Key takeaways: Catamaran is best for families — stable, spacious, safe. Best destinations: Croatia, BVI, Ionian Greece, Bahamas. Hire a skipper if you have young children. Bring properly-fitted life jackets.

Why Sailing Is Great for Families

A sailing vacation is one of the most immersive and memorable family holidays possible. Children learn responsibility, develop sea legs quickly, swim in crystal-clear bays, and explore places inaccessible to land-based tourists. There are no crowded tourist buses, no resort queues — just the open sea, new anchorages each day, and family time together.

The key is choosing the right boat, destination, and level of support for your family's needs.

Choose a Catamaran

For families, a sailing catamaran is almost always the right choice:

• Stability — nearly flat at sea, dramatically reducing seasickness in children and adults alike
• Deck space — a wide, flat trampoline net and cockpit give children room to move, play, and watch the sea safely while underway
• Cabin privacy — children and adults in separate hulls; no one disturbs sleeping children when adults stay up
• Shallow draft — anchor in 1–2 meters of water, 10 meters from a beach
• Safety netting — most charter catamarans have safety netting around the bow trampoline

The additional cost (30–60% more than an equivalent monohull) is worth it for families with children under 12.

Best Destinations for Families

Croatia (Dalmatian Coast)

Croatia is the most family-friendly sailing destination in Europe. Short passages (2–4 hours between islands), calm sheltered channels, crystal-clear swimming, and excellent marina facilities with restaurants, playgrounds, and supermarkets nearby.

Best family bases: Split, Zadar, or Šibenik. Top family islands: Brač (Zlatni Rat beach), Hvar (calmer bays away from the nightlife), Vis (unspoiled).

BVI (British Virgin Islands)

The BVI is the classic Caribbean family sailing destination. The Sir Francis Drake Channel offers sheltered sailing between islands, steady trade winds, calm turquoise water, excellent snorkeling (The Baths at Virgin Gorda, the RMS Rhone wreck), and a well-established mooring ball system that makes anchoring easy.

Season: November–May (dry season, outside hurricane risk).

Ionian Islands, Greece (Corfu, Lefkada, Kefalonia)

The Ionian Islands are the calmest and greenest part of Greece — more rain and more vegetation than the Aegean, and generally lighter winds. Ideal for families. Lefkada's east coast has calm, shallow bays perfect for children. Kefalonia has some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe.

Bahamas

The Bahamas' crystal-clear shallow banks make it feel like swimming in an aquarium. The Exumas chain is ideal for family sailing: calm water, friendly sharks and stingrays at Compass Cay, pink sand beaches, and easy island-to-island sailing.

Safety Essentials

Life jackets: Every charter yacht comes with adult life jackets. Confirm with your charter company whether child-sized life jackets are available — many are, but size range varies. For very young children, bring your own fitted PFD.

Harnesses and tethers: At night or in rough weather, children on deck should wear a safety harness clipped to a jackstay. Most charter companies supply these on request.

Briefing your children: Before casting off, brief your children on: where they must wear life jackets (at sea, in the dinghy), what not to touch on deck (lines under tension, winches), and the rule of never jumping from the boat without permission.

Sun protection: Children burn quickly at sea. SPF 50+ sunscreen, rashguards, and sun hats are essential. Plan snorkeling and beach time in the morning or late afternoon.

Planning Your Itinerary

The golden rule for family sailing: don't over-plan. Children need time to swim, explore tide pools, and play in anchorages. Build in at least one full day at anchor per week with no sailing planned.

Practical itinerary tips:

• Keep sailing legs under 3 hours when sailing with children under 8
• Depart early morning (7–9am) when seas are calmest
• Have snacks and entertainment ready for the first 30 minutes underway (the rocky time for seasickness)
• Plan for at least one "civilization stop" per week — a marina with a playground, supermarket, or ice cream shop

Frequently Asked Questions

What age can children go on a sailing charter?

There is no minimum age for a sailing charter — infants have sailed safely on cruising boats for decades. Charter companies do not impose age restrictions. However, safety awareness increases significantly from age 4–5 upwards. For children under 3, a crewed charter or catamaran (more stable and spacious) is strongly recommended.

Is a catamaran or sailing yacht better for families?

A catamaran is almost always better for families. The wide, flat deck provides a safe space for children to move around while underway. The stability eliminates seasickness. Multiple cabins in separate hulls give parents and children privacy. The shallow draft lets you anchor very close to beaches. The only downside is cost — catamarans are 30–60% more expensive than equivalent monohulls.

What are the best sailing destinations for families?

The best family sailing destinations: Croatia (short passages, calm seas, excellent infrastructure), the BVI (trade winds, calm waters, child-friendly island hops), the Bahamas (shallow crystal-clear water, easy sailing), and the Ionian Islands of Greece (calm, lush, and beautiful). All offer short passages, calm conditions, and plenty of swimming opportunities.

Do I need to hire a skipper for a family sailing charter?

Not necessarily — if you hold a valid sailing certificate and are comfortable handling the boat. However, for families with young children, hiring a skipper is worth considering: it lets parents focus entirely on the children rather than the sailing, and a local skipper will know the best anchorages, restaurants, and hidden spots.

What should I pack for a sailing vacation with children?

Essential items for sailing with children: correctly-fitted life jackets for each child (most charter companies supply these; confirm in advance), non-slip boat shoes, sunscreen (SPF 50+), sun hats, rashguards, seasickness medication (consult a doctor for children), entertainment (books, cards, small waterproof toys), and a portable waterproof first-aid kit.