Sail from Bergen, Norway to Portsmouth, UK
Price: £997. 4th - 9th June 2026
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Build serious offshore experience on a true mile-building passage across the North Sea aboard a powerful Challenger 72 yacht. Designed for sailors who want real sea time, offshore experience, and rapid confidence growth — not just another coastal hop.
- Around 800 nautical miles of genuine offshore sailing
- A full watch system, including night watches
- High-value experience in commercial shipping lanes and offshore environments
- The opportunity to sail a 72ft ocean-capable Challenger yacht built for heavy-weather passages
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A yacht for the job
A great boat (Challenger 3) made light work of any rough North Sea weather; the skipper and crew/watch leaders were very knowledgeable and had everything under control, whilst also being fun and letting us get involved - you couldn't have asked for better; the boat was very well equipped (with copious good food and biscuits!); and there was nothing we could have faulted about the whole trip.
Fab2910
Verified Customer
This offshore mile-builder is ideal for sailors looking to increase sea miles while gaining experience aboard a large, powerful yacht built for serious ocean sailing. While many mile-building trips cover around 400 to 500 miles in a week, the performance and endurance of the Challenger 72 allows for over 800 nautical miles in just six days.
The passage begins in Bergen, a UNESCO-listed harbour surrounded by mountains and fjords, before heading south into open water. After settling onboard the evening before departure, the skipper delivers a full safety briefing and passage overview, ready for an early start.
The yacht then breaks into the open waters of the North Sea, where continuous offshore sailing quickly builds confidence and competence.
This trip is particularly valuable for sailors preparing for advanced qualifications such as the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal course and the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore course, where qualifying miles, night hours, and real passage experience are essential.
As the route continues, crew navigate offshore wind farms, oil and gas fields, and busy commercial shipping lanes before crossing the Dover Strait and arriving into Portsmouth.
5.0 based on 496 Happy Customers on Tripadvisor
RYA-certified sailing courses
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More Info on the mile building trip from Norway to the UK
Build around 800 offshore miles in just six days: This mile builder is designed to maximise sea time and qualifying miles in a short period. Because the yacht sails continuously offshore, experience builds quickly and every mile adds real value for future Yachtmaster preparation.
Sail a powerful Challenger 72 built for offshore passages: The Challenger 72 is an ocean-capable yacht with a proven offshore record. She has sailed around the world twice and completed multiple Atlantic crossings. This allows sailors to experience genuine offshore sailing in a very well suited yacht.
Gain real offshore navigation and watchkeeping experience: Life onboard runs to a full watch system, including night watches. Crew navigate North Sea weather, offshore wind farms, oil and gas platforms, and busy shipping lanes. This develops awareness, confidence and strong offshore skills.
Learn from experienced offshore professionals: The skipper and mate focus on safety, teamwork and hands-on learning. They encourage crew to take responsibility, ask questions and grow in confidence throughout the passage.
Bergen to Portsmouth Offshore Mile Builder – Trip Details
4-9 June 2026
Offshore Mile Builder Prerequisites
- Completed Competent Crew as a minimum
- Reasonable fitness and good mobility
- Willingness to take an active role onboard
- Positive team attitude
Duration of the Offshore Mile Builder
- Six days of continuous offshore sailing
- Day and night watch system in operation
- Minimal time in harbour
- Maximum sea time and experience
Offshore Sailing Experience You’ll Gain
- Around 800 nautical miles of offshore passage making
- Full watch system including night watches
- Navigation through busy shipping lanes
- Experience around offshore wind farms and platforms
- Sailing a large ocean-capable Challenger 72
Tidal Mileage Logged
- Approximately 800 nautical miles
- Qualifying tidal miles for Yachtmaster
- Valuable night hours included
- Real passage experience
How to Book the Bergen to Portsmouth Mile Builder
We make signing up to this mile building trip easy
Book Your Mile Builder Place
Secure your berth on the Bergen to Portsmouth offshore mile builder by booking online, by email, or over the phone with the First Class Sailing team.
Receive Your Joining Details
Once booked, you’ll receive full joining instructions along with a suggested kit list to help you prepare for your offshore sailing passage.
Join the yacht in Bergen
Arrive in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bergen and meet the crew ready to begin your offshore mile-building adventure to Portsmouth
Bergen to Portsmouth Offshore Mile Builder Route and Experience
An Inspiring Start to a Serious Offshore Passage
This mile-building passage begins among Norway’s spectacular coastal scenery before heading into open sea. Bergen’s historic harbour, surrounded by mountains and fjords, provides a dramatic and memorable departure point.
The contrast between sheltered coastal sailing and open-water passage making creates the perfect start to a demanding offshore journey that builds confidence quickly.
A Demanding Passage That Builds Offshore Confidence
This trip is designed to develop real offshore competence. Life onboard follows a structured watch system, including night watches, so sailors gain hands-on experience in navigation, sail handling, lookout routines, passage planning, and decision-making.
The route delivers outstanding training value as crew navigate offshore wind farms and energy platforms, manage busy commercial traffic, and cross the Dover Strait before arriving into historic Portsmouth.
Learn More About the Bergen to Portsmouth Mile Builder Passage
For a deeper look at what sailors experience on this offshore route — from navigating wind farms and offshore platforms to crossing the busy Dover Strait — read our detailed guide to the Bergen to Portsmouth mile-building delivery sail. It explains the skills developed onboard and why this passage is one of the fastest ways to build real offshore confidence.
Why This Route Is Ideal for Offshore Mile Building
The Bergen to Portsmouth passage combines extended open-sea sailing with high-traffic navigation and changing weather systems, making it one of the most effective mile-building routes in Northern Europe. It delivers qualifying miles quickly while exposing sailors to the real-world challenges that offshore sailors must master.
This blend of distance, complexity and continuous sailing is exactly what accelerates skill development and confidence at sea.
The Yacht – A Challenger 72
The yacht is a proven Challenger 72 with a steel hull that has raced around the world twice. She is MCA coded to Category Zero, meaning she is structurally suitable for offshore passages anywhere in the world and fully equipped for ocean safety.
Onboard are an extremely experienced skipper, a mate, and two watch leaders. Because of the yacht’s size and displacement, teamwork is essential.
Below deck, she is comfortable and well laid out, with spacious communal areas, a fully equipped galley, two heads with showers, and snug bunks for off-watch rest.
The Price and Travel
The trip price is £997 and includes all food onboard, mooring fees, insurance, oilskins, fuel, and gas. Travel to and from the yacht is not included.
Crew should plan to join the yacht in Bergen at 1900 on 3 June, with departure from Portsmouth expected by 1600 on 9 June.
Bergen Airport is around 45 minutes from the town centre by light railway. Mooring details will be confirmed closer to departure.
In Portsmouth, the yacht will be based at Gunwharf Quays, with excellent rail and road links. The nearest airports are Southampton, Gatwick, and Heathrow.
Before this passage, a longer Portsmouth to Bergen trip takes place that includes several days cruising through the Norwegian fjords. Further details are available on the fjord sailing adventure page.
Why Offshore Mile Building Is Essential for Confident Long-Distance Sailing
Offshore mile building is one of the most effective ways to develop real sailing competence. Extended passages teach far more than short coastal trips because sailors experience continuous navigation, changing weather systems, fatigue management and teamwork under real conditions.
Long offshore routes like the Bergen to Portsmouth passage accelerate learning by combining distance with complexity. Crew must manage watch systems, adapt sail plans, make navigation decisions in open water and operate in busy maritime environments. This is exactly the experience that builds confidence, sharpens judgment and prepares sailors for future offshore cruising, racing and professional qualifications.
For anyone serious about progressing beyond coastal sailing, offshore mile builders remain one of the fastest and most valuable learning tools available.
What Sailors Say About Us
5.0 based on 601 Happy Customers On Tripadvisor 
5.0 based on 356 Happy Customers On Google ReviewsGreat Sailing School
I've sailed with First Class quite a few times - first to get my Day Skipper and then on a few sailing trips, all of which were very enjoyable. Most recently I joined their trip from Portsmouth to Norway on a Challenger 72, which was fantastic.
Russ G
Verified Customer
Superb
I participated in the Mile Builder in April 2025. Excellent experience. Yacht was seaworthy and comfortable, victualling thoughtful, ample and tasty. Our instructor Tom was great, and I learned a lot. The land-based FCS team is really professional, friendly and efficient.
Julian J
Verified Customer
Deep Sea Challenge, blue water mile-builder
The voyage from Portsmouth to the Canaries exceeded my expectations in so many ways. It was a great blue water mile-builder and a first class preparation for Trade Winds sailing . I'd recommend it to anyone considering an ocean passage especially the ARC. A tremendous experience in every way.
Ian J
Verified Customer
Not Sure Where to Start?
Use our guides to determine your level and find suitable courses.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Need more info? Look no further.
Ready to Build Offshore Miles from Bergen to Portsmouth
This focused mile-building passage is designed for sailors who want serious offshore experience in a short time frame while developing real confidence at sea.
- Sail around 800 nautical miles of genuine offshore passage
- Experience continuous day and night watch systems
- Navigate busy commercial routes including the Dover Strait
- Sail aboard a powerful Challenger 72 offshore yacht
Professional Sailing Outfit
Booked a weekend mile builder recently with First Class Sailing. The experience was excellent from the initial booking, clear joining instructions and the preparedness of the boat and skipper. We sailed hard on our weekend and got every minute of experience we could. First Class even arranged for us to have plenty of wind! Very professional business which is imperative when offering sailing to mixed ability groups. I will definitely be sailing with them again. Thoroughly enjoyable, thank you. Arrived home shattered, wind beaten and smiling!
Abbeywiththelab
Verified Customer
Ready to Build Offshore Miles from Bergen to Portsmouth
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