Benefits of a Skippered Flotilla Holiday
Flotilla holidays · Skippered sailing
A flotilla holiday is traditionally seen as a self-sail holiday for people with experience and a sailing qualification, but it does not have to be that way. Seafarer offers the option to hire a professional skipper not only with bareboat charters but also on a flotilla holiday, so you can enjoy the sociable flotilla atmosphere without being responsible for the boat.
In short
A skippered flotilla holiday is a normal flotilla week where a professional skipper joins your yacht. No qualification or experience is needed, the skipper handles the technical side and you join in as much or as little as you like. It suits families and couples who want company, experienced sailors who want an extra pair of hands, and beginners who want to learn, or even gain an RYA qualification, while on holiday.
0
sailing qualifications needed to book a skippered yacht
2–3 hrs
of sailing on a typical flotilla day, with time to swim and explore
6
countries with skippered flotilla holidays: Greece, Croatia, Italy, Turkey, Thailand and the BVI
5
crew members an instructor skipper can teach on one yacht
The benefits
Four reasons to take a skipper on your flotilla holiday
No experience or qualification needed
If you lack the experience or qualifications to skipper a yacht yourself but like the social side of a flotilla, booking a skipper for your flotilla yacht can be the answer. The skipper captains the boat and handles the technical side; you decide how involved you want to be.
Perfect for families and couples who like company
This is often particularly the case for families, or couples who like the idea of some company. On a flotilla you sail with other crews, moor together each evening and can join the lead crew’s taverna nights, beach parties and kids’ club, while your skipper looks after the yacht. See our sailing for families guide.
An extra pair of hands for experienced skippers
Even experienced skippers sometimes appreciate another capable pair of hands on board to share the load, particularly when chartering a larger yacht or catamaran, and especially when the rest of the crew are inexperienced.
A friendly introduction to sailing
For complete beginners, sailing with a professional skipper on a flotilla is a good introduction to sailing, and not just from the technical point of view. Many would agree that a flotilla captures something of the friendly, sociable atmosphere of being a member of a sailing club back home.
Learn while you sail
Gain an RYA qualification on holiday
Perhaps more important for beginners, a skippered flotilla can be the perfect opportunity to learn and gain a qualification while on holiday. Learning to sail in the warm, sheltered waters of the Mediterranean is far more inviting than a windswept and rainy North Sea or English Channel.
With some preparation before departure, the ICC (International Certificate of Competence) could well be within reach. Alternatively you could go for the RYA Competent Crew certificate, or progress to RYA Day Skipper. An instructor skipper can teach up to 5 crew members of varying ability and experience on one yacht.
This option is available at our two Mediterranean RYA training centres: in Greece, alongside our Ionian flotillas, and in Croatia, alongside our Split flotilla.
How it works
What a skippered flotilla costs and includes
You book a flotilla yacht as normal and add a skipper. The skipper joins the boat on the morning of the first sailing day, talks through what you want from the week and then sails with you throughout, from the morning briefing to the evening mooring. Every holiday is tailor-made, so treat the figures below as a guide and ask us for a quote.
| Item | Guide price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flotilla yacht | From £1,495 a week | Includes fuel, water, gas and end-of-charter cleaning |
| Professional skipper | £1,495 to £1,595 a week | Covers the skipper’s insurance, so most skippered yachts need no security deposit |
| Flights and transfers | From £100 per person | ATOL protected when booked with us |
| Food and drink | About €20 a day per person | Breakfast and lunch aboard, evenings in the tavernas with the flotilla |
Full details, an example week and the quote form are on our skippered flotilla sailing page.
Where to go
Popular flotillas for a skippered holiday
A skipper can be added on any of our flotillas. These three are the ones we recommend most often to first-timers and families.
Greece
Ionian Lefkas flotilla
Short hops · sheltered water · kids’ club in summer
Our most popular flotilla for beginners and families, with easy sailing between Lefkas, Meganisi, Kefalonia and Ithaca and our Greece training centre alongside.
Greece
Ionian Kefalonia flotilla
Southern Ionian · quiet anchorages · relaxed pace
The same warm, sheltered Ionian with a slightly quieter route around Kefalonia, Ithaca and Zakynthos. Ideal if you want more swimming stops than sailing miles.
Croatia
Split flotilla
Historic harbours · island hopping · Croatia training centre
Hvar, Brač, Trogir and the Krka river from Split, in sheltered seas with a little more variety for crews who want to learn as they go.
Skippers are also available on our Fethiye, Sicily, Thailand and British Virgin Islands flotillas. See all flotilla holidays.
Common questions
Skippered flotilla holidays: your questions answered
Do I need any sailing experience for a skippered flotilla?
No. The skipper is fully responsible for the yacht, so complete beginners are welcome. You can help with the sailing as much as you like, or simply relax and enjoy the week.
Where does the skipper sleep and eat?
The skipper needs a cabin or berth on board, so allow for that when you choose the yacht size, and you provide their meals during the week, usually simply by including them in the crew’s provisions and taverna evenings.
Can we learn and get a certificate during the holiday?
Yes. Book an instructor skipper at our Greece or Croatia RYA training centre and the week can count towards the RYA Competent Crew or Day Skipper certificate, or prepare you for the ICC. An instructor can teach up to five people on one yacht.
Is a skippered flotilla the same as a skippered charter?
A skippered yacht charter is a private holiday on your own itinerary. A skippered flotilla follows the flotilla route with the other yachts, the lead crew and the social programme, which is what makes it so good for families and first-timers.
Think a skipper could suit you?
Talk to us about your flotilla week
If you think hiring a professional skipper or instructor for your flotilla holiday could suit your situation, give us a call to discuss your requirements and get some advice, or ask for a quote online.
Call or email us
Monday to Friday 09:00 to 19:00 · Saturday 09:30 to 17:00
Book with confidence. Seafarer has run flotilla holidays since 1995, and every payment you make to us is financially protected: ATOL licence 9511 for holidays with flights, ABTOT member 5660 for holidays without.