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AthensArrivalsFly to Athens International and transfer to our Athens Yacht Base.
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Epidavros - Peloponnese
Palaia Epidavros
Palaia EpidavrosPalaia 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 -
Hydra
Hydra
HydraDonkeys are the only traffic on this beautiful island, a favourite hide away of Leonard Cohen, back in the day -
Spetses
Island of Spetses
Island of SpetsesThe 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. -
Nafplion
Nafplion
NafplionBeing one of the most picturesque and romantic cities in Greece, Nafplio is absolutely worth visiting -
Poros
Poros
PorosA yachting town though and through, boasting lots of charm & character.There's a lively waterfront & a maze of narrow streets to explore. -
Kithnos
Kithnos
KithnosAn early start and hopefully a cracking open water sail east to Kithnos -
Kea
Kea
KeaNorth to Kea, and into Korissia for a beer and some herby wood toasted bread and anchovies...well, for starters -
Lavrion
Lavrion
LavrionThe rejuvenated town of Lavrion. Dinner near the fish market is a must -
Aegina
Aegina
AeginaFamous for its Pistachios and a regular haunt of the Athenians
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
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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
We will be running our big boat course from one of the Athens marinas, conveniently located ah hour from the airport – 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 and the Northern Cyclades provides ideal sailing conditions for broadening your experience, with moderate to fresh winds and open 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.
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
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 on the Athens coast, whether you are joining us for the week or combining it with a larger trip. Embarkation is from 3pm on a Saturday, sailing the following morning.
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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.
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Flights
Saturday scheduled and low cost flights available from all major airports.
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Bus & Taxi
Direct Seafarer transfers from Athens International airport that takes roughly 60 minutes. Regular buses from the airport serve all marinas along the Athens coast.
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