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Day 1SaturdayanemptytextllineEmbark in our home port of Korfos
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Day 2Sunday
Palaia Epidavros
anemptytextllinePalaia Epidavros or Palaia Epidauros is a small town in the Argolis prefecture of the Peloponnese. Today also called Archaia Epidauros, it is built in the same place where was located the ancient city of Epidauros, on top of and surrounding a small peninsula between two bays, on the coast of the Saronic gulf -
Day 3Monday
Hydra
anemptytextlline(34 nm) Donkeys are the only traffic on this beautiful island, a favourite hide away of Leonard Cohen, back in the day -
Day 4Tuesday
Island of Spetses
anemptytextllineThe island stands out for its stunning architecture and abundant elegance, mainly observed in its main town. That is because of the Venetian mansions and the excellent boutique hotels that combine traditional with modern elements in a unique way. -
Day 5Wednesday
Nafplion
anemptytextllineBeing one of the most picturesque and romantic cities in Greece, Nafplio is absolutely worth visiting -
Day 6Thursday
Porto Heli
anemptytextlline(22 nm) Porto Heli is a fantastic bay, forming a safe, natural harbour. -
Day 7Friday
Poros
anemptytextlline(30 nm) A yachting town though and through, boasting lots of charm & character.There's a lively waterfront & a maze of narrow streets to explore. -
Day 8Saturday
Kithnos
anemptytextlline(44 nm) An early start and hopefully a cracking open water sail east to Kithnos -
Day 9Sunday
Kithnos, Loutra
anemptytextlline(12nm) After a long day yesterday, a quick hop round to Loutra, and perhaps a dip in the hot springs -
Day 10Monday
Kea Korissia
anemptytextlline(22 nm) North to Kea, and into Korissia for a beer and some herby wood toasted bread and anchovies...well, for starters -
Day 11Tuesday
Kea Vourkari
anemptytextlline(1 nm) Its an epic journey today...or stay put and explore the interior of the island...relax after some busy days on the water -
Day 12Wednesday
Lavrion
anemptytextlline(16nm) Into our winter base in the rejuvenated town of Lavrion. Farewell meal near the fish market is a must -
Day 13Thursday
Aegina
anemptytextlline(36 nm) Famous for its Pistachios and a regular haunt of the Athenians -
Day 14Friday
Korfos
anemptytextlline(15 nm) Back to our winter home and a farewell meal.
Teaching you how to skipper yachts of 50ft plus
Taking your family or group of friends out on a sailing trip in the comfort of a larger yacht with plenty of space for all and with extra comforts such as en-suite cabins, a generator and air conditioning is something most of us have thought about. Arguably, such creature comforts are just what you need to tempt ‘land lubbers’ who have yet to experience the sheer joy of sailing and exploring on a yacht to give sailing a go. On the other hand, if you have not sailed and skippered a large yacht before, it can be a pretty daunting prospect.
This is a 7 night course in total, run on an Ocean Star 51.1, a classic big yacht with 4 en suite guest cabins plus a skipper / instructor cabin, and is fitted with a generator, air-conditioning, bow-thruster plus all the usual electronics and instrumentation.
From £995 per person
Courses
Sailing Area
Training Yacht
Dates & Prices
Sail & Stay
Course Details
Our “Big Yacht Course” is aimed at the skipper who has experience on smaller yachts but aspires to bigger, and aims to build your confidence and enhance your skippering skills in a number of areas. This course is suitable for RYA Day or Coastal Skippers, or those with an ICC or other suitable national qualification. Ideally you will have 4-5 weeks of charter experience, whether on flotilla or bareboat charter.
Syllabus
- Handling and close-quarters maneuvering including correct use of the bow-thruster
- Anchoring and mooring techniques including Mediterranean stern-to mooring
- Advanced sail trim in a range of conditions from light airs to heavy weather
- Managing an inexperienced crew and ensuring they get the best out of the experience
- Looking after your charter yacht, understanding the systems on board plus basic do’s and don’ts
- Basics on trouble shooting and ‘on the go’ fixes
- Choosing the right yacht for your party
Next Steps
We hope that once you have been on this course, you’ll have the relevant experience to be able to charter larger yachts, whether that be with family or friends as part of a flotilla or perhaps try a bareboat charter in that bucket-list destination. We can, of course, advise you on the best choices for your next charter.
Sailing Area
Initially we will be running this course from our base in Korfos in the Saronic Gulf – and ideal point from which to explore the Saronic / Argolic Gulfs, as well as the northern Cyclades. The area provides higher volumes of marine traffic, greater sailing distances, bigger seas and more variable wind conditions, perfect to push your skills, gain confidence and broaden your horizons.
Weather & Sailing Conditions
The Saronic Gulf provides ideal sailing conditions for most of the year, with moderate winds and calm seas. The prevailing winds are generally westerly or southwesterly, creating consistent sailing conditions. However, during the summer months, the Meltemi, a strong northerly wind, can occasionally bring choppy waters. Water temperatures stay warm enough to swim until the end of December.
Highlights
The Yacht
Our Ocean Star yachts are perfectly suited for training to sail a larger yacht. With their modern navigation and safety equipment, these licensed charter yachts provide a safe and comfortable journey. Offering two double and two twin guest cabins with en suite shower/wc, along with a separate crew cabin, they ensure ample accommodation.
They have a well-equipped kitchen, complete with two large fridges and a gas cooker, which allows for easy meal preparation, while the spacious saloon and dining area provide a comfortable setting for relaxation. Additionally, the yachts feature a music system in both the saloon and cockpit, including an auxiliary input, creating a lively atmosphere. With generous foredecks for sunbathing and a welcoming cockpit, these yachts offer the perfect blend of comfort and outdoor enjoyment.
Dates and prices
Big Boat Training Greece 2025 Prices (per week)
Price per person, per week | Sharing a cabin for 2 | Special Offer | Single occupancy of a cabin | Special Offer |
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22-February | £995 | £1,415 | ||
1-March | £995 | £1,415 | ||
8-March | £995 | £1,415 | ||
15-March | £995 | £1,415 | ||
22-March | £995 | £1,415 | ||
29-March | £995 | £1,415 |
Whats Included
6 Days Tuition with an experienced skipper
Mooring Fees
Fuel & other yacht running costs
Bed Linen & towels
Provisions for breakfast & a light lunch
Optional Extras
Make the yacht private (4 pax) – 50% of 5th person price
ICC Assessment – £100pp (Stand alone)
Booking a Training Course
To book or check availability get in touch with our experienced team on one of the links below.
Getting there and away
There are a multitude of ways to travel to our base in Nikiana, whether you are joining us for the week or combining it with a larger trip. We are located in Nikiana Harbour, right in the heart of the village, which is easily reachable by both public and private transport. Courses in the Ionian run from Sunday to Sunday with training yachts being available to embark from around 14.00 onwards on the first day and disembarking around 9.00 at the end of the course. The instruction starts at 9.00 on the Monday morning and finishes at around 17.00 on the Saturday evening.
ATOL protection
Your flight inclusive holiday with us (should you choose this option) is financially secure as we are ATOL licensed, making the entire package ATOL protected. We have been trading since 1995 so you can book with total confidence.
Flights
Sunday charter flights available from Gatwick alongside scheduled flights from Heathrow, Stanstead, Luton, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh. Flights to other European centres available both on Sundays and other days during the week.
Bus & Taxi
Direct Seafarer transfers from Preveza airport that takes roughly 30 minutes. Regular buses from Nikiana harbour to Nydri, Vassiliki and Lefkas town, from Lefkas town there are regular buses to Athens and Corinth plus less frequent services to Thessaloniki and Igoumenitsa.
Ferry
Regular ferries from Kefalonia to Vassiliki (40 minutes from base) and from Meganisi to Nydri (10 minutes from base). Less frequent ferries from Corfu, Paxos, Kefalonia, Ithaca and Zante to Lefkas town (15 minutes from base).
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