Good breezes, great food and a wide choice of itineraries make Italy a perfect destination for your next sailing holiday.
Sailing holidays are the best way to discover the charm of the Italian coastline. The natural scenery is stunning, the marinas are stylish and the Italian food and wine is delicious. The sandy beaches draw the rich and famous from Europe and smart restaurants and bars flourish in the harbourside towns but your charter yacht gives you the chance to escape the crowds and relax in uncrowded anchorages and smaller authentic harbours.
Everywhere you visit you will find handmade pasta in all shapes and sizes and pizza with a wide array of toppings. Try the regional specialities of fresh fish and seafood, pork, lamb and veal - all cooked with olive oil and lemon and served with aubergines, tomatoes and peppers. On just about every street corner there's an ice cream parlour with a huge range of flavours on offer.
From Portisco on the jet-set Costa Smerelda, sail to the Maddelena Islands and Bonifacio on the south coast of Corsica. With regular flights from many UK airports, beautiful beaches and friendly locals, it is easy to see why Sardinia makes for a great sailing holiday.
We have rated this destination a 'Level 2' (levels info)
From Sant'Agata or Portorosa it's easy sailing to the Aeolian islands off the north coast of Sicily. Enjoying an evening drink onboard your yacht whilst watching the light display from active Stromboli makes for a memorable holiday.
We have rated this destination a 'Level 2' (levels info)
Renowned for its rolling countryside and grand rustic villas, Tuscany has another side to it which is just as beautiful. Get sucked into Elba's charm and explore her many bays but don't miss out on the smaller islands in the archipelago. Keen sailors may want to venture further afield and visit Corsica too.
We have rated this destination a 'Level 2' (levels info)
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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.