Sailing Holidays for Non-Sailors

• What are my options for a sailing holiday if I have little or no sailing experience?
• Crewed sailing holidays
• Skippered yacht charters
• Cabin charters
• RYA sailing courses
• Where can I go on a sailing holiday if I have little or no sailing experience?
• Who can go on a sailing holiday?
• When is the best time of year to go on a sailing holiday?
• What do I need to pack for a sailing holiday?
• What can I expect from a sailing holiday?

There is nothing quite like the feel of being out on the open water, the sun on your skin and the wind gently blowing through your hair.

Here at Nautilus, we believe this feeling should be experienced by all and not only those in possession of a sailing license. That is why we offer a whole range of sailing holidays which are suitable for those who have little or no sailing experience!

Our range of fully crewed yachts, skippered bareboat charters, cabin charters and RYA Learn to sail courses ensure that no one is left out and that you too can experience the joys of a sailing holiday!

What are my options for a sailing holiday if I have little or no sailing experience?

We have several different options for you if you are looking to experience a sailing holiday, but have little or no prior sailing experience. Take a look at our options below to find your perfect sailing holiday.

1. Crewed Sailing Holidays

A holiday of a lifetime! Charter a luxury yacht, catamaran or even a traditional gulet with friends or family and experience the true delight of spending time on the water with a professional crew.

Zero experience is needed to set sail on our Caribbean or Mediterranean crewed yacht charters as your friendly crew will take care of all the sailing and route planning whilst also providing delicious meals for you to eat onboard.

A crewed yacht charter enables you to experience the best the area has to offer whilst travelling in pure style and luxury.

2. Skippered Yacht Charters

Nautilus offers bareboat yacht charters in dozens of locations worldwide, from Mediterranean yacht charters to sailing holidays in the Caribbean and Tropics, and in each one of our sailing areas you can add a skipper to your bareboat charter.

Skippered yacht charters give you the freedom to choose the exact location, dates and yacht to suit you and your crew whilst having a professional skipper join you onboard to take care of the day-to-day sailing.

A sailing holiday has never been so easy! Add a skipper to your bareboat charter today.

3. Cabin Charters

Cabin charters are a sociable option for individuals or couples looking to experience a relaxing sailing holiday with all the benefits of a crewed yacht but with a smaller price tag.

Share the yacht with other like-minded travellers, island-hopping and taking in a new destination each day.

A professional crew of skipper and hostess take care of the sailing, following a pre-determined sailing route to make the most of your time on the water. Delicious food is prepared and served onboard, to be enjoyed whilst relaxing with new friends.

Most cabin charter yachts are spacious catamarans featuring double ensuite cabins, with plenty of space up on deck for dining, sunbathing and relaxing.

Choose from cabin charters in Greece, Croatia, Spain, Italy and the British Virgin Islands

4. RYA Sailing Courses

RYA Learn to Sail courses are the ideal option for newcomers to sailing who are keen to get some experience under their belt and gain the necessary qualifications to skipper their own yacht on a future sailing holiday.

RYA sailing schools in Gibraltar, Greece, Croatia and Dubai offer a range of sailing courses including Competent Crew, Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper. No previous experience is necessary - speak to one of our team about which course will be most suitable for you.

Where can I go on a sailing holiday if I have little or no sailing experience?

Newcomers to sailing or those trying out a sailing holiday for the first time have just as many options for sailing holiday and yacht charter destinations as those with sailing qualifications and experience.

Depending on which type of sailing holiday is your ideal getaway, we have sailing holiday options in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, as well as in Tropical destinations.

Crewed Yacht Charters – You can experience the ultimate luxury holiday in several different locations worldwide. Perhaps the most popular destination for crewed yacht charters is the Caribbean, with many of the luxury yachts being based in the British Virgin Islands.

For a different and traditional experience, why not try a Turkish Gulet charter? The pretty, wooden motorsailors meander along the coast of Turkey, stopping in picturesque bays and can accommodate up to 20 guests.

Crewed yachts and catamarans are also available in Greece, one of the top sailing destinations in the world.

Skippered Yacht Charters - You can add a skipper to any bareboat charter in any of our destinations worldwide. Whether you fancy beach hopping in the Caribbean, relaxing in paradise lagoons in Tahiti or visiting bustling seaside towns in Italy, you have the freedom to choose your perfect sailing holiday destination and add a skipper to your charter to take care of the sailing for you.

Cabin Charters – We currently offer cabin charters in the British Virgin Islands, Italy, Croatia, Greece and Spain. Experience the top sailing destination in the Caribbean or opt for a Mediterranean getaway and sail the Amalfi Coast or Sardinia, the Saronic Gulf in Greece or island hop in Croatia, setting sail from Split.

RYA Sailing Courses – You can choose from sailing courses in Gibraltar, Croatia, Greece or Dubai. A variety of RYA courses are offered in each of the sailing school destinations, giving you the ability to choose a location that is most appealing for you and fits with the time of year you want to complete your training.

Who can go on a sailing holiday?

Sailing holidays are suitable for almost everyone.

Most of the RYA training centres have options available for those from 12 years of age.

Certain sailing destinations are more suitable for younger members of the family, such as the Ionian in Greece and the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. We have more information on sailing with children here.

Skippered and Crewed Sailing holidays are suitable for families, couples and groups of friends alike.

When is the best time of year to go on a sailing holiday?

We are proud to offer a fantastic selection of exciting sailing holiday destinations worldwide. Specific sailing destinations have their own peak and off-peak times to travel so depending on your preferred destination, we will be able to tell you the recommended time of year to travel.

For Mediterranean sailing holidays, the ideal time to visit is between April and October, with the peak season being the summer months of July and August. During these months you will generally have daytime temperatures of 26-30°C and all restaurants and top attractions will be open and alive with activity. For a quieter or cooler holiday in the Mediterranean, consider travelling in the shoulder seasons of May/June or September/October.

The ideal time for a Caribbean sailing holiday is between December and April. This is the peak season in the Caribbean and also the dry season. The hurricane season falls between June and October and is generally best avoided.

For Tropical destinations, we have options no matter what time of year you would like to travel. Thailand experiences its dry season from December to April, whilst in the Seychelles and Tahiti the dry season runs from May to October. The best time of year for sailing in Mexico is mid-February to late June or mid-October to late December. A sailing holiday in the Whitsundays is best taken during the Australian summer months of December, January or February, although spring and autumn can also be lovely times to sail in Australia.

What do I need to pack for a sailing holiday?

Although you can expect to pack much of the same items that you would ordinarily pack for a land-based holiday, there are some exceptions and certain items that will make your time sailing more comfortable and enjoyable.

Our first piece of advice to anyone embarking on a sailing holiday is to travel with a soft-sided bag rather than a hard suitcase. This is because storage space onboard the yachts is limited so once unpacked, bags need to be able to folded down small in order to be stored away for the duration of your charter.

Sun hat, polarised sunglasses and marine-safe sun cream are all essentials on a yacht charter to ensure you are protected from the sun during peak hours.

A lightweight rain jacket for any unexpected downpours or tropical showers whilst sailing.

For more suggestions on things to take with you on a sailing holiday, read our article ‘5 Useful Items to Pack for your next Sailing Holiday’ and take a look at the section 'What should I take with me on my yachting holiday?' in our FAQs.

What can I expect from a sailing holiday?

No matter what type of sailing holiday you choose or the destination which takes your fancy, a yacht charter holiday is an exciting and adventure-filled holiday that you will not forget in a hurry.

Waking up in a new destination each day and having the freedom to explore countless beaches, bays, islands, towns and villages during a single holiday is just one of the things that makes a sailing holiday special.

Visiting some of the world’s top destinations from the water gives you a unique perspective and enables you to visit some incredible destinations that are not accessible by land.

Sailing holidays can be private and secluded or sociable and packed with activity and lively seaside towns. A sailing holiday can be tailor-made to suit your needs and we are here to make that process easy and stress-free.

Whether you are looking for pure luxury or want to start out on your journey to becoming a seasoned skipper, Nautilus Yachting has an option to suit you. Speak to one of our team members today and come and experience the joys of a sailing holiday!