Greece Training Centre

This is our longest established RYA Training Centre, and this location offers everything you need to go from a novice to qualified yacht skipper.

Our Ionian Base in Nikiana, Lefkas

The contrast between this and our Croatian Training Centre is that this location offers largely sheltered Mediterranean sailing. It’s a good option if you are leaning towards a relaxing family-friendly holiday. The Ionian is also an ideal area to learn if you are planning to take friends and family on a relaxing sailing holiday after you qualify as a skipper.

Reliable weather in the Ionian makes this a hugely popular sailing destination, with temperatures ranging from the low 20s in the early/late season up to the mid-30s in July and August. Sailing conditions are generally moderate with winds typically force 2-5, and a largely protected body of water to explore. More open-water  sailing is available to the north or further south. 

The winds tend to be light in the mornings, giving excellent opportunities to practice boat handling. By mid-afternoon, the wind builds providing pleasant sailing conditions. There are numerous locations with stronger gusts to demonstrate more advanced sailing skills safely.

Winter 2023 / 2024 – Winter Base in Athens

Recognising that many want to train out of season, ready for a holiday in 2024, we have now extended our program to include dates from Athens in November 2023 as well as February & March 2024. Athens is a year-round destination, with regular flights from London, and offers a more challenging training location, with traffic separation schemes and plenty of commercial traffic – ideal for those looking to progress to Coastal Skipper level or those wishing to train to Day Skipper level in more varied conditions.

Want more challenges? See also our Croatia Training Centre.

For more information on The RYA, Seafarer and our standards of training, please take a look at our Training Centres page.

We have been delivering high quality yachting holidays for more than 25 years now, and we identified that many who learn how to sail exclusively in the UK find themselves without the skills necessary to fully enjoy a Mediterranean sailing holiday. Our RYA Training Centres in the Ionian and Croatia now operate alongside our Flotillas which, we believe, gives two major benefits.

Firstly most RYA courses are 5 days, and by conducting them over a week, we can create the right balance of tuition and fun. Whilst your course won’t permit you to spend the whole week with the flotilla, we do organise a variety of flotilla events including a welcome party, beach party and other activities that may be possible during your course.

Secondly, if you are hoping to take your family or friends sailing in the future, Flotilla offers one of the best ways to do this. Learning alongside the Flotilla can be a real confidence boost, with an extra pair of hands to help when needed. While you learn to sail, you will meet other skippers who have already benefited from sailing with a flotilla. You’ll see how our flotillas work and see the benefits and flexibility this can offer you as you progress beyond tuition into the world of sailing.

Find out more about the Lefkas flotilla here.

Extras

• +£50 per person for en-suite cabin, all other cabins have a shared shower/WC
• 10% multiple course discount applies when 2 or more courses are booked for an individual at the same time.
• ICC Assessment (3-4 hours) £100 per person
• £50 discount when you buy an online Navathome Theory Course

• 6 full days of tuition (Lefkas – Arrive Sunday, course runs from Monday to Saturday, disembark Sunday) (Athens – Arrive Saturday, course runs from Sunday to Friday, disembark Saturday)
• Operating costs of the yacht (fuel, water, gas, mooring fees)
• Provisioning for breakfasts, light lunches and snacks
• Instruction from qualified Cruising Instructors and Yachtmaster Instructors
• Bed linen and towels

Cruising Scheme Logbook G158 – Whilst we try to have these available for purchase in resort, we recommend that you purchase these prior to your course. You can purchase these from the RYA online shop.
Competent Crew Skills CCPCN – For those taking the Competent Crew Course
Day Skipper Practical Course Notes – For those taking the Day Skipper Practical Course

Food in the evening is not included. Generally, you can expect to pay around 15 euros per person for an evening meal. Although most places take card, it is good practice to have enough cash with you to cover any bill. Cash points are available on many of the islands. Your instructor knows precisely where and when you can get more, and they will keep you updated.

As an independent company, we are able to keep our prices highly competitive – if you see a like for like product featured elsewhere cheaper, let us know and we will beat it!
Subject to availability at the time of booking.

We can arrange a flight and transfer package for you. Your holiday with us is financially secure as we are ATOL licensed. We have been trading since 1995, and with over 25 years under our belts, you can book with total confidence.

All courses start and end on Sunday, there are direct flights to the nearest airport Preveza (PVK) from.

• London Gatwick, Heathrow, Stanstead, Luton
• Manchester
• Birmingham (may only)
• Bristol
• Edinburgh

Flight time is approximately 3 hours.

The transfer time from the airport to the Yacht is approximately 45 minutes. We can arrange a Private transfer, or we have regular group transfers throughout the day.

Alternatively, you may wish to fly to Athens, which offers greater flexibility of carriers and arrival times. From Athens, you can book a 45-minute domestic flight to Preveza or travel by coach, costing approximately 35 euros, directly to Lefkas in around 4.5 hours.

0208 324 3118

[email protected]

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