About Meridian Expeditions
Inspiring you to explore by land and sea
A small company with a big heart for the outdoors
We are Meridian Expeditions. As your two only crew members, we offer intimate, hands-on sailing adventures along Norway's wild West Coast. We combine the freedom of life at sea with the joy of exploring from coast to coast, land to sea, fjord to mountain top.
We believe travel should feel meaningful, not rushed or mass-produced. That's why we sail with small groups, choose wind over engines, and work closely with local producers and guides. Every expedition is designed to bring you closer to nature, culture, and the quiet magic of life at sea. Our journeys are slow, sustainable, and deeply connected to the landscapes and people who make this coast extraordinary.
The name Meridian reflects how we travel, guided by both exploration and the flow of energy. Like the meridians on a map, it traces paths of discovery; within us, it speaks to the natural currents that keep us balanced, present, and connected to the world around us.
Join us on an unforgettable journey where you’ll feel Norway, not just see it.
Our story
Meridian Expeditions is run by us, Fergus and Thea. The seed for this company was planted years ago, at the very beginning of our adventures together, though it took a while, and a lot of miles, to take shape.
In the years before Meridian, we sailed more than ten thousand nautical miles together, crossed fourteen borders, and lived aboard our tiny floating home, Svanen, a 31ft Hallberg-Rassy Monsun. For a full year, she carried us along the coastlines between Norway and Greece.
When we returned home and left Svanen winterised in Greece, we knew we weren't ready to leave that life behind. Along the way we'd shared countless evenings on board with guests, and we wanted to keep doing it properly, with our own boat, on our own terms.
That's when S/Y Meridian came into our lives. A boat with the space to carry not only the two of us but new people too, equipped and ready for the kind of expeditions we'd dreamt about. To mark the new beginning, we named the company after her.
The team
Meet the crew
Fergus Arthur Ogden
The skipper
A lifelong sailor with thousands of nautical miles behind him, Fergus is a licensed expedition skipper with deep experience along Norway’s rugged coastline.
He is happiest at the helm, reading the weather off the West Coast, picking out a sheltered anchorage, or teaching a first-time guest how to trim a sail.
Calm, capable, and patient, he brings a quiet confidence to every passage. He'll know which fjord is sheltered when the wind turns, which harbour serves the best coffee in the morning, and exactly when to put the kettle on.
Thea Leonora Bjørgan Folkestad
The guide
A photographer who fell in love with the rhythm of boat life: the quiet mornings, the wild weather, the small coastal communities you only reach by sea.
On board, Thea is the one shaping the day's hike, sharing the story behind the village you've just walked into, and making sure the galley smells like something good is on its way. She brings warmth, creativity, and a love for storytelling to every trip. It's the small details that turn a sailing holiday into something you remember for years.
Contact us
Have a question, an idea for a trip, or just want to say hello?
Drop us a line and we'll get back to you as soon as we're back on shore.
S/Y Meridian, our floating home
Meridian was built in Fredrikstad, Norway, in 1994 according to drawings from the MaritimeMuseum of Colin Archer’s RS 22. The original designs by Colin Archer were made for rescuework along the Norwegian coast and polar expeditions. Meridian is just under 15 metres longand 5 metres wide, with a deep hull. She is seaworthy and can handle all kinds of “vær og vind” (weather and wind).
With a cruising speed of 7 knots, she's not slow, and with wind in her sails, she moveseffortlessly through the water, allowing her crew to immerse themselves in the spectacularnature and scenery of the Norwegian coast. What makes Meridian special isn't just her sailingability, but her proven track record. For the past 10 years, Meridian has been used as a base forresearchers on Svalbard carrying out fieldwork on Arctic marine mammals.
Meridian can take those who seek to hidden gems, tranquil bays, and places where the crowds cannot reach, while being a floating base to ski untouched lines, hike beautiful ridgelines, and dive into life at sea.
Her wide beam and large deck area provides plenty of space for sitting outside and enjoyingsome sun at anchor or while gently cruising through the Fjords. While down below, her spaciousinterior means that even on rainy days there is space for everyone to sit around the table,sharing stories, playing games, enjoying meals, or having a well-earned drink.
Meridian was not built to sit in a marina; she was built to be sailed, and for conditions andexperiences most boats can only dream of. Yet, her modifications and equipment provide for alevel of comfort that allows self-sufficiency for weeks in remote areas. A water maker means wecan produce fresh drinking water daily, a hot shower to refresh you after a long day, the pyrostove and heating system to keep the boat cozy and warm even on the coldest days, fridge andfreezer to keep our food fresh, and a spacious sitting area to relax and socialise.