Trying Yacht Sailing for the First Time: A Day Sailing to Meganisi
Learn to sail · A first-hand story
Lara had done a little dinghy sailing as a child, but had never crewed a yacht. Here’s her story of a first day on board in the Ionian, followed by the easiest ways to try yacht sailing with us yourself.
No experience? No problem. Every option below is designed for complete beginners.
In short
Yacht sailing for beginners is easier than most people expect: you don’t need any experience to get on board. With Seafarer, you can join a skippered AHOY sailing holiday from Nikiana Beach Club, take the five- to six-day RYA Competent Crew course, or combine a week at the beach club with a week of sailing on Sail and Stay.
0
experience needed
5–6 days
Competent Crew course
7 nights
AHOY Ionian, Sunday to Sunday
Up to 8
guests plus your skipper
On this page
A guest’s story · 2020
Lara’s first day on a yacht
I’ve always loved the idea of sailing a yacht. Having the freedom to visit beautiful coves, view the sunset over the ocean and sail under your own steam. Harnessing the power of the wind has always held such a strong appeal!
I’ve done some dinghy sailing as a child, but certainly not enough to be able to feel confident crewing a yacht, so when we booked last minute flights to Greece at the end of summer 2020, we grabbed the chance to live out some of those sailing dreams!
We booked to stay at the Seafarer Beach Club in Nikiana. It’s on the Greek Island of Lefkada, which, although less well-known than other Greek Islands, is absolutely stunning and well worth a visit. The Beach Club itself has a truly beautiful setting on the beach, with a relaxed vibe, and certainly none of the pretension that can be associated with sailing. It’s very easy to quickly feel at home here.
Lara’s story
Setting sail from Lefkas
After settling in and enjoying a relaxing first day of swimming and sunbathing, on our second day, we jumped at the opportunity to go sailing with a lovely crew who were also staying at Nikiana. Myself and my boyfriend Si, Fiona an artist and her husband Al, a writer, along with Yachtmaster extraordinaire Lissie.
This small group was the perfect introduction to yachting. When we arrived Lissie gave us a welcoming and highly competent briefing. She helped us feel at home on the boat, and then it was all hands on deck as we set sail and were given small tasks such as bringing up the anchor and putting up the jib as we set sail.
It was a beautiful day and so peaceful once we turned the motor off and got under sail. Watching the Greek islands float by was just idyllic. The coastal woodland and limestone cliffs that drop down to the turquoise water are magnificent. Whilst we were sailing, Lissie gave us an informative theory-briefing on the winds, types of tack, rights of way and more, which refreshed some knowledge from my dinghy sailing days!
Lara’s story
A swim and lunch on Meganisi
After sailing for a couple of hours, we anchored at a gorgeous little cove to dive off the boat, paddleboard and snorkel, before heading to Spartochori for a GORGEOUS lunch at a waterside restaurant consisting of sardines, taramasalata, tzatziki, olive oil, calamari, Greek salad, and the local white wine.
Sailing to Meganisi, and lunch by the water in Spartochori
Lara’s story
Lara’s next step
Sailing back and reflecting on the day, I’m certainly keen to take forward my sailing knowledge and competency. We had a fab day and it was such a good introduction to yachting (and awesome company, of course)! I’ll definitely be considering taking the Competent Crew Course with Seafarer. Perhaps it will be the first step in the journey to chartering our own yacht or joining a flotilla!
We’ll be back!
Your first time
How to try yacht sailing with Seafarer
You don’t need any experience to get on the water with us. These are the easiest ways in, from a relaxed week with a skipper to your first RYA course.
Closest to Lara’s day
AHOY Ionian
Skippered shared sailing from Nikiana
From £945pp a week
- Seven nights, Sunday to Sunday
- Up to eight guests plus your skipper
- Join in with the sailing as much or as little as you like
RYA Competent Crew
Your first sailing course
From £780pp
- No experience needed
- Five to six days on board
- Age 12+, in Greece, Croatia, or the UK
Sail and Stay
Beach club plus sailing
- A week at Nikiana Beach Club
- A week of sailing from our Lefkas base
- Try the beach club’s dinghies and watersports first
Prefer your own yacht from the start? You can join our Lefkas flotilla with one of our skippers on board for £1,495 a week, and learn as you go. Our first-timer’s guide to flotilla sailing explains how it all works.
Common questions
Yacht sailing for beginners: your questions answered
Can you try yacht sailing with no experience?
Yes. Our AHOY skippered sailing holidays and the RYA Competent Crew course are both designed for people with no experience, and you can also hire a skipper on a flotilla.
What is the RYA Competent Crew course?
It’s the RYA’s introduction to yacht sailing for complete beginners. Over five to six days on board, you learn to steer, trim the sails, handle ropes, and help with mooring and anchoring. The minimum age is 12.
Can I go sailing from Nikiana Beach Club?
Yes. Our AHOY Ionian skippered sailing holidays start from Nikiana, and Sail and Stay combines a week at the beach club with a week of sailing from our Lefkas base.
What is AHOY?
AHOY is our skippered shared sailing holiday: up to eight guests on a Bavaria 51 with a professional skipper, sailing to a new harbour almost every day. You can join in with the sailing or simply relax.
Do I need to know how to sail to join a flotilla?
To skipper your own yacht, you should hold an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) or equivalent. The RYA Day Skipper Practical course makes you eligible, and we can arrange the ICC assessment. In Croatia the skipper also needs a VHF radio certificate, such as the RYA SRC. If you don’t have them yet, you can book one of our skippers for the week and learn on board.
Ready to try it?
Start your sailing story
Tell us when you’d like to go and how much sailing you’d like to do, and we’ll suggest the best first step.
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.
