Learning to Sail: Your most common questions answered
Learn to sail · RYA courses
In this article, we answer the most common questions people ask about learning to sail. We cover where to start, what it costs, how long it takes, and whether it’s as hard as it looks, with clear answers and practical guidance grounded in real experience.
In short
Learning to sail is a skill, not a talent, and most people pick it up within a week. The usual route is the RYA scheme: Start Yachting, Competent Crew, then Day Skipper. With Seafarer, you can learn at our RYA training centres in Greece, Croatia, or the UK, in small groups of no more than five students per instructor in Greece. Weekend courses in the UK start from £370, and week-long courses in Greece from £795 per person.
5:1
maximum students per instructor in Greece
£370
UK weekend courses from, per person
£795
week-long courses in Greece from, per person
3
RYA training centres: Greece, Croatia, and the UK
On this page
Getting started
Should I learn to sail?
Most people don’t plan for it. Maybe it starts with a photo or a passing thought that keeps coming back.
Still, it’s normal to hesitate. We’ve had guests too nervous to walk the plank onto the boat on day one. By the end of a week learning to sail, they’re hopping on and off like it’s second nature.
Learning to sail starts with simple steps: how to move around the boat, what to pull, when to ask. Most of our guests are complete beginners when they arrive. By day seven, they’re moving with ease and often looking ahead to what’s next.
Some like to take the lead. Others hang back and watch. Either way, our instructors meet you where you are and guide you from there. Explore our RYA courses, your starting point for learning to sail.
Confidence
Is learning to sail hard?
Only at first, and even that doesn’t last long.
It’s a skill, not a talent. First, you’ll learn the basics through the structured RYA curriculum. At Seafarer, we keep our instructor ratio low (a maximum of 5:1), so you’ll never feel lost in the crowd.
Every day builds on the last
And every night brings a new destination. Best of all, you get just the right amount of help every step of the way. Start with our beginner-friendly RYA courses in Greece.
The RYA route
How do I learn to sail?
Learning to sail starts with choosing the right path. Most people follow the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) scheme, with each course building skills through structured, hands-on instruction from an experienced instructor.
Start Yachting
A short introduction to life on board and the basics of sailing. See Start Yachting.
Competent Crew
A week learning to be a useful, confident crew member. See Competent Crew.
Day Skipper
The qualification to skipper a yacht in familiar waters by day. See Day Skipper.
Our guide to RYA training explains each course in more detail.
However, learning to sail isn’t one-size-fits-all. Alongside yacht training, many learners also enjoy dinghy sailing and windsurfing, which offer a different kind of experience. They’re ideal for learning the basics on smaller boats, and great for younger or more agile sailors. We also offer RYA Powerboat Level 2 and Safety Boat courses for those interested in small-boat handling or support roles.
In their words
What learning to sail really feels like
If you’re wondering what it’s really like, one guest said it better than we ever could:
Have sailed with Seafarer for the last 6 years… training boats, flotilla and now bareboat. Can honestly say they are an amazing company with wonderful staff who go the extra mile to make sure you have a great time. The instructors are fantastic… The flotilla skippers really look after you and are so much fun to spend the week with. They give you the confidence to set off under your own steam as Skipper of your own boat, yet with the safety net at the end of the day to assist in mooring. If you are looking for an amazing holiday on the water, whether it be learning to sail, or on your own, I would heartily recommend Seafarer Sailing Holidays.
Explore our RYA training programmes in Greece, Croatia, and the UK, or the watersports courses at Nikiana Beach Club.
Prices
How much does it cost to learn to sail?
It starts from £370 per person for a weekend course in the UK, and goes up depending on the course and its length. A full week-long course such as RYA Competent Crew or Day Skipper starts from £795 per person in Greece and in Croatia.
Included
- Tuition with an RYA instructor
- Accommodation on board in shared cabins, with the option to have your own
- Provisions for breakfast and a light lunch on our Greece courses
- Wet weather gear on UK courses
Good to know
- In Greece it is usually warm enough that you won’t need wet weather gear
- You can add extras, such as an ensuite cabin
- Small groups, often just three or four students in the UK
The real value lies in the small group sizes, which mean personalised instruction and plenty of time at the helm. Check course dates and availability.
Where to learn
Where to learn to sail in Europe
Greece, Croatia, and the UK each offer distinct sailing environments, ideal for different levels, goals, and preferences.
Kefalonia, Greece
Agia Eufimia · Ionian Sea
Calm, warm conditions with light morning winds and stronger afternoon breezes. Ideal for beginners, with dinghy and windsurfing courses at our Nikiana Beach Club on Lefkas too.
Vodice, Croatia
Dalmatian coast · Adriatic Sea
Steady winds and more open-water sailing. Great for confident skippering experience paired with scenic islands and medieval harbours.
Southampton, UK
The Solent · Tidal waters
Tidal waters, short course flexibility, and real-world training. Excellent for tidal experience or weekend courses.
Seafarer is one of the few providers offering RYA-accredited training in all three. Whichever base you choose, you’ll get expert guidance, small group sizes, and a consistent, supportive learning experience.
We’ve helped thousands of people take their first steps when learning to sail. Some start with a weekend in the Solent. Others choose warm winds and calm waters in Greece. Most come back for more.
Common questions
Learning to sail: your questions answered
Is learning to sail hard?
Only at first. It’s a skill, not a talent, and most complete beginners are moving around the boat with ease by the end of a week, helped by small groups and a structured RYA course.
What is the RYA route for learning to sail?
Most people start with Start Yachting or Competent Crew, then move on to Day Skipper, the qualification to skipper a yacht in familiar waters by day.
How much does it cost to learn to sail?
Weekend courses in the UK start from £370 per person. Week-long courses start from £795 per person in Greece and in Croatia.
Where can I learn to sail in Europe?
Seafarer runs RYA training centres in Kefalonia in Greece, Vodice in Croatia, and Southampton in the UK, plus dinghy and windsurfing courses at Nikiana Beach Club on Lefkas.
Do I need wet weather gear?
On UK courses, wet weather gear is included. In Greece, it is usually warm enough that you won’t need it.
Ready to start learning to sail?
Talk to us about RYA training
Explore your options in Greece, Croatia, or the UK, and our team will help you choose the right course and dates.
Call or email us
Monday to Friday 09:00 to 19:00 · Saturday 09:30 to 17:00
Book with confidence. Seafarer has run RYA training and sailing 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. RYA courses are run by Seafarer Training, an RYA Recognised Training Centre.
