Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 S-Series LEADERBOARD

Voyage to the Arctic Circle in 2023 with Skirr Adventures

by Clipper Round the World Race 29 Jan 2023 02:18 PST 7 July 2023
SKIRR Adventures expedition © Clipper Race

Following an incredible inaugural expedition last year, booking is now live for the 2023 SKIRR Adventures High Latitudes voyage.

Designed for the curious, the restless and those adventurous by nature, sister company to the Clipper Race, SKIRR Adventures, takes explorers under the power of sail to the high latitudes of the Arctic to discover the pristine waters, imposing landscapes and wilderness that these icy waters are famed for.

Setting off from Clipper Ventures HQ in Gosport, UK, on Friday 7 July 2023, the 4,820 nautical mile round trip in the High Latitudes will take an estimated eight weeks during the height of summer.

"Nothing really prepares one for the reality of a huge iceberg which is larger than some islands I have visited. The colours on the different faces and sides of the peaks, which rose to a height of over 300m, changed constantly, and the various hues of blue, until it became a pure glistening white, shone in the sunlight as we passed into the fog" Says Rich, who was a crew member on this the inaugural SKIRR Adventures expedition.

Divided into five legs, adventurers can sign up as an individual or small group and choose to do one leg, combine several, or experience everything and sail on all of the five legs in the voyage.

The first leg sees the expedition head to the Scottish Isles, renowned for its rugged coastline and breath-taking scenery. Crew will explore the UK's South Coast before heading north through the Irish Sea to Tobermory in the Inner Hebrides for inshore sailing amongst stunning lochs and scenery.

The second leg heads to Iceland and features an offshore passage through the North Atlantic to the south coast of Iceland and the potential for an expedition into the Hvalfjordur fjord- home to natural springs and a spa to relax tired muscles, or plenty of local hiking to explore on land. This leg is ideal for those looking for an adventurous sailing trip with an open ocean passage across the North Atlantic offering opportunities to develop your sailing skills alongside the chance to enjoy the hours of darkness getting shorter as you sail north.

Both Leg 3 and Leg 4 are flexible multi-stop Arctic Circle exploration legs and offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore one of the most imposing and majestic landscapes on the planet, inaccessible by land and only possible to explore during a few weeks in the summer. Depending on the ice flow, the expedition will take one of two routes: head northwards into the Arctic Circle and to Scoresby Sund, the longest fjord in the world, or alternatively, head eastwards towards Tasiilaq, a town set inside a fjord on the East Coast of Greenland that is often quite full of ice.

The fifth and final leg is a dynamic one, for the truly adventurous sailor. Starting along the south coast of Iceland, it features sailing in the North Atlantic, and returns back to the UK via the Danish Faroe Islands, taking and the 2023 High Latitudes expedition will conclude back in Gosport, UK, on Tuesday 19 September.

Toni Wilson, who completed the entire High Latitudes expedition in 2022, said: "There were so many magical moments but one that sticks with me is the pink dawn. The pink sky was reflected in very calm waters and the dawn followed shortly after the dusk which was totally different again.

"This isn't a race, it's more relaxed, you're not being rushed for sail changes so it can be a very relaxed environment. The Skipper and First Mates have made the trip the perfect adventure - the environment on the boat is warm and fun and it couldn't have been better."

Places are available on one leg, multiple legs, or the entire voyage. SKIRR Adventures crew can arrive or depart at the changeover ports en route and bookings are now open via the website for this year's expedition.

SKIRR Adventures is supported by the professional capabilities of the Clipper Race organisation - including the fleet of specially adapted 68-foot expedition yachts, and highly-experienced and skilled skippers and guides, international technical support and operational teams.

Due to the nature of expedition sailing, crew must have confidence to undertake longer and more complex passages which involve sailing at night and watch keeping systems and navigation to explore this spectacular arctic wilderness - those with no prior sailing experience can participate in the expedition after completing a course provided by the Clipper Race training team or at leading RYA training centre Hamble School of Yachting.

Book your place now on the SKIRR Adventures website.

Related Articles

Clipper Race & UNICEF mark a decade of partnership
Fundraising efforts from race crew will continue to support UNICEF's work globally Today, the leading child rights organisation, UNICEF, was announced as a Team and Charity Partner of the Clipper Race once again. Posted on 6 May
Clipper Race announces line up of First Mates
Each First Mate will assist their Race Skipper in leading their teams of non-professionals The Clipper Race First Mates who will be helping to lead a team in the toughest endurance challenge on the planet have been announced. Posted on 26 Apr
Seattle set to host Clipper Race stopover
Tenth anniversary of first visit, returning with team entry Seattle is set to host the Clipper 2025-26 Race as the global sailing event has announced the city will feature on its race route. Posted on 4 Apr
Clipper Round the World Race to return to Oban
After tourism boosting debut visit last summer The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will be returning to Oban to "bring global focus on the area as a great place to visit and invest" as the West Coast town is announced as a port on the event's 2025-26 edition. Posted on 31 Mar
Clipper Race announces its new line-up of skippers
“Sailing is a level playing field – with the ocean an equaliser” The next roster of eleven Clipper Race Skippers taking on one of the toughest jobs in sailing has been announced. Each will lead teams of non-professionals, making six ocean crossings on the 40,000 nautical mile, eleven-month race around the globe. Posted on 28 Mar
Clipper Race celebrates 30 years of adventure
One of the secrets to the success and longevity of biennial event is the highly experienced team This month marks 30 years since Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop, around the world, founded the Clipper Race. Posted on 7 Mar
Clipper Race to return to Portsmouth
On the 25th anniversary of its first departure from the city When its fleet departs from Gunwharf Quays this August, the event will be celebrating two milestones - the 25th anniversary of its first departure from the city and 30 years of training people to cross oceans and sail around the world. Posted on 3 Mar
Clipper Race returns to its roots
To find next batch of ocean adventurers At 58 years old, Plymouth-based Advanced Clinical Practitioner Loveday Fethney is proving that adventure knows no age limit. Posted on 15 Feb
Spotlight on Clipper Race Leg 5
A tactical multi-stage challenge through the tropics Renowned for its challenging conditions and energising close racing, Leg 5 is a multi-stage leg on the Clipper Race circumnavigation. Posted on 1 Feb
Musto partners with three Clipper Ventures brands
This broader partnership with Clipper Ventures will span the next four years Clipper Race crew have worn Musto in training and on their ocean crossings since 2019 and will continue to be kitted out in industry leading technical clothing for the upcoming 2025-26 and 2027-28 editions. Posted on 25 Jan
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_SY BOTTOMRooster 2025Mackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOM