Curious about sailing?
Since 1997, Classic Sailing has helped thousands of people learn to sail: no experience needed.
You do not need sailing experience to try a holiday aboard a traditional boat or tall ship.
Start by finding out what life aboard is like. We explain how you join in, where you sleep and how the professional crew help you learn.
Then, when you are ready, explore the voyages that could suit you.
Help me choose my first voyage[]
If you are ready you can start right now
If you want to start this winter rather than wait for spring, join Oosterschelde in the Cape Verde islands. Eleven nights of warm trade wind sailing on a three-masted schooner, with time ashore on different islands and temperatures around 22 to 25°C. No experience needed. The crew teach you from the first day.
Departures from Palmeira, Sal: 14 January, 26 January and 3 March 2027.
Want ocean miles? Sail Tenerife to Cape Verde from 5 January 2027.
More than a sailing lesson
Learning to sail is only part of the holiday. Depending on the voyage, you might anchor in a quiet bay, go ashore to explore, swim off the ship or spend an evening ashore a port or harbour. Meals are eaten together, and most people know everyone on board by name within a day or two.
On Oosterschelde in Cape Verde, sailing days are mixed with time ashore on different islands: walks, local music in the villages and swimming in warm water.
Who sails with us
Not everyone comes to become a sailor. We have had climbers join a Greenland voyage to look at the granite spires for a future trip, and birdwatchers spend weeks on a tall ship to see albatrosses in the Southern Ocean. Fans of Patrick O’Brian’s novels come to see what life under sail is really like, even if they can’t yet steer a straight course or read a compass in the rain.
Our guests include teachers, gardeners, builders, office workers, campers, kayakers and people who simply wanted to try something new. If you enjoy being outdoors, working as part of a team and meeting new people, you will fit in.
What you will do on board
You help sail the ship alongside the professional crew, who supervise everything you do. Typical tasks include hauling on lines to raise and set the sails, taking a turn at the helm and keeping lookout. You will be shown how to do each job before you are asked to do it, and help is always on hand.
How much you take on depends on the ship, the voyage and you. Some people want to try everything, others prefer to take things steadily. Both are fine. Climbing the rigging is always optional and always supervised.
“This was the first time I had sailed… the crew were very helpful to a newbie.” Janice
Where to start
Winter sun now
Eleven nights on Oosterschelde in the Cape Verde islands, with warm trade wind sailing and time ashore.
See All Cape Verde dates
A short UK coastal break next spring
Three to five nights on a smaller vessel around the UK coast. A good way to find out how you take to life on board.
See UK short breaks
.
Personal advice
Tell us what you are looking for and we will suggest voyages that suit you.
.
Can I come on my own?
Yes. Most people travel on their own. You are put on a watch with others from the first day, tasks are shared and everyone eats together, so you get to know people quickly. Many guests stay in touch after the voyage and sail together again.
“Stretching outside my comfort zone… I’m glad I took the risk.” Tracy
How fit do I need to be?
You do not need to be especially strong, but you do need to move around a deck that is moving, climb steep ladders between decks and cope with a few days at sea. What is asked of you varies between ships and voyages. A short coastal trip on a small vessel is very different from an ocean passage on a tall ship.
Some ships grade their own voyages. Oosterschelde, for example, uses sailing levels to show how strenuous each trip is. On ocean passages, ships may be out of reach of rescue helicopters and shore medical care, so these voyages need more careful thought.
If you have any mobility or health concerns, talk to us before you choose. We will check with the ship and help you find a voyage that suits you.
Is there a minimum age?
Minimum ages are set by each ship. Some vessels welcome children of any age, but anyone under 18 must sail with a parent or legal guardian. The age limits for each voyage are shown on the voyage page, or ask us.
Help me choose my first voyage.
What happens on board
Every voyage starts with a safety briefing and an introduction to the ship. The crew will show you where the lifejackets and liferafts are kept, what to do in an emergency and how the ship works. This applies to everyone, including people who have sailed before.
The lists below show what the first few days typically look like. The order changes with the ship, the weather and the voyage, and departure times and watch arrangements vary.
Day one: finding your way around
- Moving safely around the deck while under way
- Learning the layout of the ship and where the safety equipment is
- Handling lines: coiling, and making them fast to pins and cleats
- Helping raise the sails under supervision
- Taking a first turn at the helm
Day two: joining in
- The basics of setting the sails to suit the wind
- More practice with lines and knots
- How the watch system works. so the ship can sail day and night, for longer passages.
- Keeping lookout for other vessels, hazards and wildlife
- Possibly an introduction to charts and the compass
Day three onwards: building confidence
- Taking more of a lead in sail handling
- Reducing and stowing sails, and learning when and why
- Holding a steady course at the helm
- Procedures for anchoring and coming alongside
Nobody expects you to know which line does what at the start. There may be dozens on board, and if you know a few by the end you are doing well. By the end of a voyage, many first-timers are steering a steady course and helping lead the sail handling.
“Exhilarating without being scary.” Angela
Practical questions
Where will I sleep?
Most ships have shared cabins with bunks. Some have double or single cabins. Details are on each vessel page.
What about meals?
Meals are cooked on board and eaten together. Tell us about any dietary requirements when you book.
What should I bring?
See our packing list. Some ships supply waterproofs and some do not (Oosterschelde, for example, does not), so check the voyage page.
What does the price include?
Your berth, all meals on board, sailing instruction and the professional crew. Travel to and from the ship and travel insurance are not included. Each voyage page lists exactly what is included.
.
More useful reading
These articles answer the questions beginners ask most or read our Frequently Asked Questions.
⚓How People Feel After Their First Sailing Trip
⚓Will I Get Seasick?
⚓Is Sailing Safe?
⚓What Should I Wear to Go Sailing?
⚓What Should I Take With Me? (free packing list)
⚓My First Voyage
⚓ Find out more about tall ship sailing around the world from Sail Training International
