Introduction to Sailing Holidays
We’re specialists in providing beginner yacht sailing holidays for friends and families. Our popular beginners sailing holiday is the ideal stepping stone towards flotilla sailing. Friendly skippers help sailing newbies and those with previous experience get to grips with yacht sailing, learn the ropes and have the opportunity to gain an ICC qualification with further theory study at home in the UK.
We also run specific yacht sailing weeks for single travellers.
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All set in a beautiful Greek island location it’s the perfect place to gain valuable experience and sea miles with our support. Suitable for families, friends and singles who are looking for a flexible introduction to yacht sailing in a stunning cruising area and fantastic climate.
After the weeks successful sailing in Greece, you also have the opportunity to progress further and gain a Flotilla Skipper qualification or an ICC qualification through the IYT Yachting , so you can sail independently on a Flotilla holiday in the future.
What’s included?
- 7 nights on board a fully equipped yacht. No sharing
- 5 days full sailing
- Yacht briefing on arrival
- Exclusive skipper for duration your own private skipper (they hop off in the evening for your privacy too)
- All mooring fees , water, fuel and gas
- Toilet/shower/storage facilities at marina
- Yacht cleaning at end of week
- Stand up paddle board (available to rent for £85/week)
Sailing Gallery
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The Highlights
- Your own yacht, no sharing
- Friendly skippers
- Easy sailing in moderate breezes
- No tides, hot & sunny
- Swimming & snorkelling
- Shower/toilet/storage facilities at the marina
- Skipper hops off every night for your privacy
- Dolphins and turtles
- Lovely local town
- Great for friends or families
- Use of a nearby pool
- Opportunity to gain a qualification (ICC)
What our Guests say…
DETAILS & PRICES
Special Offers
Call to book 01548 288459 or info@beyondbeach.com
CHEAP FLIGHTS from £180pp return (various UK airports)
Yachts & Prices
Choose your yacht to see prices
- 7 nights on board a fully equipped yacht
- 5 days full sailing
- Yacht briefing on arrival
- Exclusive skipper for duration
- All mooring fees , water, fuel and gas
- Toilet/shower/storage facilities at marina
- Yacht cleaning at end of week
What’s not included
- Flights & Transfers – We can book these for you as part of an ATOL protected package
- Personal expenditure
- Towels
- Damage Waiver – £150 per yacht non-refundable
- IYT theory course of £140pp pre-holiday (optional)
- ICC assessment 135 euro pp post-holiday (optional)
- Stand up Paddle board £85 per week (optional)
Flights & Transfers
We do not include flights & transfers in our list prices as we offer a bespoke holiday experience and some guests prefer to organise their own travel itinerary.
Our Expert Travel Planners
Many guests do however choose to take advantage of our travel planner to book their flights & transfers with us for the peace of mind of an ATOL protected holiday and of course for the added convenience.
You can choose to :
- Book your ATOL protected flights with us
- Pre-book your arrival transfer with us for an airport meet & greet and onward travel
- Pre-book your departure transfer with us for a hassle free end to your holiday
Our ATOL license 12803 ensures that with a flight-inclusive package you will be looked after in case we have to cancel your holiday or leave you stranded overseas due to any company financial difficulties. It ensures you will receive a full refund for all aspects of your holiday and/or be repatriated.
Booking flights through us incurs a £25 ATOL fee.
Destination – Kefalonia Airport Greece (EFL).
Flight Requirements – changeover day usually Thursday
Transfer Details – a taxi or minibus takes 60 minutes for the scenic drive around the bay from the airport to Lixouri Marina and vice-versa
4-8 people in a mini-bus one-way £95 total including meet & greet
1-4 people in a taxi one-way £70 total including meet & greet
What we say…
It’s a good idea to pre-book an arrival transfer and be met at the airport for a stress-free arrival, as the airport is often quite hectic.
Often guests choose to make their own way back to the airport at the end of their holiday once they are more familiar with the area – grab the ferry from Lixouri across the bay to Argostoli (20 mins) and then jump in another taxi for a 20min ride to the airport. All arranged locally.
Who’s it for ?
No previous sailing experience required, but a little in dinghies or yachts can help. Our popular Introduction to Yacht Sailing holidays are great for beginner sailors looking for a flotilla style holiday with a knowledgeable skipper onboard. It’s a great “first step” towards our popular flotilla holidays.
Out of school holiday periods we have friends and couples, then during the school holiday periods are yachts are full with families having fun together on the water.
How does it work ?
A simple step-by-step process
It’s a really flexible holiday. Devised for complete beginners, our Learn to Sail holiday in Greece lets you learn to sail while enjoying an exciting holiday. Have fun and stay safe out on the water as you learn the ropes and develop a taste for yacht sailing in sunny Greece. And there’s the option to progress further and gain a qualification.
STEP 1 – Only required for those guests who are looking to go on and skipper their own yacht on a flotilla holiday in the future.
Step 1 –Brush up on your theory skills prior to your holiday in Greece with an on-line course with the IYT before you arrive in Greece. Sign up on-line here and complete the course before arriving in Greece.
STEP 2 – For everyone on an Introduction to Sailing holiday.
Step 2 – Just turn up in Greece ready for your holiday. Over 6 sunny days practice your skills, refresh your theory and build sea miles under the supervision of a friendly skipper. Ideal for friends & families who want their own yacht with no sharing and a skipper who hops off in the evenings for your privacy.
STEP 3 – Only required for those guests who are looking to go on and skipper their own yacht on a flotilla holiday in the future.
Step 3 – There is the option of a further theory study at home and an assessment with the IYT which can lead to a Flotilla Skipper or ICC qualification
The local area
About the local area
Kefalonia is one of a group of islands on the western side of Greece in the Ionian Sea. It is the largest of the Ionian islands and boasts the third-highest mountain range in Greece. Parts of the island are now national parks, home to wild horses, golden eagles and other protected flora and fauna.
Food
Experience the Sailing… and the food!
No holiday to Greece is complete without the mouth-watering food available! In the many cafes, restaurants and tavernas in the local area, you can enjoy classic Greek kitchen dishes, seasonal salads, mind-blowing tomatoes and freshly grilled sardines, pork chops and club sandwiches. All very reasonably priced too!
Did you know that there are 48 varieties of grape grown locally in Kefalonia? You can also enjoy some very fine internationally recognised wines to try, along with some fantastic Hellenic beers, there’s plenty to enjoy.
For our Introduction to Sailing holidays, no meals are included in the holiday price.
Just moments from our marina base In Lixouri you’ll find everything you need for a week of sailing including mini-marts, a supermarket, some fantastic local bakeries plus numerous local cafes and restaurants! We have some suggestions for you to try on your holiday!
In the local area
Evening Meals in Argostoli or at anchor
- If you spend a night in Argostoli harbour, you’ll have plenty of evening meal options available just a short walk from your yacht. Wander along the seafront and see what takes your fancy!
- If you have a night at anchor, you can either take provisions for an evening meal on board or row to shore for a rustic taverna meal on a beach.
FAQs
Drop us a line if you can’t find your answer…
Do I have to complete the online assessment before doing the course in Kefalonia?
If you intend to come away with an ICC it is essential you register with the IYT and complete the online learning pre-holiday.
It takes approximately 10 hours to complete the theory which can be completed in sections (we recommend 5 sessions of 2 hours each).
Are there any other assessments on the holiday?
Yes, there is a multiple-choice test that must be taken and passed if you intend to gain your ICC.
What is it like living on-board?
It’s like a floating caravan with similar self-catering mod cons. There are 3 separate cabins, hot and cold water, hob cooker and toilet/shower (don’t expect a Swiss Spa!) We do provide toilet/shower facilities ashore for your comfort. These are shared with the other guests taking part in the Learn to Sail course.
Do we share the boat with anyone else?
No, you have your own boat to yourselves – this is our policy. You will have your own exclusive skipper who does not live on board with you either. They hop off the boat at the end of the day, for your own privacy.
If you are on a singles holiday and have requested to live onboard – you may be sharing the boat (but not a cabin) with another person.
The shore facilities at the marina are shared with the other guests taking part in the Learn to Sail course. We do not provide towels, so please bring bathroom and swimming towels with you.
Do you have to be as ‘strong as an ox’ to sail a yacht?
No. As long as you have basic mobility and average strength then you’ll be fine. We’ve had a few septuagenarians who have had a fabulous time sailing!
We have children. Will there be enough for them to do?
In school holiday periods we have lots of families with children of all ages on our holidays. It’s a great atmosphere on and off the water and the children love it, plus they learn something new. We focus the course on you as a family group, giving all the children jobs but we are flexible as we understand it is a holiday after all. We keep the days fairly short (10 – 4.30 ish) and always have a good hour and a half for swimming at lunch on anchor.
How old do you have to be to do the ICC / Crew certificate?
You must be 16 years old or over in order to complete your ICC.
You must be 14 years old or over in order to complete you Competent Crew Certificate.
There are absolutely no exceptions to these rules!
Do all the crew have to do ICC?
No – only those of you that would like to obtain their qualifications. Otherwise, you can sit back and enjoy the view.
I can’t swim
Do not panic our skippers are fully qualified and very very safety conscious! They will look after you, but we highly recommend you wear a buoyancy aid/life jacket whilst on board your yacht.
Is there a hairdryer on board?
No. If you choose to bring a hairdryer, you will only able to use your hairdryer when it is plugged into a mains socket in a building. The shore power connection for our yachts is low voltage, so a high power item like a hairdryer can blow the fuses for the entire pontoon!
What is the deposit/damage waiver for?
There is a non-refundable damage waiver of £150 per yacht per week. This means you are not liable for any big bills at the end of the week. The waiver is payable as part of your final balance. For more information please see our Terms and Conditions.
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