$6,500 // 13 Days
Synopsis
Join FALKEN in Ponta Delgada on São Miguel, the 'big' island of the Azores, and the easiest place for crew to join the boat, as all connecting flights go through there. You may want to consider arriving early to take in the natural beauty, quaint cobblestone streets and welcoming Portuguese culture of this charming city in the middle of the Atlantic.
Depart the Azores sailing northeast on a 1,200-mile, open ocean passage to complete the trans-Atlantic in Galway on the west coast of Ireland. We’ll experience cooler temperatures and possibly more challenging conditions as we head north beyond 50º latitude. But landfall on the west coast of Ireland will be stunning and unforgettable with the dramatic Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands guarding the entrance to Galway Bay.
What to Expect on this passage
This is our longest trip of the year that’s not a trans-Atlantic. Nonstop, offshore, deep-ocean Atlantic sailing at it’s finest.
Expect all kinds of weather, from light-air calms to serious heavy-weather — you’ll get lots of practice at forecasting and planning for weather changes.
Once offshore, it’s a nonstop passage of 1,200 miles, meaning 6-8 days continuously at-sea, maybe more if it’s upwind.
Notes
We now reserve two spots for women on all of our passages! Learn more here.
All 59º North passages are led by qualified RYA / MCA Yachtmaster Ocean certified skippers & mates, and all miles sailed onboard BOTH of our boats will count towards your own license mileage requirements. We are happy to provide certificates to this effect as well towards your RYA Day Skipper, Yachtmaster or other countries’ sea time requirements.
The Route
Expected Weather Pattern
Westerlies will likely be the predominant wind direction, but we have the possibility of having all sorts of weather for this passage—from light & variable winds to deep depressions blowing in from the west and bringing heavy seas along with them. The closer we get to Ireland, the colder it'll get too!
Tentative Itinerary
June 15: Join the boat in Ponta Delgada, Azores at 1300. Dinner with the group either ashore or onboard.
June 16: All-day safety briefing & boat orientation
June 17: Departure! (Weather dependent)
June 27: Depart the boat in Galway, Ireland by 12:00 (Noon)
Travel Logistics
Fly into Ponta Delaga, Azores airport (PDL) which is part of Portugal
Fly out of Shannon Airport (SNN), a 1+ hr drive from Galway, or Dublin (DUB), a 2+ hr drive from Galway. https://www.visitgalway.ie
How to Join
To register, complete the Offshore Passage Registration by clicking the 'Sign Up' button above, or at the bottom of the page. You'll be asked to complete the form - make sure you hit submit. Indicate '2024 // FALKEN: Azores – Ireland' as your preferred passage.
Once we receive your registration, you'll be sent an invoice for 50% of the balance, due immediately. The final 50% of the balance will be due 60 days prior to the passage date. Terms and conditions are in the registration form, and you'll be asked to agree to them before submitting your deposit. Please read them carefully.
Click here to read some of our most frequently asked questions from crew who have sailed with us in the past.