This was my first time on a 36-foot yacht, although I have experience in windsurfing and dinghy sailing, so I was a bit nervous to begin with. Shirley, our amazing captain, exuded confidence and belief and made us feel relaxed and ready to learn. The first day was perfect force 3-4 winds to get used to the setup . We were a bit unlucky with losing 2.5 days due to extreme weather, but we had a couple of exhilarating days in force 5 winds, gusting 6 at times. The yacht was heeling over quite far at times, but with Shirley's expert guidance I never felt out of control. We both learned so much from Shirley in a relatively short time and had a lot of fun in the process. The cabins of the Bavaria 36 felt cramped at times and I'm glad there were only 2 of us! 4 would have been ok too, but the thought of 6 or 8 people on the 36-footer doesn't bear thinking about, especially with the limited onshore shower facilities.
Learn to Sail Holidays
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
Activities
Special weeks
Visiting experts run special weeks at Kefalonia throughout the season. Same staff, same kit, a different focus.
Accommodation
YachtBavaria 32
Spacious 5-berth cruising yacht, easily sailed and controlled with in-mast furling, wheel steering and a powerful 20 hp engine.
YachtBavaria 36
Comfortable 6-berth cruising yachts (Escape, Sandpiper) with teak decks and many extras, ideal for families and groups.
YachtBavaria 32 (Singles)
Cabin booking option aboard a shared Bavaria 32 for our Introduction to Yachting departures, ideal for solo travellers and couples.
YachtBavaria 36 (Singles)
Cabin booking option aboard a shared Bavaria 36 for our Introduction to Yachting and singles departures.
CabinSingle Cabins
Solo travellers and couples can join our Introduction to Yachting with a cabin option aboard a shared Bavaria 32 or Bavaria 36 yacht.
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
- Learn to Sail HolidaysYour base
Kefalonia
Kefalonia is one of a group of islands on the western side of Greece in the Ionian sea. It is the largest of the Ionian islands and parts of the island are now national parks, home to wild horses, golden eagles and other protected flora and fauna.
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.
Guest reviews
Just returned from another learn to sail, excellent tuition from Shirley ,used this company for many years now and always a good experience. Hope to return next year for yacht delivery and a flotilla.
We have had a truly unforgettable holiday on the Beginner’s sailing holiday under Shirley’s expert care. She is an exceptional instructor who works out how to get the family ticking right from the off. With 17, 14 and 11 year old daughters, not always easy to please, Shirley has taught us so much in sailing terms (with encouragement, fun, humour, flexibility and confidence-building her endless focus), but also on a truly human level in terms of her approach to life and positive approach. She has so much experience, I could have listened to her for at least another week! Teaching was of the highest quality with our endless questions answered. We enjoyed wonderful sea swims after lunch on every sailing day too. Regarding the holiday overall, the other families on the course alongside us were wonderful (one fully supported to travel and enjoy a great week despite having to leave a partner back home due to illness). It’s important to add that Luxouri is a really pretty town with great bars and tavernas to relax and enjoy after a day on the water. Thr town has its own beach and there are others nearby with affordable taxis ready to take you wherever you want to go, not to mention the nearby ferry to Argostoli. The BB team bend over backwards to send you to the right places too, and shops and mouth watering bakeries are a 5 mins walk. We will most certainly be returning for the flotilla holiday. I’d do it next week if I could and already miss the water so much. Thank you so much to the BB team, I will carry this learning experience (that I wasn’t quite sure would be right for me when I booked and was quite nervous about!), in all my life beyond ❤️ It has been such a treat to be challenged in a happy and positive way, and without having to host a skipper 24/7 so a very easy mix of holiday fun and sailing focus. Thanks to BB arranging and offering this, we can now take the next step on our sailing journey ahead ⛵️
Frequently asked questions
Accommodation, listed meals, beach towels, all listed watersports equipment, bikes, yoga and fitness sessions, and our on-site team support. Flights, airport transfers and some non-inclusive activities are separate.
Yes — many of our destinations offer multiple holiday types from the same base. Talk to the team for package pricing on two-centre holidays.
We offer ATOL-protected flights as an optional add-on. You can also book your own flights and just buy the ground package from us.
Pre-book a private meet-and-greet transfer through us, or make your own way. Prices and timing vary by destination — we'll send full details once you book.
Most of our hotels run "Club Board": breakfast every day plus 4 evening meals per week. Villas are self-catering with an optional Club Board upgrade.
Yes — let us know when you book and we'll pass the details to the kitchen team. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are always available.
Absolutely. Our beaches shelve gently and we have sessions and kit for all ages. We don't run a formal kids club, but there are regular "Meet Your Mates" sessions for kids and teens through the week.
We don't offer babysitting services — children are welcome everywhere but require parental supervision on the water and in public areas.
No — everything is turn-up-and-go. Watersports kit is on the beach free to use. Yoga and fitness sessions run to a weekly timetable posted on arrival.
Our instructors are RYA-qualified and used to total beginners. Many of our guests arrive having never been on the water and leave confident solo sailors.
Or, go a different way.
Four programmes, one team. If this isn't quite your week, here's where the others live.
Beach Club Holidays
All-inclusive beach clubs with watersports, yoga and BlitzFitness included. Based on the sheltered bays of the Ionian, Aegean and Portuguese Atlantic.
Mountain Holidays
Alpine family clubs, guided walking, mountain biking and climbing across the French Alps. Summer programmes running June to September.
Ski Holidays
Catered chalets and lift-door skiing in Val Thorens, Meribel and Vaujany. Small chalet sizes, friendly hosts, French Alps December to April.
Pick up the phone. We've been there.
Every person in our South Devon 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.
No call centres, no scripts, no upsell. Just honest advice from people who genuinely run these holidays.
Susy, James, Caroline & Amelia
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