Overview
Sail south from the Arctic Circle to the Pacific Northwest in this dramatic two-week transition. This 2,200nm voyage is wild, remote, and deeply rewarding — a passage of shifting seas, Alaskan ports, and raw coastal landscapes. From tundra to temperate rainforest, every mile brings change as you journey toward the welcoming harbours of Seattle. What kind of sailing to expect? This is a hard leg and not suitable for the fair weather sailor. The North Pacific is renown for its ferocious storms. Stopping will be difficult and timing will be paramount to get across to Seattle and then south before the winter starts to set in.
Highlights
Coastal Weather Systems
Experience the dynamic energy of the North Pacific. Navigate autumn storms, ride powerful swell, and make real-time decisions to adapt to weather and sea state.
Remote and Rustic Stops
Visit Alaskan fishing villages and isolated anchorages that few sailors ever reach. These communities offer warmth, stories, and an authentic connection to wild places.
Gateway to the Pacific Northwest
As the mountains soften and evergreen forests line the shore, the journey concludes with a passage under bridges into Seattle. It’s a return to city life — but one that’s been earned mile by mile, wave by wave.
Skippers
Jim Dobie and Wavy Immelman
Wavy
David Immelman, known to everyone as "Wavy", is co-founder and chief Skipper at Wavysail.
He was born and raised around Cape Town and has been sailing since the age of 5. Since then, he has amassed over 500,000 miles of ocean sailing, including over 40 Atlantic crossings.
Wavy is a highly respected, and experienced RYA instructor with many years of teaching.
A professional racing skipper, including as Skipper of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race ‘19/’20 edition, as well as winning the Governors cup on “Black Cat”.
Jim Dobie
A hugely experienced Skipper and RYA Yachtmaster Examiner who has sailed almost every ocean of the world. Jim has led expeditions to some of the remotest places in the world, including the Galapagos, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Tasmania. He's vast experience, is not only on but also under water, as a Scuba Diving Instructor, delivering expeditions to the Great Barrier Reef, Oceania and Asia.
Jim has a long history of successful race campaigns. He served as skipper for the 09-10 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, and has competed in five Sydney to Hobart races, two Fastnet races, Round Britain and Ireland Race and many other offshore race events.
What's Included
What's Included
All food and drink (non-alcoholic) on board
Safety equipment including life-jackets.
All mooring and port entry fees for the boat.
• Hands on sailing, watch keeping, helming and opportunity to fully immerse in life on board.
Overnight accommodation onboard, your own bunk and bedding
• Waterproof Clothing available to hire
What's Not Included
• Travel to and from Oban
• Meals Ashore
• Entrance fees to visitor centres or distilleries
• Sailing & Travel Insurance
Accommodation
Single berth - All three legs
All three legs
Double cabin (two people sharing) - All three legs
Double cabin to share, or for you alone
Gallery
You'll Be Staying Here
Expedition Zero
The yacht is "Expedition Zero" which is the first of a new generation of sailing yachts.
Custom designed for modern adventure sailing and, most importantly, capable of doing this with almost no environmental impact.
Originally built as a “Challenge 72”, she was always a rugged, go-anywhere yacht. Expedition Zero has now completed an incredible refit, featuring a revolutionary electric drive system and generating 100% of her power from natural sources. This is supported by latest navigation, communication and remote systems monitoring as well as a full on-board media production suite, giving her unparalleled capability in expedition sailing, marine research and film making.
The spacious interior is finished with natural mineral fibre material which is lightweight, strong and fully recyclable. With space for up to 16 guests in comfortable cabins or berths, plus up to four crew, “Expedition Zero” sets a new benchmark in off-shore adventure.
Related Blog Posts
Read about our previous Scottish adventures
Heather Deary · Sat 16 Sep 2023
Wavysail Scottish Islands Adventure 2023
Heather joined Wavysail's first Scottish adventure this summer - read about her experience of sailing the coast of Scotland under the expert guidance of Jim Dobie.
FAQs
Do I need to be experienced in sailing?
We design the trips for a wide range of experience which means that even if you’ve not sailed, our experienced Skippers will ensure you have a fantastic time.
The longer legs will suit “mile builders” who already have some sailing qualifications, and we can spend time supporting you with everything from helming to sail trimming or passage planning as you wish!
Before you join, we’ll ask about your previous sailing experience and what you want to get out of the trip. That way, we’ll tailor the tour to your specific needs.
What's the cancellation policy?
The group size is kept very small on our trips which gives you a real ‘masterclass’ with our highly experienced Skippers. However, that means each place is valuable and we need full groups.
We ask for a 10% deposit to secure your berth, with the balance being due 6 weeks before departure.
If you cancel your place over 8 weeks out, the deposit is fully refundable. Between 6-8 weeks, we will retain the deposit.
If you cancel 6 weeks or less, the full price will be payable.
What should I bring?
We’ll share a kit-list which will be adapted to the trip you’re taking.
All bed linen is provided as well as safety equipment. You will need some decent deck shoes (or sailing boots), otherwise it’s layers of clothing adapted to the conditions you’re likely to encounter.
Bring a camera. If you want to bring a drone, let us know beforehand and bear in mind drones tend not to be waterproof and are carried / used at your own risk!
How adventurous is it?
We want everyone to get the most out of their time on board – so we’ll work around your wants.
However, our trips are designed for you to take an active role – that means, for example, we’ll take turns in cooking (all the menus are planned already and step by step instructions given, so you don’t need to be a masterchef!)
You can get tips and instruction on all aspects of sailing from our Skippers and get as involved as you want, grinding, trimming, helming and learning. On the other hand, there’s also plenty of time to relax and just take in the beautiful ocean scenery. It’s your trip!
Dates
June 1 - 4 2026
FROM$0 /pp
June 6 - 16 2026
FROM$3,502.98 /pp
June 18 - 28 2026
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June 30 - July 10 2026
FROM$4,204.98 /pp
July 17 - 27 2026
FROM$4,204.98 /pp
July 31 - August 14 2026
FROM$5,608.98 /pp
August 18 - September 1 2026
FROM$5,608.98 /pp
September 5 - 15 2026
FROM$4,204.98 /pp
September 22 - 26 2026
FROM$1,396.98 /pp
September 28 - October 6 2026
FROM$2,800.98 /pp
October 9 - 17 2026
FROM$3,502.98 /pp
October 20 - 27 2026
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November 3 - 24 2026
FROM$9,820.98 /pp
December 27 2026 - January 3 2027
FROM$4,204.98 /pp
January 6 - 13 2027
FROM$2,098.98 /pp
January 16 - 23 2027
FROM$3,502.98 /pp
January 26 - February 2 2027
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February 5 - 12 2027
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February 15 - 22 2027
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February 25 - March 2 2027
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May 14 - 21 2027
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May 24 - June 3 2027
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June 6 - 13 2027
FROM$2,800.98 /pp
June 17 - July 1 2027
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August 23 - September 6 2027
FROM$8,416.98 /pp
September 11 - 17 2027
FROM$3,502.98 /pp
September 21 - October 12 2027
FROM$8,416.98 /pp
October 19 - 29 2027
FROM$4,204.98 /pp
November 3 - 23 2027
FROM$8,416.98 /pp
November 28 - December 18 2027
FROM$9,820.98 /pp