Learn to sail vacation for beginners

September 07, 2023 8 min

All around the world there are treasures to discover, hidden gems to uncover and lifelong memories to make. Going on a learn to sail vacation abroad gives you the unique opportunity to visit idyllic islands and experience the world in a completely new way.

If you’re wanting to try something new, looking for an adventure or trying to gain a new skill, a beginner’s sailing vacation offers one of the most exciting challenges you could think of. Whether you’re a complete novice who’s never seen the inside of a yacht or have only been sailing once or twice, say yes to stepping out of your comfort zone and reap the rewards.

To help you understand the steps involved in preparing for your first ever yacht charter, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide which looks at why you should book a learn to sail vacation, the best first-time charter destinations, how to learn to sail, and what yacht you should set sail on.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s learn to sail together.

Why book a learn to sail vacation?

Whether you’re a family looking for a new adventure, someone who wants to shake up everyday life, or a couple planning your next romantic escape, learning to sail and heading on a beginner’s sailing vacation provides endless opportunities for fun. We couldn’t possibly list all the benefits of booking a learn to sail vacation which is why we’ve put together our top 5:

Sailing can be fantastic for your mental health and wellbeing as you’re out in the fresh air, disconnecting from the world, relaxing by the serene water and exercising (if you take part in water activities).
Learning a new skill is an incredible accomplishment that you can be proud of, particularly if you have never set sail on a yacht before.
Learning to sail opens up countless opportunities to enjoy unique experiences that you wouldn’t normally encounter. You will be able to take the helm and discover beautiful islands, vibrant cultures, delicious food and so much more.
We think that learning to sail abroad is a real challenge that can bring you out of your comfort zone.
A yacht charter blends relaxation with adventure, so learning to sail offers you the chance to enjoy a mix of both.

For even more reasons that you should consider a sailing vacation for beginners, take a look at our recent blog on why you should book a private yacht charter.

Where are the best sailing vacation for beginners?

With so many incredible destinations around the world, where will you find the best sailing vacations for beginners? On your very first yacht charter, you’ll want to choose destinations that have easier sailing conditions and are not prone to high tides or particularly turbulent weather. Some of our top choices for first-time sailing vacations include:

From smooth sailing conditions to incredible weather, each of these beginner sailing destinations stands out as one of the best places to learn to sail. Will your first sailing vacation take you to the sensational beaches of Thailand? Perhaps you’ll end up island hopping around the British Virgin Islands or on a stunning sailing vacation for beginners in Greece. Whether you learn to sail in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Americas or Exotics, we know you’ll have the time of your life.

Once you’ve got a destination in mind, it’s always important to check the sailing season for that particular location as many places are not suitable for sailing all year-around. For example, our charter base in Sicily is closed during the Winter months as the sailing conditions are not optimal. Equally, some may be better if you want a Winter getaway such as Antigua in the Caribbean.

How to Learn to Sail before you go

There’s no feeling quite like setting sail on a bareboat charter and guiding yourself around sensational islands, whether you’re in the Seychelles, Key West or Greece. Bareboat yacht charters allow you to enjoy a sense of privacy and complete freedom as you take the helm and put your newfound sailing skills to good use.

To be able to enjoy a bareboat yacht charter, you need to have met specific requirements and have a certain level of sailing skills before you cast off. This is to ensure your safety and make sure you feel both comfortable and confident cruising around the open waters.

When it comes to sailing requirements, every destination is different. Some may have no specific entry criteria, whereas others could require you to have specific qualifications. It’s important to note that many destinations will have different requirements depending on whether you’re intending on booking a power charter or regular sailing charter. Out of our list of the best first-time sailing destinations, you need to meet the following requirements:

Whether you’re on a beginner’s sailing vacation in Croatia, Greece or beyond, when you book an idyllic yacht charter with The Moorings, you’ll also need to complete a sailing resume or power resume before you can climb aboard on our state-of-the-art yachts. By doing so, we’ll be able to easily and quickly assess your skill level and let you know which destinations you’re qualified to visit.

From the second you fill out your form, you learn to sail vacation begins. You’ll know exactly what qualifications you need to be able to enjoy the yacht charter of your dreams which means you can start the journey of learning. It might be that you’re a complete sailing novice with no prior experience, or that you’ve sailed once before but need to brush up on your knowledge.

Whatever your needs, why not learn to sail abroad with Offshore Sailing School, the official partner of The Moorings. They’ll teach you everything you need to learn about sailing the open waters and prepare you for an iconic sailing vacation. Heading to Croatia for the trip of a lifetime and need to learn to sail before you go? Step up to the challenge with our RYA Motor Cruising Course in Marina Agana.

Skippered and Crewed yacht charters for beginners

The best part about learning to sail? If you don’t feel ready to take the helm by yourself, you can hire a skipper for all or part of your vacation. As long as you’re qualified, you can take over at any time under the watchful eye of an experienced skipper who can give you tips and advice.

Skippered charters are ideal if it’s your first ever time sailing the open waters. It takes the stress out of sailing by giving you the chance to relax and unwind up on deck whenever you’d like, and then stepping in to try your hand at being a skipper when you feel ready.

Love the idea of having a skipper show you the ropes but feeling ready to navigate your way around your chosen destination by yourself? If you book your first yacht charter with The Moorings, we can provide you with a complimentary Moorings “Friendly Skipper” who will join you for up to a half-day on the first day of your trip at no additional cost.

If you haven’t been sailing before and are considering whether to learn to sail or not, live a life of luxury on a crewed yacht charter and get a taste for sea life before learning to sail. You’ll be joined by a dedicated crew of skippers, chefs and housekeepers who will tend to your every need while you relax and soak up the golden sun on a unique sailing vacation for beginners.

Choose the best yacht for learning to sail

Once you’ve gained the necessary experience to sail the open waters with confidence, it’s time to look stylish while doing it. By this, we mean you can then choose the type of yacht you want to gain valuable sailing skills on. In most cases, you’ll have an option of sailing on a sailing catamaran, monohull or power catamaran.

Each of our sensational yacht types have many benefits for first-time sailors getting to grips with the world of sailing:

Sailing Catamarans – Modern and stylish, you’ll look as cool as you feel when you take to the helm for the first time. Designed with performance in mind, you’ll cruise through the waves and live your best sailing life when you climb aboard a catamaran for the first time.
Monohulls – A key part of sailing history, monohulls are the classic yacht that every sailor knows and loves. There’s no better way to start your sailing experience than on a monohull. High-performing and sleek, monohulls are ideal for beginners.
Power Catamarans – Add extra style and class to beginners sailing vacation by hiring one of our world-class power catamarans. Powerful, fast and incredibly smooth, there’s no better first-time sailing companion than a power catamaran.

If you’re planning your first sailing vacation after learning to sail, get in touch to discuss your yacht options.

What do I need to know before I go on a sailing vacation for beginners?

Learning to sail on vacation is exciting, thrilling and, most importantly, fun. However, we understand that, before you learn to sail abroad and head on the adventure of a lifetime, you’re bound to have plenty of questions. To help you understand more about sailing vacations, we’ve put together some quick-fire FAQs.

How much does a sailing vacation for beginners cost?

A sailing vacation will vary in cost depending on a range of factors, such as:

Where you want to visit
How long you plan on going for
What type of charter you want
Which yacht you use
What time of year you book
What your itinerary looks like (the more things you have planned in, the more it will cost)
Whether you need to gain any qualifications before you set sail

Take a look at our incredible sailing destinations and head to individual locations to build a quote and find out how much your learn to sail vacation might cost.

How long should you book a learn to sail vacation for?

It’s up to you how long you live life on the open waters for. If this is your first time sailing, you may choose to go for slightly longer so that you can get to grips with being a skipper. The more trips, excursions and activities you have planned in your itinerary will also inform how long you might want to book for. We think 1-2 weeks is the ideal amount of time for a beautiful yacht charter.

Is a beginner’s sailing vacation suitable for children/families?

Absolutely. Family sailing vacation is very popular because there’s countless opportunities for fun and adventure. Also, there’s a variety of things to do, from relaxing on the beach to snorkeling in the sea which means there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Learn more about sailing with a baby in our recent blog.

What can you do on a sailing vacation for beginners?

We couldn’t possibly list every single amazing thing you can expect to get up to on your first sailing vacation. Once you’ve learned to sail, the world is your oyster. Your destination will depend on what you’ll get up to as there are bound to be must-visit places in every location, such as The Baths on Virgin Gorda, Big Major Cay in the Bahamas and the Acropolis in Athens.

On any yacht charter, you can expect to:

Island hop
Visit beaches and coves only accessible by boat
Taste delicious food and drink
Embrace local culture
Learn about local history
Visit ancient ruins, museums and other monuments
Enjoy various water activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking

What do you need to pack?

Find out everything thats included in your yacht charter to help you create a perfected packing lsit.

Your packing list will depend on where you’re planning on booking your yacht charter as each location may require different clothing, weather protection, and documents. Checkout our BVI packing list or Caribbean packing list as an example.

To get you started, here’s a list of the top 10 things you MUST pack when heading on your first sailing vacation:

Documents including passports, visas, charter applications and booking confirmations
Sunblock and other sun protection
Swimwear
Comfortable footwear
Weather-appropriate clothing depending on your destination
Money in the currency of your chosen destination – on a beginner’s sailing vacation in Croatia, you will need Euros, whereas Thailand requires Thai Baht.
Waterproof clothing
Toiletries
Games
Scuba diving/snorkeling equipment

Got any other questions about your beginner’s sailing vacation? Contact us today and a member of our friendly team will be more than happy to help.