• 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

Run late in the season, when the permanent daylight of the midnight sun is gone and the nights are longer and dark enough to offer the best chance of seeing the northern lights, we set off from Iceland’s remote east coast. If conditions are right and we’re lucky, the magical aurora borealis may dance with its green light over the ice-capped mountains and steep fjords as we set off into the ocean and leave land behind.

It’s a two day offshore passage across the far northeast corner of the Atlantic Ocean, a stretch of open water few sailors cross, bound for the haunting, windswept archipelago of the Faroe Islands. With sheer cliffs, carved rock formations, and dense seabird colonies, the world famous Faroes (One of Conde Nast’s top 10 places in the world to see) truly feel like nowhere else.

We aim to spend around three days here. Depending on conditions, we can take a local boat trip through the towering bird cliffs and deep into the sea caves of Mykines, we can visit the turf-roofed hamlet of Saksun, set on a tidal lagoon and known for its dramatic stillness and hike to Kallur Lighthouse, perched high on a headland that feels like the edge of the world, passing James Bond’s grave as we go!

From the Faroes, we turn south again for a final two-day sail to Scotland’s northwest coast. Castles and distilleries line the sea lochs, and the landscapes here are justly famous. It’s a passage through three very different worlds, remote, raw, and unforgettable.

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

This passage from Iceland to Scotland via the Faroe Islands is run by Rubicon 3, Europe’s leading experts in offshore adventure sailing. We specialise in taking everyday people, men and women, solo travellers, relative newcomers and experienced sailors alike, on iconic offshore adventures that are as rewarding as they are real.

You’ll be part of a mixed crew, typically aged between 30 and 65, with a broad range of sailing experience. Some will have sailed extensively, others may only have been on the water once or twice. Either way, everyone gets fully involved from day one: helming, navigating, trimming sails, cooking, and standing watch. Our skippers, among the most respected in the industry, will teach you everything you need to know, from plotting positions to managing heavy weather, ensuring you’re actively learning throughout the trip.

Rubicon 3 runs real adventure sailing, not a packaged cruise. You’ll face open ocean conditions, explore remote and beautiful places, and sail with an exceptional group of people. It’s offshore sailing as it should be.

Want to join?

Click the Dates & Prices button to see available departures, along with full travel details including where to fly, when to arrive, and where to join the boat. Please note, due to the stop in the Faroe Islands, this is not a qualifying passage for RYA Yachtmaster Ocean. You can find our qualifying passages here.

Sailing Area

Iceland to scotland sailing area map
Iceland to scotland sailing route map
The Yachts

Can't see the video? You may need to adjust your cookie preferences here.

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.

This is a typical route from Seyðisfjörður, Iceland, to the west coast of Scotland. Exact timings and destinations will depend on the weather and sea conditions. The trip can run in either direction, up to Iceland or toward Scotland. Check the Dates & Prices tab for your departure details.

Training and departure from Seyðisfjörður

We start in Seyðisfjörður, a remote town on Iceland’s east coast, surrounded by steep mountains and waterfalls. It’s a small place with a working harbour, some well-kept wooden houses, and a reputation for local art. Before heading offshore, we aim tp spend two days training, tacking, gybing, reefing, helming, and practising man-overboard drills. It’s a chance to get familiar with the boat, the crew, and the basics of offshore sailing. We’ll likely spend a first night docked in Nordfjord, a quiet, rugged spot nearby, known for its hot springs (which we can visit) and good shelter. After that, we prepare to head out into open water.

Seydisfjordur

Offshore passage to the Faroe Islands

The crossing to the Faroes is around 250 nautical miles and usually takes 2 days. We run a rotating watch system, typically three hours on, six off. You’ll take the helm, help with sail changes, help navigate, and keep watch.

This stretch of ocean is remote and exposed. There’s nowhere to stop and little to see but sea, sky, and the occasional ship. But the sense of isolation and purpose is magnificent and part of the draw. We may spot whales, humpbacks and minkes are common, and there’s usually a steady presence of seabirds, especially gannets, and fulmars. You eat and sleep when you’re off watch. The boat keeps sailing south through the day and into the night. These are the days you remember for life.

As we close in on the Faroes, the tides start to run hard and the coastline rises sharply out of the sea, often appearing first through a sudden bank of fog. It’s a dramatic arrival.

yacht by mountains

Exploring the Faroe Islands

If the weather holds, we’ll have about three days in the Faroes. That can shift, depending on the forecast and the sea state, but it’s usually enough to have a real explore. There is Mykines, the westernmost island, where local boatmen can take us deep into sea caves that cut beneath the cliffs. Above, thousands of puffins nest in the grass. The cliffs rise fast and vertical. It’s hard to tell where the island ends and the sky begins.

drangarnir

To the north there’s Kalsoy, where a short, steep trail leads to Kallur Lighthouse, via the grave of James Bond. It’s not a long hike, but the rewards are scenes for life. The wind can come hard off the Atlantic, and the drop-offs on either side are razor sharp. The views along the narrow ridge are some of the most iconic of all.

man walking to the kallur lighthouse in the faroe islands

Another possible stop is Saksun, a hamlet at the end of a tidal inlet, with black sand, turf-roofed houses, and a 17th-century church facing the sea. When the tide is out, the lagoon empties. When it’s in, the whole place feels cut off from the rest of the world.

Sailing saksun Faroes

We’ll likely stop in Tórshavn, the capital, if only to resupply. It’s a small town with narrow streets, a few good restaurants, and boats working in and out of the harbour. It’s the practical centre of the Faroes, but even here, the sea is never far.

Final passage to Scotland

From the Faroes, we sail south to Scotland,around 280 miles and two and a half  days at sea. Another offshore passage, another round of watches. More time to sail, think, rest, and take it all in. If conditions allow, we aim to anchor at Loch Scavaig, on the south coast of the Isle of Skye. It’s backed by the Cuillin mountains and often described as the most dramatic anchorage in the country. From there, a short walk leads to Loch Coruisk, a freshwater lake surrounded by steep rock faces and silence.

We finish the trip on the mainland, where we’ll clean down the boat, debrief, and head ashore. You’ll leave with a solid stretch of offshore sailing behind you, new skills, and a crossing that few others have done. It’s an adventurous route, but that’s the point.

Duart Castle

Dates, Prices & Travel

Start Date & Location

September 1, 2025
Seydisfjordur, Iceland

End Date & Location

September 12, 2025
Oban, Scotland

Price

£2,299

Deposit

£999

Availability

Available

Trip Information

Start Date: September 1, 2025

Start Time: 09:00

Start Country: Seydisfjordur, Iceland

Start Port: Seydisfjordur

Start Marina: Seydisfjordur

End Date: September 12, 2025

End Time: 10:00

End Country: Oban, Scotland

End Port: Oban

End Marina: Oban Marina North Pier Pontoons

Find Flights For This Trip
Fly Into: Egilsstaðir Airport (IATA Code: EGS)
Fly Out of: Glasgow Airport (IATA Code: GLA)

* Flights are not included in the trip price.

Important Notes
Joining the boat
  • You will join the boat in Seydisfjordur, Iceland.
  • It is scheduled to be in Seydisfjordur Harbour.
  • It is easy to get here from Egilsstaðir Airport in a taxi.
  • The trip starts at 9:00 AM on September 01st 2025, so you will need to be in Iceland by August 31st, 2025.
  • You have two options for accommodation on the night before the start date:
    • Stay in a hotel or AirBnB in Seydisfjordur.
    • 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 Oban, Scotland.
  • The boat is scheduled to arrive into Oban on the evening of September 11th, 2025, and you will need to disembark by 09:00 AM, September 12th, 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 Scotland 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.
Add Trip Extras

Sub total: £999

Start Date & Location

September 14, 2026
Iceland

End Date & Location

September 25, 2026
Scotland

Price

£2,499

Deposit

£1,249

Availability

Available

Trip Information

Start Date: September 14, 2026

Start Time: 09:00

Start Country: Iceland

Start Port: Seydisfjordur

Start Marina: Seydisfjordur

End Date: September 25, 2026

End Time: 09:00

End Country: Scotland

End Port: Oban

End Marina: Oban Transit Marina

Find Flights For This Trip
Fly Into: Egilsstaðir Airport (IATA Code: EGS)
Fly Out of: Glasgow Airport (IATA Code: GLA)

* Flights are not included in the trip price.

Important Notes
Joining the boat
  • You will join the boat in Seydisfjordur, Iceland.
  • It is scheduled to be in Seydisfjordur Harbour.
  • It is easy to get here from Egilsstaðir Airport in a taxi.
  • The trip starts at 9:00 AM on September 14 2026, so you will need to be in Iceland by September 13, 2026.
  • You have two options for accommodation on the night before the start date:
    • Stay in a hotel or AirBnB in Seydisfjordur.
    • 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 Oban, Scotland.
  • The boat is scheduled to arrive into Oban on the evening of September 24, 2026, and you will need to disembark by 09:00 AM, September 25, 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 Scotland 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.
Add Trip Extras

Sub total: £1,249

You May Also Like

  • celestial navigation mid atlantic
    Offshore

    Sail Across the Atlantic Using Celestial Navigation

    36 Days from £5,999

    Once-in-a-lifetime Atlantic sailing adventure from the Caribbean to the United Kingdom, navigated by celestial navigation rather than GPS. Learn ancient techniques, sail the open ocean, and reconnect with nature on this unique adventure.

    Quick Buy This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page View
  • Sailing into new york
    Offshore

    Adventure 1000: Sail Bahamas to New York City

    13 Days from £2,399

    Sail 1,000 nautical miles from the Bahamas to New York City, mastering offshore skills with expert training. Experience breathtaking ocean vistas and a magical arrival into New York Harbor past the Statue of Liberty.

    Quick Buy This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page View
  • Drone shot of yacht
    Offshore

    Caribbean Offshore 1000: Antigua to Jamaica

    Embark on a truly exhilarating offshore sailing passage across the Caribbean, with 1000 miles of adventure sailing across the Caribbean Sea from Antigua to Jamaica