Complete a RYA course on holiday

Aeolian Village: consistent off-shore breezes that build to a force 2-5 in the afternoon. 

Buca: typical wind strengths of 3-4, picking up around midday. The breeze tends to be on-shore, but can be cross-shore when it’s windier. 

Messini: on-shore breezes of around 3-4 on most days, swinging to a cross-on-shore when the wind picks up. Head out in June, July, or August for the most consistency. 

Portomyrina Palace: the beachclub for early risers, with the best breeze sweeping the big bay in the mornings. If you’re just starting, wait until the afternoon to get out sailing. 

Retreat: a sheltered bay with very little chop, wind conditions stick around force 1-2 all season, so this is an ideal place to learn from scratch. 

Vounaki: calm waters abound at Vounaki. Breezes start off light and build throughout the day to a force 3-4 in the afternoon. A great place for intermediates to progress. 

Airone: progress sailing skills or start from scratch in calm waters, with breezes that are generally cross-on-shore, and build to 2-3 in the afternoon. 

Baia dei Mori: shallow water in this sandy bay makes for great beginner sailing. Head further out of the bay’s shelter for the bigger breezes. The best breeze can be found between 11am and 3pm – at force 3-4. 

Alana: A large, pebbly bay, with gorgeous clear water. The mornings are generally calm, building to a cross-shore force 4 in the afternoon. 

Not sure what’s involved in completing an RYA course? Here’s what the beachies will be teaching you to do out on the water. You’ll generally be taken out in a double hander at first – likely a Bahia – before moving into a single-hander – generally a Pico or a Laser. 

RYA Level 1
With no assumed knowledge at all, anyone can sign up for a Start Sailing course with us. You’ll be taught to sail in all directions, with helpful graphics and tricks to memorise what you’re learning. You’ll also be taught an awareness of launching and recovering. By the time you’re finished, you’ll be happy sailing in light winds under supervision. 

RYA Level 2
When you come to complete your Level 2, you should be able to sail up to the skills learned in Level 1. You’ll be taught to rig your boat, launch, and recover your boat. You’ll also recap sailing in all directions, with more understanding on what the wind is doing and how to prepare for it. The final task will be three manoeuvres – capsize recovery, man overboard, and come alongside a moored boat. You’ll also gain knowledge of the five essentials: course made good, trim, balance, sail setting, and board (dagger/centre). You’ll learn this by remembering the Can This Boat Sail Better acronym. 

Once you’ve gained your RYA Levels 1&2, you can sail at any sailing centre in the UK. You should also feel a lot more confident in rigging, launching, and sailing by yourself – either as a crew or a helm. 

All of our sailing instructors are RYA qualified, so they’ll be able to answer any and all questions you have. They also just really love sailing, so they’re a joy to learn from! 

Find out where you can learn to dinghy sail.