Catamaran Upgrade: Learn to Sail a Catamaran in Greece

Are you an experienced monohull captain but not yet ready for a "floating living room"? Or are you new to sailing but concerned about comfort? Sail with us to Greece and learn how to take advantage of this vessel’s unique features. Treat yourself to a comfortable sailing experience.

Course information

The comfort of a catamaran

Do you enjoy comfort and want more space on your sailing holiday than a monohull can offer? Would you like to try a catamaran but feel uneasy about chartering one on your own for the first time? On this cruise you will learn to handle a catamaran under the supervision of a qualified instructor and practise all the manoeuvres thoroughly, so nothing will stop you setting off with friends next time. The cruise is also a sightseeing trip along the Greek coast – and a chance to meet like-minded sailors (maybe even your future crew).

We run the catamaran cruise in Greece early in the season, when tourism is just picking up, so there is plenty of space to practise. Besides the one-week version we also offer an accelerated 3-day course.

What you will learn

Skill	What you will learn
Boat handling	manoeuvring and berthing in marinas, monohull vs catamaran handling, anchoring, picking up moorings
Navigation & pilotage	charts, electronic navigation, position fixing, passage planning for the area and forecast
Seamanship	sail handling, preparing boat and crew, running manoeuvres on deck, basic engine checks
Skippering	responsibility, crew management and decision-making
Safety	emergency procedures, MOB drills and VHF radio use
Night sailing	pilotage and navigation after dark, where possible

Highlights

Olympic Marina Lavrio. Start and finish just outside Athens – the perfect place to try your first catamaran manoeuvres calmly.
Kea. Your first hop to the Cyclades: an island of quiet bays just a few hours’ sail from the mainland.
Poros and Methana. The Saronic Gulf at its best – Poros with its café-lined waterfront and the volcanic Methana peninsula.
Aegina and Athens. Finish with the pistachio island and a view of Athens from the sea before heading back to Lavrio.

Mile-building cruises with NYS

Mile-building cruises are a core part of sail training at NYS Sailing School, an RYA Training Centre. We choose each destination for what you will learn there – and the Saronic Gulf early in the season offers plenty of room to practise every catamaran manoeuvre.

Sailing route

Information & terms

Duration: 1 week, 7 nights on board (an accelerated 3-day course is also available)
Sailing area: Saronic Gulf and Kea, Greece
Route: Olympic Marina Lavrio – Kea – Poros – Methana – Aegina – Athens – Lavrio The route is for guidance only; the exact plan depends on the weather and the crew.
Embarkation: Saturday evening, Olympic Marina Lavrio
End of cruise: Friday evening; you can stay on board until Saturday morning
Getting there: fly to Athens (ATH), then about 40 minutes by car to Lavrio
Expected conditions: early season, fewer tourists and plenty of room to practise in marinas
Suitable for: ideal for converting from monohull to catamaran; basic experience helps, but complete beginners are welcome
Certificate: NYS/Altumare catamaran training certificate; RYA certification on the instructor’s recommendation at a discounted rate
Miles: logged, count towards RYA qualification requirements
Price includes: yacht charter and instructor
Price does not include: travel to the start, shared crew kitty (food, fuel, marina fees), travel insurance
Language: Cruises are led by Slovak or Czech instructors; at least basic English is recommended
Documents: valid ID card or passport (EU citizens)
What to bring: light sailing clothes, a windproof jacket, sunscreen

FAQ

Do I need sailing experience?

Basic experience helps but is not required – complete beginners are welcome.

Will I get a certificate?

Yes, an NYS/Altumare catamaran training certificate. RYA certification is available on the instructor’s recommendation at a discounted rate.

Is there a shorter option?

Yes, besides the one-week cruise we offer an accelerated 3-day course.

What documents do I need?

A valid ID card or passport (EU citizens).

Where does the cruise start and finish?

At Olympic Marina Lavrio near Athens. The nearest airport is Athens (ATH).

General questions about our cruises →