Start Yachting is a relaxed, two-day introduction for complete beginners. You don’t need any previous experience – just a willingness to try something new. It’s the perfect way to step on board for the first time and get a real taste of life under sail.
Over the course of the weekend you’ll learn the basics in a fun, hands-on way. You’ll sail with us to a picturesque harbour town in the Saronic Gulf, enjoy dinner ashore, and spend the night on board. Children in particular really love this part, but adults enjoy it just as much. If you take the course during the summer months, you’ll also anchor for lunch each day and have the freedom to swim straight from the yacht into crystal-clear blue water.
This short course is both practical and enjoyable. By the end, you’ll know what sailing is really about – and whether you’d like to take your skills further.
This course is perfect if you’ve never set foot on a sailboat and want to learn the basics on board. There’s no minimum age – all you need is the curiosity and willingness to discover sailing.
If you’ve always dreamed of feeling comfortable at sea on a cruising yacht, this course will give you the confidence to know your way around in no time. It’s also ideal if you want to continue along the RYA pathway but need that first hands-on experience to get started.
Over the course of a weekend you’ll learn the basics in a fun, hands-on way.
Helming the yacht (steering under sail and power),
Sail handling and trimming,
Basic ropework and knots,
Anchoring,
Essential safety procedures on board.
As an added bonus, completing Start Yachting counts as the first step towards your RYA Competent Crew certificate. Normally, that course takes five days, but with your Start Yachting certificate, you can complete it in just three days or two weekends.
Please note: activities ashore, dinners, and travel to Aegina are not included.
You arrive on Saturday and meet your fellow course participants, ready to start a new adventure that could lead to many more sailing trips. Explore the boat, stow your belongings in your cabin, and get ready for your first moments at sea. Over a cup of delicious Greek coffee, you’ll have a quick briefing, led by the instructor, on the wind, your route, and some handy sailing tips.
As you set off toward a picturesque harbour, you’ll steer the yacht, handle the sails, and practice simple ropework – all under the guidance of your instructor. At lunchtime, the anchor goes down in a beautiful bay, giving you the chance to take a refreshing swim before continuing your journey.
In the evening, enjoy a relaxed night in the harbour together – cook on board or try a local Greek taverna – wander the charming streets, and watch a stunning sunset. Then retreat to your cabin for a peaceful night, gently rocked by the boat, ready to start the next day full of new skills and adventures.
“Honestly, I was nervous at first… but by the end of the weekend I actually felt like I knew what I was doing 😎”
Price List Start Yachting
High Season Mid-Season Low Season July - August - September May - June - October March - April - November 2-Day RYA Start Yachting course (minimum 2 people) €450 €450 €450 2-Day RYA Start Yachting course (whole yacht) €1,500 €1,400 €1,200
All prices for practical courses include all yachts expenses, breakfast and lunch. All activities ashore and dinner are at your own expense. Your travel expenses to get to Aegina are not covered.
For a more personal experience, you can book a private yacht for yourself, friends, or family. Prices range from €3,700 to €7,950 depending on season, yacht, and number of days. Your instructor is always on board for safety, giving you privacy while you learn.
You can contact us and ask for more info and/or select “private” when enquiring a course.
If you’re unsure about how much sailing you want to join in, it’s possible to book to take the Start Yachting course on one of our normal 5-day sailing trips, rather than Competent Crew. This may be suitable if it’s your partner who is really keen to take up yachting but you’d prefer to spend most of your time sunbathing, or if you have children who want to learn a little but not too much. Contact us for options and availability.
We run this course on demand, normally over a weekend. Unfortunately we can usually only offer the 2-day course as a private course for groups or families, not for individuals.
Read what some of our sailing students have to say, explore our course catalogue, and contact us for more information about each course and our availabilities to come and sail in Greece!