Voyage to the Arctic Circle in 2023 with Skirr Adventures
by Clipper Round the World Race 29 Jan 2023 10:18 GMT
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.