Sailing With Friends

Learn to sail. Meet new people. Build connections. Explore by boat.

Learn to sail. Meet new people. Build connections. Explore by boat.

What is Sailing With Friends?

Sailing With Friends is a chance to step aboard Cormorant and spend a week learning how to sail while exploring the coast and islands from the water.

You don't need to have sailed before. During the week you'll be introduced to the fundamentals of sailing, from handling sails and lines to understanding how the boat is navigated and operated. You'll be encouraged to get involved and learn by doing, with guidance from the skipper and crew.

The experience is also about the people you meet along the way. Sailing brings together people from different backgrounds who share an interest in travel, adventure and learning something new. It's an opportunity to build connections, exchange ideas and develop relationships both on and off the water.

Whether you're looking to learn a new skill, experience life on a sailing yacht or expand your network, Sailing With Friends offers a different way to spend a week.

No experience required. Come ready to learn, sail and meet people.

At a glance

£750 per person / week
Food and personal expenses not included
No previous sailing experience required
Hosted on SY Cormorant
Small groups of 3–10 people
Practical, hands-on sailing experience
Opportunity to meet and network with like-minded people

Join the next sail

Come Solo. Leave With Friends.

You don't need to organise a group to come sailing. Sailing With Friends is designed for people who are happy to step aboard with people they haven't met before.

You'll spend the week working together as a crew, learning the basics of sailing and sharing responsibility for life on board. Working together in a small group naturally creates opportunities to get to know people and build connections.

Our guests may come from different backgrounds, industries and countries, but they share a common interest in sailing, travel and trying something different.

For some, the week will be about learning a new skill. For others, it may be an opportunity to meet people outside their usual circles, exchange ideas or develop new personal and professional connections.

You can come on your own, with a partner or with a friend. The important thing is that you're open to being part of the crew.

Come solo. Learn together. Build connections.

Life on Cormorant

A week aboard Cormorant is about getting involved rather than simply being a passenger.

Depending on conditions and experience, guests can learn about:

Setting and trimming sails

Steering and helming the yacht

Tacking and gybing

Mooring and anchoring

Sail and yacht safety

Life and routines aboard a cruising yacht

Working effectively as part of a crew

There will also be plenty of time to explore the places we visit, swim, eat together and spend time ashore.

The aim isn't to turn you into an experienced sailor in a week. It's to give you practical experience, confidence on a yacht and a genuine introduction to sailing.

Where We're Sailing

Until the end of September

Ionian

Until the end of September, Cormorant is sailing the Ionian, exploring the islands and coastline around Lefkada.

The Ionian is an ideal environment for learning to sail, with sheltered waters, short passages and plenty of opportunities to practise different aspects of sailing while exploring the islands.

Late September

Malta

At the end of September, Cormorant leaves the Ionian and heads west on her delivery passage to Malta.

The passage offers a different side of sailing, with longer periods at sea, open-water sailing and the opportunity to experience how a yacht is managed on a longer passage.

This will be a more involved sailing experience and may suit guests looking to take their learning a step further.

After the Rolex Middle Sea Race

Palma

After the Rolex Middle Sea Race, Cormorant heads to Palma for the winter.

Mallorca provides a great base for continuing to develop sailing skills, with a mixture of coastal sailing, longer passages, sheltered bays and varied conditions.

Sailing With Friends will continue from Palma, giving new guests the opportunity to come aboard, learn to sail and explore Mallorca from the water.

Why Sailing With Friends?

Sailing is a practical skill that is best learned by getting involved.

Sailing With Friends gives you the opportunity to step onto a yacht without needing prior experience and learn how everything works in a real sailing environment.

You'll learn from an experienced crew, practise the basics and gain an understanding of what it takes to sail and operate a yacht.

But sailing is also inherently collaborative. Everyone on board has a role to play, making it a natural environment for meeting people, working together and building relationships.

It's a chance to learn something useful, spend time on the water and connect with people outside your normal social or professional circles.

Learn something new. Meet people with different perspectives. Leave with a new skill and a bigger network.

Join the next sail

£750 per person / week

7 nights aboard SY Cormorant
Practical instruction and hands-on participation in sailing the yacht
Breakfast on board each day
Small groups of 3–10 people

Following an enquiry, the Sea Stays team will confirm availability and provide the relevant booking information.

Name:

Email:

Preferred dates:

Number of people:

Sailing experience:

Where did you hear about us?:

Anything else we should know?:

Some Frequently Asked Questions...

Is Sailing With Friends for me?: If you're interested in learning to sail, meeting new people and experiencing life on a yacht, then yes. You don't need previous sailing experience.
I've never sailed before – can I come?: Yes. No previous sailing experience is required. You'll be introduced to the basics and encouraged to get involved throughout the week.
Can I come on my own?: Absolutely. The experience is designed to bring together people who may not already know each other.
How many people will be on board?: Each experience will be made up of a small group of between 3 and 10 guests, creating an environment where everyone can participate and get to know the rest of the crew.
What will I learn?: You'll be introduced to the fundamentals of sailing, including sail handling, steering, manoeuvring, anchoring, navigation, weather and working as part of a crew.
Is this a sailing course?: No. Sailing With Friends is an informal, practical introduction to sailing rather than a formal sailing qualification or accredited course.
What's included?: One week aboard Cormorant and the sailing experience, including instruction and practical participation in sailing the yacht as well as breakfast on board each day.
What's not included?: Food outside breakfast will be either paid for yourself onshore or on a contribution basis on board. Drinks ashore, travel to and from the yacht and personal expenses are also not included.
What should I bring?: Once you've confirmed your booking with our team, you'll receive a full list of recommended kit and information about what to bring.
What happens if the weather changes?: Sailing plans are flexible by nature. The skipper will adapt the itinerary and activities according to weather and sea conditions, with safety always the priority.

Sailing With Friends

What is Sailing With Friends?

At a glance

Come Solo. Leave With Friends.

Life on Cormorant

Where We're Sailing

Ionian

Malta

Palma

Why Sailing With Friends?

Join the next sail

Some Frequently Asked Questions...

Sign up to be a shipmate!