The BeyondBeach team are nothing short of stunning - not in their looks 😂😂, but their attitude, support, friendship and direction is first class. I cannot recommend this team and company highly enough and cannot wait to return. Overseen by the legendary Shirley, who is simply awesome, in equal awesome measure was our skipper, Alistair who, is exceptional and a great laugh to boot. Alistair is half of a wonderful couple with Karen - who again is a total beaut. We have been truly blessed having such exemplar instruction. I leave Lixouri with so many memories (and heavier after the excellent food and lunches aboard). A crew who I didn’t know on arrival and who I leave with new friendships - many, that will last for the years to come and hopefully sharing some more moments on the azure Ionian seas. Thank you Alistair, Shirley, Nick, Barry and Karen. And of course the maxing friendships made, my brother from another, Mike, Paul, Steph, Elena, G-Dog, Michelle, Leo, Lexi and mum. You made a near 50 years old man so very happy. Thank you all. Godspeed & bon voyage.
Introduction to Yachting Holiday
Learn to sail on your own yacht in Kefalonia, with a friendly skipper onboard and no experience needed. Five days on the water and a chartwork day, with an optional route to an ICC. From £1,479 per yacht for 7 nights.
What we say
Our flagship learn to sail holiday runs from the beautiful Greek island of Kefalonia, on your own exclusive Bavaria yacht with a friendly skipper onboard. A proper beginner yacht sailing week: no previous experience needed, no sharing, and no pressure to take a qualification if you just want to sail.
We've been specialists in beginner yacht sailing holidays for friends and families for over a decade. Our learn to sail holidays in Greece are the ideal stepping stone towards a flotilla week; skippers help complete newcomers and those with a little dinghy time get properly confident on a 32 or 36ft yacht.
Six sunny days of sailing, one chartwork day, and an optional route to an ICC qualification through the IYT. Set in one of the gentlest cruising grounds in the Mediterranean, the Ionian delivers warm water, no tides, predictable afternoon breezes and enough secluded bays to fill a holiday twice.
What's included
Note: Flights & transfers are not included, but we do provide a free travel planner to book both for you with ATOL protection.
Activities & Kids Clubs
Accommodation
YachtBavaria 32
Spacious 5-berth cruising yacht, easily sailed and controlled with in-mast furling, wheel steering and a powerful 20 hp engine.
Food & drink
Meals aren't included on a learn to sail week, which keeps the price honest and gives you freedom to eat how you want. The Lixouri Marina is five minutes' walk from a proper Greek town: bakeries, tavernas, mini-markets and cafés. Most guests pick up provisions for a picnic lunch at anchor, and eat out together along the seafront in the evenings.
No meals included. Galley onboard each yacht; town provisions 5 min walk from the marina.
Eating out in Lixouri
Lixouri is the real thing: a working Greek town with a town square full of plane trees, a harbour lined with tavernas and a steady parade of locals who've been eating at the same spots for decades. After a day under sail, dinner here is one of the best parts of the week.
Maistrato
5 min walkHarbourfront taverna for grilled fish and sunset wine. A regular crew dinner spot.
Akrogiali
5 min walkFamily taverna on the Lixouri seafront. Big portions, Greek classics, friendly service.
Erasmia, Petani Beach
20 min taxiSunset dinner at one of the best beaches in Kefalonia. Worth the 20-minute taxi.
Pizza Paradiso
5 min walkTakeaway pizza back to the yacht for a quieter night onboard.
Itinerary
A rough shape of the week. Your skipper sets the daily plan on arrival, balancing wind, crew confidence and how much theory you want. Day 4 is usually the chartwork and theory refresh day.
Location
Getting there
Flights & transfers are not usually included in our holiday packages as we offer a bespoke travel experience. Many guests choose to book their flights with us for the peace of mind of an ATOL-protected package. Our ATOL licence is 12803.
Direct summer flights to Kefalonia (EFL) run from most UK airports, May to October. Pre-book a transfer with us on arrival (£70 private taxi / £95 minibus one-way).
Pre-book your arrival transfer and be met at the airport for a stress-free start to your learn to sail holiday. Many guests make their own way back at the end of the week: ferry from Lixouri across to Argostoli (20 mins) then a taxi to the airport.
Special weeks
Visiting experts run special weeks at Kefalonia throughout the season. Same staff, same kit, a different focus.
Guest reviews
A fantastic location for learning to sail. The moorings are safe, convenient for access and the sailboats are ideal for learning in groups of up to 4. The instructors are very knowledgeable, friendly and clearly experienced in what they do and always put safety first. We explored a few of the local, picturesque beaches in the areas around Lixouri, having the opportunity to swim and snorkel, which was lovely. I feel that my technical abilities in handling a sailboat have improved during the week (after a gap of a few years!) as a result of repeating tasks and asking lots of questions! We would have liked to have stayed out sailing for longer, each afternoon. Moving forward, I think it would be good if Beyond Beach find out, at the start of the week, how much sailing experience their guests have already had and what courses they may have already done. This might alleviate any mix up regarding the exam!
Loved Lixouri. Will was a great skipper and teacher. Hope to return very soon.
Frequently asked questions
No. This is a beginner yacht sailing week with a friendly skipper onboard, for complete newcomers and people with a little dinghy time alike.
No. The yacht is yours exclusively for the week, and the skipper hops off each evening to give you your privacy.
You don't have to take one to enjoy the week, but there's an optional route to an ICC: IYT online theory before you go and an assessment after the holiday, both at extra cost.
7 nights onboard a fully equipped yacht with bed linen and starter pack, a yacht and safety briefing, 5 full days of sailing plus a chartwork and theory day, an exclusive skipper, all mooring fees, water, fuel and gas, and end-of-week cleaning.
Flights and transfers, meals (self-catering onboard or in the Lixouri tavernas), towels, spending money, a non-refundable damage waiver, the optional ICC theory and assessment, and paddleboard hire.
From May to October, 7 nights with Thursday arrivals.
Book online from the holiday page, or call the team on 01548 288459 (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm) and we will talk you through dates, rooms and extras.
Deposits are typically 25% of the holiday cost at the time of booking, with the balance due eight weeks before departure. Flights are paid in full at booking. Your booking confirmation shows the exact amounts and dates.
Flights aren't included in the holiday price, and airport transfers are included only where the holiday page says so. We can add ATOL-protected flights from your nearest UK airport and pre-book transfers for you, or you can arrange your own.
Yes. All our holidays are ATOL protected (ATOL 6306) and we also hold IPP insolvency insurance, so your booking is financially secure from the moment you pay your deposit.
Cancellation terms depend on the holiday and how close to departure you cancel, and your booking terms set them out before you pay. The deposit is typically non-refundable, which is why we recommend travel insurance with cancellation cover from the day you book.
Tell us when you book and we will pass the details to the kitchen. Most dietary needs are easy to cater for, and the holiday page notes any place that charges extra for special meals.
Or, go a different way.
Four programmes, one team. If this isn't quite your week, here's where the others live.
Read up before you go
Let's talk it through. We've all been there.
Every person in our UK office has stayed at the holiday you're looking at. Ask anything: which week is best, what to pack, which flight saves you a connection.
Chat with us or send an enquiry, or call if you'd rather. No call centres, no scripts, no upsell. Just honest advice from people who genuinely run these holidays.
Prefer to call? 01548 288459 · Mon to Fri 9am to 6pm, Sat 9am to 1pm
Jess, Sam, Tom & Alun
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