is strongly connected to the sea, reflected in their traditional livelihoods of fishing and seafaring. This connection is celebrated in their music, dance, and annual festivals like the Ólavsøka. The Faroese also maintain a strong tradition of storytelling, with a wealth of myths and legends passed down through generations. There are ongoing discussions with the Danish government about independence, an aim many Faroese hold dear.

As a language, Faroese belongs to the West Scandinavian group of North Germanic languages . The faroese language has more characteristics of Old Norse than any other language except modern Icelandic , to which it is closely related.

 

Dates, Prices & Travel

Start Date & Location

June 23, 2025
Torshavn, Faroe Islands

End Date & Location

July 4, 2025
Tromso, Norway

Price

£2,699

Deposit

£1,349

Availability

Available

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)

* 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.
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