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 destinations to suit everyone - whether you're 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 desination you'd like, to discover a world of sailing holiday choices.
Mediterranean
There's something for everyone in the Mediterranean from the gentle breezes of the Ionian to the exhilarating sailing round Corsica and Sardinia. A sailing holiday is the only way to get away from the crowds and discover the hidden beauty and charm of these countries. There's such a variety of anchorages from secret coves to wide sheltered bays, from pretty fishing villages to modern marinas. Unwind in a waterfront taverna and plan which island to visit tomorrow.
If you're looking for somewhere new to explore on your sailing holiday, why not try one of these exciting destinations outside the Mediterranean. Brittany is a charming destination that will test your knowledge of tides and Tenerife has some exciting strong wind sailing all year round. Sweden offers easy sailing out of Stockholm and Gotenborg but only in the peak summer months.
With so many tropical islands to explore, sailing has to be the best way to discover the real Caribbean. Anchor off your own white sandy beach. Dive into warm turquoise seas to snorkel among the rainbow colours of a coral reef. Relax with a rum punch sundowner on the deck of your yacht while you watch another glorious sunset.
Expand your horizons and sail in these tropical cruising areas in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. They are worth making a special trip or you can include a yacht charter in a longer holiday to the Far East or Australia. We can arrange flights, hotels, car hire, whatever you need to make your dream holiday come true.
"Brilliant week, if a bit mixed on the weather front! Some great sailing though too! Everybody at the charter base were amazing - they couldn't do enough for us. Everything else about the boat, the holiday, the service was all excellent too! "
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.
