Sailing holidays travel advice

• Make sure you are up to date with routine vaccinations and if you are travelling far afield, visit your GP at least six weeks before travel to obtain any other vaccinations. The NHS website Fit for Travel gives detailed health information worldwide.
• If you or anyone in your party has any particular health needs or allergies, always tell your sailing skipper or sailing guide.
• Bring a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements (including a spare pair of glasses) as they may not be available at the out-of-the-way locations visited on a sailing trip. In addition, although the skipper is qualified to give CPR and emergency first aid, he is prohibited from administering any type of medication, even headache tablets and antibiotics, for legal reasons. So come prepared.
• If you’re concerned about seasickness, bring motion sickness tablets with you. Alternative remedies that can help include ginger tea and sea bands, which are elasticated bracelets that apply pressure to points on the wrist to relieve nausea.
• Time on the water means time in the sun. Wear a high factor sun cream while on deck, even if it doesn’t feel hot. The rays from the sun are also reflected in the water, making it easy to burn while on board, and there’s often little shade. Bringing a close-fitting cap that won’t blow away in the breeze is a good idea.
• If you’re sailing in the warmer months, make sure you stay hydrated. You may not realise how dehydrated you’re becoming, even just lolling on deck, and you’ll certainly need to take on extra water if tackling a hike or bike ride once ashore. In warm climates, it’s preferable to walk or bike early in the morning and late in the afternoon, and consider adding rehydration powders to your water. Take water while kayaking, too, which works your body harder than you might guess. No disposable plastic bottles though, as they’re light enough to fall in if conditions get choppy.
• Be wary of touching animals while ashore, especially wild cats and dogs, as rabies is still prevalent in many countries.

Always listen to your skipper to respect the safety of your fellow passengers and crew, as well as protecting the environment. The skipper also has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it’s deemed necessary due to safety concerns, so be prepared to be flexible.

Make sure you are properly insured for all the activities you might enjoy while sailing, even in Europe.

Take advice from the skipper when it comes to swimming off the boat and only swim when someone on deck knows you’re in the water. Midnight solo skinny dipping excursions, while everyone else is asleep and oblivious if you get into difficulties, are not recommended.

No one is going to prevent you from enjoying a drink on deck while the sun sets, but do drink responsibly. Moving around the tight confines of a boat requires a degree of concentration and agility when sober, more if under the influence of alcohol, and falling into the sea when tipsy is downright dangerous.

Always tell the skipper where you are going if you plan to explore inland or blaze your own trail once docked.

“Take ear plugs, your shipmates may snore! Be prepared to get involved with sailing procedures if the opportunity is there, it will increase your understanding and enjoyment of the trip. Make the most of the wildlife viewing (including plankton!). Don’t expect to lose weight, Colette produces wonderful meals and is disappointed if it doesn’t get eaten!” – Andrew Swales on our wildlife sailing holiday in Scotland

“Keep an open mind, and just enjoy the sailing, seeing new things and meeting great people. Don’t let no aircon in the rooms turn you off. It’s a trip that really worth joining.” – Jade Lam on our sailing holiday in the Mergui archipelago

“If you aren’t fit for cycling and especially some steep and long hill climbs, then take the e-bike option. All who did the trip were thrilled with the vistas but if you aren’t in shape you won't be able to tackle those hills!” – Linda Roe on a Greek island cycling and sailing holiday

“Pack lightly, there is limited space on board. Being quite agile and steady on your feet will be very advantageous when out at sea and needing to walk around the boat and climb up to the lookout platform.” – Rebecca Pagnucco on a whale and dolphin research sailing trip in the Ligurian Sea

“Be prepared for the travel agenda not to work as planned as you have to respect the skipper as to where the weather will allow you to travel to. Allow the crew to suggest where to go as all their suggestions for food were very good. You may be sharing the boat with up to 8 other people so you need to be sociable.” – Sonia Reynolds on a sailing holiday in Croatia