Greece is a Mediterranean sailing dream with its warm turquoise waters, sunny climate, and thousands of scenic islands. Luckily for prospective sailors, there are many sailing schools to chose from.
For a comprehensive list of all RYA sailing schools around the world, visit our guide.
Best time to go
The official sailing season in Greece runs from April through October, giving you a long window to plan your course. Shoulder months (April–May and September–October) often provide the best experience – you’ll find mild weather, lighter crowds, and calmer seas. Early September is particularly nice because the water is still warm but the crowds have died down as kids go back to school and Europeans go back to work. During peak summer (June–August), the days are hot and sunny with warm water (23–27°C).
For a more challenging experience, aim for the Aegean Sea from July to August where the famous Meltemi winds pick up. These dry northerly winds can be quite strong giving you a more exciting and challenging experience at sail.
Ionian or Aegean Sea?
Greece has two main sailing areas, and each offers a different vibe:
- Ionian Sea (Western Greece): The Ionian Islands (Corfu, Lefkada, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, etc.) are known for calm waters and mild winds. Conditions here are generally easy and line-of-sight, meaning islands are close together and you can often see your next destination from when you set out. The Ionian has plenty of sheltered bays – an ideal setting for beginners to build confidence. You’ll enjoy gentle afternoon breezes and peaceful nights at anchor.
- Aegean Sea (Eastern Greece): The Aegean includes the Cyclades, Dodecanese, and Saronic Gulf islands (e.g. Aegina, Poros, etc.). This region has stronger winds and more open water between islands. With that said, not all Aegean sailing is challenging; areas like the Saronic Gulf (near Athens) are relatively sheltered. If you are flying in and out through Athens, you may find it a bit easier to get to the Aegean since it is geographically closer.
Both are great choices so you won’t be disappointed with either one. Both options will give you that island-hopping experience with stops in charming villages for dinner and sun downers.
RYA Sailing Schools in Greece
We’ve rounded up some of the RYA sailing schools in Greece. All of these are RYA-certified training centers offering the essential courses (like Competent Crew and Day Skipper) in English. Each provides a friendly learning environment, and most courses are run as 5-day live-aboard programs where you learn by day and sleep aboard the yacht each night. It’s an really cool way to gain skills while on vacation.
Aegean Sailing School
Location: Aegina, Greece
Website: Aegean Sailing School
Instagram: @aegeansailingschool
Located on the island of Aegina in the Saronic Gulf, just an hour from Athens by ferry. This family-run RYA school is known for its welcoming vibe and beginner-friendly courses. They offer the full range of RYA sailing courses, including the 5-day RYA Competent Crew for absolute beginners and RYA Day Skipper. One option they offer is a 12-day combined course intensive (Competent Crew + Day Skipper + Navigation). This is great if you have the time and want to quickly progress to chartering your own boat.Training takes place in the sheltered Saronic Gulf, so you’ll experience moderate Aegean conditions without the extreme Meltemi winds.
aegeanMode Sailing School
Location: Athens, Greece
Website: aegeanMode
Instagram: @aegean.mode
Based in Kastella, Piraeus (Athens), aegeanMode is a modern RYA Training Centre offering a full range of RYA courses on fully equipped training yachts. It’s a great choice if you prefer to start your sailing journey from Athens. Beginners can join their 5-day RYA Competent Crew course or even a “zero to Day Skipper” fast-track program. Being in Athens means easy access and the chance to explore nearby islands (Aegina, Poros, Hydra) during your course. The school often runs courses year-round and even offers specialized courses (like RYA powerboat and catamaran training) once you have the basics down. The instructors are praised for being friendly and professional, ensuring newbies feel at ease.
ionianMode Sailing School
Location: Lefkada, Greece
Website: ionianMode
Instagram: @ionianmode
ionianMode is based in Sivota Bay, Lefkada – right in the heart of the tranquil Ionian Islands. Established in 2020, this school quickly became a go-to for those who want to combine RYA training with a fun holiday vibe. The calm Ionian waters make an ideal learning ground for novices. ionianMode’s courses are all live-aboard: you’ll sail to a new island or bay each day, living on the yacht and gaining hands-on experience in navigation, anchoring, and mooring. The instructors are experienced locals who know the Ionian like the back of their hand, so you’ll get insider knowledge of the best spots. They offer RYA Competent Crew and Day Skipper courses, as well as family learn-to-sail holidays and even training flotillas for those who want a social learning environment with multiple boats.
Corfu Sea School
Location: Corfu, Greece
Website: Corfu Sea School
Instagram: @corfuseaschool
Corfu Sea School is a British-owned RYA training centre operating out of Gouvia Marina, Corfu. Founded in 2001 by RYA Yachtmaster Examiner Steve Hills, it was the first RYA sailing school in Greece, bringing decades of experience to its students. This school offers a complete range of RYA courses from Start Yachting (a short introductory course) to Yachtmaster, but they have a special focus on beginners: the 5-day RYA Competent Crew here is run in a relaxed, confidence-building style. As a family-run school, they pride themselves on high-quality instruction and personal attention. Students often praise the professional yet friendly instructors and the school’s attention to safety. Training takes you around Corfu’s gorgeous coastline and nearby Ionian islands, often with chances to swim in clear bays during lunch stops.
Sail Ionian
Location: Lefkada, Greece
Website: Sail Ionian
Instagram: @sail_ionian
Sail Ionian operates from Vliho on Lefkada Island and is one of the most established RYA sea schools in the Ionian (they’ve been around for years and have an excellent reputation). In fact, they’re the longest-running RYA training centre in the region. Their courses stand out for being extremely beginner-friendly – they limit group sizes to max 4 students per yacht so that each person gets plenty of hands-on practice and coaching. If you’re a bit nervous about learning to sail, Sail Ionian’s small-group approach is very reassuring. They offer RYA Competent Crew, Day Skipper and beyond, using well-maintained yachts. Many reviews mention the instructors’ patience and the family feel of the company. When you’re not mastering a maneuver, you’ll be soaking up the sun in Lefkada’s calm coves or enjoying dinner at a quaint harborside taverna each evening – truly blending training with holiday fun.
Greek Sails (Poros Yachting Academy)
Location: Poros, Greece (Aegena Sea)
Website: Greek Sails
Instagram: (Facebook: Greek Sails Yacht Charter & Sailing Holidays)
Greek Sails is a family-run sailing school and charter company based on Poros, a lovely island in the Saronic Gulf. They offer a personalized touch that bigger schools might lack – think learning to sail at your own pace while feeling like part of the family. For beginners, they provide RYA Start Yachting and Competent Crew courses, often as part of a “learn to sail holiday” package. You can learn the basics over a week on a yacht and even split your time between training and leisure – Poros is close to other islands and the Peloponnese coast, so there’s lots to explore. Greek Sails also arranges flotilla sailing holidays and mile-building trips, which means after your course you could join a flotilla to practice your new skills in a supportive group. The combo of sailing school + vacation is what they excel at. And since Poros is just a short ferry from Athens, it’s convenient for travelers.
Sunsail Lefkada Sailing School
Location: Lefkada, Greece (Ionian Sea)
Website: Sunsail Greece
Instagram: @sunsailholidays
Sunsail is a well-known name in sailing holidays, and their base in Lefkada doubles as a fully RYA-accredited sailing school. If you prefer a larger company with extensive resources, Sunsail is a great option. They offer everything from the RYA Start Yachting weekend course up to Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper. Beginners can jump into a Competent Crew course or even a Flotilla Starter course (unique to Sunsail) that teaches you how to handle a yacht and then join one of their famous flotilla trips. Training here takes advantage of the calm Ionian conditions and easy island hopping sunsail.com – perfect for learning navigation and anchoring in a stress-free environment. As a bonus, Sunsail’s global network means their instructors are very experienced and you’ll meet fellow students from all over. After earning your cert, you can directly book a skippered or bareboat charter or a flotilla with Sunsail to continue your adventure.
Conclusion
All of these schools offers an amazing way to kickstart your mediterranean sailing journey. Whether you choose the Ionian’s gentle seas or the Aegean’s adventurous winds, you’ll be learning and enjoying the very best of Greece.