Steve H.
July 2026Loved Lixouri. Will was a great skipper and teacher. Hope to return very soon.
Learn to Sail Holidays
May to October 2026Season
7 nights (Thursday arrivals)Duration
Families, friends & couples (beginners welcome)Who it's for
Your own yacht, no sharingExclusive Bavaria 32 or 36 for your family or friends group
Friendly skipper onboardQualified coach for all six days; hops off each evening for privacy
Easy sailing conditionsModerate breezes, no tides, hot Ionian summer
Optional ICC qualificationIYT theory + assessment route for future flotilla skippers
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
7 nights onboard a fully equipped yacht (exclusive, no sharing)
Bed linen and starter pack onboard
Yacht + safety briefing on arrival
5 full days of yacht sailing + 1 chartwork / theory day
Exclusive skipper for the duration (hops off each evening for privacy)
All mooring fees, water, fuel and gas
Toilet, shower and storage facilities at Lixouri Marina
Yacht cleaning at end of week
Note: Flights & transfers are not included, but we do provide a free travel planner to book both for you with ATOL protection.
Accommodation
YachtBavaria 32
Spacious 5-berth cruising yacht, easily sailed and controlled with in-mast furling, wheel steering and a powerful 20 hp engine.
Sleeps 5
2 double cabins + saloon bunk
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YachtBavaria 36
Comfortable 6-berth cruising yachts (Escape, Sandpiper) with teak decks and many extras, ideal for families and groups.
Sleeps 6
3 double cabins + saloon bunk
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YachtBavaria 32 (Singles)
Cabin booking option aboard a shared Bavaria 32 for our Introduction to Yachting departures, ideal for solo travellers and couples.
Sleeps 5
Single cabin booking on a shared Bavaria 32
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YachtBavaria 36 (Singles)
Cabin booking option aboard a shared Bavaria 36 for our Introduction to Yachting and singles departures.
Sleeps 6
Single cabin booking on a shared Bavaria 36
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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.
Sleeps 1
Private twin cabin aboard a shared yacht
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Activities & Kids Clubs
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.
What's included
No meals included. Galley onboard each yacht; town provisions 5 min walk from the marina.
From our team
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.
In the local area
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.
Fly to
EFL · Kefalonia Airport
Greece
Travel time
3hr flight · 50 to 60 min taxi · GMT+2
Changeover day
Thursday
Flight times
Arrive by 14:00 · Depart after 13:00
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).
What we recommend
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
4.9/ 5
From 124 verified guest reviews
Verified by Reviews.ioJohn
June 2026Amazing week on the 'Introduction to Sailing' course. I would highly recommended it. The team were great in how they encouraged and improved the abilities of the everyone on the boat whilst making it the most enjoyable holiday. Sailing With Purpose! Can't wait to join Flotilla
Mark D.
June 2026Just returned from the port of Lixouri following a week's Introduction to Sailing with Shirley our instructor. A great way to gain your ICC flotilla and competent crew qualifications or just learn to sail, delivered in a relaxed and humorous atmosphere by a very experienced and patient instructor. On our day off, we enjoyed the facilities of a local hotel that is open to non-residence. In the evenings we took advantage of the many authentic restaurants located around the square that were recommended by the BeyondBeach staff. Looking forward to our first flotilla with BeyondBeach in September.
Special weeks
Visiting experts run special weeks at Kefalonia throughout the season. Same staff, same kit, a different focus.
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.
from£1911total
Other holiday types
Or, go a different way.
Four programmes, one team. If this isn't quite your week, here's where the others live.
Talk to the team
Let's talk it through. We've 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–Fri 9–6, Sat 9–1
Susy, James, Caroline & Amelia
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Guest rating
25+
Years in business