Activities

Beachclub

What activities are included on a beachclub holiday?

Dinghy sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, water skiing, wakeboarding, cycling, tennis and fitness are all included in the price of your holiday to Alana Beachclub in Croatia, Vounaki, Messini and Buca Beachclubs in Greece.

Dinghy sailing and windsurfing are not available at Retreat Beachclub.

Water skiing and wakeboarding are not available at Mar Menor Beachclub in Spain, Baia dei Mori Beachclub in Sardinia or Aeolian Village Beachclub in Greece. Water skiing and wakeboarding are available on a pay as you ride basis at Retreat Beachclub.

Cosmos Beachclub in Greece does not include dinghy sailing, water skiing, wakeboarding or tennis.

Activity planner

Our activity planner is your guide to our activities and events. The activity planner details where and when each activity will take place and you're welcome to enjoy as many as you like or can fit into your week.

Our activity teams will be on hand at the beachclub to help you plan your week, answer any questions and book activities for you. Please note the planner is an example and a guide and is subject to change. 

You can view an example of an activity planner here. 

Is private tuition for sailing, windsurfing and tennis available?

Yes, these are all available and payable locally. Please speak to our instructors once you are in your chosen resort.
 

Can I book water skiing lessons?

We include up to two free tows per person per week (three if you're on a 10 or 11 night holiday) with upgrade packs available from £150 per person. You are able to upgrade inclusive water ski/wakeboard activity to our beginner, intermediate, advanced or family packs. Allocations are limited, however, if still available, these can also be booked in resort. For more info see our water ski and wakeboard page.

Water skiing and wakeboarding are not available at Mar Menor Beachclub in Spain, Aeolian Village Beachclub or Cosmos Beachclub in Greece and Baia dei Mori Beachclub in Sardinia.

Can I learn to sail on a beachclub holiday?

Dinghy sailing courses are included in the cost of your holiday. However additional yacht sailing courses are available to pre-book. See our sailing courses page for more info.

Can I book a yacht for just a day?

Yes, we offer private day sails at Vounaki Beachclub. Approximate sailing times are from 10am until 5pm. The maximum number for a day sail is five or seven guests depending on the yacht they are using including the skipper. Lunch with water is included.

If you wish to charter a day yacht without a Neilson skipper, you must hold a minimum of ICC or RYA Day Skipper and you must bring a copy of your qualifications with you.  Please contact us for prices and availability.

Ski &  Snowboard

Can I book ski & snowboard carriage?

Ski & snowboard carriage can be booked via our reservations team on 0333 014 3351 and the price will be confirmed at the time of booking.

Please note: We advise you to book your ski/snowboard carriage at the time of booking due to limited availability.

Can I book lift passes, equipment hire and lessons?

All of your lift passes, equipment hire and lessons can be booked online at the extras stage of your booking. If you've already booked, simply log into your My Neilson account and add 'Extras' to your booking. Alternatively, you can give us a call on 0333 014 3351 and we'll add them on for you.

What are the differences in the equipment available to hire?

Hire equipment is from reputable suppliers and is typically no more than two years old.
 

Skis - standard: Your basic type of carving ski. Suitable for first-timers and those with 1-3 weeks of previous skiing experience.
Skis - superior: An all-round ski with more stability than the standard ski. Good for intermediates and for building confidence.
Skis - advanced: These carving skis offer excellent stability at high speed. Suitable for good intermediate/advanced skiers.
Skis - Prestige: As advanced as they come, the top end of ski available to hire with the latest technology.
Snowboard - Standard: The standard board is designed to give more control making linking turns easier. Many have the 'rocker' technology or very soft camber, which are forgiving and easier to turn.
Snowboard - Superior: More stable than the standard version. Still easy to turn and forgiving but much more stable in faster runs. The superior boards are from top brands Salomon and Burton.

Are helmets included with equipment hire?

In the majority of our ski resorts, we include free child helmet hire when pre-booking equipment hire.

Sailing

What qualifications do I need to book a sailing holiday?

To charter a yacht on flotilla or stay and sail you are required to hold a certificate of yachting competence from a recognised body such as the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). If you have any of these certificates you're good to go: International Certificate of Competence (ICC), RYA Yachtmaster, RYA Coastal Skipper, RYA Sailing Skills: Basic Skills - Level 2 (completed on a yacht), RYA Keelboat Level 2 (completed on a yacht). 

All original certificates should be taken with you on flotilla. The Neilson team will check on arrival prior to departure that at least one of the crew hold a valid certificate to skipper the yacht, if the certificate is not present they will not be able to charter with us. 

If you do not hold a valid certificate prior to departure, you may either take training with us on one of our learn to sail courses, or gain training – or indeed an assessment at a training centre in the UK – details of locations are available on the RYA website www.rya.org.uk.

What is included in my yacht starter pack?

The yacht starter pack includes the following:

- A bottle of water

- 2 x toilet rolls

- A kitchen roll

- Washing up liquid

- Washing up cloth

- Small tub of coffee or sachets

- Sachets of sugar

- Small pack of teabags

- Milk

Can I charge my phone / connect iPod on your yachts?

All yachts have a car stereo system with a 3.5mm jackplug input – that plugs into your headphone socket – all have a 12v car cigarette lighter type power output for charging phones etc.

Does the quote for my flotilla holiday include marine insurance?

Yes, your holiday price includes marine insurance, damage waiver and security deposit.

 

Wind and weather

With wind force rarely above 3 throughout May and October, the Ionian is a great place for all levels of sailor. There will be plenty of time to top up your tan on deck with temperatures reaching up to 38 degrees in August and with very little rain.