How Easy is it to Learn to Sail?

23 April 2024 5 min

Are you new to the wonderful world of sailing, want to book your first yacht charter and are wondering: How easy is it to learn to sail?

Whether you’re looking for a new way to experience the world or want to learn a new skill, sailing is a very accessible activity loved by families, couples and everyone in between. With the right support and training, you could go from a sailing novice to cruising around the open waters in as little as a week.

Like all sports, there are challenges you will face that can make sailing more difficult, which we will cover later on. However, once you have the basic skills, you’ll find most of your sailing adventures a dream come true.

Just how easy you find sailing can depend on a number of factors, including:

Where you learn to sail – Some sailing destinations, such as the BVI, Croatia and Greece, have line-of-sight navigation, sheltered waters and calm sailing conditions which make them ideal for beginners and less experienced sailors learning to sail than other destinations.
When you learn to sail – Each of our sailing destinations has a unique sailing season where the weather conditions are perfect for setting sail. Head to our blog page to find out more about the best times to visit our destinations, including when to visit the BVI and the best time to sail around Greece.

Throughout the rest of this blog, we’ll be exploring how easy it is to learn to sail, covering topics such as the main challenges of sailing to the core skills you need to learn. Let’s dive in…

How can you make it easier to learn to sail?

From chart plotting to understanding large tidal variations, there are lots of things to learn when it comes to sailing. However, once you master the basics, you’ll find it a lot easier to develop the rest of your sailing skills. In no time at all, you’ll be exploring the depths of Belize, Thailand or wherever you choose to visit.

So, what are the core elements of sailing you need to get to grips with?

Terminology – Sailing terminology is used by beginner and experienced sailors alike and is essentially its own language. Embrace your inner sailor and learn as much terminology as you can before stepping aboard one of our world-class yachts. We’ve put together an A-Z of sailing terminology to help you prepare for your thrilling yacht charter.
Wind Direction – All sailors, no matter your experience level, need to have an understanding of wind direction so that you can trim your sails properly and keep safe in the waters.
Steering – It comes as no surprise that one of the basic skills you need to learn is steering. You need to be able to steer accurately and efficiently in order to sail in a straight line, or change direction. The good news? Steering is one of the quickest and easiest skills you will pick up, and almost impossible to forget once it’s ingrained in your brain.

Many sailing destinations will require more than the basic skills, so you may need formal certifications which you can learn more about in our blog about the qualifications required to sail a yacht. However, learning these skills first will make it easier to learn to sail in the long run.

What are the main challenges that make it difficult to sail?

As we mentioned earlier, there are some challenges budding sailors face that could make learning to sail more difficult. The main three include:

Sailing conditions – Tides, trade winds, temperatures and rainfall can all play a part in how easy or difficult it is to sail around one of our idyllic sailing locations. Some of our bases, such as Sardinia and Corfu, even close during low seasons to ensure you have the best possible sailing conditions when you climb aboard one of our catamarans or monohulls. You can learn about the average sailing conditions of each of our destinations on their respective pages.
Skills – While the skills are easy enough to pick up and develop individually, combining all the skills you’ve learned at one of our sailing schools and applying them out on the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean, Caribbean or wherever you’re chartering a yacht, is another story. Find out more about the skills and qualifications needed to charter a yacht.
Confidence – One of the most important parts of sailing is having the confidence to take the helm and navigate your yacht around beautiful islands. If you don’t believe in your skills and capabilities, you’re more likely to find the sailing experience difficult and stressful. Don’t worry though, we’re here to support you every step of the way. From pre-charter briefings to hiring a skipper, we’ll ensure you’re comfortable and confident as you sail into the sunset for the first time.

Embrace the challenge and take your holidays to a whole other level by booking a sailing charter for beginners.

How to learn to sail

Is sailing easy? Find out for yourself by learning how to sail and booking a thrilling yacht charter.

You might be wondering, what is the best way to learn how to sail? This is where we come in. We offer sailing schools around the world that will take you sailing zero to sailing hero.

At our sailing schools in Greece, Croatia and the UK, you’ll learn the necessary skills to take the helm on an exciting bareboat charter and glide around the open waters with style and confidence. The best part? We have sailing courses for all experience levels, so whether you’re learning to sail for the first time or wanting to hone your skills further, we’ve got you covered.

Find out more about our sailing schools in Lefkas, Agana and Portsmouth.

Want to experience the magic of sailing without learning to sail? Hire a skipper who will navigate you around your chosen sailing destination while you sip cocktails on deck and admire the breathtaking views. If you’re still developing your sailing skills, you could always hire a skipper for part of your holiday and take the helm for the rest.
If you have any questions about how easy learning to sail is, or about our charters more generally, please get in touch with us today. You can also check out our guide on how to charter a yacht for beginners which has everything you need to enjoy a sensational first sailing holiday.