F.A.Q.

Do I need to know how to sail?

Absolutely not! Most of our guests have never been on a yacht before.

Every boat has a professional skipper of a similar age to the group, who speaks English as a first language, vetted by the Summer Yachting team. Your sailing gurü and best friend for the week, your skipper will be happy to answer any questions you might have, show you the ropes if you like, or just let you sit back, relax, and enjoy the Mediterranean sun.

How many people will be onboard my yacht?

There will be 9 people in total onboard your sailing yacht. There are 4 cabins of 2 people each, plus your skipper who will sleep either in the saloon, or in a hammock on deck.

Who else will be on the trip?

In summer 2025, we’re expecting to welcome a total of around 32 guests, aged roughly 18-28, across 4 sailing yachts.

There will also be 3 Skippers, and a Lead Skipper.

How much time will I spend with the other guests?

While sailing (3-4 hours each day), you’ll be relaxing on your own private boat with your friends. All the yachts will be sailing the same route, so in the morning, at lunchtime and in the evening and overnight, the boats will all be docked up together, which is the perfect time to meet and socialise with other guests.

Is this trip just about sailing?

Not at all. We welcome non-sailors, and we organise a varied programme of other activities too. Sailing is how we get from place to place, but we don't take it too seriously, and there's a lot of other things going on. In the past, we've been to a wine-tasting, visited the world's best preserved amphitheatre, gone horse-riding, swam in lot of bays, explored abandoned islands, and experienced a wide variety of Mediterranean towns.

How do I know this is legitimate?

Hopefully the amount of information included on this site will give you an idea of how genuinely passionate we are about making this trip a success, and how much research and work has been put in by the team so far.

For the purposes of dispelling all doubt, we've made it official:

Summer Yachting Ltd is a limited company registered in Scotland, company number SC667769, which you can verify for yourself on the Companies House website.

We have been running these trips successfully for several years. If you're looking for a second opinion, you can also read our TrustPilot reviews here.

What are the trip dates?

Best to check the page for the trip – the dates will be listed at the very top, or scroll down to the "Trip Profile" section for all the details!

I love the sound of the trip, but I can't make those dates!

If you're keen to come on the trip but you can't make this year's dates, the best thing to do is tell us! If we receive enough interest in running an additional week, we'll see if we can make it happen.

You can also signup to our mailing list at the bottom of the page to stay notified about future dates.

You can also explore our new bespoke option...

When do I need to book by?

There is no deadline for booking, however there are a limited number of spaces available and they tend to fill very quickly due to shared demand between those who enjoyed the trip in previous years, and those who are seeking to join for the first time!

Spaces are allocated on a first come, first served basis, and we will always give preference to people who have booked sooner. If the booking page is visible, there are still places available!

Booking takes 2 minutes and can be done here. You must pay your booking deposit (instructions will be emailed to you after completing the form) to confirm your place.

How does payment work?

View the payment information for the 2025 trip here.

The total cost for the trip is payable in 4 installments, beginning with a booking deposit to confirm your place. If you would rather make one payment upfront to minimise hassle, just go ahead and do so - no need to check with us first. Book in the usual way and make your full payment when prompted to pay the booking deposit.

Payment is made by bank transfer. When you fill out the booking form, the Summer Yachting Ltd bank details will be shared with you by email.

You mentioned a refundable damage deposit?

Yes - in addition to the values above, there will also be a £175pp damage deposit required, to cover any potential damage to the yacht. Unless the yacht is returned with missing or damaged equipment at the end of the week, this deposit will be refunded to you in full at the end of the week.

You will not be liable for any damage caused by your skipper (very unlikely, but it could happen and we're aware this might be something you're wondering about).

Can I pay by card or PayPal?

In order to keep the cost of the trip to you as low as possible, payments can only be made to us by bank transfer, to the Summer Yachting Ltd bank account.

Details of how to make the payment will be sent to you when you complete the booking form.

What are the booking options?

Book a cabin (shared between you, and one friend). We will combine cabin bookings to create shared yachts of 8 guests + skipper. This is the best way to make new friends and means you don't need to form a group of 8 people, however if you sign up with friends, we will do all we can to have you on the same boat as each other.

What happens if more friends join my group later?

No problem. When your friends sign up, we'll ask them who they'd like to be on a yacht with, and endeavour to ahve you on the same boat as each other.

What if my group is larger than 8 people?

If your group is larger than 8 people, the best thing to do is probably to split into 2 smaller groups.

However, we may be able to find a larger yacht for you which can host a larger group. Get in touch with us as soon as you know this might be an issue.

Can you offer discounts?

If you're responsible for a large number of people signing up to the trip, or if you feel you have something to offer us, get in touch by email and we'll see what we can do!

I have a booking question that isn't answered here...

No worries! Just send us an email (summeryachtingteam@gmail.com).

Where can I read your terms and conditions?

You can find them here! We've tried to be as transparent as possible. If anything isn't clear, please just get in touch with us.

What documents do I need?

In order to join the trip, you must have the following two documents and we will ask to see proof of each.

• Your passport: Valid for the duration of your stay.
• Travel insurance The insurance company may ask you if we are sailing more than 12 nautical miles offshore, as this is a typical exclusion (territorial waters). The answer is no, we will always be within 12 nautical miles of shore.

In addition, we highly recommend having a GHIC card - apply for free here.

Where should I fly from/to?

Flights aren't included in the booking, so you're free to fly from whichever airport you choose, UK or otherwise. Some people team up and fly out together, and some people might choose to travel in the country or even around Europe beforehand. More travel info here.

If you're not travelling before the sailing trip, see "nearest airport" in the 2025 trip profile for the most logical airport to fly to.

What should I bring with me?

A few weeks before the trip, we'll send out an information pack which will include a list of things to consider bringing.

On the yacht, space is limited, so avoid hard suitcases and pack into a soft bag instead.

Who will be on my boat? Who will I be sharing a cabin with?

Each cabin (room) onboard sleeps two people, and when you sign up you'll let us know who you will share with. If you sign up solo, we'll put you in a bunk-bed cabin, and you'll share with someone of the same gender to you.

There are five cabins on each yacht.

What are the yachts like?

Picture glamping, but at sea. Your yacht will have 4 shared cabins (bedrooms) which are small but clean and comfortable, and you'll share a cabin with another member of your group. Although the cabins are small, you'll only be in them to change and to sleep - however many people choose to sleep on deck instead.

Your boat will have showers, toilets, and running water. It will also have mains power (240V) and hot water.

I'm a boat nerd, tell me more about the yachts.

For the summer 2025 trip, the yachts will be Bavaria 46 Cruisers, built between 2015-2019, refitted 2024.

How safe are the yachts?

Safety is the primary concern of our staff and skippers at all times. All skippers are first aid trained and your wellbeing is their number one priority.

SAFETY

We will be sailing within clear sight of land at all times, and there will be multiple boats in the Summer Yachting fleet - sailing relatively close together, within radio contact.

If there was an emergency on the water, all the yachts will have easy access to one another, and direct radio contact to the coastguard if required. Every yacht will be equipped with full modern safety equipment, including lifejackets for every member of the crew and a liferaft.

The yachts are extremely new and are constructed to modern safety standards.

MEDICAL

All yachts will have a first aid kit onboard, and all our skippers are first aid trained.

In the very unlikely case of a serious medical emergency onboard whilst sailing, we can easily and quickly call on the coastguard at any time.

SECURITY

We always sail well within European territorial waters, within sight and within radio contact of land, in popular charter boat areas that are safe and well-charted. There is no danger of modern-day "pirates" whatsoever, and no likelihood of other potential dangers such as refugee vessels.

Whilst dining in the evenings, your entire group may leave your yacht. This is standard practice in the Mediterranean, and theft from sailing yachts is almost unheard of. Despite this and the fact that all yachtsmen and marina staff naturally watch out for each other, we will lock the interior of the yachts when they are uninhabited in the evenings, and generally there will always be someone who stays to keep a watchful eye over the fleet. Some nights, the fleet will be at anchor out in a bay, and the chance of theft in this case drops to near zero.

Despite this, due to the other dangers onboard and deep water all around, we would remind all guests that you are responsible at all times for any valuable items you choose to bring, and advise where possible that these are left at home.

What about seasickness?

In our experience, seasickness is extremely rare – and we do have ways of dealing with it if it does make an appearance.

Do you have to be a confident swimmer to join the trip?

No, you don't need to swim (or enter the water at all) if you don't want to. Your skipper will be able to issue you with a lifejacket if you require one.

An ability even just to stay afloat will greatly enhance the experience, however. Many people choose to bring large inflatables to cool off with in the water, however this is completely up to you.

Where exactly will we be sailing to?

A full itinerary will be released closer to the time when locations are confirmed.

Please note that routes can be heavily dependent on several factors (including weather) and it's our responsibility to have a Plan B and Plan C for each destination. For this reason, your route may change at any time, at the discretion of your Skipper and the Lead Skipper.

What is expected of me onboard?

In terms of sailing, very little is expected of you - this is your holiday, and you are here primarily to relax! You are welcome to be as involved (or not!) as you like.

Most of the time, the skipper can sail the boat singlehanded. That said, there may be occasions when your skipper may ask you politely to help with quick, light tasks onboard, such as throwing a rope to a person who is onshore, or helping steer the yacht. We ask only that you respond positively to these, and are willing to lend an occasional hand when required. Managing 16 metres of yacht by yourself isn't an easy job!

Below deck, it is your responsibility to wash up any bowls, plates or cutlery you use, and to keep the living space generally tidy through the week, for safety. This doesn't need to take more than 5 minutes per day and all cleaning will be handled for you at the end of the week.

It is crucial for the safety of everyone onboard that you that you listen carefully to your skipper at all times, and respond to any requests they make. They are there to keep you safe and to ensure you have an amazing trip!

Will there be an opportunity to learn to sail?

Yes. Throughout the week, your skipper will be happy to show you the ropes!

We sadly can't offer any formal certificates, but this trip is the perfect opportunity to try out sailing for the first time, or to hone your skills.

If you then decide to progress your sailing after the trip, we can offer advice on this.