Learn to sail your very own yacht as part of a thrilling flotilla in the Greek Islands with Sunsail

Picture yourself gazing over the sun-kissed, deep azure waters of the Ionian Sea in Greece, at the helm of your very own yacht. A light breeze is blowing, the smells of a BBQ on deck are wafting through the air, and the white-washed blue dome buildings on a nearby island can be seen in the distance.

Many of us dream of skippering a yacht, pointing the compass whichever way takes our fancy and sailing off into the sunset. Sunsail are here to turn those wistful fantasies into reality, with a range of learn-to-sail options to suit everyone.

Learning to sail is fun

Becoming a qualified sailor need not mean spending hours in the classroom pouring over endless theory books, or numerous days spent charting a course around the same small area of water. With Sunsail, it’s so much more exciting – their exclusive Flotilla Hero package allows you to gain your International Certificate of Competence (ICC) with no course costs with the added benefit a social flotilla sailing holiday.

Skipper you very own yacht through a Greek Island paradise

Enjoy gaining your ICC as part of Sunsail’s 7-day Kefalonia Flotilla Hero, where you’ll be joined by a qualified instructor who will join you on board throughout your journey, and will equip up to three of your crew with the necessary skills knowledge and qualification to skipper your very own yacht.

The Kefalonia Flotilla Hero provides budding captains with the perfect introduction to life at sea; gentle, protected waters, relatively short distances and simple line-of-sight navigation provides the perfect opportunity to hone your newly acquired sailing skills. The best part? You’ll be accompanied by up to 14 other yachts with occupants in the same boat – so to speak – as you. Of an evening, you and your crew will be invited to participate in social activities and events organised by the Flotilla Hero lead crew.

Find your sea legs on your seven day itinerary around some of the most picturesque islands in the Mediterranean. It’s impossible not to get swept up in the relaxed way of life, as you anchor to enjoy a cool beverage at one of the many laid-back, traditional tavernas sitting just above the sands of the shore below.

You’ll have the opportunity to explore the vast, rugged mountains of Kefalonia, which was the setting for the movie ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.’ Other highlights include a stop at Lake Melissani, featuring an incredible underwater cave, with the water coloured vivid shades of blue-green by the sun streaking through from above. If you’re lucky, you may be joined for a swim by one of the many loggerhead turtles to be found in the area.

Still looking to learn more – other courses available

If you’re looking for a more comprehensive learn-to-sail experience, or perhaps want to reach an advanced level as quickly as possible, Sunsail has you covered. The Competent Crew Course, for example, is one of the five courses Sunsail offer; it runs for five days and is ideal for complete beginners. You’ll sail 100 miles at sea, and will have four hours of night sailing training. This course will provide you with a sound knowledge and understanding of the yacht, and all basic sailing techniques. Once you’ve mastered the basics, Sunsail’s friendly staff will take you wherever you want to go – the sky, or rather the sea – is the limit!

Sunsail’s 7 day Kefalonia Flotilla Hero starts from $4,500 for a two-cabin monohull yacht accommodating 4 people with various departure dates available from May-October 2016. This price includes an ICC qualified instructor onboard for the duration of your holiday, ICC course and exam, yacht damage waiver, the first mornings breakfast, punch parties and an end of flotilla regatta.

For more information, visit www.sunsail.com.au/sailing-schools