Seafarer’s Six Nations of Sailing: Our 2027 Flotilla Line-Up
Flotilla holidays · Six countries
Every February and March, rugby’s Six Nations fills the weekends with fixtures in six countries. Our own six nations last a lot longer: in 2027 you can join a Seafarer flotilla in Greece, Croatia, Italy, Turkey, Thailand and the British Virgin Islands.
On a flotilla holiday, you sail your own yacht as part of a Seafarer flotilla, with our lead crew on hand all week and fellow sailors to meet each evening. Here is the line-up, what makes each nation different, and how to pick the one that suits your crew.
In short
Seafarer runs flotillas in six countries: Greece (five sailing areas, from the Ionian to the Dodecanese), Croatia (Split, plus a Pula to Venice explorer), Italy (a two-week Sicily and Aeolian Islands explorer), Turkey (Fethiye), Thailand (ten nights from Phuket) and the British Virgin Islands (a two-week explorer from Tortola). For a first flotilla, Lefkas and Fethiye have the shortest, most sheltered days. For more wind, try the Sporades or the Dodecanese. For winter sun, Thailand runs from January to April and the BVI explorer sets off on 13 February 2027.
6
countries with Seafarer flotillas
11
flotillas and explorer routes to choose from
10–25nm
average day’s sail, depending on the flotilla
Jan–Oct
from Thailand in winter to Greece in autumn
On this page
The line-up
Meet the six nations
Each of our flotilla countries brings something different, from the green, sheltered islands of the Ionian to tidal sailing among the limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay. They all share the same Seafarer support: lead crew who meet you at reserved quays, help with your lines and share local knowledge, and an easy-going social side ashore.
1
Representing Greece
Five flotilla areas, from the Ionian to the Dodecanese
Greece is the cradle of flotilla holidays, and it is still where we offer the widest choice. Sail the protected Ionian from Lefkas or Kefalonia, transit the Corinth Canal on a one-way Saronic week, or take on the livelier Aegean breezes of the Sporades and the Dodecanese.
2
Representing Croatia
Split and the islands of central Dalmatia
From ACI Marina Split, two routes run in alternate weeks: out to Hvar, Vis and the Pakleni Islands, or north and up the Krka river to Skradin. Expect relaxed, protected sailing with superb breezes, and historic Split on your doorstep at both ends of the week.
3
Representing Italy
Sicily and the Aeolian Islands explorer
Our Italian entry is a two-week explorer from Marina La Cala in Palermo. Week one heads east to Cefalù and the volcanic Aeolian Islands, from remote Alicudi to Salina and Lipari. Week two turns west to the lesser-known Egadi Islands of Favignana, Marettimo and Levanzo. Italy also features on the Pula to Venice explorer, with a day ashore in Venice.
4
Representing Turkey
Fethiye and the Turquoise Coast
The Gulf of Fethiye is the coast whose waters inspired the word “turquoise”. Our Fethiye flotilla follows two routes of sheltered bays and hidden coves, with short hops of around 10nm a day, so it makes a relaxed week afloat. Flotillas start on Saturdays, roughly an hour from Dalaman airport.
5
Representing Thailand
Phang Nga Bay, Koh Lanta and the Phi Phi islands
Our ten-night Thailand flotilla starts from Phuket Yacht Haven and explores the limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay, including the lagoon at Koh Hong and James Bond Island, before heading south to Koh Lanta and Phi Phi Don. The sailing is easy but tidal, a good chance to brush up your skills, and there are regular departures from January to April.
6
Representing the British Virgin Islands
Two weeks in the Caribbean trade winds
On 13 February 2027 we return to the British Virgin Islands with a two-week explorer from Hodges Creek Marina on Tortola. The route takes in Cooper Island, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Norman Island and Jost Van Dyke, with most nights on mooring buoys and the middle Saturday at Trellis Bay for the Full Moon Party.
When we first wrote about our six nations in 2017, the line-up included Mallorca, the French Riviera and a Montenegro route. Those flotillas no longer run, but you can still sail around Mallorca or along the French Riviera on a yacht charter.
Spotlight on Greece
Greece’s five flotilla areas
With five areas to choose from, Greece covers every kind of flotilla week. The Ionian is the gentle end of the scale, the Saronic adds the Corinth Canal, and the Aegean islands bring fresher winds and longer passages.
Ionian Lefkas
From Nikiana · easy and relaxing
Green islands and protected waters, with two routes via Meganisi, Kefalonia and Ithaca and around 10nm a day. Preveza airport is about 30 minutes away.
Ionian Kefalonia
From Agia Eufimia · relaxing and protected
Two southern Ionian routes to Ithaca, Fiskardo, Assos and Zakynthos, with a little more adventure in every passage and around 15nm a day.
Saronic Gulf and Corinth
Kiato to Korfos · varied and interesting
One-way weeks between the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf, with a transit of the Corinth Canal every week and around 18nm a day.
Sporades and Skiathos
From Skopelos · more challenging
Lush green islands and meltemi breezes, with two routes to Alonissos, Kyra Panagia, Skiathos and the Pelion coast, and around 15nm a day.
Dodecanese
From Kos · stronger breezes
Fresh winds and open water, with two routes from Kos: to Symi, Tilos and Nisyros, or to Kalymnos, Lipsi and Patmos, and around 19nm a day.
Greece also has a spring explorer: the Messolonghi to Korfos explorer flotilla sets off on 7 April 2027 for 17 nights, one way from western Greece to the Saronic Gulf. Planning the Ionian? Our guide to sailing around Kefalonia covers the southern Ionian in more detail, and Corinth Canal sailing: what it’s really like describes the transit.
Two weeks, further afield
The explorer flotillas
Explorer flotillas are one-off journeys of two weeks or more that cover more ground than a regular flotilla week, with the same lead crew support. On the Pula to Venice, Sicily and BVI explorers you can charter your own yacht or book a cabin on our lead yacht.
Pula to Venice
5 June 2027 · two weeks from Pula
North along the Istrian coast to Rovinj and Novigrad, across the Adriatic to Venice and Chioggia, then back through the islands of Lošinj, Silba and Susak. About 290nm, with longer open-water passages and stiffer breezes.
Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
Two weeks from Palermo · 2027 dates coming soon
Cefalù and the volcanic Aeolian Islands in week one, then a pit stop in Palermo before the Egadi Islands in week two. Taxi transfers from Palermo airport take about 30 minutes.
British Virgin Islands
13 February 2027 · two weeks from Tortola
Virgin Gorda and Anegada in week one, then round Tortola to Norman Island and Jost Van Dyke, in consistent trade winds. Hodges Creek is 10 minutes by taxi from Beef Island airport.
When to go
When to sail where in 2027
Between them, our six nations cover most of the year, so there is a flotilla for almost every month from January to October.
January to April
Thailand
Ten-night flotillas from Phuket, with regular departures.
February
British Virgin Islands
The two-week explorer sets off from Tortola on 13 February.
April to October
Greece
The Messolonghi to Korfos explorer sets off in April, and our Greek flotillas sail from May to October.
May to October
Croatia and Turkey
Saturday starts in Split and Fethiye, plus the Pula to Venice explorer from 5 June.
At a glance
How the six nations compare
| Nation | Start from | Season | Average day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greece | Lefkas, Kefalonia, Kiato or Korfos, Skopelos, Kos | May to October | 10–19nm |
| Croatia | Split; Pula for the explorer | May to October | 14nm |
| Italy | Palermo, Sicily | 2027 dates coming soon | Two weeks, about 356nm |
| Turkey | Fethiye | May to October | 10nm |
| Thailand | Phuket Yacht Haven | January to April | 20–25nm |
| BVI | Hodges Creek, Tortola | 13 February 2027 | 10–15nm |
Seasons and average daily distances from each flotilla page, October 2026. See each page for current dates and prices.
Picking your team
Which flotilla nation suits your crew?
First flotilla
Lefkas or Fethiye: short, sheltered hops of around 10nm a day.
More wind
The Sporades or the Dodecanese, with meltemi breezes and longer passages.
Winter sun
Thailand from January to April, or the BVI explorer in February.
A bigger adventure
An explorer: Pula to Venice, Sicily, the BVI or Messolonghi to Korfos.
Our yachts are usually skippered by guests who hold the right qualifications, but we can also provide a skipper if you have no sailing experience: see skippered flotilla sailing. Not sure your qualifications are enough? Our ICC licence guide explains what Greece asks of charter skippers.
Sailing with children? Our family flotillas in the school holidays add beach parties, games and extra activities for kids and teens.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Which countries can I join a Seafarer flotilla in?
Six: Greece, Croatia, Italy, Turkey, Thailand and the British Virgin Islands. Greece has five flotilla areas, and the Pula to Venice explorer links Croatia and Italy.
Which flotilla is best for beginners?
Lefkas in the Ionian and Fethiye in Turkey have the shortest days, around 10nm, in sheltered waters. If nobody in your crew has sailing experience, we can provide a skipper.
Can I go on a flotilla holiday in winter?
Yes. The Thailand flotilla runs from January to April, and the British Virgin Islands explorer sets off on 13 February 2027. Our Mediterranean flotillas sail from May to October, with a Greek explorer in April.
What is an explorer flotilla?
A flotilla of two weeks or more that covers more ground than a regular week, with the same lead crew support. Our explorers include Pula to Venice (5 June 2027), the British Virgin Islands (13 February 2027), Sicily and the Aeolian Islands, and Messolonghi to Korfos in Greece (7 April 2027).
Can I book a cabin instead of a whole yacht?
On the Pula to Venice, Sicily and BVI explorers you can book a cabin on our lead yacht. For a skippered cabin holiday in the Ionian, the Cyclades or Thailand, see our cabin charter holidays.
Your 2027 season
Choose your flotilla nation
2027 dates are live for our Greek and Split flotillas, at 2026 prices. Tell us your dates and crew, and we’ll help you choose the right destination and yacht.
Call or email us
Monday to Friday 09:00 to 19:00 · Saturday 09:30 to 17:00
Book with confidence. Seafarer has run 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.