Sailing in Girona: 4-hour sailboat on the Costa Brava

Take the helm on a working sailboat, or simply feel the Mediterranean the way sailors have for centuries.

A four-hour sailing activity on the Costa Brava from Platja d'Aro, where you board a 35-foot Jeanneau sailboat with up to eight other passengers and a skipper, then navigate north or south depending on weather to find a sheltered cove for swimming and snorkeling. You'll learn basic sailing concepts, help with the boat's maneuvers, and have access to a paddle board, snorkeling equipment, fresh water shower and a fridge for your own drinks. The skipper speaks English and Spanish.

The experience

Platja d'Aro's port is where you meet the skipper at the sailing school facilities on the beach. From there you walk to the Havana, a 35-foot Jeanneau Sun Odyssey built in 2005, and cast off into the Mediterranean. The boat carries up to nine passengers plus the skipper, so the group stays small enough that everyone gets attention. You'll spend the four hours under sail, with the skipper choosing a northbound or southbound route based on the day's weather and sea conditions, always steering toward a protected corner of the Costa Brava.

During the sail, you're not just a passenger. The skipper introduces you to the basics of sailing and invites you to help with the maneuvers: trimming sails, adjusting lines, understanding how the boat responds to wind and water. If you'd rather watch and absorb the rhythm of sailing, that's fine too. At some point the boat anchors in a cove where you can swim, snorkel with the provided equipment, or paddle out on the included paddle board. There's a fresh water shower on deck to rinse off the salt, and a fridge where you can chill your own drinks.

You choose between a morning or afternoon departure, both lasting four hours. If you're driving, there's parking next to the facilities. During summer it costs a fee. The boat has room for your group without feeling crowded, and everyone boards and moves around easily.

What’s included

• Skipper and boat for four hours.
• snorkeling equipment and paddle board.
• fresh water shower on deck.
• use of the fridge for your drinks.
• music system on board.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00Last departure this season: 30 Nov

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by SET SAIL COSTA BRAVA

Is this one for you?The skipper speaks English and Spanish, so language is not a barrier. The boat holds up to nine passengers, keeping the group intimate enough that you're not lost in a crowd, and the four-hour sail works for anyone comfortable on the water: no sailing experience required.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the Havana like as a sailboat?

The Havana is a 35-foot Jeanneau Sun Odyssey from 2005, rigged with a mainsail and Genova jib. It's built for comfortable sailing in Mediterranean conditions and holds up to nine passengers plus the skipper without feeling cramped.

Can I help sail the boat, or do I just sit and watch?

You can do either. The skipper teaches basic sailing concepts and invites you to collaborate on the maneuvers: trimming sails, adjusting lines, steering. If you prefer to relax and observe, that works too.

Where do we stop during the four hours?

The skipper anchors in a protected cove on the Costa Brava, chosen based on that day's weather and sea conditions. There you can swim, snorkel with the provided equipment, or paddle out on the included paddle board.

What's included on the boat?

Snorkeling equipment and a paddle board are provided. You also get a fresh water shower on deck and access to a fridge where you can store your own drinks. The skipper is included, and you can play your own music on the boat's system.

Do I need sailing experience to join?

No. The skipper teaches basic sailing concepts during the sail, so beginners are welcome. The activity suits all fitness levels, and the boat is wheelchair accessible.