Learn to sail in Greece with Sunvil
Sunvil Sailing run yachting holidays off Lefkas island in the Greek Ionian Sea with a choice of accommodation either on board the boat or shore-based in a hotel, villa or apartment.
They specialise in learn-to-sail weeks with certification but also offer flotilla, bareboat charter, individually tailored villa-flotilla packages and day boat hire.
The Greek sailing holidays run from late April to late October with special share-a-yacht ‘pot-luck’ weeks early and late season; these are ideal for singles and parties too small to hire their own yacht.
Learn-to-Sail Weeks
Sunvil’s learn-to-sail holidays in the Greek Ionian Sea are suitable for the complete novice as well as those with a little sailing experience or whose knowledge has lapsed; courses cater for singles, couples, groups of friends and families with youngsters from nine years upwards (under 16s need to be accompanied by an adult). Accommodation is either live-aboard or shore-based.
Tuition follows an internationally recognised syllabus; novices will aim for the Crew Certificate (for 12 years and over), while the more advanced can work towards a Skipper Certificate qualifying them for non-tidal coastal waters (for 16 years and over). Youngsters between 9 and 12 years can gain an Introduction to Yachting Certificate. The superb coastal scenery, warm sheltered waters and favourable wind conditions provide a safe and pleasant location in which to learn new boating skills.
Live-Aboard Packages: For those choosing to live-aboard, the tuition yachts form the lead boats in a small flotilla, which departs from Sunvil’s base at Nidri. Holidaymakers share their yacht with the instructor as it cruises around the stunning coastal islands; days are spent literally learning the ropes along with boating and navigational skills while the flotilla moors up at a different harbour every evening for a relaxing and social dinner ashore in a local restaurant.
Six and eight berth yachts are used for the learn-to-sail programmes with between four and six students to one instructor. Prices start from £559 per person per week based on two sharing a cabin to include return flights from London Gatwick to Prevesa, transfers, live-aboard accommodation and tuition, and from only £200pppw excluding the flights and transfers. There is a single cabin supplement from £100pppw and a £70 on-site contribution towards the on-board kitty to cover breakfast/lunch/refreshments aboard, yacht damage waiver, fuel, mooring fees, certification, etc. This rises to £95 for a two-week cruise.
Shore-Based Yacht Training Courses: First time sailors, families and groups where not everybody wishes to learn-to-sail or those who simply prefer the extra comforts of hotel, villa or apartment, can take the shore-based accommodation option.
They can then book as many two-day sailing modules as they wish with instruction. On non-sailing days guests can simply relax by the pool, try some watersports, go horse riding or hire a car and drive along the coast or explore inland. The two-day sailing modules with tuition are priced from £95pp based on a minimum of two people, plus £20pp on-site to cover certification, log-books and yacht fuel.
Other Options
In addition, Sunvil Sailing offers holidays in Greece for those with relevant qualifications to charter their own yacht but to remain within their flotilla cruising area. By trying to keep to around eight boats, the flotilla can moor overnight at some of the smaller, more attractive ports and form a sociable group for dinner at a local taverna or hotel. Prices start from £450pppw dependent on the size of yacht, number in the party and time of year plus an on-site contribution to cover yacht damage waiver, port documentation, etc.
They also have a limited number of yachts from 27 to 46ft available for bareboat charter for qualified/experienced sailors to sail independently outside the normal flotilla area.
Solo holidaymakers, or groups too small to make up a charter, can join Sunvil Sailing’s ‘Pot Luck’ weeks where they share a yacht with like-minded shipmates. These generally take place early or late in the season.
Other options include skippered charter whereby holidaymakers not requiring tuition but simply wishing to relax and cruise around the seas with a professional skipper can join a live-aboard package, just occasionally lending a hand when necessary.
Day boat hire for shore-based holidaymakers and villa-flotilla – a week’s live aboard and a week in a hotel, villa or self-catering apartment.
Sunvil Sailing can put together custom made packages with any number of variations for individuals or small groups. With flexibility in mind they can tailor holidays to provide the perfect combination of live-aboard sailing, tuition and shore-based accommodation to suit everyone from experienced skippers to complete novices and all levels in-between. Couples, singles, families and groups are all welcome.
Turkey and Greece Bareboat Charter
New for 2008 Sunvil will also be offering bareboat charter in Turkey and Greece for those with sailing experience from April to November. The Turkish programme will operate from the modern marina at Yalikavak on the scenic coast around 10 miles from Bodrum and just 23 miles from the airport; holidaymakers will also be able to cruise the long chain of picturesque Greek Dodecanese islands which hug the Turkish coastline. In Croatia the yachts are based in the village of Kastela about 15 minutes transfer from Split airport on the Central Dalmatian Coast. There is also the option of a second week at a hotel in both destinations.
For further details log onto Sunvilsailing.co.uk.
