• 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

17 Days from £3,499

Dates, Prices & Travel

Depart Manhattan under the skyline and sail out past the Statue of Liberty, turning north for Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Track the New England shoreline through busy shipping lanes and tidal waters before crossing the Gulf of Maine on a proper offshore leg. Then head into colder, more demanding water. Nova Scotia brings fog, lobster pots and Atlantic weather systems, along with historic landfalls such as Lunenburg and Liverpool. From there the coastline grows wilder. Newfoundland offers deep inlets, exposed headlands and isolated fishing communities shaped entirely by the sea. Finish in St John’s having sailed from one of the world’s great cities into some of the most remote coastline in the North Atlantic

Don’t miss out – This trip runs for last time in 2026

What this voyage is really about

This is proper, remote adventure sailing. From the outset you are part of the working crew. Helming, standing watch, navigating, trimming sails and managing the boat as we move from busy waterways into genuinely isolated water. Expect shifting weather, night sailing, longer offshore legs and landfalls that feel a long way from anywhere. Quiet anchorages, working fishing towns and scattered communities define much of the route. Life on board is active and collaborative. Everyone contributes. The skipper and mate work alongside you throughout, building competence and confidence as the passage unfolds.

Why this route stands out

Few routes combine a departure from central Manhattan with classic New England sailing and a serious offshore leg between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Newport, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard give way to multi day passages across open ocean. Further north, the coastline becomes more exposed and more remote. Many harbours in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland are accessible only by sea. The route is shaped by tides, fisheries and Atlantic weather systems. No two seasons are identical.

Who this trip suits

You do not need previous offshore or high latitude experience, but you do need the right mindset. This passage mixes coastal sailing with remote offshore legs, night watches and several consecutive days at sea. Plans adapt to conditions. If you want fixed timetables and guaranteed stops, this is not the trip. If you want to move from Manhattan to Newfoundland under sail and earn every mile, it is.

What to do next

Check the Dates and Prices section for availability and joining details. You can reserve your place there, or schedule a call if you want to talk through the route and whether it is the right fit.

Sailing Area

new york to newfoundland 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.

As with all serious northern passages, wind and weather determine the final route. Conditions may speed us north, hold us in harbour, or open opportunities not originally planned. We sail with a broad outline of intended stops, but tides, forecasts and the skipper’s judgement shape the final track. What follows is a guide to the main areas we aim to explore.

Departing New York City

Statue of liberty

Few departures match slipping lines in downtown Manhattan. After stowing gear and completing safety briefings, we head down the Hudson with the skyline rising above us. The Statue of Liberty passes and the skyscrapers pass abeam before we enter the wider water of `Long Island Sound. It’s the most iconic start to any expedition we do!

pilotage on deck

Long Island Sound

We sail through one of the busiest and most historic waterways on the East Coast. Maritime towns line the Connecticut shore, while Long Island offers sheltered bays and wooded headlands. Channels, traffic and tides keep the crew alert. Depending on conditions, we may anchor in Oyster Bay or press on into our first overnight leg.

Long Island

Newport, Rhode Island

newport ri

Newport remains at the centre of American sailing. Cliffs and lighthouses mark the approach. Inside the harbour, working boats lie alongside classic yachts and race boats. Its maritime history is evident everywhere, and it is a natural staging post before turning further north

Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket

Marthas Vineyard

Weather and timing will determine whether we visit one or both. Each carries its own character. Vineyard harbours and beaches contrast with Nantucket’s old whaling streets and exposed headlands. These are the last of the familiar New England stops before the route becomes a great deal wilder.

Offshore Passage to Nova Scotia

offshore sailing

From New England we shape a course for Nova Scotia on a passage of roughly 350 miles. Watches run continuously. This is where the rhythm of offshore sailing settles in. Shipping thins out, the water temperature drops and weather systems require close attention. Night watches and long horizons define this leg. Dolphins and whales are often seen as we approach Canadian waters.

Whale

Landfall in Nova Scotia – Lunenburg

Nova scotia

Granite headlands signal landfall. Lunenburg, with its preserved wooden waterfront and shipbuilding heritage, is often our first Canadian stop. After days at sea, stepping ashore here is very exciting.

Across the Gulf of St Lawrence

bras dor

We continue north across waters rich in marine life. Fog is common and tidal streams can be strong, demanding careful navigation and disciplined watch keeping. This section reinforces the move from coastal cruising to more remote sailing.

The South Coast of Newfoundland

yacht by mountains newfoundland

Newfoundland’s south coast is stark and wild. Steep cliffs, long inlets and narrow entrances lead to small fishing communities, some still accessible at certain times of year. It is an awe inspiring coastline and it feels a long way from where we began.

Saint Pierre & Miquelon

If conditions allow, we may clear into the small French territory of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, just off the coast of Newfoundland. After days in remote Canadian harbours, arrival here feels unexpectedly European. French flags, language and customs sit against a North Atlantic backdrop of fishing boats and low, weathered buildings. It is a distinctive and slightly surreal stop, and a reminder of how contested and complex the history of these waters has been.

Saint Pierre & Miquelon

Arrival in Conception Bay

We round the headlands north of St John’s and enter the approaches to Newfoundland’s capital. The coast here is just as rugged and exposed, with more small settlements tucked into coves. We finish having sailed from one of the world’s great cities into some of the most remote coastline in the North Atlantic.

Dates, Prices & Travel

Start Date & Location

May 6, 2026
USA

End Date & Location

May 22, 2026
Newfoundland

Price

£3,499

Deposit

£1,499

Availability

Available

Trip Information

Start Date: May 6, 2026

Start Time: 09:00

Start Country: USA

Start Port: New York

Start Marina: Liberty Landing Marina (TBC)

End Date: May 22, 2026

End Time: 10:00

End Country: Newfoundland

End Port: St Johns

End Marina: TBC

Find Flights For This Trip
Fly Into: New York (IATA code: NYC)
Fly Out of: St Johns (IATA code: YYT)

* Flights are not included in the trip price.

Important Notes
Joining the Boat
  • You will join the boat in New York, Liberty Landing Marina
  • The trip starts at 9:00 AM on May 06, 2026, so you will need to be in New York on or before Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
  • You have two options for accommodation on the night before the start date:
    • Stay in a hotel or Airbnb.
    • 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 St. John’s, Newfoundland, by 10:00 AM on May 22, 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 back from St Lucia 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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