Sailing course on a habitable sailboat in La Rochelle
In summary
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Sports
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Duration5 days
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LevelAll levels
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DestinationLa Rochelle / France
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AgeFrom 15 - 85 years
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CO₂-Emissions56 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
Departing from La Rochelle , embark on a 5-day sailing course with total immersion on a comfortable cruising sailboat . A complete experience to learn to sail, improve your technical skills, and fully experience the rhythm of the sea among the islands and anchorages of the Charente coastline .
Guided by a professional instructor , you will develop your skills day after day: preparing the boat , organizing life on board, harbor and anchoring maneuvers , sail trimming , sailing, chart reading , route planning, weather analysis , and tide management. Each sailing trip becomes a practical application to gain independence and confidence.
This immersive format fosters genuine skills development, accessible to motivated beginners as well as those wishing to consolidate their existing knowledge. Beyond learning, the experience is also a collective one: sharing watches, preparing meals, choosing ports of call, and evenings at anchor in a friendly atmosphere.
A stay to learn, practice and experience crewed cruising , as close as possible to the elements.
The highlights
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A sailing school accredited by the French Sailing Federation (FFV) allowing for the validation of recognized skill level
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The number of trainees is limited to 5 to optimize everyone's participation.
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Supervised by professional instructors, committed to sharing and a friendly atmosphere.
Photos
Pascal - verified review - august 2026
Sport
Level
Sailing
The expert's opinion
Everyone is welcome to participate in this trip. The supervision and program will be adapted to each participant's level (individual progress chart, experience and preferences...).
In figures
Sailing
- Average duration/day: 6h
Management
French
Kind and qualified skippers/instructors who love to share their knowledge and passion for the sea in a pedagogical way.
Régis, Antoine, Philippe, Stéphane, Louise... All with the same mindset :-)
Program
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Navigation to the island of Ré or Oléron
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
At 10am, your professional instructor will meet you on the dock to board a comfortable sailboat. After familiarizing yourself with the boat and receiving a clear and reassuring safety briefing, you'll cast off and head towards the islands of the Pertuis: Île de Ré or Île d'Oléron.
Together you choose the evening's stopover based on the weather and the crew's preferences.
From the very first miles, you'll get straight to the point: hoisting the sails, feeling the boat accelerate, taking the helm, understanding your course relative to the wind… Each maneuver is explained, demonstrated, and then performed by you in an atmosphere that is both focused and relaxed. Whether you're a beginner or looking to improve your skills, you'll make real progress and build confidence.
Navigation to the selected port, discovery of the buoyage, learning essential knots, preparation of arrival maneuvers… You participate in each step.
Once ashore, it's time for some friendly get-togethers: a stroll around the port, exploring the surroundings, then preparing a communal dinner on board. We share the meal, our impressions of the day, and already our plans for the next day.
A complete program to learn, navigate, and fully experience sailing.
Day 1 -
Navigation to Les Sables d'Olonne
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
The second day begins peacefully with a shared breakfast on board, a perfect opportunity to chat and soak up the atmosphere of the port. Then, you cast off to reach a new port of call.
During the sailing trip, you will continue to refine your helming and sail trimming skills, while discovering new competencies: introduction to cartography, reading nautical charts, and calculating tides to plan your routes. Each step is explained by the instructor and carried out by the crew, in a safe and stimulating environment.
You arrive in Les Sables via the channel used by the Vendée Globe offshore racers, thrills guaranteed!
Day 2 -
Navigation to the island of Yeu
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
The adventure and training continue! We will sail towards the island of Yeu, nicknamed "Little Corsica".
You continue to refine your helming and sail trimming skills, and deepen your knowledge of cartography. Plotting your course based on wind and current, identifying different headings (true heading, magnetic heading, compass heading), navigating at sea without GPS... All of this will become second nature to you.
Once docked, you will enjoy the absolute charms of this island, on foot or by bicycle.
Day 3 -
Night navigation and return to the Pertuis
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Fourth day of sailing, you will enjoy a heavenly anchorage at midday (Port de la Meule, Anse des Sioux, Plage des vieilles) before starting a return voyage towards the Pertuis rochelais.
Depending on the weather and the crew, an introduction to night navigation is planned during this stay. This may take place on the return voyage, with sailing to test night watches (in pairs for those who have never done so), learn about navigation lights... Arrival at night or in the early morning for lunch at sunrise.
The final stop will be in a port on the island of Oléron or the island of Ré, or at anchor off the island of Aix.
Day 4 -
Navigation back to La Rochelle
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Depending on whether you arrive at night or in the early morning, a lie-in is beneficial.
After lunch, you set sail for La Rochelle, putting your new skills into practice. The skipper doesn't even need to speak; the crew is well-rehearsed, and you're the one who brings the sailboat safely back to port.
The day ends around 3pm with a group debriefing, followed by cleaning the sailboat, to conclude the course in a friendly and sharing atmosphere.
Day 5
Note
The program is dependent on the weather and tides, and the skipper adapts to the crew's wishes.
Accommodation
Access
Nearby, right next to the pontoon: large free car park and bus stop (from the train station - 10 minutes, from the old port - 15 minutes)
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- The framework
- Accommodation on board the sailboat
- The gas
- Diesel fuel
The price does not include
- Meals: approximately €10-15/person/day - mandatory
- Stopovers in ports other than La Rochelle: approximately €10/person/stopover - mandatory
- The FFV Sailing Passport 2026 = €14.50 - mandatory
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- Life jackets
- fitted sheets
Equipment to bring
- down
- travel bag (not a hard-shell suitcase)
- shoes (tennis or sneakers) without black soles
- possibly a swimsuit for the summer
- headlamp if you have one
Clothing to bring
- clothes in which you feel comfortable
- warm and waterproof clothing
- Things to protect yourself from the sun (sunglasses, hat, sunscreen)
They traveled with us
Gabriel
- 30 ans
100% Verified Reviews: Only travelers who have booked with us can leave a review. All reviews are subject to human moderation. Reviews that do not comply with the moderation rules are rejected.
september 2026
In a couple
Laurie
- 38 ans
100% Verified Reviews: Only travelers who have booked with us can leave a review. All reviews are subject to human moderation. Reviews that do not comply with the moderation rules are rejected.
september 2026
In a group
Pascal
- 65 ans
100% Verified Reviews: Only travelers who have booked with us can leave a review. All reviews are subject to human moderation. Reviews that do not comply with the moderation rules are rejected.
august 2026
In a group
The five days spent on board were very beneficial. The La Rochelle sailing association is very well organized. Although I was a beginner, Jean-Yves' teaching skills enabled us to learn all the sailboat maneuvers while sailing from La Rochelle to the Île d'Yeu. Highly recommended regardless of your starting level.
