Sailing holidays
All our sailing holidays include:
- Flights from Gatwick, Manchester, Bristol and Edinburgh
- Transfers
- Your yacht
- Lead boat crew and support
- Damage waiver
- Security deposit
- All fuel & water
- Pilot book & chart
- Navigation equipment
- Safety equipment
- Bed linen & towels
- Basic grocery starter pack
why choose a sailing holiday in the Mediterranean?
Sailing holidays in the Mediterranean offer the ultimate escape.
Sheltered waters and gentle winds make the Mediterranean and, more specifically, the south Ionian, a great spot for a sailing holiday. Not to mention the inviting, clear waters and stop-off points with delicious Greek food and timeless culture to be enjoyed. The weather tops it all off, with bucket-loads of sunshine during the summer months. Med sailing holidays deserve a place on everyone's travel bucket list.
sailing holidays for beginners
New to sailing? Beginners needn't worry. We offer skippered flotilla holidays with an expert on hand to help you sail against a beautiful backdrop. It's not often you get your own personal skipper! You can choose to participate in the sailing and help crew the yacht, or simply relax and enjoy the sun and scenery. Our experienced skipper has insider knowledge of the local area, so you can trust that you're in good hands.
You'll never be more than a few miles away from the shore and the distance between each port is small, making it the ideal location for beginners to build their confidence.
Flotilla sailing holidays
By joining a flotilla (a small fleet of boats) you can socialise with others during your sailing holiday in the Med. Start every day looking forward to a new destination while having fun with fellow sailors and the Neilson lead crew along the way.
Our flotillas are chosen for their beautiful locations and great sailing conditions. You’ll be able to explore the Mediterranean along the southern coastline of the Ionian Sea of Greece. And you can choose to sail the south Ionian for 1 or 2 weeks.
All yacht skippers on flotilla are required to hold the ICC (International Certificate of Competence) certificate.
Skippered flotilla sailing holidays
If you're considering a flotilla holiday but lack sailing experience, we have the perfect solution for you! Our skippered flotilla holidays are tailored to suit your needs. You'll feel at ease on your yacht in no time and have a wonderful time exploring and sailing.
You may choose to participate in sailing and assist with the crew, or simply relax and relish in the sun and surroundings. Our skilled skipper has invaluable knowledge of the area, ensuring you're in safe hands.
Book your one-week skippered flotilla sailing holiday today!
Bareboat Charter
You’ll love the freedom that bareboat sailing gives you. Cruise around the Ionian at your own pace, picking the spots to visit, deciding where to drop anchor or tie up for the night—or even for a few days.
It's just you, your crew, and the open sea, calling the shots and steering the ship.
Bareboat is perfect if you’re a seasoned sailor and are comfortable handling a yacht on your own. It’s all about freedom and adventure, exploring where you want, when you want. You need to stay within the sailing area though, so before you head out we’ll check the route you’ve planned, recommend some places to visit, and even help with harbour bookings.
Stay and sail holidays
Prefer some time on land on an activity holiday to the Mediterranean but also head out sailing? Add some time sailing the shores of the Greek Ionian on your next Beach Club holiday with a stay and sail adventure. This is perfect for novice sailors who want to experience the freedom of their own yacht to explore the stunning coastline of Greece. And if you've been sailing for years, it's a good way to mix it up, keeping everybody happy (including the beach lovers).
Enjoy your first week land-based at Vounaki Beach Club. Here you can join in with a range of inclusive activities including dinghy sailing and cycling before joining the one-week flotilla for the second week of your holiday. To book a stay and sail sailing activity holiday to the Mediterranean give our friendly team a call on 0333 014 3351.
Our sailing holiday yachts
Our well-maintained yachts are based in Greece and moored at Vounaki Beach Club. They'll be ready and waiting to take you on the ultimate sailing holiday adventure. The yachts sleep between 2 and 8 people, opening the possibility of a more sociable or peaceful sailing holiday experience. For comfort and privacy, we would recommend you don't fill them to the max.
Every yacht is prepared for your arrival, with everything you need. Towels and bed linen are provided, as well as the more technical elements, such as navigation kit, safety kit and fuel. You just need to bring food and drink that extends beyond the water and grocery starter pack we provide you with.
Sailing courses
We offer a range of certificates and courses, and what better way to nail those new sailing skills than in warm and sunny Greece.
We can offer the ICC assessment, RYA Day Skipper and RYA Competent Crew. In this course, you will learn the skills needed to be a useful crew member. We will also add some extras to your training, and you will be helping to moor and navigate the boat each day. This means that you will finish your training with us knowing that you have done that little bit extra, making it a great foundation if you want to go on and do more courses.
Why choose Neilson for your sailing holiday?
A sailing holiday in the Mediterranean is idyllic – and you can count on us to ensure it's as comfortable and accommodating as possible. Our experts on-shore and off-shore will be there throughout your trip, whether it's your qualified skipper or one of the team at our Beach Club.
With over 40 years of adventure holiday experience, we're one of the top sailing holiday companies on the market. Check out our reviews on Feefo – you'll have over 2,000 positive ones to sift through! You can also gather tips ahead of your trip by browsing the articles in the Neilson Hub.
To find out more or book your next holiday with us, contact our friendly team.