FAQ's

• With us you will be guaranteed your own cabin onboard (shared if you’re a couple unless you tell us otherwise).
• Fewer students onboard so the teaching ration is 3-1 (4-1 if a couple), that equates to more hands on time to grasp those basics.
• Modern well prepared yachts where your comfort and safety is paramount.
• In addition, even before you step onboard, you will have free access to our comprehensive pre course training videos, Competent Crew, Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper and our training blog, where you can get the real flavour of life onboard before signing up.
• And….. fantastic weather, usually, 300 days of sunshine every year here on the Algarve.

This chart shows how you progress through from beginner to advanced when learning to sail with us.

Please fill in the simple form on our booking page and we will get back to you to confirm availability and costs. Alternatively, please give us a call to discuss your sailing course options.

Yes most certainly, no need to share on our boats (unless married/partnered etc) – you will have your own private cabin.

In a word, yes. The theory course gives you all the background information that is vital to you understanding elements of the practical course. Complete the theory and you are then well prepared for the practical course. Ask yourself would you consider taking a driving test without first having studied the Highway Code (me thinks not).

Not really, its 5 days learning and you’ll be busy learning new skills every day, chances are the sun will be out, so you’ll get a tan and the evenings are yours to enjoy with a bit of homework. You’ll be mentally and physically refreshed at the end – we hope.

No, we provide all bedding, which is duvet, sheets, fleece, pillows etc.

Yes you can or for small cost we can loan you a shower towel and enable you to cut down on your travel luggage.

Any non-marking sole, deck shoe preferable as they are non-slip, but trainers are good. Find boat shoes here.

There are lots of things onboard to stub toes on and on the dock teak splinters are easy to pick up, so don’t recommend bare feet.

That is totally dependable on the weather for our weeks training. Your instructor will evaluate this with you and taking into account the ability and skill levels of all onboard will formulate a plan with you. Places we visit, well we start of at Portimao Marina. (Read about Portimao Marina) then onto;

Albufeira Marina - Read about Albufeira Marina

Lagos Marina - Read about Lagos Marin

Vilamoura Marina - Read about Vilamoura Marina

Alvor Anchorage - Read about Alvor Anchorage

We have a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm, sometimes hot summers, to quote the tourist board we get over 300 days of sunshine a year in the Algarve, more than California gets, (however that still leaves 65 days for cloud and rain!) but its warm rain on the odd occasion we get it. The weather is in more important hands than ours so best look at the weather forecasts here.

It depends on your course but usually for Competent Crew and Day Skippers, the mornings are taken up with planning and demonstrations and we sail in the afternoons till 17-1800 ish. We are alongside in the evenings for you to enjoy the locality.

Usually onboard there are 3, possibly 4 students if a couple are attending plus your instructor.

In the summer, yes it is, full of visitors and full of life if you like it like that. Out of the summer season its much quieter and chilled, the winter months can be especially lovely, how nice to see some sunshine in Dec. Jan, Feb – your choice.

We recommend you use YellowFish Transfer services, (visit their website here) ask Jane for the discount voucher too. There are other transfer services and there are buses and trains but they are not as reliable as YellowFish in our eyes. They will meet you at the arrivals gate and bring you straight down to the marina where we will be waiting for you. Easy and stress free.