ICELAND TO GOSPORT PASSAGE

REYKJAVIK – GOSPORT

A unique opportunity to build your miles and gain offshore sailing experience as we depart the land of Ice and Fire and sail south across the North Atlantic.  

Step aboard one of our 68 ft yachts and chart a course from the rugged beauty of Iceland to the historic home of British sailing – Portsmouth. This is no ordinary sailing experience – it’s a true ocean passage, a hands-on offshore adventure where you become part of the crew, not just a passenger.

Departing from Reykjavík’s colourful harbour, you’ll leave behind volcanic peaks as we head south across the North Atlantic. Over the approximately 1,300 nautical mile route, you’ll take the helm, trim sails, stand watch through day and night, and learn to read the weather systems that define North Atlantic navigation. Expect exhilarating sailing, long ocean swells, and keep an eye out for various species of marine wildlife along the way.

Guided by a professional skipper and two mates, this passage is a powerful opportunity to build miles, sharpen offshore skills, and enjoy all aspects of crew life, both above and below deck. As we make landfall along the English Channel and sail into Portsmouth, you’ll feel a sense of achievement that only comes from crossing an ocean under your own power. Salt-streaked, tired, and exhilarated, you’ll have memories and friendships that will stay with you for years to come.

Open to those with prior offshore sailing experience, this passage provides you with the opportunity to learn new skills, build upon existing ones, and gain confidence and competence for future offshore sailing experiences.

If you want to experience true adventure sailing, you also have the opportunity to join the final sailing of Arctic Adventure expedition route which will finish in Reykjavik prior to this offshore passage – find out more below.

Route: Reykjavik to Gosport

Miles: +1300nm

Temperature Range: 12°c – 18°c

Dates: 15-27 September 2026

MIN. EXPERIENCE NEEDED:

RYA DAY SKIPPER // CLIPPER LEVEL 1

£995
REGISTER INTEREST FOR 2026

TALK TO AN EXPERT

+44 (0) 2392 215 215

Offshore Passage Dates

Join Boat:                      15 September 2026 – prior to this passage, extend your adventure by adding on the Arctic Adventure sailing expedition. 
Depart Reykjavik:      16 September 2026
Arrive Gosport:           26 September 2026* 

*Departure/Arrival dates may be subject to conditions.

ADD A SAILING EXPEDITION TO GREENLAND - ARCTIC ADVENTURE

Extend your adventure to the high latitudes by joining one of our Iceland-Greenland sailing expeditions. Prior to this offshore passage, our final expedition will start from Isafjordur on Thursday 27 August 2026.

Click here to find out more – Arctic Adventure – you can add this at the time of booking or contact us to find out more.

BOOKINGS FOR 2026 WILL OPEN IN NOVEMBER – IN THE MEANTIME YOU CAN REGISTER YOUR INTEREST HERE: Register your interest for 2026

ARE YOU CLIPPER RACE ALUMNI? 

IF YOU HAVE COMPLETED ONE OR MORE LEGS OF THE CLIPPER ROUND THE WORLD YACHT RACE, you can Get a 5% discount on your total booking value. 

ROUTE HIGHLIGHTS

Sailing this offshore passage between Iceland and Portsmouth is a unique opportunity for you to build miles, gain valuable offshore sailing experience and refine your exsiting skills under the guidance of a professional Skipper, first mate and second mate. Whilst crossing the North Atlantic, you can expect a variety of sailing onditions where you and your crew mates will be immersed in daily life on board an ocean-going yacht. Below are some key highlights:

  • ENJOY A VARIETY OF SAILING CONDITIONS

  • UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD MILES AND REFINE SKILLS 

  • GUIDANCE FROM PROFESSIONAL SAILING STAFF 

  • OPPPORTUNITY TO WITNESS THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

  • EXHILARATING 1,000 NM OFFSHORE PASSAGE on 68ft yacht

  • EXPERIENCE ALL ASPECTS OF CREW LIFE – ABOVE & BELOW DECK 

SAMPLE ITINERARY

TUESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER

ARRIVAL: REYKJAVIK, ICELAND

Welcome to Reykjavik, the colourful capital city of Iceland. The boats will be berthed at Brokey Marina where you can join your boat between 1700-1800 before stowing your luggage and running through a quick vessel overview with your Skipper.

Get to know each other and discuss the passage plan over a welcome dinner before spending your first night on board.

DAY 1

SAFETY BRIEF & PASSAGE DEPARTURE

This morning will involve a yacht familiarisation an extensive safety brief with your skipper and final preparations for an early afternoon departure (subject to conditions).

Once departed, crew settle into watch keeping rotations as we start our voyage across the North Atlantic to the UK.

DAYS 2-8

OFFSHORE PASSAGE TO UK

We estimate that it will take 6-8 days to complete the offshore passage to reach the south west coast of England (subject to conditions). During this time, crew will throw themselves into life on-board – learning new skills and refining existing ones whilst enjoying a variety of sailing conditions.
Throughout the passage, the professional sailing staff will be on hand to instruct, guide and share knowledge.

DAYS 8-10

COASTAL CRUISING ALONG SOUTH COAST

Upon reaching the south west coast of England, it will take approximately 2-3 days to reach our home port of Gosport. During this time, you can enjoy a mixture of coastal and offshore sailing as we head east along the stunning south west coast towards the Solent. Here, you’ll pass the iconic Needles landmark before entering the generally calmer waters of the Solent. 

DAY 11-12

ARRIVE PORTSMOUTH, UK

After approximately 10-11 days at sea, you can expect to arrive into Porstmouth on/around Saturday 26 June (subject to conditions) where the SKIRR Adventures 2026 expedition will conclude. 

Prior to departing, you will assist with a deep clean of the before bidding farewell to your crew mates. You will be free to depart the boat by 1300 on Sunday 27 June.

EXPECT AN EXPEDITION
NOT A CRUISE

The itinerary we provide for our sailing expedition is a guideline that may vary depending on weather conditions, wildlife sightings, and other contributing factors.

All SKIRR Adventures itineraries are examples and do not form any part of the contract.

the detail

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • All food and accommodation on board (except the evening of joining)
  • Use of wet weather gear (jacket and trousers)
  • Use of safety equipment including life jacket
  • Personal injury & travel insurance for the duration of your leg

What’s not included

  • Dinner on arrival night 
  • Travel to and from the boat for joining and departure
  • Any meals ashore
  • Visas
  • Personal equipment (a recommended packing list will be provided)

FAQS
SOLO TRAVELLERS

Did you know that most of our guests are solo explorers? Sailing is a wonderful way to explore new destinations and make new friends. You’ll never feel lonely on board, as you’ll be part of a friendly and diverse crew.

PERSONAL FITNESS
You will be expected to participate in various tasks such as hoisting sails, steering, anchoring, and docking. You will also have the opportunity to explore different destinations on foot, which may involve a short hike. Therefore, we recommend that you have a moderate degree of fitness, mobility and health before joining our expeditions.

 

You can always improve your fitness in the months leading up to your departure by following a simple exercise routine and eating a balanced diet.
AGE

To join a SKIRR adventures expedition, you must be at least 18 years old. Our trips are designed for people who love adventure, regardless of their age. We welcome guests from 18-70+. We don’t see age as a barrier, just a number. Come and explore the world with us!

GROUP SIZE
Our small group sailing expeditions operate a maximum guest size of 12 on board each boat. We send a maximum of two boats on each expedition, so there can be up to 24 guests across both boats at any one time.
 
You can book individually or with your friends and family, and enjoy the experience of sailing with a professional crew and a friendly group of fellow explorers.

sailing experience

To join this expedition leg, you will some prior recent sailing experience.

This can be one of the following:

  • Clipper Race Level 1 Training
  • RYA Day Skipper or above
  • Equivalent sailing experience

If you have sailing experience, but no prior qualifications, we will consider your application on a case by case basis. Please contact us with details of your sailing history.

If you have no prior sailing experience, don’t worry… you can still book onto the Clipper Race Level 1 training (see below) or work towards your RYA Day Skipper (a globally endorsed qualification).

ACHIEVED RYA DAY SKIPPER?

If you have already achieved RYA Day Skipper or equivalent you are eligible to take part in all passage and expedition routes. 

OPTION 1

CLIPPER RACE: LEVEL 1

Join crew onboard a Clipper Race yacht for an intensive course that prepares aspiring sailors for the challenges of long ocean crossings. The training covers the basics of sailing, safety, teamwork and leadership.

You will be joined by crew looking to take on the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, many of whom will have never sailed before, so it’s a fantastic place to begin your sailing journey.

FROM £650* | 7 DAYS

*when purchased with a leg of SKIRR adventures

OPTION 2

RYA DAY SKIPPER

You can obtain your RYA Day Skipper qualification through our preferred training provider, Hamble School of Yachting.

For those with no prior sailing experience, we would recommend that you do your RYA Competent Crew prior to your RYA Day Skipper qualification, where you will be taught the fundamentals of crewing, as well as how to ‘live’ onboard a cruising yacht.

 FROM £980 | 9 DAYS +

ARE YOU READY TO EXPLORE?

REGISTER NOW TO JOIN THE 2026 EXPEDITION.
THE JOURNEY STARTS HERE.

REGISTER INTEREST