$7,000 // 14 Days
SYNOPSIS - heavy-weather biscay crossing
The legendary Biscay crossing is a passage of contrasts. The journey starts in cold, wet and windy Ireland, before punching upwind through the SW’lies in Biscay. Just when you think you can’t take any more wet, upwind, heeled over sailing, the temps start to get warmer and the wind starts to shift. By the time you hit the coast of Portugal, you’ll be shedding layers and sailing downwind in the sunshine!
Join FALKEN in Kinsale on the south coast of Ireland where we’ll begin our journey south to Portugal. We include enough days for our passage that we can make a stop to await a good weather window if necessary. Once we push off south across the Bay of Biscay, heavy weather can be a possibility as the Atlantic swells roll in unobstructed from Newfoundland. As we sight the Spanish mainland, we’ll continue south along the beautiful Portuguese coastline in the legendary “Portuguese Tradewinds” making a downwind landfall in Lagos, Portugal – a colourful tourist town on the Algarve coast.
What to Expect on This Passage
Biscay in October almost certainly will provide a taste of real heavy-weather.
This is a nonstop passage once we get the right window — even if the weather turns against us, we’ll be far enough west and offshore that we’ll ride it out and continue to the south coast of Portugal.
1,000 miles on the rhumb line means about 5-7 days continuously offshore, more if it’s upwind or we need to heave-to.
Note
We now reserve two spots for women on all of our passages! Learn more here.
The Route
Expected Weather Pattern
Heavy weather is to be expected in Biscay as the Atlantic swells roll in unobstructed from Newfoundland. But Biscay can always surprise, so anything is possible in making the passage a different experience. But the chances are very high you’ll end it in dry, sunny, downwind weather as you approach Portugal!
Tentative Itinerary
Sept 28: Join the boat in Kinsale, Ireland at 1300. Dinner with the group either ashore or onboard.
Sept 29: All-day safety briefing & boat orientation
Sept. 30: Departure! (Weather dependent)
Oct 11: Depart the boat in Lagos, Portugal by 12:00 (Noon)
Travel Logistics
Fly into Cork’s international airport (ORK). Kinsale is a 45-60 minute ride from the airport. There is a reliable bus/coach service from the Cork Airport and Cork City, Bus Éireann, with many departures each day. Meet the boat in Kinsale.
Fly out of the small local airport right outside of Lagos. or take the bus from Lagos to Lisbon and fly out of Lisbon’s international airport (LIS).
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: Ireland – Portugal' 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.