At Nautilus Yachting we offer a great choice of sailing holidays on yachts, catamarans and motoryachts throughout the Mediterranean, Caribbean and tropical destinations.
There are sailing holidays to suit everyone - whether you're sailing as a couple or with friends or family, whether your an experienced skipper or an eager novice - and great flexibility means your holiday is designed to suit you, not us. To plan the sailing holiday you've always dreamt of, simply click on the sailing personality you fit, to discover a world of sailing holiday choices.
Novice Skippers
Newcomers to sailing still have plenty of options to choose from. Whether you are a newly qualified Day Skipper looking for a gentle introduction to bareboat sailing, a novice sailor looking to join a flotilla sailing holiday or someone who wants to enjoy life on the water with a skipper or crew doing the hard work for you - we have what you are looking for!
Set sail for a different destination every day- without the clouds and crowds of the Solent! There's always another bay, another harbour, another island to explore. And when you arrive, step ashore for dinner in a waterfront taverna. You'll be supporting the local community and you'll feel like a traveller, not a tourist. There's always time for a swim off your yacht or a walk to a market or cliff-top view. Or just relax - there's no rush and no timetables.
Children, especially teenagers, love sailing holidays. There's so much going on afloat and ashore - it's such an adventure and no time to get bored! There's plenty they can join in as crew - plotting the course, weighing anchor, setting the sails. Swim ashore for an ice cream at the beach bar, take a trip in the dinghy to explore some caves or plan a picnic in a secluded bay. They might even turn off their i-pods and talk to you! A pirate's treasure map goes down well with younger children so they can plot the course.
We don't offer "share boat" holidays but as a single traveller you are welcome on the shared learn to sail yachts in Greece and Gibraltar where you can learn to sail or refresh your sailing skills. With an RYA instructor onboard to make sure everyone takes a turn, you'll soon be making new sailing friends.
"We had a super week in Corfu. The Sun Charter staff were excellent, being both friendly and helpful. Our brand new yacht was in very good and clean condition and was quite comfortable for the four of us on board. We had great weather, warm sunshine and with good winds - the sails were out for the best part of each day.
I would like to thank all at Nautilus and also Sun Charter for the hassle free booking and all the useful help and tips provided, it was our first time booking a bareboat charter but definitely not the last!"
Call our knowledgeable sailing specialists for the latest advice and recommendations on the sailing areas most suited to you.
Let's talk later
Arrange a call back from one of our specialists (Mon-Fri: 0900-1730).
Sailing Qualifications
To skipper a bareboat charter or flotilla yacht, you need to hold a practical sailing certificate equivalent to RYA Day Skipper Practical qualification or RYA International Certificate of Competence (ICC). For charters in Greece, you must now have the ICC certificate. You must also be assisted by at least one competent crew member over the age of 18.
The port authorities in Greece are now insisting on one of the following practical certificates: RYA ICC (International Certificate of Competence), RYA Coastal, RYA Yachtmaster, ASA IPC (International Proficiency Certificate) or the IYT (International Yacht Training) Passport. If you hold an RYA Day Skipper or ASA104 it will no longer be accepted and you need to obtain either an ICC or IPC from the corresponding issuing body (RYA or ASA). If your RYA Coastal/Yachtmaster or ASA105/106 certificate is more than 12 years old and does not have a photo ID, then we would also strongly advise applying for an ICC or IPC. If you are a member of the RYA or ASA, you may qualify for a discount or free certificate, otherwise, you will have to pay. The approximate cost is £50. Please use this link - RYA application for the ICC or ASA application for the IPC.
For charters in Croatia, Malta and the Canaries, at least one member of the crew or the skipper will also need a VHF licence.
RYA qualifications can be obtained by RYA sailing schools in the UK or alternatively choose from one of our overseas centres in Gibraltar, Greece or Turkey.
For Seychelles, the local authorities require an ICC for the skipper of a bareboat or flotilla yacht charter.
For Caribbean and Tropical charters, formal qualifications are not compulsory, however, you should be Day Skipper standard and be assisted by at least one competent crew. A brief sailing resume should be provided to outline your experience.
If you don't hold the relevant qualifications then why not add a skipper?
Sailing Levels
Level 1
Winds force 2-3 (4-11 Knots)combined with generally shorter distances. Good for beginner or intermediate sailors. Line-of-sight navigation but basic knowledge of charts and ability to plot your position required.
Level 2
Winds force 3-5 (7-21 Knots) with approximately 15-20nm per day. Intermediate experience required. Predominately line of sight navigation but an understanding of how to sail in open water.
Level 3
Winds force 4-6 (11-27 Knots) with mileage of approximately 20nm+ per day. Ideal for experienced skippers looking to venture out to new destinations. Day skipper standard but with experienced crew would be recommended.
