Join an expedition to sail the North West Passage eastbound from Alaska to Greenland.
Rich in culture, steeped in history, wildlife, and awe-inspiring landscapes to sail the North West Passage is a quest known to be one of the world’s severest and thus rewarding maritime challenges.
The Northwest Passage is a historical sea passage of the North American continent. It represents centuries of effort to find a route between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean through the Arctic Archipelago of what became Canada.
It’s with great honour and excitement that one of our sailing partners will make an attempt to sail eastbound from Dutch Harbour, Alaska to Greenland, Ilulissat via Nome, the last harbour of America, before a voyage of 3,400 nautical miles filled with icebergs and thick ice via Herschel Island, Talayoak, Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, Resolute, Beechey Island, Pond Inlet, finishing the voyage in Greenland, Ilulissat. The journey of a lifetime takes time … 54 days is the plan.
The sailing ship was built in 1915 with no engine or means of propulsion other than her sails. After some decades of neglect, she was restored in 1985 and eventually purchased by an experienced family of sailors who have run her ever since taking groups of 12 adventure seekers with them on their ocean wandering. In 2021 she underwent a full refit ahead of a journey to circumnavigate the Americas which this voyage is part of.
If you’re looking for adventure then you’ve got it. With this expedition, there is a real chance that the ice may not clear enough to make passage possible. The risks are real, but the planning and preparation are well thought out. You’ll be with a professional crew and safety will be the priority.
And you’ll be in good hands. The vessel and crew have circumnavigated the globe, sailed around Cape Horn, sailed through the North West Passage of Canada once before in 2019, won numerous tall ships races and more.
It doesn’t need saying. This is adventure at its purest.
Why you'll love this adventure
- An adventure in the purest sense!
- Be part of a historic attempt with like-minded adventure seekers
- You are the crew on this hands on sailing expedition guided by the professional team
Dates
Itinerary
The attempt to sail the Northwest passage is a once in a lifetime experience. A long voyage of 54 days. Starting off in Dutch Harbor, you will first make your way to Nome. This will be the last harbour of America, where officials will stamp us out of the country. From there it will be over 1000 miles before entering Canada. Ice reports and weather reports will be closely monitored as the tall ship and her crew get closer and closer to the edge of the ice.
The route to take will depend fully on the ice reports. Possible stops include Herschel Island, Talayoak, Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, Resolute, Beechey Island, Pond Inlet, finishing your voyage in Greenland, Ilulissat.
What's included
- Berth in a 2 person ensuite bedroom – bunkbed
- All meals on board (or lunch packs for day trips on shore)
- Bedding and fresh sheets
- Towels
- Possibility of washing clothes weekly
- Ice pilotage
- Fuel Berthing costs
- Dinghy excursions
- Planned excursions on shore / permits with Inuit settlements
- Guided tours on land
- Permanent professional sailing crew of 4
Not included
- Flights
- Transport
- Insurance
- Excursions / landing permits
Trip notes
Price
Min age
Accommodation
There are 6 cabins, each for 2 persons. The cabins are situated in the middle of the ship, which makes them as stable as possible.
Your bunk is inside one of the two person cabins. Your bed will be either the high or the lower bed of a bedbunk. All beds are over 80cm wide and 2 meters long. Each bed has a reading light for the evening hours. The cabins are ensuite. In a wet cell you will find a shower, of course with hot and cold water, and a toilet, that when possible flushes with outside water. In the cabin itself you will find a fountain and mirror. Your clothing can be stored in closet and your bag or suitcase can be stored under the bed.
Meals
Don’t expect a set menu! The menu is developed on board with influences of her surroundings. The cook will try and cook with as many local fresh products as possible, this means that around the Canary Islands we eat a lot of tapas, peppers, plantanas (banana’s). In Brazil we eat a lot of fresh fruit, cow meat and rice. And around the North Sea, when it gets colder you will find some ‘stamppot’ (Dutch mashes potatoes specialty) with smoked sausage on your plate.
During a longer stay on board you will hardly ever see the same dish come by. Most of our meals are served with a salad or fruit on the side. During longer trips we take good care of our vegetables and fruit to ensure that you will enjoy fresh food as long as possible.
If you have an allergy or cannot eat certain food, please contact us with your dietary concerns. We provide a healthy menu were you will have enough choice.
We do not provide a vegan diet and on certain voyages we do not provide a lactose intolerant or gluten free diet.
We do provide sweet, savoury, hot and sometimes somewhat fat delicious food, but there is always a healthy choice next to it.
Who is this trip for?
Are you:
- Looking to be part of a historic expedition attempt?
- Fit and in good health
- Looking for a real adventure
- Good at working in a team to make something happen?
Additional notes
This voyage is not for the fainthearted, nor for the homesick or even the fickle. This voyage for those who enjoy adventure, want to really explore, not knowing where you will be tomorrow and agreeing that the plan changes every day, maybe by the hour. This is a voyage is for those who want to be part of a team, working together, adding to a team and contributing where you can.
The Expedition Team will consist of 12 voyage crew and 4 professional sailors. Members of the have circumnavigated the world together and know how to trust one another and how to work together.
For this expedition the organisers are looking for a team that likes working together to accomplish this amazing goal. People who realize they will set sail for 54 days with a sailing ship and will have to pass through Ice, maybe wait a few days for the ice to clear and then explore further into the North West.
This expedition will include several excursions on shore. They are still working on the permits for the possible stops, as we close in on winter we will start publishing some of the definite stops.
Tour operator
An old Herring drifter (Logger) built in 1915, the ship is 28 meters long over deck (38 meters overall) and takes 16 trainees on her voyages. No previous sailing experience is needed and experienced and new sailors love her equally.
A family of four professional sailors have owned and run this vessel since 2006 and sail her with true passion. Built for the North Sea she’s a fast sailor and her rigging is as traditional as it gets.
We love that the boat’s appearance is kept as traditional as possible yet combined with modern techniques and equipment. Everyone on board is part of the informal sail training program that is designed to get the best out of everyone whether you join for 2 days or a longer ocean crossing.
On September 13th she and her crew were the first traditional sailing ship to complete the North West Passage after Roald Admundsen with his ship Goya in 2013.
Enquire today
Sail North West Passage Alaska to Greenland
Please complete the enquiry form above with as much detail as you can and we will send you all the trip information and connect you with the operator so you can make a booking directly.
If you have queries and questions about the trip include those in your form and we’ll personally reply to you within 24 hours.
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