The Mediterranean is a dream location for a family sailing holiday with thousands of miles of beautiful coastline and some of the most spectacular islands in the world. In many areas of the Mediterranean, the summer months provide fabulous sailing conditions alongside the long, sun-filled days, making a holiday on the water the ultimate memory-making family holiday.

• What makes a sailing holiday a great family holiday?

• The best family-friendly Mediterranean sailing destinations

• Tips for sailing holidays for families with children

What makes a sailing holiday a great family holiday?

• A time to reconnect. In today’s busy world where many of us are spending long stretches of the day away from our families due to work, school, university, social commitments, hobbies etc, it is invaluable to have time together to regroup and reconnect. A family sailing holiday is the ultimate way to do that by spending time taking part in an active holiday that is fun for all the family. Working together to plan your sailing route, sharing lunch on board whilst anchored in a beautiful bay, jumping into the turquoise waters to explore the vast array of marine life or playing cards late into the evening are all fantastic bonding experiences to share with your family.
• Something to keep everyone happy. One of the best aspects of a sailing holiday is the fact that you get to explore a different destination each day without the need to pack up all your belongings. We all know that each member of a family can have different interests and preferences and one of the beautiful things about a family sailing holiday is that these interests and preferences can be provided for. One family member’s ideal day may be sailing to a remote island to pass the time reading books on the beach, sunbathing and swimming undisturbed in crystal clear waters, however the next day you may head to an atmospheric seaside town for shopping and a lively evening wining and dining. Another day you may be visiting local historic sites, party islands or waterfalls. There really is something for everyone on a family sailing holiday in the Mediterranean!
• No time to get bored! With so much going on afloat and ashore there will be no time for your children or teenagers to get bored! A sailing holiday is a fantastic adventure holiday and there is plenty the kids can get involved in as crew - plotting the course, weighing anchor, setting the sails. Swim ashore for an ice cream from the beach bar, take a trip in the dinghy to explore some caves or plan a picnic in a secluded bay.
• Excellent value and so convenient. Your yacht provides self-contained accommodation with plenty of cabins for everyone. Every night you'll be in the best harbourside location or in your own secluded anchorage - a different place to discover every day. It's the ultimate multi-centre holiday without all the packing and unpacking! All the yachts have a fridge and cooker onboard and self-catering for breakfast, lunch and snacks helps keep the costs down, especially if you have hungry kids onboard.
• Flotillas are great fun for kids and adults alike. During the school holidays, our flotilla holidays in Greece, Croatia and Turkey are incredibly popular with families with children of varying ages. A family flotilla sailing holiday still gives you plenty of valuable family-time but also, with many other children on the flotilla, the chances are your kids will be making friends in no time and enjoying their sailing adventure to the fullest.

The best family-friendly Mediterranean sailing destinations

The Ionian Islands, Greece

One of the top sailing areas in Greece for an array of different sailors but the Southern Ionian is particularly popular with families. The light winds, short hops & calm seas make sailing with children in the Ionian a comfortable and enjoyable experience. There are so many islands to choose from, all with stunning landscapes and charming atmospheres. There is no shortage of things to do and see in the Ionian, with plenty to keep the whole crew happy. Anchor in secluded bays for refreshing swim stops or beach picnics, take the dinghy to explore fascinating caves, hike coastal trails for incredible views or wander the cobbled streets of the seaside towns to shop for local products before dining on delicious locally-caught fish in a waterfront taverna. The Ionian flotilla from Palairos offers easy sailing for families.

Fethiye Bay, Turkey

The Turquoise Coast of Turkey is renowned for its tranquil sailing and the Fethiye Bay area especially provides great sheltered sailing and fantastic swimming which is ideal for families. There are so many fascinating spots along this coastline including ancient sites like the Lycian rock tombs and the ruins of Kaunos which make excellent trips for children and teenagers. Nature-lovers will appreciate the waterfalls, mud baths and thermal springs, not to mention the chance to see dolphins and turtles! Should you want to explore this area in company, join the Fethiye flotilla which runs from May to October and is a family-friendly flotilla which gives access to this unspoilt area.

Dalmatian Coast, Croatia

The variety of sailing in Croatia is startling and many sailors return again and again to experience a different part of this beautiful country. A great selection of yachts means that you can find the perfect vessel for your family holiday and set sail from one of the many yacht charter bases along the Croatian coastline. For a memorable family sailing holiday, start your charter from Split or Sibenik from where you can choose to explore the raw and natural Kornati National Park with its traditional islands and diverse marine life or the larger islands south of Split for rich Croatian culture and bustling nightlife. The summer months generally see lighter winds and the easy distances appeal to families. Our Dalmatian flotilla runs throughout June, July and September and alternates two different sailing routes, exploring some of the top places to visit in Croatia, not to mention discovering some true hidden gems!

The Sporades Islands, Greece

Families with teenagers love the mix of sleepy seaside villages, busy towns and deserted islands that can be found in the Sporades. Fresh sailing winds keep the sailing exciting and adventurous with plenty of beautiful and secluded anchorages to relax and reset. Stunning islands abound here and the National Marine Park of Alonissos is not only a haven for rare flora and fauna but is also home to a large population of Mediterranean seals.

Saronic Gulf, Greece

Athens is a top destination for yacht charters in Greece and is easily accessible with daily flights into Athens airport. Many families like to combine their sailing holiday with a few days ashore either before or after their yacht charter to explore this fascinating city. A large selection of yachts are available from Athens so choosing the best yacht for your family is an easy task. Choose from both monohull and catamaran charters from Athens depending on your preference. The area provides reliable sailing with an abundance of history and culture thrown in. Once you set sail, you would never know that you were so close the Greece’s capital. These Greek islands have bustling cosmopolitan towns, ancient temples, Byzantine castles, traditional fishing harbours and picturesque anchorages.

Tips for sailing holidays for families with children

Pack wisely

Some items are invaluable when travelling with children. Here are a few items we recommend taking with you on your family sailing holiday –

• Marine safe sunscreen
• Sun protective clothing
• Sunhats with chin straps to prevent them blowing away
• Books, colouring books, activity books, card games or travel games
• Lifejackets for children under 7. Lifejackets for emergency use are provided on all charter yachts and you should check that you have children’s jackets before you leave the marina. For anyone under 7, we recommend taking their own lifejacket that fits and that he/she likes wearing.
• Rubber rings and armbands. Rubber rings can be safer than armbands for swimming in the sea off the yacht. Even once children can swim confidently, it is still recommended that they wear their lifejackets when snorkelling.
• Mosquito repellent
• Reusable water bottle

Sailing with children

A sailing holiday can be a fantastic family holiday with children of all ages and a few tips and tricks can result in an even more enjoyable holiday for all. A few of our recommendations for sailing with children are -

• Don’t be too ambitious with your passage planning. Try to stop for lunchtime swimming and continue in the afternoon, allowing passages of about 2-3 hours at a time.
• Ensure you have plenty of snacks onboard for quick and easy meals when the kids require them! Fruit, hard boiled eggs, sandwiches, crackers etc are all easy items to have on board.
• Give children sailing tasks to keep their interest. Steering towards a point on the headline or on a compass setting, spotting buoys, tending the dinghy, recording the ship’s log. Get them practising their knots!
• Look out for dolphins and turtles! Spotting the local wildlife is a real treat for kids and is a great way to keep them amused whilst sailing.
• Include plenty of their activities of choice. In the planning stages of your sailing holiday, research the sailing area and start to plan your route. Discuss your preferences as a family and ensure that everyone has an input with the route and activity planning. Including the children in the holiday planning means everyone's needs are met and is a great way for them to learn more about the area you are visiting.

To find your perfect family sailing holiday in the Mediterranean, use our online search function 'Search & Book' to check availability, hold yachts and even book your holiday all online. Alternatively, fill out an enquiry form with your preferences and a member of our sales team will provide you with a personalised quote.