Flotilla sailing holidays & skippered cruises

The best itineraries for sailing on the open sea

Are you interested in sailing away from the coast, surrounded only by the open sea? Embarking in the company of a passionate skipper for a crossing, including ocean, is the ideal experience for those who love long voyages and for those who want to experience a unique adventure by enriching their nautical knowledge.

From Liguria to Corsica: crossing the Mediterranean on a sailing boat

One of the most fascinating routes for offshore sailing is right behind the house: the Mediterranean triangle enclosed between the Liguria , the Côte d'Azur , the Tuscany and the Corsica is known as the Cetacean Sanctuary . It is a marine protected area where you can sail in the open sea in the company of dolphins and whales. The departure is generally from one of the ports of west of the Ligurian Riviera or from the French Riviera.

Some skippers choose to set sail in the evening, carry out a night navigation with shifts and land on the coasts of Corsica at dawn. Another possibility is to leave Liguria or the south of France at dawn to fully enjoy offshore sailing during the day. In this way your skipper can pass on his seafaring knowledge and you can test yourself at the helm or adjusting the sails. During the day someone will be able to practice trolling, to have lunch with fresh fish.

For those who are just starting out with offshore navigation, we suggest the route departing from Tuscany, which often sees an intermediate stop in Capraia, before reaching the mythical rock of Giraglia in Corsica. The Giraglia is famous for being one of the stops of sailing regattas in the Mediterranean, including the Giraglia Rolex Cup , departing from Saint Tropez, and the 151 Miles departing from Livorno.
Are you a group of friends? This route is perfect for you, whether you want to try your hand at sailing, or experience a long weekend on a sailing boat in company: rent a whole boat with skipper to live an exciting experience starting from the comfortable ports of Tuscan coast .

Atlantic crossing on a sailing boat

The crossing of the Atlantic Ocean to reach the turquoise Caribbean seas is the best known ocean route. This long experience on a sailing boat consists of two sections. The first route lasts a week, departing from Balearic Islands or from south of Spain to reach Tenerife or Gran Canaria < / a>, passing through Gibraltar. Once you have landed in the Canary Islands it is time to wait for the ideal weather window to head to the Caribbean . When the winds are favorable your unforgettable adventure in the blue of the Atlantic will begin!

Generally the crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by sailing boat lasts at least 20 days ; the stages and the navigation rhythms depend on the winds and the weather. On board a sailboat, everyone always has a specific role, but in this case it is even more important that each crew member respects the sailing shifts and is always vigilant. For this reason, most skippers require their travel companions to have a minimum of experience in offshore sailing.

After the long Atlantic voyage you wish to relax for a week in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea, soaking up the sun aboard a catamaran or of a sailing boat ? You are in the right place and you will be spoiled for choice: Martinique , Guadelupa , St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia await you!

Offshore navigation in the North Sea

Cold? I'm not afraid of you! When we talk about offshore sailing, we must also think of routes less traveled by mass tourism . Starting from the coasts of the Basque Country in Spain, sailing in the Bay of Biscay, or Bay of Biscay, is the ideal experience for those who want to learn the fundamentals of offshore navigation and have a period of less than 2 weeks.

For the more adventurous, Iceland and the great north are certainly a essential destination ; we suggest the departure from the port of Reykjavik with a stop at the Faroe Islands, characterized by steep cliffs and home to sea birds. Once you have landed on the coast of Scotland, you can reward yourself with an excellent glass of scotch like a real sea dog!

If you are looking for breathtaking landscapes and unspoiled nature, you absolutely cannot miss the magic of the midnight sun , sailing through the waters of a Norwegian fjord . Stop among the fishing villages that populate the Lofoten islands in Norway is a unique adventure.
On the opposite side of the Atlantic ocean , in Canada , you will instead admire the green of the coniferous forests that is reflected on the blue of the sea. Along the canal that will take you to Québec-City you can take part in a sailing course with professional skippers.

Crossing the English Channel on a sailboat

The north fascinates you but you still don't feel ready for such a challenging navigation? Crossing the Manche is the perfect adventure to get closer to offshore sailing in small doses.
Setting sail from one of the ports of Brittany near Calais, in a few hours you will find yourself enjoying an excellent Fish & Chips in the Southern England . Do you think this is a less adventurous sailing experience? Far from it! The English Channel is known for the strongest tides and currents in Europe, which is why after this 3-day adventure you will be ready to tackle even the most demanding voyages.

Crossing the Pacific Ocean: from Panama to the Hawaiian Islands to Alaska

If your dream is to spend as much time as possible on board a sailboat sailing the Pacific Ocean, we suggest the longest route ever : from Panama Canal to Honolulu Your adventure will last at least 4 weeks and you will sail for almost 5000 miles : a long journey during which you will have the opportunity to deepen your seafaring knowledge and discover all the secrets of life on board during a ocean crossing.

Another less traveled route suitable for lovers of the sea and nature is certainly the one to the north: starting from Hawaiian Islands awaits you one of the most exciting crossings passing through different climates, until you reach the coasts of Alaska .