Can I book on my own?

Yes, and most people do. Trips are sold by the berth, so you join a crew rather than needing to bring one. Cabins are shared with someone of the same sex unless you book a whole cabin.

Do I need sailing experience?

It depends on the trip, and every listing says which level it is written for. Beginner trips assume you have never sailed; advanced trips assume you can stand a night watch without supervision.

What's included in the price?

The berth, the skipper and crew, and the running of the boat. Flights, insurance and most meals ashore are not. Every trip page lists what is and is not included before you pay.

What happens if I need to cancel?

The operator's cancellation terms are published on the trip page before you pay a deposit, so you can read them before you commit. They vary by operator and by how close to departure you cancel.

What if the weather is bad?

The skipper decides the route, and changing it is normal seamanship rather than a problem. Trips are very rarely cancelled outright; when they are, the operator's terms say what happens.

Who are the operators?

Independent charter businesses and skippers we either know personally or have been recommended by past customers. Their registered business details are available upon request. All trips are checked before they go live.

SailTies vetted operator

Sailing Holidays

Fifty years of doing one thing properly. Sailing Holidays effectively invented the British flotilla holiday and still runs it as a family business, which shows in the details: lead crews who know the anchorages rather than just the route, a fleet they own and maintain themselves, and a Share-a-Yacht programme that treats solo sailors as individuals rather than an awkward gap to fill. If you have just qualified and have nobody to sail with, this is the rare operator set up to take you anyway.