Neilson Sailing Holidays: 12 Things Families Need to Know

You’ll find Neilson Sailing Holidays offers over 25 water and land activities with up to 55 hours of free expert tuition weekly across beach clubs in Croatia, Greece, Italy, and Sardinia. Your children aged 2-17 can join extensive kids’ clubs with 60 hours of qualified childcare, while infants travel free and kids receive discounts up to 60%. RYA-certified instructors provide professional sailing instruction, and you can access additional services like private lessons and the specialized Starfish Crèche for toddlers. There’s much more to discover about these family-focused packages.

Over 25 Water Sports and Land Activities Available

Whether you’re seeking adrenaline-pumping water adventures or peaceful land-based pursuits, Neilson’s Beach Clubs deliver an impressive array of over 25 activities that cater to every skill level and interest.

You’ll find extensive water sports including dinghy sailing, windsurfing with expert guidance, and two free water skiing tows weekly. Morning sessions offer wakeboarding and stand-up paddle boarding when seas are calm. Advanced options like kitesurfing, wakesurfing, and wing foiling provide extra thrills at select locations.

Land activities complement the water offerings with tennis courts, cycling routes, mountain biking, and waterfront yoga classes. Most activities come included in your holiday price, with well-maintained equipment and friendly instructors. Activities are organized into color-coded groups from green for beginners to black for the most challenging levels.

You’ll receive detailed timetables upon arrival, helping you plan your week around everything from beginner taster sessions to advanced RYA sailing courses.

Up to 55 Hours of Free Expert Tuition Weekly

What truly sets Neilson apart from other sailing holidays is their commitment to all-encompassing instruction—you’ll have access to up to 55 hours of free expert tuition each week, making it possible to progress from complete beginner to confident sailor during a single holiday.

Your sailing instruction comes included in your package pricing without additional booking requirements. RYA-qualified instructors group lessons by ability level, ensuring you’re learning alongside peers with similar experience.

Sessions begin with beachside theory before moving to water-based practice. You’ll complete RYA Level 1 certification through four 2-hour sessions, with Level 2 advancement available for intermediate sailors.

Beach facilities stay open during lunch for extended practice, and you’ll only pay approximately £10 for certification documentation. With over 50 years of expertise in activity holidays, Neilson has refined their sailing programmes to deliver consistently high-quality instruction across all their Mediterranean locations.

Comprehensive Kids Clubs for Ages 2-17 Years

How do you keep children entertained and engaged during a family sailing holiday? Neilson’s all-inclusive kids clubs cover ages 2-17 across six inclusive programs at summer beachclubs.

Your toddlers can join Sea Turtles and Sea Urchins (2-3 years) for boat trips and arts.

Older children progress through Sea Badgers, Surfbusters, and Sharksters (4-9 years), enjoying kayaking, sailing, tennis, and pirate adventures.

Teens participate in Stingrays, Surf Squad, and Wave Riders (10-15 years) with team-building and water skiing.

The exclusive TAG club serves 16-17 year-olds.

All experienced staff are First Aid trained and DBS checked. The teen clubs are staffed by university students during high season periods.

Activities run flexibly throughout the day, with evening sessions twice weekly.

You’ll need to pre-book these popular programs.

60 Hours of Free Childcare With Qualified Staff

When you’re ready to enjoy some adult time during your Neilson sailing holiday, you’ll appreciate the generous 60 hours of free weekly childcare that’s included across all kids’ clubs.

The standard schedule runs four days from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, plus two evenings from 2:30 pm to 11 pm, giving you flexibility for both daytime activities and romantic dinners.

You can trust that your children are in capable hands with qualified staff who hold Enhanced DBS checks, First Aid certificates, and either BA Honours degrees in Early Childcare or NVQ Level 3 qualifications. Staff also complete health and safety training that’s specifically tailored to each resort environment.

The one-to-six staff-to-child ratio guarantees personalized attention, while all team members maintain strong swimming abilities and fluency in English for clear communication throughout your stay.

Beach Club Locations Across Croatia, Greece, Italy and Sardinia

Whether you’re drawn to Croatia’s dramatic coastlines, Greece’s crystal-clear waters, Italy’s vibrant culture, or Sardinia’s pristine beaches, Neilson’s beach clubs span four stunning Mediterranean destinations to suit every family’s vacation dreams.

In Croatia, you’ll find Vounaki Beachclub in Paleros and Retreat Beachclub in Sivota, offering family-friendly accommodations with kids’ facilities. The country is recognized as the star of the Adriatic with its diverse pebble beaches and dramatic landscapes that make it perfect for family exploration. Greece presents multiple options including Messini Beachclub near Kalamata airport, Cosmos Beachclub in windsurfing-perfect Vassiliki, adults-only Buca Beachclub, and Portomyrina Palace on Lemnos island.

Italy’s Airone Beachclub in Sibari features spa treatments and climbing walls, while Sardinia’s Baia dei Mori Beachclub in Budoni provides a relaxed atmosphere on the northeast coast. Each location offers consistent watersports, tennis courts, cycling options, and beachfront access.

All-Inclusive Packages With Flights, Meals and Accommodation

Since planning a Mediterranean sailing holiday can quickly become overwhelming with separate bookings for flights, accommodation, meals, and activities, Neilson’s all-inclusive packages streamline everything into one extensive deal.

You’ll get flights from major UK airports like Gatwick, Manchester, Bristol, and Edinburgh, plus ground transfers to your accommodation.

Your package includes yacht or beach club stays with linens, towels, damage waiver, and security deposit coverage.

For meals, you’ll enjoy daily breakfast buffets, lunch spreads featuring grilled meats and local dishes, and four evening meals weekly (five at Mar Menor). The buffet offerings feature fresh, varied options with consistently well-prepared fundamentals and exciting twists like freshly made pasta and traditional gyros.

Yacht guests receive grocery starter packs.

Seven-night beach club packages start from £745 per person, with ATOL protection covering all flights and air-inclusive holidays.

Flotilla Sailing Adventures in the Greek Ionian Islands

If you’re looking to build sailing confidence while exploring stunning Greek waters, Neilson’s flotilla adventures in the Ionian Islands offer the perfect blend of independence and support. You’ll sail well-maintained Dufour and Oceanis yachts ranging from 32 to 40 feet, all based at Vounaki Beach Club marina.

The sheltered waters between mainland Greece and south Ionian islands create ideal conditions for less experienced sailors. Light winds and short distances between ports mean you’re never far from shore, while clear turquoise waters support easy navigation. Your family can spot dolphins, turtles, and rays while enjoying excellent snorkeling opportunities at designated anchorages.

Lead crew provide all-encompassing briefings and pre-arrange moorings at each destination. You’ll receive sailing instruction if desired, allowing younger crew members to gain valuable helm experience in these protected waters. The one-week sailing experience begins and ends at Vounaki Beachclub in Paleros, providing a convenient base for your Greek island adventure.

Stay and Sail Options Combining Beach Club and Yacht Weeks

For families torn between the relaxation of a resort holiday and the adventure of sailing, Neilson’s stay and sail packages deliver the best of both worlds with their twin-centre holidays at Vounaki Beach Club.

You’ll spend one week enjoying the Beach Club’s amenities—including kids’ clubs for ages 2-17, water sports, and most meals included—then shift seamlessly to a week aboard a fully-equipped yacht sleeping up to eight people.

The flexible structure lets you choose which experience comes first. Your yacht comes ready with everything from navigation equipment to starter groceries, while the Beach Club’s dedicated marina makes transitions effortless.

Kids stay engaged with beach exploration and sailing tasks during yacht week, while parents appreciate the protected South Ionian waters perfect for beginners. Neilson’s over 35 years of expertise in activity holidays ensures smooth coordination between both experiences. It’s an ideal introduction to sailing without sacrificing resort comforts.

RYA Youth Sailing Awards and Professional Instruction

While your children splash around Neilson’s Beach Clubs, they can earn genuine sailing credentials through the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme—a structured program that takes young sailors from complete beginners to confident helm operators.

Stage 1 introduces boat basics and sailing principles, while Stage 2 develops course navigation skills. Stage 3 builds confidence sailing in various directions under moderate conditions, and Stage 4 teaches double-handed sailing as crew or helm.

Your kids can start at age 9 with no prior experience needed. Each stage requires approximately 16 hours of practical training in dinghies or keelboats. The program creates a safe, fun environment where children develop sailing skills through activities like racing, games, and educational shore sessions.

RYA-qualified instructors maintain safe ratios—three students per instructor for double-handers, six for single-handers.

Upon completion, they’ll receive certificates, logbooks, and skills contributing toward Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Child Discounts up to 60% With Infants Traveling Free

Why shouldn’t your entire family enjoy a sailing holiday just because you’ve got little ones in tow? Neilson’s child pricing makes family sailing holidays surprisingly affordable.

Infants aged 0-23 months sail completely free, including flights, transfers, and accommodation across all dates and locations.

Children aged 2-4 receive hefty 60% discounts when using additional beds, or 30% off with standard beds. You’ll find holidays starting from just £299 per child with everything included.

Primary school children (5-12) get 40% off with additional beds or 20% off standard beds.

Teenagers (13-17) receive 20% discounts on additional beds, 10% on standard beds.

These discounts apply year-round without seasonal restrictions across Croatia, Greece, Italy, and the Canary Islands, making family sailing genuinely accessible. All bookings are fully ATOL protected and backed by ABTA membership for complete peace of mind.

Starfish Crèche for Babies and Toddlers Under Two

When you need dedicated childcare for your youngest sailor, Neilson’s Starfish Crèche provides premium care for babies and toddlers aged 4-23 months across all Summer Beachclub locations.

You’ll get exceptional 1:2 nanny-to-child ratios with fully qualified, DBS-checked staff who’ve First Aid training and previous childcare experience.

The crèche operates four days weekly from 9:30am-12:30pm and 2:30pm-5:30pm, plus two evening sessions until 11pm.

Your little one enjoys beach picnics, sandcastle building, pool play, and hand painting activities.

Daily high tea’s included at 5pm, along with snacks and drinks throughout.

At £390 weekly, you’ll receive a rash vest, sun hat, and drawstring bag.

Extended sleep club costs £15 per two-hour session.

You’ll need to bring formula milk, though 24-hour baby rooms provide sterilization facilities. The beachfront locations ensure easy access between the crèche and your accommodation.

Additional Services Including Private Lessons and Water Ski Tows

Beyond the thorough sailing instruction included in your Beach Club holiday, you’ll find an extensive menu of additional services designed to elevate your water sports experience. Private lessons offer personalized tuition in sailing, windsurfing, and tennis, available for booking upon arrival or in advance.

For yacht enthusiasts, the four-day Introduction to Yachting course costs £299 per person and leads to RYA Level 2 certification.

Your holiday includes two free water ski or wakeboard tows per person weekly (three for longer stays), with additional packs starting at £150. The retreat also offers complimentary activities including mountain biking, fitness classes, and various watersports suitable for all skill levels.

Youth programs like Hot Shots run £250 weekly supplements, while intermediate clinics cover spinnakers and racing techniques.

Most Beach Clubs across Greece, Croatia, and Sardinia operate as recognized RYA training centers, ensuring quality instruction.

Last Words

You’ve got everything you need for an unforgettable family sailing holiday with Neilson. With expert instruction, all-encompassing childcare, and activities for every age group, you’ll create lasting memories while kids develop real skills. The substantial discounts make it financially accessible, and you’ll have the freedom to relax knowing qualified staff are caring for your children. Book early to secure your preferred dates and take advantage of the best cabin selections.